News

Team Williams Draft For 23 May

13th May 2014

Australian Racing Media - by Keith Hillier - Tuesday, 13 May 2014

The Team Williams reduction sale draft of 27 entries at the Inglis Melbourne Select Racehorse Sale on Friday, May 23, is racing’s version of long-awaited Boxing Day sales bargains.

Tanby, winner of the Group2 Zipping Classic and Bendigo Cup, is among the entries to be sold by Lloyd and Nick Williams. At First Sight, a placegetter in an Epsom Derby, is another.

The last Macedon Lodge draft sold at Inglis included Niblick, who won last year’s Canberra National Sprint and Albury Cup and has banked $205,000 for his new owners; Base, who was runner-up in the 2014 Group3 Lord Reims in Adelaide and third in the Adelaide Cup; I’m Imposing – winner of the Group3 Summer Cup at Randwick and second in the ATC Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill on May 10 (and a stakes total of $164,000 since purchased); London Stripe, a Moonee Valley winner who finished third in the Group3 Victoria Handicap at his past start on April 19; Henwood who won at Moonee Valley and again at his past start at Flemington on May 10); Revitalise, a multiple city winner (of more than $140,000) in Brisbane and a last-start Doomben winner on April 12 and Morphettville winner, Caton.

The periodical clearance was started by Lloyd Williams with a decision to let go any horse he doubted could win at Group 1 level, and to make way for new purchases. His first cull was astray when he sold a horse named Subscribe who, with a change of name to Vengeance of Rain, became the champion racehorse of Hong Kong with winnings of $HK75 million.

More recently Macedon Lodge has let go smart horses including Aksar (four wins, including the Warrnambool Cup and two seconds at his past six starts), Collar (twice placed in Brisbane before winning the Gunnadah Cup on May 11) and Linton (winner of a Listed and a Group3 race in Adelaide before winning The Stradbroke in Brisbane).

The list of winners from their dispersal sales includes Bolton, Hampden (seven starts for four wins and a second), Brampton, Leading, Hume and Strumming. Hume was sold for $22,000 and earned for his new connections almost $300,000.

Other winners for new owners included Coastal, Forecast, Global (three wins), Thames, Vesting, Albion, Baron, Ingleby, Maling, Mews, Module (five starts for new owners included a hat-trick of city wins), Provider, Provincial, Remodel (three wins and two seconds in Brisbane), Traded, Whitewood, Devon and Compelled.

Mr Nick Williams said there would be great value purchases among the current draft to be sold. “And they come with massive savings for buyers who would avoid the expense so far of breaking-in, training fees and other costs,” he said.

Inglis Melbourne Bloodstock Director Peter Heagney said racehorses sold by Team Williams in 2012 had gone on to win races all over Australia, from sprints to multiple cup races. He said another first class collection had been catalogued for the May 23 sale.

Australia’s leading racing analyst Deane Lester, who has provided expert comments on all horses in the Team Williams draft, said Tanby still looked an attractive buy as he was only 4.1 lengths behind Our Voodoo Prince and Akzar in the Easter Cup.

“That’s the best Victorian staying form at present,” Lester wrote. “His last start sixth over 2600m at Flemington on Anzac Day was also very solid. For those looking for a quick return, TANBY is close to winning form and, with a current handicappers rating of 98, looks an attractive buy.”

Others to appeal to Lester included Marksmanship who he said was ready to win after a brave second over 1800 metres at Sandown on May 7; Excluded, whose record of seven wins and four placings from his 20 starts, included a second in the 2012 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m.) and Livery who boasted a smart record of three wins and three placings from eight starts.

Nick Williams predicted that Livery would be racing’s next Akzar. He also said Marksmanship would have his last start for the stable over 2400 metres at Sandown on Wednesday, March 21 – two days before the sale.

Here are Deane Lester’s comments on all horses in the Team Williams draft:

ABOVE (Galileo-Ardbrae Lady) 6YO bay/brown horse. Rating 74.
ABOVE won 2 races in Ireland over 1400m and 2000m before being imported to Australia. Whilst he has been unplaced in four Australian runs, he showed a glimpse of his true talent with a midfield effort over 1800 metres at Flemington on Oaks Day, 2012. He hasn't raced since November 2012.

AGREEMENT (High Chaparral-The Lions Roar) 4YO bay gelding. Maiden.
Lightly raced stayer AGREEMENT has only had four starts and has never finished further back than fourth, including a last start 2nd behind exciting staying prospect LA AMISTAD over 2200m at Ballarat in October, 2013. That is a very strong form-line for a young stayer, who education is complete and looks a useful stayer in the making.

AT FIRST SIGHT (Galileo-Healing Music) 7YO chestnut gelding. Rating 102.
Rarely does a place-getter in the Epsom Derby come on the market, but AT FIRST SIGHT achieved that status in the 2010 edition. He then came to Australia and finished 2nd in the Naturalism Stakes and the Bendigo Cup before finishing 10th in the 2011 Melbourne Cup. Unfortunately, that was his last race start and that has to be noted, but his genuine staying talent cannot be denied.

ATTACHMENT (Zabeel-Oh So Precious) 5YO bay gelding. Maiden.
ATTACHMENT is a 5yo that has only had two starts for a placing on the Geelong Synthetic track in June 2012. He is stoutly bred and showed staying talent in his first campaign but hasn't raced since June 2012.

BARLOW (O’Reilly-Cassovia) 4YO bay gelding. Maiden.
BARLOW is a 4yo that has had 6 starts for one placing but has finished in the top 5 in five of his runs, his only poor run saw him receive several mentions in the stewards report. He has performed competitively on all surfaces up to 1400 metres. Hasn't raced since June 2013.

BERKSHIRE (Encosta De Lago-My Juliet) 4YO bay gelding. Rating 63.
BERSKHIRE is a lightly raced 4yo that has only had 6 starts for 1 win and 2 placings at distances up to 1600 metres. He has a good racing style in that he makes his own luck on the pace. Hasn't raced since September 2013.

DELIVERY (Zabeel-Destined) 5YO bay gelding. Rating 74.
DELIVERY is an exciting horse in this year's draft, having won four of his 5 starts to date, ranging at distances from 1300 metres to 1900 metres. His only defeat was on heavy ground, otherwise he has been dominant in all of his runs. Hasn't raced since September 2012.

DISCERN (Street Cry-Celadon) 2YO bay colt. Maiden.
DISCERN is a 2yo by the sire of the moment STREET CRY from the family that traces back to VRC Derby winner OMNICORP. He has had two starts in recent weeks, firstly at Caulfield in which he raced greenly before showing tactical speed when finishing unplaced over 1400m at Sandown on May 7. He will definitely make improvement with time and distance, the bonus is that the first part of his development and education has been achieved and he is now ready to train on.

EXCLUDED (High Chaparral-Cruizero) 6YO bay gelding. Rating 97.
EXCLUDED is a quality stayer at his best as his 2nd in the 2012 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) would attest. The son of High Chaparral has a fine record of 7 wins and 4 placings from his 20 starts to date and has won at distances ranging from 1400m to 2000m but has been placed up to 2800 metres. Hasn't raced since August 2013.

GROWTH (Zabeel-Tall Story) 5YO bay/brown gelding. Maiden.
GROWTH is an unraced 5yo by Zabeel that hasn't been seen at the official trials. He is a full brother to Adelaide Cup placegetter BASE.

HARTANI (Shirocco-Hasrsiya) 5YO grey gelding. Rating 95.
Australian racegoers have only seen HARTANI on one occasion when he finished unplaced behind MAURO in last year's Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield in November 2013. His international form is a different story entirely, having won 3 of his 6 starts, winning at distance from 2500-2800m, recording a victory at Group 3 level in the Irish St Leger Trial and starting favourite in the 2012 Irish St Leger. He has a handicappers rating of 95 illustrating his class. He is a genuine stayer that will be seen at his best over distances of 2400 metres and beyond.

INLET (Danehill Dancer-Pectoralis Major) 4YO bay gelding. Rating 95.
INLET is a 4yo that has only had one start, finishing unplaced over 1100 metres at Caulfield in January 2012. He was then given a very easy trial at Cranbourne in May 2012, finishing 6th but enduring a wide run and wasn't tested over the final stages. He has been given ample time to mature into his ample frame.

LANDALE (Dylan Thomas-Barcelona) 4YO bay gelding. Rating 61.
LANDALE could be the bargain of this year's sale. A talented galloper as a 3yo with close up performances behind city performers BASS STRAIT and QUICK SNITZEL. This horse has always displayed talent but had an inclination to over-race on occasions. With maturity and a different environment, LANDALE could be a revelation as he has a handicappers rating of 61 that makes him eligible for low grade races. Hasn't raced since March 2013.

LINUS (High Chaparral-Brilliant Princess) 4YO bay gelding. Maiden.
LINUS is an unraced 4yo son of High Chaparral that hasn't been seen at the official trials. He is from the immediate family of PRINCE KAAPSTAD and Cox Plate winner OCEAN PARK which suggests that he is bred to be a middle distance horse.

LIVERY (Hurricane Run-Cause Celebre) 5YO grey gelding. Rating 73.
Talented middle distance horse LIVERY boasts a smart record of three wins and three placings from 8 starts to date. He is well known in Victoria for his dashing front running style and his fighting spirit at the end of his races. With a handicappers rating of 73, LIVERY looks an attractive prospect as he is a talented stayer that makes his own luck in his races.

MARKSMANSHIP (Galileo-Maroochydore) Bay horse. Rating 77.
MARKSMANSHIP is a horse that is ready to win a race. He ran a brave 2nd over 1800 metres at Sandown on May 7. He showed great fight on that occasion and that was only his second run back from an 87 week spell. His best international form was over 2000-2400m so there is scope for further improvement and, with a handicappers rating of 77, looks an ideal prospect to take from the sales and race immediately.

MAWBY (Purrealist-Tangerine Dream) 4YO Bay gelding. Maiden.
MAWBY is an unraced 4yo that is a half-brother to the Group 1 winner PEAR TART. He had one official trial at Cranbourne in September 2012 and, whilst finishing last, wasn't tested in the trial and cruised to the line under his own steam.

MISSED (O’Reilly-Illustre) 5YO bay gelding. Maiden.
MISSED is an intriguing horse in this sale. His one start at Bendgo in June 2011 resulted in an eye-catching 5th behind the city performers SECRET HILLS, REVITALISE and REPARATIONS. His long absence from the track must be noted, but he showed genuine talent at his only race start.

NORLANE (O’Reilly-Rationable) 4YO brown/black gelding. Maiden, unraced.
NORLANE is an unraced 4yo that hasn't been seen at the official trials. He is a full brother to Caulfield Cup placegetter VIGOR and descends from the family of evergreen sprinter SEA LORD. He is from a prolific winning family that have enjoyed long and fruitful careers.

OBJECT (Zabeel-Danelish) 2YO bay colt. Maiden, unraced.
OBJECT is a 2yo by Zabeel that is unraced and hasn't been seen at the official trials. He is a full brother to the multiple winners Harmony and Blue Lion and, being by Zabeel, will only improve with time. He is a descendant of a strong Australian family which includes Blue Diamond winner DANELAGH and the Perth Cup winner PALATIOUS, illustrating the versatility of this line.

POSITIVE (High Chaparral-Sharp Point) 4YO bay gelding. Maiden.
POSITIVE is a 4yo son of High Chaparral that hasn't only had two starts for a placing over 1300 metres at Swan Hill in September 2013. He has been given plenty of time to develop and his best racing should be ahead of him. The added bonus is that he has shown talent and is still eligible for maiden class.

RANKED (Montjeu-Spritza) 5YO bay gelding. Rating 88.
A 3 time winner in Europe, Australian racegoers have yet to see the best of RANKED in his four Australian starts. In his three year old season, RANKED was Group 3 placed and also placed over 2400 metres at the Royal Ascot week. In Australia, RANKED is yet to race beyond 1700 metres so a future as a competitive stayer is still ahead of him.

REFERENCE (Reset-Diamond Studs) 2YO chestnut gelding. Maiden, unraced.
REFERENCE is a unraced 2yo by Reset from the family of former Williams-owned stalwarts RUNDLE and NIBLICK. He hasn't been seen at the official trials. He is one of the youngest horses in this year's draft and has plenty of scope for development

RETICENT (Pentire-Marie Clare) 4YO grey gelding. Maiden, unraced.
RETICENT is an unraced 4yo by Pentire from a strong Australian family that includes PRIDE OF RANCHO and ARRABEEA. He has no official trial form

TANBY (Galileo-Dane Belltar) 7YO bay gelding. Rating 98.
Whilst TANBY may be entering the twilight of his career, this Group 2 Zipping Classic and Bendigo Cup winner has shown encouraging signs of an upcoming win with his past 2 runs. He was only 4.1 lengths behind OUR VOODOO PRINCE and AKZAR in the Easter Cup and that’s the best Victorian staying form at present. His last start 6th over 2600m at Flemington on Anzac Day was also very solid. For those looking for a quick return, TANBY is close to winning form and, with a current handicappers rating of 98, looks an attractive buy.

VINE (Encosta De Lago-Zamsong) 4YO grey gelding. Rating 62.
VINE has only had seven starts for a Maiden win over 2100 metres at Sandown in February 2013. He is a lightly raced son of Encosta De Lago that has been patiently handled and currently has a handicappers rating of 62. He looks a horse capable of racing at a higher level given his performances to date.

WILLIS (Fastnet Rock-Coupe) 4YO bay gelding. Maiden.
WILLIS is a lightly raced son of Fastnet Rock that has shown talent in his short career. His two starts in 2013 resulted in two city placings at Moonee Valley and Sandown. He was beaten by the multiple winners GREAT GAME and WHITE SAMBUCA, so he presents with solid form-lines. He is still eligible for maiden class which is a bonus for the buyer.