Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm

Andrew Mallyon had ridden General Truce in the gelding’s first starts as a 2yo. After winning on debut the pair combined to win the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate. More than four years later they reunited at the same venue and distance to tackle the Listed Kensington Stakes.

General Truce had earned a reputation as specialist along the Flemington straight but he had been allocated 59 kgs in the open field and gate one was not the ideal draw. He started at 17-1.

The majority headed to the outside leaving the General Truce in the middle of the track. Andrew decided to take cover behind Don’t Get Excited. Peeling out along the inside during the latter stages General Truce raced to the lead and was strong to the line.

Damien Oliver aboard the runner up Pocket Rockets unsuccessfully lodged a protest against General Truce for interference at the 200 metres.

It was General Truce’s first start for the preparation and bodes well for his autumn campaign. “He gets under the radar” said trainer Ricky Maund after the run. Ricky had four runners for four consecutive winners. Onya Keithy was impressive at Cranbourne, Artie’s Sheila saluted at Woolamai while Streak On won at Bairnsdale.

General Truce by Brief Truce was bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. His half-sister Complete Control has an Encosta de Lago filly who will be offered for sale as Lot 121 at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale on the 2^nd of March.

Success Express mare Gal Express has been a wonderful producer for Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. In November of 2013 Gal Express foaled a colt by Wanted. Sadly she succumbed to complications that arose due to surgery late last year.

Gal Express has had four foals to race and each of them have performed admirably during the last 30 days. Timely Truce pounced to win at Benalla over 1200 metres with Chad Schofield up for Ricky Maund, while Bedouin Express came from well back to win at Werribee for Shea Eden over 2000 metres and Doug Harrison’s Gallant Express led all of the way to win at Cranbourne. Coupe Express placed at Cranbourne.

Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm is offering Lot 276 a Foreplay colt from Gal Express (pictured) at Inglis’ Melbourne Premier sale at Oakland’s Junction in early March.

Ex WA trainer John Price purchased a chestnut filly by Turffontein from Gal Express at the 2013 Inglis Premier sale.

Curiously named three year old Blue Diamond (pictured above) was an impressive winner on debut at Singapore last Sunday over 1,200 metres. With Danny Beasley on board the Theo Kieser trained gelding led from the jump outstaying a late challenge from Laser Storm. The win came on the back of some exciting trial performances by the first starter.

Blue Diamond by Tale Of The Cat from Mighty Atalanta was sold to Ascot Racing for $50,000 by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm at Magic Millions’ 2012 Adelaide Yearling Sale. He later was presented at the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale. He ran a very competitive breeze up time and was sold for $112,000.
  The win concluded a good weekend for Lauriston bred graduates. General Truce had won the Listed Kensington Stakes just a day earlier down the Flemington straight while at Woolamai Café Coupez (pictured left) won his second race during the season’s picnic circuit for Bec Waymouth with her mother Debbie on board. At Cranbourne’s Friday night meeting Gallant Express led all the way for his maiden victory.

Timely Truce was a convincing winner at Benalla last Friday. With Chad Schofield on board the gelding settled midfield. Surrounded by horses after straightening Chad needed some luck. A gap presented between runners and Chad steered the gelding to a two length victory. The benchmark 70 rating 1,200 metre rating race was Timely Truce’s third win and took the four year old’s career earnings beyond $130,000. Timely Truce has been placed at black type level on three occasions including a third behind All Too Hard in the Talindert.

The win completed a Benalla double for trainer Ricky Maund who had earlier trained the winner of the third race with four year old mare Streak On.

Yesterday Gold Copy stepped out in the orange and green at Beaudesert for trainer Barry Lockwood. Worked to the front of the 1,400 metre race by apprentice Michael Mckenzie the mare stole a break at the turn. Gold Copy went to the line to win by half a length. It was Gold Copy’s third career victory.

Timely Truce and Gold Copy were bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.

Jim

Jim was first past the post on debut at Singapore over 1200 metres last April. An objection from the second placegetter for interference in the straight was upheld and Jim was relegated to second.

Last Sunday Jim made amends. Trainer Cliff Brown elected to push Jim out to 1,800 metres. Vagner Leal took a hold on the gelding in the early stages before pushing him out at the turn. In a driving finished Jim found the front and managed to hold out the late closers.

Race replay: Race 11 Singapore 03 Nov 13

Cliff Brown purchased Jim (pictured as a colt in 2011) at Inglis’ Premier Yearling sales in Melbourne. Jim by Testa Rossa from Pride Of Encosta was bred and presented by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.

Projects made it two wins in a row when he won a benchmark 70 rating race at Mornington last Sunday over 1,200 metres.  Vlad Duric, who had ridden the chestnut to a convincing victory on Seymour Cup day just two weeks earlier, was on board again. Vlad had no intention of putting him in a cluttered position, and so from the wide gate he worked him to the lead. Rounding the bend Projects stole a break but the early work began to take toll. Coronation Shallan was swallowing up late ground. Projects dug deep to hold her out with 0.2 lengths to spare. Velonski also closed late to finish a further length back in third.

The $30,000 race was Projects’ fifth victory. The result completed a double for in form trainer Shea Eden who triumphed with Teretoa at Kilmore earlier in the day.

Returning to scale

Apollo’s Choice won at his only start as a two year old in a VOBIS Gold maiden at Benalla. Trainer Shea Eden spelled him and on Tuesday, nearly six months later, had him ready for his first start as a three year old. Shea had selected a VOBIS Gold 1200 metres at Kyneton.

This race looked a little tougher. Peter Moody had two runners. Previous winners Spirits Dance and Bedisguised who had won his debut race just three weeks earlier – by seven lengths and the form through Andrew Payne’s Newspaper looked strong.

With Chris Symons unavailable Shea was fortunate enough to snare pick up rider Brad Rawiller. Apollo’s Choice jumped well, but so did the rest of the field, and rather than being caught wide Brad brought Apollo’s Choice back in behind them. Taking the run along the rail Brad decided to follow the well fancied Newspaper into the race. It was a race winning decision. In the straight Newspaper had beaten off the rest, but Apollo’s Choice under hands and heels riding took the gap between Newspaper and the fence and was strong to the line. The colt won by a length and a half.

Michael Wood, Apollo’s Choice, Adam Zeliff

“Yes, I think he could be up to city class” said Brad after the race “and he will probably get further”.

“Great ride Brad” said Momentum syndicate member and part owner Michael Wood.

Apollo’s Choice was bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. He is a colt by Choisir from Apolina – a full sister to Prince Rubiton who coincidentally won his second race at Kyneton.