Karaka Graduates Take Two Trentham Features
28 January 2007
Windsor Park Stud stallion, Volksraad (by Green Desert), continues to show his versatility, siring the winners of both Group One races at Trentham yesterday.
The win by Willy Smith (Volksraad x Sound Lear) in the Group One Century City Developments Wellington Cup (3200m) was no surprise to his connections, the five-year-old's solid lead-up form indicating he would get the two mile trip.
Bred by Peter Smith of Wanganui, Willy Smith was purchased by Richard Dee at the 2003 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$38,000 from the draft of Curraghmore Stud.
He is raced by well-known equestrienne, Merrain Hain, and her brother Murray McPhail. The five-year-old gelding, prepared by Dee until he retired eighteen months ago, is now�trained by Mark Todd, who commented that "Matt [Cameron, jockey], rode a terrific race".� This�was Willy�Smith's sixth�victory, bringing his�prize money earnings to NZ$300,000.�
Willy Smith got to the line�half-a-neck ahead of Mirkola Lass (Prized x Gun Lady)�who had Paul Taylor in the saddle�with Everswindell (Align x Hilarion Lady) - Noel Harris aboard -�three-quarters-of-a-length back in third.
Mirkola Lass was purchased by Phillip Chisholm at the Spring Bloodstock Sale for NZ$800 from Fayette Park.
Meanwhile, in the other feature Sir Slick (Volksraad x Miss Opera), ridden by Opie Bosson, took out the Group One Charitable Foundation Thorndon Mile (1600m) in convincing fashion beating Pins'n'Needles (Pins x Raining) by one-and-a-quarter lengths with Bonjour (Frenchpark x Buyers Dilemma) half-a-neck further back in third.
Sir Slick was purchased by his trainer, Graeme Nicholson, at the 2003 Select Yearling Sale from the draft of Mapperley Stud. He represents the first Group One winner bred by Paul and Cushla Smithies, of Monovale Farm at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge.
This was the genuine galloper's tenth victory, and he has now earned nearly NZ$500,000 in prize money finishing no further back than fifth in his last ten starts.
Pins'n'Needles was purchased as a yearling at the 2002 South Island Sale of 2YOs and Mixed Stock Sale by WE & KN Calder for NZ$6,500 from Slade Farm.
Volksraad, who has been the leading New Zealand sire for the past five seasons, is represented by twenty-four colts and eleven fillies at the National Yearling Sales Series, which commences at the Karaka Sales Centre tomorrow morning (Monday) at 11am.