It takes a horse with talent to win on debut.
To salute again at their second start is a clear sign of above average ability.
That's the case with Rockbarton Fashion, who has launched her career in faultless fashion.
Rockbarton Fashion won her first outing at Muswellbrook on January 15 and backed up with a victory at Tuncurry a fortnight later.
The three-year-old was bred by loyal Kooringal supporter Paul Nottage and is the newest star on the rise for dual Group 1 winner Prized Icon.
Rockbarton Fashion is from the Sydney-winning Charge Forward mare Lady Be Great, who has produced three winners from four to race.
Prized Icon enjoyed a successful January courtesy of Rockbarton Fashion and the lightly-raced Lindrum.
Kooringal is eagerly awaiting the return of Prized Icon's standout performer Tropical Squall.
Tropical Squall, who claimed the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in September, showed she is not far off resuming with a close-up third in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on January 30.
Prized Icon will be represented at the upcoming Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by an attractive filly bred by Kooringal.
Lot 600 is from the four-time winning Magnus mare Pretty Bella.
"She's a nice filly, looks like a fairly typical miler," Angus commented.
"She has a fantastic nature with the right amount of sassiness, a lovely eye and big nostril. Very similar to a lot of his better progeny, with plenty of More Than Ready about her."
|
|
|
Inglis Classic Sale Lot 600 Prized Icon x Pretty Bella Filly
|
|
Kooringal will also have on offer a well-related bay colt from the first crop of Snitzel stallion Sandbar.
Lot 493 is from the Encosta De Lago mare Moonrush, who is the dam of $300,000 earner Panzdown, the classy Hong Kong sprinter Country Star and the smart Sydney winner Moonlight Grace.
"He's a ripper this bloke," Angus said. "Stocky and strong, has a fantastic attitude and I can't wait to see him let fly on the track. Such a quality individual."
|
|
|
Inglis Classic Sale Lot 493 Sandbar x Moonrush colt.
|
|
The Classics will run from February 11 to 13.
Kooringal is also gearing up for a sizeable draft heading through the virtual ring online in March via the Inglis Digital platform.
There will be close to 20 yearlings on offer, with many of them by the resident stallions Prized Icon and Sandbar.
Kooringal's online graduates have built an excellent winners-to runners ratio since the inaugural sale in late 2020 and has proved a valuable marketing tool for the stud.
There will be over 20 yearlings on offer, with many of them by the resident stallions Prized Icon and Sandbar.
Kooringal's online graduates have built an excellent winners-to runners ratio since the inaugural sale in late 2020.
"I'm thrilled with the results we're seeing from these sales," Angus said.
"There's been 24 horses starting to date with 22 of them winning or placing so far. The two that haven't at least placed have only had one and two starts respectively and I'm sure there's likely to be a win for them soon.
"The winners-to-runners ratio from our inaugural sale is over 72%, with them averaging more than $40,000 each in prizemoney so far for a return of almost four times their average purchase price.
"It's great to see and I'm hoping there are a number of happy repeat buyers coming back."
|
|
Bandi's Boy has stamped himself as a legitimate Country Championships contender with an impressive win at Randwick.
The Danny Williams-trained four-year-old stormed to victory when resuming from an eight-week break over 1200 metres on January 27.
Danny said after the win that the gelding's campaign had been timed with the Championships as the main aim.
The SERA's $150,000 Country Championships qualifier at the 1400-metre trip will be held at Moruya on March 3.
Danny is hoping Bandi's Boy can take the next step to the $1 million Championships final at Randwick on April 6.
Bandi's Boy is a son of Kooringal's The Brothers War, who could have an SDRA Championships contender to his name in Asgarda.
Asgarda has similar credentials to Bandi's Boy with three wins from eights starts - the latest appearance producing a four-and-three-quarter length victory at Albury in December.
The mare, who is raced by Kooringal along with a large syndicate of owners including popular figure Lance Gilbert, is ready to resume for Wagga trainer Doug Gorrel after a narrow barrier trial win at her home track.
|
|
|
Above: Bandi's Boy continues to thrive under Danny Williams.
|
|
Kooringal's Group 1 sire Merchant Navy continued to churn out the winners in January.
Ellibaby made an auspicious debut when she won over 1200 metres at Doomben while Merchant Empire replicated the feat at Wyong.
High Blue Sea added to Merchant Navy's tally by resuming from a long lay-off with an impressive victory at Rosehill.
Merchant Queen gained valuable black type in finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy in Auckland.
The filly had highlighted her class by winning at her three previous starts.
It took a superstar in Crocetti - the winner of seven straight including a Group 1 and four at stakes level - to lower Merchant Queen's colours.
The powerful Snowden stable also unearthed a promising Merchant Navy when Merchant Lady launched her career with a Gosford win.
|
|
Smokin' Giant showed the benefit of getting a great start to life when he bolted in at Pakenham.
The three-year-old son of Merchant Navy was reared at Kooringal Stud for its clients.
Smokin' Giant made his debut over 1600 metres and cleared out to win by four-and-three-quarter lengths before finishing a close-up fourth at Caulfield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
