Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm

Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm’s first foray  into South Australia as vendors was at the Magic Millions Yearling sale in 2010 with a draft of five yearlings. Among them were Moonee Valley 1600 metre winner and GP3 Chairman’s runner up Alcohol, triple winner Cavallo Nero and staying winning filly That’s All Gold. Today Spurparts, previously known as Pan, broke his maiden status after a string of placings at Townsville. Ridden off the speed by Frank Edwards, the Glen Baker trained gelding flashed home to record a 2.3 length victory.

With the win Spurparts became the 51^st individual winner bred at Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.

Lauriston did not participate in the Magic Millions sale at Adelaide in 2011, but earlier this year sold all seven yearlings from their 2012 draft. Lot 28 was purchased by Adelaide trainer Jon O’Connor. Crabbing, previously known as Bolt (pictured above), was an impressive winner in a trial for 2yos at Morphettville yesterday. Trial Replay

Last Monday was Glenariff’s third start in her new stable with trainer Darren Egan at Gawler. She had acquitted herself well in the previous two. This time she was stepping out to 1,200 metres in a 0-68 rating mares at Strathalbyn. Top South Australian apprentice Jamie Kah had accepted the ride.

Glenariff jumped quickly from the inside gate, however Jamie decided to settle rather than contest a speed battle for the lead. It was a race winning decision. The four horses vying for the lead pushed forward putting three lengths on Glenariff, who raced along the fence by herself with a gap separating her from the remaining three. Jamie eased Glenariff to the outside and at the quickly closed the gap on the tiring front runners.

Glenariff was foaled at Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm is a half-sister to Golden Rose winner Doonan. It was the mare’s fifth win.

Race Replay

Trainer Ricky Maund booked Andrew Mallyon to ride Coupe Express (pictured in 2008 as a foal) at Bairnsdale yesterday in the 1,000 metre race for fillies and mares.

Race leader Yougopow stole a break at the turn and looked the likely winner. Andrew had positioned Coupe Express midfield on the fence. He guided the mare around one horse and chased. Coupe Express responded. Her last fifty was dazzling and she just managed to edge out the tear away leader.

Coupe Express who is by Ne Coupez Pas was foaled at Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. She is a half-brother to promising three year old Timely Truce. It was Andrew’s second win on the mare.

Just over a month ago, Dean Yendall broke the 1,000 metre Geelong synthetic track record aboard Novaspirit. Two weeks later they returned to the same venue and after being held up for the majority of the race stormed home to finish fourth.

Dean was unavailable to ride yesterday and so Daniel Moor was booked for the ride aboard Novaspirit. Shea Eden had placed the Bel Esprit mare well. The venue and the distance were the same yet the grade was considerably higher – a benchmark 72 rating race. She came into the field with the lightest weight of just 54.0 kgs – 3.0kgs lighter than the weight she carried when she broke the track record.

Daniel rode her superbly. Novaspirit settled in her customary position toward the rear. Daniel angled wider at the turn, and then took a run between horses. Novaspirit responded and quickly moved into contention. Shiny And New, who was momentarily held up, quickened along the inside. Spatha loomed and Novaspirt joined in to make it a three way go at the wire. Novaspirit prevailed with just 0.3lengths covering the first three and daylight to the rest.

The Lauriston bred five year old mare has endured a career plagued with injury. Yet from just twelve starts she has won three races and in her second start ran the good mare Obsidian Dragon to half a length at Morphettville.

Timely Truce had placed at listed level three times during his two year old career. He had finished runner up in the Merson Cooper Stakes, third in the Blue Diamond Prelude and third in the Talindert behind Black Caviar’s half brother All Too Hard.

Today was his first start at three. He won by seven lengths. The plan was to find an easy 3yo maiden at set weight level … but at this time of year there is no such thing. Among others the 1,200 metre field included Fremont Street – a half brother to Apache Cat, Extreme Impact – a Group 3 runner up to Snitzerland and Darley first starter Footprint – a son of Redoute’s Choice.

Settling midfield and three wide, Damien Oliver allowed the gelding to press forward, and after drawing level at the turn pressed forward and the gap kept widening.

Damien explained to trainer Ricky Maund after returning to scale that the blinkers on helped and that he was a different horse running on top of the ground on Geelong’s synthetic surface.

Timely Truce is by Brief Truce from Gal Express. He became the 50th individual winner bred at Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.

Say that five times quickly. A month ago Deep Heat won a class two at Toowoomba over 1,200 metres. He rounded the field to just edge out Savage in a photo.

Yesterday the two lined up again at the same venue and over the same distance but up two grades to class four level. Again Deep Heat ridden by Jason Letherby came from last, but on this occasion along the rail. Again the judges needed to examine the photo finish before deciding the race outcome. This time they couldn’t split them. Deep Heat and Savage had dead heated for first. It was the Neville Saunders trained gelding’s fourth win and third with Jason on top. Deep Heat is currently being offered for sale. Click here for more details regarding the sale.

New Track Record Holder – Novaspirit

Shea Eden reported that Novaspirt had trialled well on the synthetic surface at Cranbourne last Monday giving him the confidence to race the mare over 1,000 metres at Geelong’ synthetic track on Friday.

At the gates the favourite, Big Buddie, became cast and was a late scratching. The punters installed Novaspirit as the new race favourite and substitute. Jumping from the wide gate Dean Yendall settled Novaspirit toward the rear and then allowed her to work into the race. The mare rounded the field and let down to the judge. In doing so she set a new track record of 57.65 seconds for the 1,000 metres shaving 0.33 seconds from the previous best time.

The win was Shea’s 21^st for the season from just 105 runners, maintaining his winning strike rate at 20%. It was the third winner bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm for Shea at Geelong in

just eleven days. Rambert had set a new track record, leading all the way over 1,900 metres on the previous Friday. And odds on favourite Blazing Glory was a dominant winner on Tuesday July 10.

Trainer Shea Eden had originally set Rambert for the 2,800 metre race at Geelong a week ago. The plan was to get Rambert up to the trip and then aim him at a 3,000 metre race at Moonee Valley. However after delay due to track maintenance at that venue, the meeting was

transferred to Pakenham. Shea realised that the heavy 10 conditions would not suit Rambert and decided to scratch. Although not ideal Plan B was to compete in the 2,100 metre race at Geelong yesterday. He duly broke the track record.

Utilising Rambert’s high cruising speed Craig Newitt took Rambert to the front.  Approaching the turn Rambert responded when Craig hit the go button and the field were quickly off the bit. The margin on the line was 2.5 lengths. Rambert had shaved more than 1.5 seconds off the Geelong synthetic track record. Craig assured connections after the race that Rambert should comfortably run over further.

It was back to back wins for Rambert after winning 3 weeks earlier by 3.5 lengths at Echuca over 2,100 metres.

Just three days earlier Shea had sent Blazing Glory around at the same venue over 1,200 metres. She had been unlucky at her previous start where she only found galloping room late and was a fast finishing third.

Her efforts were not missed by  punters who sent her out as the odds on favourite last Tuesday. Blazing Glory settled toward the rear. The front runners stole a break, and those who had taken the short price may have had a moment for concern. But it would only be a moment. Brad Rawiller took the mare wide and clear of traffic and Blazing Glory quickly rounded the field. She was the strongest on the line winning by more than two lengths.

Both Rambert and Blazing Glory were bred by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. Rambert by King Charlemagne is a half-brother  to Tendue, dam of Group 3 runner up Alcohol. While Blazing Glory, by Bianconi is from Prego mare There’s A Reason.

Deep Heat winning earlier this year

Deep Heat’s win on Saturday 7 July in a Class 2 at Toowoomba over 1,200 metres was tremendous. He was pushed out the back after being squeezed from both sides at the jump. Racing a clear last Jason Letherby steered a wide path at the turn where without cover Deep Heat travelled over more ground than any other horse in the race. He rounded the field and put his nose in front when it mattered. He was strong on the line.

Trainer Neville Saunders was pleased with the gelding’s effort. He had freshened him and brought him back in class and distance after his previous run.

The win pushed Deep Heat’s career prizemoney earnings above $50,000.

Jason Letherby had partnered Deep Heat at his previous victory. But Saturday’s win demonstrated his versatility. On the previous occasion Deep Heat had led from the outset over 1,300 metres at Towoomba and was never headed.

Deep Heat’s dam Oh Blue Angel won on four occasions and was placed six times from just eighteen starts. Her most memorable victory was by more than a length in a 1,400 metre listed fillies race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day 2000.

The Rubiton gelding is being offered for sale. Click here for more details regarding the sale.

Deep Heat remains in full work and if not sold will race at Toowoomba over 1,300 metres in a fortnight.

Naval Victory as a yearling

Lot 23, AKA Rocky, was among Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm’s Yearling draft at Inglis’ 2011 Premier yearling sale. The colt by Rock Of Gibralter out of stakes placed Dehere mare, Here For Glory was purchased by South Africa’s Form Bloodstock. Rocky became the first yearling bred and sold by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm to South African connections. Two days ago that yearling, now a 2yo named Naval Victory, became the first Lauriston bred horse to win in South Africa.

Fourteen horses contested the 2yo maiden over 1,300 metres at Durbanville. It was Naval Victory’s fifth race start. He had been competitive at his earlier outings finishing  runner up on two occassions. And the punters didn’t miss him. He opened in the red at 8/10 odds and shortened to 11/20 at the jump. The rest of the field were at double figure odds.

Ridden by Karl Neisius, the Dean Kannemeyer trained 2yo jumped keenly before settling third, four lengths from the early

pace. He justified his short price passing the leaders at the 400 metre mark and  maintaining his momentum to the wire. Karl Neisius rode with hands and heels in the closing stages to win by more than four lengths.

Naval Victory is owned by messrs Scott, Abery and Parker.

A race replay can be viewed on the following link: Replay Durbanville 04 July 12 Race 1

Naval Victory as a yearling