News

Property buys Price a headache

26th Jan 2017

When purchased at the 2016 Inglis Classic Sale, Blue Diamond Preview winner Property was initially destined for a career in Hong Kong, so his owners David Price and Jenny Chapman were equally thrilled and bemused to win today’s feature 2YO race at Caulfield.

The son of Starcraft and Opalize was sold to Hong Kong interests five weeks ago before failing a final veterinary examination.

Price, of Price Bloodstock Management, sells a lot of his horses to race in Hong Kong and believed Property was next on the list.

“We thought it would be a done deal so as a result, we’re not paid up for the big races in Australia because we didn’t think the horse would be racing there to be honest,’’ Price said.

“He had a radiographic issue with a knee which caused him to fail the vet so obviously we had to keep him to race in Australia.

“Given the situation, it’s exciting in one sense to win a race like the Blue Diamond Preview but it’s also a bit disappointing in another sense because it’s a $55,000 late entry fee if we were to go down that path.’’

Property was purchased by Aquanita Racing for $130,000 at the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the Amarina Farm draft.

The 2017 Classic Sale is at Newmarket from February 11-13.

“Classic has been a happy hunting ground for me so I’m looking forward to it coming around again in a couple of weeks,’’ Price said.

Property debuted with a second behind undefeated filly Catchy before scoring a dominant 1.8 lengths win today in the Preview (C&G) from fellow Inglis graduates Azazel and Indernile.

Off the back of the victory, the TAB moved Property into equal Blue Diamond favourite at $9.

Trainer Robert Smerdon suggested Property would next run in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield on February 11 before any decision was made on whether or not to push onto the Group 1.

“It’s really too early to call because with 2YOs, you can have them one day and lose them the next,’’ Smerdon said.

“His knee issue obviously cost him the HK trip but as long as we manage things, and we are at the moment, then he’ll keep going. He’s a very nice horse and he’s shown that in both career runs.’’

Property is out of an unraced Anabaa mare Opalize, who has had two other foals to race, both by Manhattan Rain.

Opalize was not covered in 2014 and 2015 but is currently in foal to Newgate Farm’s Sizzling.

Today’s other Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) was won by Limestone, a Helmet homebred for trainer Darren Weir.

The upcoming Inglis Premier Sale, at Oaklands from February 26 – March 1, sees 23 progeny of Helmet catalogued.

Meanwhile Grande Rosso made it back-to-back black-type wins with victory in the John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield.

It was Grande Rosso’s fourth win from his past six starts.

The 5YO son of Written Tycoon and Jestemma was a $220,000 purchase at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for Glenhuntly Lodge from the Redbank North draft.