News

Bender back with a Bang

21st Aug 2010

Multiple Group 1 winner Metal Bender returned to racing with a bang when leading home a Chris Waller trained trifecta in today’s Group 2 Warwick Stakes in Sydney.

It was also a quinella for graduates of the famous Inglis Newmarket Sales ring, with METAL BENDER ($160,000 2007 Easter, 5g Danasinga-Jacqwin) staving off the challenge of fellow Group 1 winner TRIPLE HONOUR ($50,000 2006 Classic, 6g Honours List-Myrrh).

Metal Bender only got as far as a barrier trial last spring before his campaign was cut short through injury. He returned to racing this autumn and after a couple of runs to bring him to peak fitness, came into his own at the Queensland carnival, winning the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes and Group 1 Doomben Cup.

He was previously a dual Group 1 winner of the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas for the late Hall of Fame trainer Jack Denham, who picked him out of the Waikato Stud draft at the 2007 Easter Sale.

The son of Danasinga has now won eight races and almost $1.5million in prizemoney. Waller said both he and Triple Honour are likely to start next in the Chelmsford Stakes before heading south for missions in Melbourne.

He is aiming Metal Bender at the Cox Plate, while Triple Honour is a Caulfield Cup candidate.

In Melbourne, Peter Moody let the spring leash off AJC Derby winner Headturner’s full-brother Anacheeva, who took out the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m)

ANACHEEVA ($110,000 2009 Easter, 3c Anabaa-Monroe Magic) was an impressive debut winner last season and showed enough talent for Moody to take him to Sydney, where he ran a close up fourth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.

The Widden Stud graduate will only keep getting better according to the trainer.

“He's a very nice colt and the improvement in him is immeasurable,” Moody said. “He'll just keep getting better as he gets to a longer trip.”