Easter Racing Round Up

29 March 2005

Several New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduates performed well at the Easter meetings over the weekend, despite rain affected tracks on both sides of the Tasman.

On Saturday Premier Sale graduate Philosophe (Zabeel x Sound Lover) took out the second on the card at Randwick; the Sydney Morning Herald Chairman's Handicap (2600m). The five year old gelding won the $300,000 event for trainer Jim Conlan. GSA Bloodstock purchased him from Little Avondale Stud at the 2001 Premier Sale for $470,000.

On Saturday evening in Hong Kong another New Zealand bred Premier Sale graduate tasted success. Socrates (Zabeel x Oh Sister) beat a respectable class 4 field when winning the Pollock Handicap (2000m) at Sha Tin. The gelding was sold for $190,000 by Trelawney Stud at the 2003 Premier Sale. Mr Neville Begg purchased the horse.

Back at Randwick on Monday, promising two year old, De Beers (Quest For Fame x Chimeara) broke his maiden in the $70,000 Bigpond Handicap (1200m). The colt had run an impressive second on debut for prominent New Zealand owner and bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty. McAnulty purchased the horse from Pencarrow Stud at the 2004 Premier Yearling Sale for $750,000.