News

Premier Powerhouse Takes Oakleigh Plate

20th Feb 2010

Outstanding colt Starspangledbanner once again hoisted the flag for the Melbourne Premier Sale in taking the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield today.

In winning, he completed the same Caulfield Guineas/Oakleigh Plate double that fellow Premier graduate Weekend Hussler did two years ago.

STARSPANGLEDBANNER ($120,000 2008 Premier, 3c Choisir-Gold Anthem) was recently sold to Coolmore interests for a reported $10million, underlining the riches shrewd buyers can uncover at Premier.

He is now the winner of six races in 11 starts for earnings of $1.3million and his team of owners, put together by Newmarc Bloodstock after securing him from the Oaklands ring, have enjoyed the ride of their lives.

The win continues the outstanding record of Tony Santic’s Makybe racing and breeding operation. Makybe have stellar drafts prepared for both Melbourne Premier and Sydney’s Australian Easter Sale, where youngsters include a three-quarter-sister to today’s Oakleigh Plate hero.

The Premier sale was highlighted earlier in the day by SET FOR FAME ($75,000 2008 Premier, 3f Reset-Northpoint), who made it two wins from as many starts this campaign when winning the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes.

The daughter of Reset sat on the speed and broke 1:9.00 first up at Caulfield, but showed her versatility in settling further back today. The result was exactly the same, with the filly looming as the main rival for Denman in next month’s G1 Australian Guineas.

Doomben winner Heartsareforlove ($130,000 2009 Premier, 2f Hussonet-Happy Heart) was another to underline the quality on offer at Premier when making it back-to-back Doomben wins. Makybe will offer a Bianconi Half-sister to Heartsareforlove as Lot 166 at Premier.

Sirecam footage and photos of Premier Yearlings are now online. Click here to view

The 2010 Melbourne Premier Sale begins Monday week, March 1 and runs over four sessions.

Each of Inglis’ major yearling sales were represented by Group winners at Caulfield.

LA ROCKET ($300,000 2006 Easter, 5g Rock Of Gibraltar-La Bella Dama) put himself in the picture for the G1 Australian Cup when repelling the challenge of several high profile rivals in the G2 St George Stakes.

The Dale Sutton trained gelding has been a consistent improver over the last two seasons and took his earnings to $430,000 in recording his sixth success.

RIGHTFULLY YOURS ($55,000 2006 Classic, 5g Show A Heart-Academy Of Dreams) enhanced his impressive first up record in taking the Group 3 Carlyon Cup – his ninth win for earnings approaching the $500,000 mark.

CATALOGUE UPDATES Easter – April 6-8

Rock Of Gibraltar three-quarter-sister to STARSPANGLEDBANNER to be offered by Makybe as Lot 450

Redoute’s Choice full-sister to Blue Diamond runner-up SHAAHEQ to be offered by Arrowfield Stud as Lot 366

Encosta De Lago half-sister to Sydney winner ROCK CLASSIC to be offered by Patinack Farm as Lot 575

Redoute’s Choice half-sister to Sydney winner RECOUP DE FORTUNE to be offered by Reavill Farm as Lot 245

Lonhro half-brother to Sydney winner MADIBAGOLD to be offered by Amarina Farm as Lot 280