Master O'Reilly Stamps Authority

New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale graduate Master O'Reilly (O'Reilly x Without Remorse) produced a commanding performance to win the Group 2 Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (2400m) on the first day of Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield on Saturday.

Entering the home straight, jockey Vlad Duric angled the five-year-old from last out four-wide to then motor home to finish one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of fellow New Zealand bred Zavite (Zabeel x Miss Vita). The third horse, Reggie (Germano x Crackastar), crossed the line a further four-and-a-quarter lengths back to complete a New Zealand-bred trifecta.

Touted as a star of the future, the Danny O'Brien trained Master O'Reilly gained automatic entry into this Saturday's Caulfield Cup and escapes re-handicapping to carry just 50kg. He has won seven races and been placed on six other occasions from 18 starts.

Liam Sutcliffe Holdings purchased Master O'Reilly as a two-year-old at the 2004 South Island Sale for NZ$75,000 from Paritai Stud.

In his last start, the Listed JRA Cup on 28 September, he was third to another stand-out NZ bred performer on Saturday, the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred Maldivian (Zabeel x Shynzi). �The dynamic gelding took home top honours in the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes, downing the outstanding mare Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice x Forest Pearl). The Mark Kavanagh trained five-year-old becomes his super-sire Zabeel's 38^th individual Group 1 winner and is now favourite for the Caulfield Cup.

Both Zabeel and O'Reilly are represented at the up-coming Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs on 20 & 21 November.