War Eternal scores gritty stakes win at Eagle Farm
Evergreen galloper War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) took his career stakes earnings over the A$1million threshold with a fighting performance to down the well-favoured Sun God (Fastnet Rock) in a tooth and nail battle to the finish of the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Cambridge Stud graduate made it back-to-back Queensland black type victories after winning the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Doomben last month, however on this occasion he looked certain to succumb to the closing burst of Sun God after being joined by him with 100m to run.
Just as Sun God looked to pull clear, rider Rachel King extracted an extra effort from War Eternal who thrust his head back in front at just the right time to secure his seventh career success for his connections and trainer, ex-pat Kiwi Bjorn Baker.
The seven-year-old is held in high regard in the Baker stable as noted by stable representative Jim Clarke.
“He's a beautiful horse and he's been a bit of a stable stalwart for a while now,” Clarke said.
“He's got a few years in his legs now, and I think he's ticked over $1million. So, he's an absolute ripper.
"The barrier was obviously a bit of a concern when they came out and he was going to be starting in a different state. But with the scratchings he came in (to barrier 9) and Rachel gave him a beautiful ride.
“He ended up in a great spot, and even though his better form is with a bit of juice in the ground, he has performed well on good tracks in the past.
"Rachel's having a day out. She's in fantastic form and she's a world-class rider, so hopefully she can keep it going."
King was also delighted with the win from a horse she has a definite soft spot for.
“He's so tough and genuine, tries his hardest and even though we drew a little bit tricky today, we ended up in a beautiful spot,” she said.
“He came back underneath me and he's very professional in everything he does. I loved the way he toughed it out.
"One of the owners said to me that all his wins had come on soft tracks, but the track here is perfect for him (Soft 5). He doesn't want it jarring but there's enough give in it for him."
Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, War Eternal was purchased by Baker out their 2020 Karaka Book 1 draft for $160,000. He has now had 39 starts for seven wins, eight placings and A$1.026million in stakes.
Out of the Fastnet Rock mare Aleria, he comes from an extended family that includes multiple stakes winner Impressive Eagle (Rubiton) and the 2016 Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready) who went on to success in Hong Kong where his victories included the Gr.2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: War Eternal (NZ) 2018
Owners: Bjorn Baker Racing, Mr A D Mathews, Mr B E Rissetto, Mr W J Kelly, Mr C E Holt, Mr G J Viney, Mr J A Caccamo, Mr J Gialantzis, Mr K R Ferrel, Mr M T Mathews, Mr P Gialantzis, Mr R J Coleman, Recount Racing, Mr R Bow
Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)
Breeding: by Pierro (AUS) out of Aleria (AUS) by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
Breeder: B J Lindsay MNZM & Mrs J E A Lindsay
Sales: 2020 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Cambridge Stud $160000 P: Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke B/stock
Roadcone navigates alternate path to Flemington win
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone (Almanzor) is best known for his on-speed exploits but after being a shade slow to begin on Saturday, the son of Almanzor found a new trick in his kit-bag as he triumphed narrowly at Flemington.
Riden by apprentice Luke Cartwright, Roadcone came from midfield to wear down his rivals in the Vale Steve Richards (1400m) and narrowly score from He’ll Rip (Hellbent) and Elouyou (So You Think).
Moody was quick to pay tribute to the late Flemington trainer Steve Richards after whom the race was named.
“I was never personal with Steve but always had great respect for him as a horseman and a trainer and he was always polite and if you needed a hand or anything he was always there to put his hand up,” Moody said.
“You're always very proud to win a race named after such a fine person, so thinking of family and friends at this time.
“Our intention was to probably lead. We thought we might have been right on pace but he jibbed the start a little bit but then Luke gave him a nice ride and found cover midfield.
“He got a nice cart into the race and he showed good tenacity the last little bit. He was going to run a lovely third and then really knuckled down and had a good crack.
“They’re patient owners over in New Zealand, so hopefully the boys have had a good day.
“He pays his bills again and he wins one each preparation. It gets harder when you get up in the in the ratings a little bit, but young Cartwright rides him well and that claim was very valuable in the last 50m.”
By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Roadcone was bred by Bob Emery and is out of the So You Think mare On The Ball (NZ), who placed at two for Murray Baker before a career-ending injury.
Baker went to $120,000 to purchase Roadcone from Woburn Farm’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022 on behalf of part-owners John Rattray and Alastair Lawrence.
Roadcone is a half-brother to multiple Listed winner and Group One-placed Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior), while his yearling half-sister by Too Darn Hot made $675,000 last year at Karaka.
Jockey Luke Cartwright said the galloper held a special place in his heart given he had won three metropolitan races on him.
The five-year-old gelding has been a good money-spinner for connections, with six wins from 20 career starts and a further four placings, advancing his prizemoney to A$332,364.- NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Roadcone (AUS) 2020
Owners: Mr A R Lawrence, Mr J A Rattray, Mr S C Montgomery, Mr D N Mitchell
Trainer: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman (Pakenham)
Breeding: by Almanzor (FR) out of On The Ball by So You Think
Breeder: RA Emery
Sales: 2022 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Woburn Farm $120000 P: Mr MP Baker
Quick back up works the oracle for Uderzo
Consistent gelding Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) showed he was thriving on a steady diet of weekly racing when he pulled away from his rivals in the closing stages to score nicely against the open sprinters in the Trackside.co.nz 1400 at Ellerslie.
The seven-year-old son of Vadamos was having his third consecutive run on a Saturday for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and performed to expectations as he came from just off the pace to dash past race favourite Sweet Smile in the final 200m to register career win number six.
Scott was thrilled to see his charge, who he shares in the ownership of with wife Lauren and a large group of stable supporters, pick up the win after finishing runner-up in two of his last three starts.
“We’re genuinely pleased for the ownership group and the team at home as we’ve tried a few different things with him this week, including sleeping in a few different boxes,” Scott said.
“He had been thinking a bit (in his races) so we were just trying to keep him up on his toes and put that variety into his routine.
“He has always been a lovely, consistent galloper and Warren (Kennedy) gave him a lovely ride.
“He pulled up so well out of his run last weekend and once he finds form, he usually holds it.
“We thought that we would put him in today as the nominations were light, while there is a nice race next Saturday for him at Te Rapa, so provided he has a good week, we’ll keep cracking on.”
Warren Kennedy was happy to keep his options open during the race with just five rivals to contend with.
“With small fields it is normally quite tactical and things can change on a dime,” he said.
“I didn’t expect to see Sweet Smile in front, so I thought I would just bide my time. He’s not a horse with a great turn of foot but he winds into it, so we attacked quite late and he just pulled through the line and we had it won at the 200m.
“He felt brilliant, he’s fit and relaxed, has matured and is a pleasure to ride.”
Purchased by Wexford Stables for $125,000 out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2020 Book1 draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Uderzo has now won six of his 40 starts, with a further 10 placings and more than $281,000 in prizemoney.
Out of the Pentire mare Etosha Lass, his extended family includes brilliant Australian sprinter and successful stallion Canny Lad, who took out the 1990 Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m), along with a host of notable Australian Group One winners including Camarena, Canny Lass, Guelph and Sepoy. - Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Winner: Uderzo (NZ) 2018
Owners: David & Belinda Kelt, Andrew & Lauren Scott, Forest Partnership & LB Bloodstock Venture Partnership No.2
Trainer: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott (Matamata)
Breeding: by Vadamos (FR) out of Etosha Lass by Pentire (GB)
Breeder: P M Merton & Rich Hill Thoroughbreds Ltd
Sales: 2020 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Rich Hill Stud $125000 P: Wexford Stables
Joshua Smith
Kevin Robertson
Joshua Smith
