The Western Front digs in to win Sandown Cup
The Western Front (NZ) (War Decree) picked up his first stakes victory on Sunday, holding tough to win the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) in a three-way thriller.
A rapid improver this time in, the son of War Decree has now won four of eight starts in his elongated campaign and taken his rating from 69 to 84, a number that will rise again after Sunday’s success.
Luke Currie gave The Western Front ($2.80) every chance in the one-out one-back spot, and he travelled superbly into the race, but Tajanis ($15) offered strong resistance first-up for Charlotte Littlefield, while Zibulon ($8) got very close on the outside.
But the Lindsay Park-trained stayer stuck his nose out where it counted for favourite backers, delighting his trainers, who have at times questioned how genuine the talented galloper is.
“We were a lot closer, and he loomed into it. What I loved about the win, and I’m sure my brothers will agree, is that he fought it out,” Ben Hayes said.
“He’s often been a horse that’s been a bit of a thinker, and he likes to throw away these sorts of races.
“But he was so genuine, he tried, he handled the track beautifully and he ran out a strong 3200 metres. Well done to the Ace (Bloodstock) boys.”
The Western Front was bred by the late Kevin Hickman and is by Inglewood Stud stallion War Decree out of the winning Zacinto mare Rosaeflora.
Offered on Gavelhouse.com as a weanling in June 2021, The Western Front was bought by Ralph Manning for just $1,300. The gelding had two trials for Manning, winning the second one at Cambridge in May of 2024 before being sold to Ace Bloodstock. - Racing.com
Winner: The Western Front (NZ) 2020
Owners: Ace Bloodstock Racing Pty Ltd, Mr P A Millson, Mr A Henwood, Ace Racers 5, Mrs C A Paisley, Mr K J Paisley, Mangan Racing, Mr S A Bira'm, Mr D Selkrig, Barnyard Syndications, Mr A Zulli, Mr P Presti, Generations, Mr R M Jarvis, Mrs S D Jarvis, Mr C Colaneri, RWR Racing, The Bowlers Stables, Mr S W A Millson, Lindsay Park 18
Trainer: Ben, Will & JD Hayes / Pakenham
Breeding: by Written By (AUS) out of Thwayya (AUS) by Snitzel (AUS)
Breeder: K J Hickman ONZM; Canterbury; NZ
Sales: 2021 NZ 14 Jun Online Auction V: Stephen Witte $1300 P: Robert Manning
Sing For Peace stuns in steeple romp
Sing For Peace (NZ) (Tavistock) announced himself as steeplechasing’s newest star on Sunday, putting up a dominant performance in the Australian Steeplechase, as Stern Idol faded to finish third.
Already one of the classier hurdlers around, Sing For Peace started a well-backed $2.60 chance in his first go at the fences, but instantly looked at home over the bigger obstacles, guided by Tom Ryan, who picked up his first Australian Steeple win since Megapixel saluted in 2012.
He raced a touch keenly early, but soon settled in the lead, and the champion Stern Idol, weighed down by a mammoth 76kg weight on a Heavy deck, couldn’t go with Sing For Peace in the straight.
Castrofrancaru and Luca Remondet stormed home late into second, but 10 lengths behind the winner, and Tom Ryan said a race morning text from trainer Patrick Payne filled him with confidence.
“Paddy texted me this morning and said, ‘I think he’s fairly on song’,” Ryan said.
“He never blows anything out of proportion, and when he says something like that to you, you start to get very excited.
“He’s met every fence spot on and was brilliant to the line.”
Sing For Peace was sold at Karaka by Woburn Farm at the 2020 Book 1 Sale for $140,000 to John Foote Bloodstock. - Racing.com
Winner: Sing for Peace (NZ) 2018
Owners: Price Bloodstock Management Ltd
Trainer: Patrick Payne / Plumpton
Breeding: by Tavistock out of The Nightingale by Stravinsky (USA)
Breeder: Lady Justine & Sir Patrick Hogan; R I & Est late M A G Johnson
Sales: 2020 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Woburn Farm $140000 P: John Foote B/stock
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
