Kiwis Commanding at The Valley

Moonee Valley provided the venue for a host of standout performances by New Zealand-breds on Saturday, although, in spite of a gallant effort, the feature was just out of reach.

In the Group 1 Tattersalls Cox Plate (2040m), nine-year-old Fields of Omagh (Rubiton x Finneto) made history when he pipped New Zealand Bloodstock graduate El Segundo (Pins x Palos Verdes) by a nose in the shades of the post. In a scintillating finish, both horses came wide before unleashing their explosive sprints down the straight, with the five-year-old Kiwi losing no admirers for his efforts. Connections are undecided where the horse will be heading next although they haven't ruled out a start in the Motorola MacKinnon Stakes (2000m), at Flemington on Saturday.

Earlier in the day it was an exciting New Zealand Bloodstock-graduate quinella in the Group 2 AAMI Moonee Valley Vase (2040m). The Graeme Rogerson-trained Efficient (Zabeel x Refused the Dance) proved too good, prevailing over fellow New Zealander The One (O'Reilly x The Grin) by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Efficient has now secured raging hot favouritism for the VRC Derby on Saturday, where The One is also headed.

Both Efficient and The One are graduates of last year's Karaka Premier Sale. Efficient was bought by Rogerson for NZ$220,000 from Curraghmore Stud and trains the horse for a group of owners including prominent racing identity, Lloyd Williams. The One - from the Dennis brothers' famous South Island 'The' family - was bought by Paul Moroney for NZ$185,000 from Russell & Robyn Rogers' Rodmor Stud. A close relative to The One will be offered at next month's Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. Lot 316 is a colt by Westbury Stud sire Faltaat, out of Sound Reason mare, The Reason. A full-brother to The One has been entered in next year's New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

Continuing a top day for Australian-based New Zealand trainer, Graeme Rogerson, were Zipping (Danehill x Social Scene) and Gallic (Zabeel x Gesine) finishing first and third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). Bred by Roberts Holdings, NZB graduate Gallic was sold for NZ$170,000 at the Karaka Premier Sale by the Ra Ora Haunui Partnership. Gallic's half-sister by Van Nistelrooy is entered in the Karaka Premier Sale in January.

New Zealand bred two-year-old filly, Royal Asscher (Stravinsky x Diamond Cashel), finished off a successful day for the Kiwis at The Valley with a second in the Listed St Albans Stakes (1000m).

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