Vermentino - One To Watch

 Written by Mark Smith - Breednet

Following a 50-week break, the Extreme Choice gelding Vermentino took up where he left off, making it a perfect two-for-two with an arrogant display in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi-Bm64 (1200m) at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.

Image Pat Scala/Racing Photos

Making his first start since an impressive career debut at Hamilton last December, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained 4yo gelding received a positive ride by Ben Melham. Keeping up a strong gallop, Vermentino defeated Starlea (Star Witness) by two and a half lengths, with Pocket Change (Astern) a short-half-head back in third.

It was a second winner on the day for the stable with a horse sporting the Seymour Bloodstock silks.

"He's got a high cruising speed, but he was a little fresh early because he hasn't started for a long time. He then settled sweetly and quickened well," Eustice said.

"Full credit to Lucy and the team at Cranbourne. He has had niggles and taken some time and will take a lot from that, and hopefully, he pulls up OK.

"The owners have been patient, and it's great to get a double on the day in Darren Thomas'silks and managed by Mark Pilkington.  

"He is a 4yo with only two starts, so hopefully, he has a bright future."

Bred by Yarraman Park Stud and Bell River Thoroughbreds, Vermentino failed to make his $100,000 reserve at the National Weanling Sale before selling to Ciaron Maher Racing / Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) for $210,000 when reoffered by Bell River Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

He is a half-brother to three winners headed by Denmagic (Denman), a 5-time stakes placegetter including the Group 1 VRC Myer Classic.

Vermentino is the seventh foal of Magic Zefta (Viscount), which Australian Bloodstock/Yarraman Park bought for $110,000 at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.

A half-sister to Group II winner Go The Knuckle (Elvstroem), Magic Zefta is out of a sister to Magic Albert.

Magic Zefta has a 2yo filly, and a yearling filly by Hellbent missed last spring.

Extreme Choice has 18 catalogued for the Magic Millions, eight at the Inglis Classic and one at Karaka, from a crop of 41 live foals. 

 

Previous

Q&A with Louis Le Metayer

Q&A with Louis Le Metayer

Q&A with Louis Le Metayer 

Owner/breeder won’t sell ‘special filly’, eyes up maiden Group 1

Owner/breeder won’t sell ‘special filly’, eyes up maiden Group 1

Peter Walsh, the owner of Amelia Park Racing, claims he has no interest in selling unbeaten filly Amelia’s Jewel and is hoping the rising star of the turf can hand him his Group 1 victory. Longtime owner/breeder Peter Walsh is adamant Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) is the best horse he has had anything to do with. The Simon Miller-trained 3-year-old kept her perfect record intact on Saturday, scoring a gutsy first-up win in the Listed Belgrave S. at Ascot. 

Amelia's Jewel Pulls It Out of the Fire

Amelia's Jewel Pulls It Out of the Fire

The three-year-old Siyouni filly Amelia's Jewel extended her unbeaten sequence to four with a gutsy win at her seasonal debut in Saturday's Listed Drummond Golf-Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. Amelia Park's Peter Walsh purchased Bumbasina (IRE) for 76,000 guineas at the 2019 Tattersalls July Sale through Astute Bloodstock. He sent her to Siyouni to southern hemisphere time, and Amelia's Jewel is the result.  

Star Patrol impresses again at HQ

Star Patrol impresses again at HQ

There was no wide-margin success for Star Patrol at his second visit down the Flemington straight on Saturday, but the stopwatch again made for favourable viewing ahead of his first attempt in Stakes company. Star Patrol produced a jaw-dropping seven-length win as an $11 chance in a three-year-old handicap over 1200 metres at Flemington last month, stopping the clock in 1:08.84. 

Star Flemington showing puts stakes goals on agenda

Star Flemington showing puts stakes goals on agenda

The sensational 7l win of Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner) at Flemington on Monday has trainer Clint McDonald aiming up at stakes grade with the 3-year-old, with plenty of upside predicted after he relished his first shot down the famous Flemington straight. McDonald admits Star Patrol has surprised everyone with his progress, 'jumping out of the ground' in just two starts for the stable since transferring from Mark Newnham, having begun his career with Kacy Fogden in Queensland. 

Amelia's Jewel to be aimed at WA spring riches

Amelia's Jewel to be aimed at WA spring riches

Boom Western Australian filly Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) may be headed to the paddock after her sensational win in the G2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot on Saturday, but owner/breeder Peter Walsh and trainer Simon Miller are already plotting her spring targets. 

FOR THE NOTEBOOK: Keep an eye on racing down under

FOR THE NOTEBOOK: Keep an eye on racing down under

Leo Powell from the Irish Field recently wrote an article about Amelia's Jewel and the terrific start she has made to her career. 

Shelby Sixtysix Gives Toronado a Third G1 Winner

Shelby Sixtysix Gives Toronado a Third G1 Winner

Trained in the country at Goulburn by Danny Williams, Astute Bloodstock yearling purchase Shelby Sixtysix has been the cult hero of the Sydney Autumn Carnival and capped a remarkable rise from contesting Highway races to winning an elite Group I sprint when powering to victory in the Group I ATC The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday. 

 

Tiz Invincible wins Furious Stakes Gr.2
News



Ownership Opportunities
   
The pursuit of top horses continues in Europe this spring.
Video
 

Racetrack Success
Success
   
Who is the best stallion for your mare?
Video