Bellini Doesn’t Miss At The Valley

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It was heart in the mouth stuff at Moonee Valley last night where we watched our girl, Bellini Miss come from the back of the field to get up in the last stride to bring up her first City win.

Her $41 starting price was way over the odds compared to what we believed she should be but her form on paper indicated she hadn’t placed at her last 6 runs. What bookies didnt take into account was that her last 3 efforts were marred by bad luck and there was plenty to like about each of her efforts. She’s a get back and run on horse so luck plays a big part in her success.

Thankfully last night the stars aligned perfectly and she got the job done. The step up to the mile was a big factor but a patient ride by in-form Beau Mertens definitely provided the last piece of the puzzle. Beau let her amble along back in the field then started to pick up the tempo at the right time. He was forced to come wide on her but she was improving sharply and when the big strides were needed she mowed down the race fav, Bubbly Lass to arrive just in the nick of time.

Bellini Miss was another of our successful purchases from NZ. We liked her so much we managed to secure her full sister who will be arriving on our shores any day now. A prudent purchase now that her sister is a Melb Metro winner! Hopefully she can gallop too.

Congratulations to our owners, a few who were on course to enjoy the moment. She will more than likely head to Sandown next and relish an 1800m trip.

 

Storming Debut At The Gold Coast

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The well named Storm The Fortress (by Invader) could not have been more impressive on debut this afternoon when he lined up in a 1200m Maiden at the Gold Coast.

Although we suspected he might take a run or two to tighten up and be ready to to win, he surprised us a little by just going bang!!!

The stunning chestnut jumped well from his nice alley and birthday boy, Andrew Mallyon let him just camp behind the trio who dominated the speed. Shortly after straightening it was just a matter of peeling off heels, getting balanced and once he leveled out to chase, he knuckled down and picked them off easily. He still has a bit to learn but his impressive turn of foot was excitng to watch and he will benefit a stack from that race experience.

The 3yo gives every indication he will relish a mile being out of an O’Reily mare  and if he can win his next start he will be Magic Millions bound for the 3yo Guineas.

 

No Drama Shows What He’s Made Of

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We were rapt to notch up another winner in successive days, this one coming with No Drama, a horse we purchased as a tried runner from NZ earlier this year. He scored his first Australian win in terrific fashion today at Bendigo today appreciateing the Good 4 and step up to 1400m. He had had 2 runs for us prior to this victory… he got outbobbed on the line in Adelaide, then didnt have any luck at his following start. Unfortunately he went around in the red on both occasions but thankfully those who stuck fat got their payday with him saluting at the juicy odds of around $10.

 

The 3yo has the ability but is still a good prep or two away from reaching his potential with some maturing to do mentally. Today though he gave us a real glimpse of what he can do on a racetrack if he puts it all together and today we took luck out of the equation. He was sent straight to the lead and was rated perfectly by Froggy Newitt. He straightened with a nice advantage and kept going strongly to the line holding at bay any idea of a challenge from race fav, Holymanz, running good time for the 1400m affair and disposed of a very handy bunch, mainly 3yo’s on the up. In fact,he ran nearly 12 lengths quicker than the other 1400m on the day.

 

We are seriously thinking about the Sandown Guineas to be run at Caulfield on the 26th Nov. Lindsey Smith has done a terrific job with this bloke. He has a few quirks but we are starting to see them get ironed out of his repertoire.

Recap Breaks Through For First Win

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4yo mare, Recap gave her connections something to smile about after she notched up her first race victory at Casterton today. Appreciating the step up in trip especially to the 1800m with the venue change, she jumped well but was a bit keen early so Blaike McDougall took hold and she came back to him nicely. He followed the $1.45 fav Castrel Trosino into the lane then switched off its back and levelled up half way down the running. Although the fav gave a good kick, our girl dug deep and did best to score a well deserved win.

 

Recap is not overly blessed with talent but she tries hard whenever she goes around and 7 placings from her first 10 starts is testament to that. Finally she is a winner and that is all she needs on her resumé as she will eventually progress to the breeding barn.

 

She will head to an online sale shortly and the fact she’s from the same family of the champion Fastnet Rock will add a bit of lustre to her appeal as a broodmare but there is still plenty of racing ahead of her yet!

Kissinger Keeps On Keeping On

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He’s been up since May but tough gelding Kissinger just keeps turning up and is racing in career best form at the moment. This made evident by a terrific win on Cranbourne Cup day today. It was his 11th run-in but he’s superbly managed by Lindsey Smith at home and he presents the horse rock hard fit and in great order. Combining with Damien Oliver at his last 3 outings has also been most beneficial 2 wins and a 2nd.

Today Ollie rode one out of the Jockey’s manual. He had the 7yo on the fence behind the leaders for the 2540m event. Although the big boy got a bit fired up when he saw the crowd the first time in the straight, he relaxed beautfully after that. He took some encouraging when they sprinted but gained momentum to be ready to pounce when the game came. Once it did, Ollie presented and Kissinger finished best to score. Port Phillip who nosed him out at Caulfield last start with a 1kg advantage could only manage 3rd today this time conceding 4.5kg.

It was a terific win under the circumstances with Cranbourne not really a track which works in his favour. We willmore than likely head to the Pakenham Cup then aim for the Bagot Hcp at Flemington, a race which looks ideal for him!

Kissinger is only lightly raced with 6 wins and 7 placings from 24 starts. The win today took his earnings to over a quarter of a million dollars. Congratulations to all connections!

CRANBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 12: Damien Oliver riding Kissinger winning Race 3, the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon, during Melbourne Racing on Cranbourne Cup Day at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger Lands Overdue Win

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Rudhyar Opens City Account

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UK bred and purchased Rudhyar gave his team of owners something to get excited about after scoring a dominant victory at Sandown today.

With the blinkers off and winkers on, the promising stayer jumped nicely and was put into a beautiful spot, just behind the leaders. It was unfamiliar to him with most of his past runs seeing him settle much futher back but he was in perfect hands with Jamie Kah steering. She let the 5yo stroll along and put him to sleep in 4th spot, then approaching the corner, with the leading trio in her sights, Jamie kept him balanced through the dip, let him get there on his own and went straight past them. Had he got there too soon? 2nd fav Wisaka was in hot pursuit, so the test was on but our boy proved the superior stayer and relished the 2400m to race clear and score by over 3L.

Rudhyar has been a work in progress since we brought him over from the UK. Lindsay Smith is still trying to get to the bottom of the gelding but watching him win like that would no doubt be painting a clearer picture for him. He has now won 4 from just 10 starts.

Superbly named (Sea The Stars x Bright Halo) after French-born, Dane Rudhyar, a preeminent Astrologist, he is a horse that will continue to improve with age and maturity and will be exciting to see what heights he can get to once he goes through his grades.

He was part of Brad’s first successful raid at the UK’s Tatt’s Sales in 2018 which he recognises as THE place to buy stayers. Since then Brad has continued to purchase quality from Europe in a bid to win the big classic staying races here. Hopefully one of those will be a 3200m Hcp on the first Tuesday in November! If you would like to know how to get involved, simply email Brad Spicer brad@spicerthoroughbreds.com.au or call him on 0400 676 773

Rudhyar (GB) ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Ladbrokes Live Betting Handicap at Sandown Racecourse on July 20, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos)