Tollesprit 29/08/09

Banner flies high in McNeil Stakes
Brad Waters
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Starspangledbanner has capped off a tremendous week for the Corstens family with a strong win in the Group III McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
click photo to enlarge, click line below to watch race
http://horseracing.bigpond.com/asx/windowsmedia.aspx?TagID=AR417566622744156426
Trainer Leon Corstens welcomed granddaughter Willa into the world on Tuesday, sired by son Troy who is also the manager of the Corstens racing stables at Romsey.
Starspangledbanner had no favours in the McNeil Stakes after the son of Choisir shared the speed from the outside gate of 15 and carrying the top weight of 58kg.
Danny Nikolic kept Starspangledbanner no closer than six horses off the inside fence before peeling wider on the home turn, finding the best part of the track to allow the colt to hold off the challenge of Tollesprit to win by three-quarters of a length.
Tollesprit held second place a half-length in front of Éclair Fastpass who finished strongly after Craig Newitt negotiated a path through the field in the straight.
Troy Corstens said the manner of Starspangledbanner’s win surprised him with the tough nature of the victory convincing him to tackle the seven furlongs of the Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 19.
The placings and margins: Starspangledbanner (D Nikolic) 58kg ($4.80) defeated Tollesprit (S Arnold) 55kg ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length with a half length back to Éclair Fastpass (C Newitt) 55kg ($20) in third place.
Winner’s breeding – Starspangledbanner is a three-year-old colt by Choisir out of Gold Anthem (Made Of Gold (USA)).
The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1200 metres in 1.10.285with the last 600 run in 34.88 seconds.
Tollesprit ran the fastest last 600 metres in a time of 34.29 seconds.
What they said – “It was a really tough effort to do what he did today,” said Danny Nikolic, winning rider of Starspangledbanner.
“A terrific run. His condition just gave out late,” said Steven Arnold, rider of Tollesprit (2nd).
“A super run again. He’s going along beautifully,” said Craig Newitt, rider of Éclair Fastpass (3rd)
Bendigo trainer Shane Fliedner was rapt with the effort of the runner-up Tollesprit who was first-up on Saturday and said he would go into the Guineas at his fourth run in after two 1400m runs.
"He's not a gross-doing horse so going into the Guineas at his fourth run will do him," he said.
"I don't think I've seen a horse I'd swap him with yet."
The market – Starspangledbanner was well-supported in the ring, firming from $5.50 to $4.80. Tollesprit opened at $6 and eased to $7.50 while Eclair Fastpass drifted from $17 to $20.

Tollesprit 28/08/09

SPRING IN HIS STEP
ADAM BOURKE
28/08/2009 9:54:00 AM
THIS weekend will help shape the spring fortunes of Bendigo trainer Shane Fliedner.
Fliedner’s two best three-year-olds Tollesprit and Fomalite resume in Melbourne tomorrow and Sunday respectively.
Tollesprit is already rated one of the premier three-year-olds in Victoria, with the son of Bel Esprit on the fifth line of betting in early markets for the $1m Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October.
As a two-year-old Tollesprit won twice and was placed second once in three starts and the form around those runs is strong.
After cruising to an impressive trial win at Bendigo last Friday, Tollesprit resumes in the $125,000 Group Three McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield tomorrow.
“He’s probably vulnerable on Saturday over 1200m in such a hot race, but we have to start him off somewhere,’’ Fliedner said yesterday.
“I’m really happy with the horse, but this will just be a good guide to where we go in the spring.
“He’s drawn well (barrier three) but it will all depend on how the track is playing.
“If it’s a leaders track it won’t suit us at all because he won’t race up on the pace.
“My thought all along has been that Tollesprit will be best suited when he gets out to a mile.’’
Tollesprit will follow a similar path to Fliedner’s former smart sprinter Classiconi.
Classiconi ran a first-up second in the 2005 McNeil Stakes before running fourth in the C.S Hayes Stakes (1200m), third in the Guineas Prelude (1400m) and he won the Listed Concept Sports Stakes (1400m) before running a gallant fifth in the Caulfield Guineas behind Econsul.
“We probably won’t run Tollesprit in the C.S. Hayes Stakes,’’ Fliedner said.
“We’ll take each race as it comes and make our plans from there, but it’s fair to say it will be a similar path to Classiconi.’’
Classiconi was no slouch earning more than $330,000 from just 22 career starts before leg problems took their toll.
However, Fliedner is confident Tollesprit is a better horse than Classiconi.
“They have similar attributes, but Tollesprit probably has a little bit better turn of foot than what Classiconi did,’’ Fliedner said.

Drifting Spirit,Champagne Flute, Seasonality

Eight Winners in a Week
About the time that my computer got dropped last Thursday, Drifting Spirit hit the line first at Sale. Now trained by the new training combination of Matty Ellerton and Simon Zahra, this Bel Esprit had two and a half lengths to spare on the line. This was after Bel Estar and The Package had won earlier in the day at Sale and Northam.Then on Friday night Bel’s Ringer and Perfect Sky were on song in Singapore with Mooring running second.
It is well recorded that Black Caviar won the the black type race at Moonee Valley on Saturday, however later in the afternoon the Ken Moses trained Champagne Flute won her second race for the month, at Kembla Grange, seven winners in three days.
Seasonality, who was previously trained by Lee Freedman, won at Echuca on Tuesday for trainer Greg Eurell with Chris Symons aboard and the progeny had a strike rate of over 20% for the month.
They don’t all win and Stellesprit didn’t win today. This gelding won his last start at Berrigan in March after missing the start by seven lengths and trainer Mandie Jones had big hopes for the horse, however he was entered for a race three weeks later only trouble was he wouldn’t go into the float to go to the races.
Today he entered the stall only after a lot of trouble, raced four wide and put up a good effort to finish fourth, have patience Mandie.
Ps the computer came back minus data, luckily it was backed up in May so it wasn’t a complete disaster.

Black Caviar Breeding 25/08/09

Black Caviar Breeding
Virtual FormGuide
Jack Styring 24/08/2009
Black Cavier is quite an exciting filly, you don't win three races on end over two preparations without a touch of class.
Her trainer Peter Moody has a high opinion of her and rightly so, but there are no signs that he is getting carried away.
His feet are feet are firmly planted on the ground and he will make all the decisions as to her future and where she goes.
He feels she could get a mile against her own age and sex, if that be the case the Thousand Guineas could be his choice for her.
Jockey Luke Nolen was not all that perturbed when she missed the start in the small field, but it could be problem if it is not corrected before the bigger races come along and the fields become more competitive.
Black Cavier is already a valuable filly and with Black Type alongside her name, her value would at least triple at the flick of a finger.
The state of the world economic climate has had little effect on the bloodstock industry. There is plenty of money about for the right horse and Black Cavier is the real deal.
She was purchased for $210,000 as a yearling with her three wins grossing $194,250 to date which does not include VOBIS bonuses.
She is by Bel Esprit from the unraced mare Helsinge, who is a daughter of the flying machine Scandinavia by Snippets and the dam of Magnus.
Peter Moody had a walk up start when he purchased Black Cavier, being well aware of the family as he had trained Magnus.
Black Cavier is the first foal from an unraced mare, which is a bonus, plus a youthful mating at the time of conception being 12 years combined for sire and dam illustrates breeding to youth is the way to go.

Bel Esprit x Ruby Trois 23/08/09

Born 23/08/2009, 4.30 PM

Filly
Bel Esprit X Ruby Trois

Owners: Robbie Griffiths, Peter and Brian Donohoe, Kevin Sheedy

at Ballymeath Farm, Swanpool Victoria

Photos taken eighteen hours after birth

Bel Esprit x Protection & x Nouchka

Two Bels in Next Years Sales

Venturing up to Ballymeath Farm to see a baby filly , I came across two Bel Esprits which are to be entered into next year's Yearling sales.

The farm is on the Benalla-Mansfield Road, three kilometres past Swanpool and is managed by Brian and Lisa Martin (pictured) where they have thirty three horses on the property. Brian is

having a bit of a battle, he had a hip replacement five months ago and had to race off

to have physio treatment on his shoulder which he he has two operations on for torn ligaments. You wouldn't know by the smile on his face.

The yearlings are both fillies, the bay one is by Bel Esprit x Nouchka and the brown filly is by Bel Esprit x Protection.

click photos to enlarge

Bel Esprit, Black Caviar 24/08/09

The Best from their Rear
They say some horses have their motors at the rear so lets look at Bel Esprit, a colt and Black Caviar, a filly as the rest of the field saw them in a race

The Bel Esprit photo (left) was taken as he entered the mounting yard before his first start as a two year old on Cox Plate day 27/10/2001 when he won the Pierre Fontaine Trophy (Listed). He is ten months younger than Black Caviar in the photo


Black Caviar (right) enters the same yard at Moonee Valley on the 22/08/2009 before winning the Arrow Training Services Plate (Listed), both belted their rivals on the days

The best way to see the horses is to click on the photo and it enlarges

Black Caviar 24/08/09

Black Caviar To Aim For The Top
Peter Moody has the kind of problem other trainers would envy as he plots the path for brilliant filly Black Caviar this spring.
Moody, who rates Black Caviar the best horse he has trained on raw ability, is already eyeing next month's Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) with the filly who is unbeaten in three starts by an aggregate of 14-3/4 lengths and.
The latest was a soft 3-3/4 length victory in Saturday's Listed Arrow Training Services Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
"She'd have to go to the Danehill and be dominant against a better line-up than she met yesterday including the likes of Manhattan Rain who ran third in the (Golden) Slipper.
"If she did that again the Manikato would become a serious option."
"The Thousand Guineas is the logical aim. The question is how we go about getting there.
"If she was dominant in the Danehill she could go three weeks to the Manikato and the three weeks to the (Thousand) Guineas.
"I know it would be 1200 metres to a mile (1600m) but if she continues to settle and quicken like she did yesterday, I wouldn't see it as too much of a problem."
Moody says on raw ability, Black Caviar is the best horse he has trained and compared her to Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Hcp winner General Nediym who he looked after when he was foreman for Bill Mitchell.
One rival Caulfield trainer who will be happy to see Black Caviar miss the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) against the colts and geldings is Tony Vasil who won the Listed Essendon NIssan Stakes (1200m) with Carrara on Saturday.
"He's going along as good as most of the three-year-olds so far. He's a push button horse," Vasil said.
"(But) Black Caviar is a very, very good horse. She's excellent, I wish I had her.
"The only question mark you put on her head is when they are so brilliant you wonder if they'll get a lot further. Most times they don't, but she rested and finished too strongly so maybe she will.
"Whether she's one of those top class fillies that you see that come along once every decade.....but she looks pretty good. As long as she keeps in fillies races I'll be happy."
Carrara, who has won three races and hasn't been out of a place in six starts, is heading towards a start in the $1 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 through the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at the Moonee Valley night meeting on September 25.
The Manikato Stakes is on the same night.

Black Caviar 22/08/09

Caviar at the Valley
There was only one place to be on Saturday and that was Moonee Valley where Black Caviar was having her first run after at spell, in the Listed Arrow Training Services Stakes over 1200m.
Upon arriving three quarters of an hour before this Bel Esprit filly was to run in the first of the day, I went straight to stall fifty eight only to find she must have been elsewhere on the course doing things that horses do before they run.
Out of a large group of happy people in front of the stall came a guy, Colin Madden who introduced himself and turned out to be a part owner of Black Caviar.
He is an Essendon supporter from way back and remembers well the Eighties when Sheeds and the boys gave him his greatest pleasures from football. Next he introduced me to other owners, Gary and Kerrin Wilkie (pic.1) and then his Wife, Jannene (pic.2 Jannene and Colin). Jannene introduced me to her sister, Pam (pic. 3 Jannene and Pam) and then I met Pam’s daughter Allison Saville (pic.4 Allison and Pam) Allison owns a couple of mares that she is thinking of sending to Bel Esprit. It is easy to forget and I nearly forgot another guy Neil Werrett (pic.5) , manager of Werrett Bloodstock P/L.
Now it gets more interesting for the leaders in the Bel Esprit Owners Premiership, Sheeds and Simon W-W with ten wins each. Both Neil and Colin have an interest in another Bel, Bel Mer so they have after today’s win, seven wins, 1/G1 and five Listed races. WOW
All these photos were taken before they had their winning smiles.

Black Caviar Remains Unbeaten
Mark Smith - Saturday, 22 August 2009
Rising star Black Caviar (Bel Esprit x Helsinge by Desert Sun) kept her record at a perfect three for three when barely breaking a sweat in Saturday’s Listed Arrow Training Services Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
After sitting outside the pacesetting Noesis, Luke Nolan let the reigns out a notch before the home turn on the long odd-on favourite and she bounded away to win by 3 ¾-lengths from Miraculous Miss (Exceed And Excel) with a half-head back to Orbiting Belle (Spinning World) in third place.
Nolan was having his first ride on the Peter Moody-trained filly as apprentice Jarrad Noske had been on at her two previous starts.
“It's a good thing to be on her and not competing against her," Nolan said
“She’s still a work in progress but it was an awesome effort.”
While Moody makes no secret he holds the daughter of Bel Esprit in the highest regard he is taking a wait and see approach before committing to her next start.
"That was painless, she's got a lot of raw talent," Moody said.
"In terms of raw ability I've only been involved with probably one similar and that was General Nediym.
“We brought her here to have a look at the track and she performed like I expected she would.”
The Group I Manikato Stakes at the same track on September 25 is the expected goal this for Black Caviar this spring.
A 5-length winner at Flemington when on debut in April, Black Caviar followed that up with a hollow 6-length win in the Listed Bayside Chrysler Stakes at Caulfield in May.
A $210,000 purchase by Moody from the Swettenham Stud consignment at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, Black Caviar (pictured as a yearling) is the first foal of the unraced Desert Sun mare Helsinge a half-sister to Group 1 winner Magnus and Group 2 winner Wilander.
Winner of the AJC The Galaxy (G1), Magnus stands alongside Bel Esprit at Eliza Park Stud.
Helsinge is a daughter of star mare Scandinavia (Snippets), winner of the Group 2 BTC Cup and placed in the Goodwood H. (G1), VRC Salinger Stakes (G1), VRC Lightning Stakes (G1), and Newmarket H. (G1).
Helsinge has a 2yo full brother to Black Caviar named Moshe and was covered by Casino Prince last year after missing to Churchill Downs in 2007.
Bel Esprit (pictured) (Royal Academy) has had his service fee reduced to $16,500 in 2009. The sire of five stakes-winners including the Group 1 winner Bel Mer, Bel Esprit covered 110 mares last year at a fee of $33,000 while he served a massive 266 mares in 2007 at a fee of $20,000.
Black Caviar serves up a Valley treat
Saturday, 22 August 2009: Exciting filly Black Caviar had her trainer Peter Moody comparing her to former outstanding sprinter General Nediym after she strolled home to win the Arrow Training Services Plate at Moonee Valley.
In his days working as stable foreman in Queensland for former trainer Bill Mitchell, Moody looked after General Nediym who won 13 of his 21 starts."In terms of raw ability I've only been involved with probably one similar and that was General Nediym when I worked for Bill Mitchell," Moody said.
During his three-year-old season the colt won the VRC feature sprint double in 1998, the Lightning Stakes (1000m) and Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington.Black Caviar has a long way to go to emulate the feats of General Nediym, says Moody, but he was delighted with her effort in maintaining her unbeaten record in three starts which have yielded two Listed race wins.
Sent out the prohibitive $1.20 favourite, the daughter of Bel Esprit sat outside the leader Noesis and cruised past her on the home turn, clearing out to win as she liked by 3-3/4 lengths from Miraculous Miss ($31) with Orbiting Belle ($17) a half-head away third.
"That was painless, she won with her ears pricked. She's got a lot of raw talent," Moody said."The pleasing thing was that she went to sleep outside the leader, you worry that these brilliant type of horses might become one-dimensional."But I think the way she put her head on her chest and relaxed, you could have sat last on her."When they do it easy and she looks to relax, it looks a bit of a game with that type of horse, you always worry the day something does loom up beside you if they go any faster."But I've been fortunate enough at home. I haven't had one fast enough to test her there and I'll have to wait a while for it to happen on the racetrack."
Moody said there were a lot of options for the filly, but one definite aim is the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the Valley night meeting on AFL grand final eve on September 25.
The Caulfield trainer has to decide whether to run her in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 5 or go into the Manikato without another start."I would dare to say the A-grade fillies went around last Saturday (in the Quezette Stakes won by Corsaire at Caulfield) so I think she still has a fair few steps to take before we get excited," Moody said."But all she can do is win and she's doing a hell of a good job of that at the moment."
Stable jockey Luke Nolen, who was riding Black Caviar for the first time in a race, was quite excited with the filly."We got halfway through the second (gear) but she still had a look at the post and she was a bit unsure where she was going," Nolen said."If she knew where she was going she might have opened up even further."It's a good thing to be on her and not competing against her."

Perfect Sky 21/08/09

DOUBLE FOR BEL ESPRIT
Friday, August 21, 2009
Top French jockey Olivier Doleuze, trainer Desmond Koh and stallion Bel Esprit shared honours at the Friday Polytrack meeting.Gallic flair indeed came to the fore when Doleuze hit top form with a hat-trick courtesy of Bel's Ringer (Bel Esprit) first for John Meagher, before sealing the perfect night with two winners for Koh, aboard Doraemon and Perfect Sky.It was indeed a cause for triple celebration for the duo as besides the big haul being Doleuze's first treble at Kranji since he began riding here on a short break from his Hong Kong base, it was also a fitting birthday present for the Singaporean conditioner.

Doleuze, who gained a huge following during his regular stints in the late 90s up to 2002, took a while to hit his straps at this latest stint, having to wait until his 11th ride (Lucky Jester) to visit the winner’s circle.

But the popular crowd-pleaser was well and truly back in the limelight on Friday, especially following his faultless display aboard the second leg of his treble, Doraemon in the $55,000 Class 4 race (1200m).Doraemon (outside) gives Olivier Doleuze and Desmond Koh the second leg of their winning trebles.
“It’s taken a while for me to ride winners. Things weren’t looking too good, but I’m getting plenty of support and with a bit of luck the winners are coming back,” said Doleuze.
The night truly belonged to Doleuze and Koh who wrapped up the memorable night with the third leg of their treble in the $75,000 Class 3 race (1200m) with the Bel Esprit horse Perfect Sky, who came with a well-timed run to defeat Big Choice (Saimee Jumaat) by a neck, with Super Fighter (Matthew Kellady), 1 3/4 length away in third.
Perfect Sky is the first winner for the five year olds (1st crop) this season and he has now won five races and over $200,000 from his seventeen starts

Perfect Sky (AUS) [2004]D Koh
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Time Is Hope (AUS)
Sold $70000, Ong Tiong Seng, SINGAPORE at Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale 2006 by Eliza Park, Kerrie Vic
TARN HOPE (AUS) [2000] - TARNPIR LANE (AUS)0w-0p-9sRace: 1000-1400m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
OUR JETSETTER (AUS) [2002] - JETBALL (AUS)6w-7p-32s $174,100Race: 1000-1550m Won: 1000-1420m Wet: 1w-3p-8sLR 0w-0p-2s
MACCRUYFF (AUS) [2003] - JOHAN CRUYFF (GB)0w-1p-8s $1,000Race: 1000-1460m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

Bel's Ringer 21/08/09

Doleuze making the most of his chances
Craig BrennanFriday
August 21, 2009
Lightly-raced Bel’s Ringer kept the ball rolling for visiting Hong Kong based jockey Olivier Doleuze when successful in the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1200m on Friday night.

Doleuze who is riding in Singapore before the Hong Kong season commences next month landed his second winner from just 23 rides.

Charging down the outside, Bel’s Ringer scored by a length-and-a-half over My Ninja (John Powell) with Super Knight (Mark Gallagher) a half length away third.

“I said when I arrived here that if I could ride five winners then I would be happy,” said Doleuze. “That’s two now so I’m on the way.

“I’ve got to thank the trainers for giving me the chance. It’s not easy coming in on a short stay as the trainers feel they have to be loyal to their riders.

“I understand that, but I’ve been working hard and I’m more than happy with the way things have been going so far.”

Doleuze is licensed to ride in Singapore until September 4 but is hoping to extend that by one meeting.

“I have to be back to ride in Hong Kong on the 13th so I’m hoping to be able to get one extra meeting here,” said Doleuze.

“I will ride here on Sunday, then again on August 28 and 30 and then September 4.

“I love coming back here and a change is as good as a holiday.”

Winning trainer John Meagher praised the winning ride of Doleuze who bought the gelding with a well timed run.

“It wasn’t a bad win,” said Meagher. “I lost him a bit in the run but then I picked him up out wide when he was running on strongly.

“I thought he would run well as he was in very good condition. He had held his body weight well from his last run.”

Meagher said Bel’s Ringer was still immature and that he would continue to improve with racing.

“That was only his fourth run,” said Meagher. “He’s a useful little horse and I think he can win again in his right grade.”

Bel’s Ringer is a four-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Bel Esprit from the Zoffany mare Let It Ring and has now won more than $40,000 for the Polar Bear Stable.

Bel's Ringer (AUS) [2005]J Meagher
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Let It Ring (AUS)
Sold $12500, S Quigley, VIC at William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Premier Yearling by Lauriston Throughbred Farm, Corinella
CRUISAWAY (AUS) [1994] - RECHABITE (AUS)7w-7p-29s $22,000Race: 900-1630m Won: 1000-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
JINGLIN' (AUS) [1995] - CELESTIAL DANCER (IRE)1w-2p-4s $19,700Race: 1000-1200m Won: 1030-1030m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
HK-WINNING MASCOT () [1996] - CELESTIAL DANCER (IRE)0w-0p-3sRace: 1000-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
PORT CALL (AUS) [1996] - SEA ROAD (AUS)11w-18p-58s $206,300Race: 1000-1615m Won: 1200-1600m Wet: 1w-2p-3sLR 0w-2p-8s
MIGHTY ATALANTA (AUS) [1997] - MIGHTY AVALANCHE (AUS)5w-2p-17s $23,100Race: 800-1200m Won: 800-1060m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
LAURISTON ROSE (AUS) [2000] - LION HUNTER (AUS)1w-2p-14s $9,700Race: 1015-1418m Won: 1200-1200m Wet: 0w-0p-4s
LORD OF LAURISTON (AUS) [2001] - ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS)9w-17p-65s $213,300Race: 900-1210m Won: 1000-1100m Wet: 2w-4p-16sG2 0w-0p-1s, LR 0w-0p-6s
EARL OF LAURISTON (AUS) [2003] - ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS)0w-0p-4s $500Race: 1200-1400m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
LA FILLE DU ROI (AUS) [2006] - ELVSTROEM (AUS)0w-0p-1sRace: 1000-1000m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s

Winning Post 21/08/09

Front Page of the Winning Post

Black Caviar to give racegoers a feast

Racing and Sports
Thursday, 20 August 2009: Expect to see something special on Saturday is the message from trainer Peter Moody who will saddle up unbeaten filly Black Caviar in the Arrow Training Services Plate at Moonee Valley.

The daughter of Bel Esprit has scared off many of the 17 nominations for the Listed 1200m feature with only five other fillies accepting to take her on, and the Caulfield trainer is excited about her return to racing."I'm very pleased, she's had a couple of jumpouts here two or three weeks back and went very nicely and her work here this morning was terrific," Moody said on Thursday.

Black Caviar couldn't have been more impressive in winning her two starts in the autumn by an aggregate of 11 lengths, the latest when defeating Demerit by six lengths in the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on May 2."She's a lovely filly, she's got a great presence about her and she's just extremely exciting," Moody told TVN."I don't want to get carried away but I've got some nice benchmarks here for her at home and it's really exciting and hard to keep a cap on things really.

"She's done everything asked of her and more, so now she has to take the next step."There'll be some nice fillies there on Saturday and, as with all of them, you are looking forward to the spring to see if they have improved and taken the next step."Everything she's shown at home she's certainly done it very well and she has that element of class about her.

"TAB Sportsbet has served up Black Caviar at the prohibitive odds of $1.22 in its opening market and Moody expects her to live up to the wraps on her."I'd like to be training the horse that could beat her," he said."Saturday will go a long way towards telling us where we head with her, whether to stick to three-year-old fillies company or, if she has that special X-factor, you might look to lift the bar a little bit.

"Ultimately at this stage her goal is the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield but we could possibly lift it to take on the Guineas against the boys or you could go up 10 pegs to maybe have a crack at a race like the Manikato at weight-for-age."She's nominated (for the Cox Plate) but I think that would be a mammoth task. I think she's more in the sprinter-miler mould. You never say never but we'll let her guide us.

"Black Caviar, who drew barrier four, will be ridden by Moody's number one stable rider Luke Nolen replacing stable apprentice Jarrod Noske who rode her in both her previous starts.Her main opposition could come from the Lee Freedman-trained Maka Ena ($6.50) who finished third to the Moody-trained colt Reward For Effort in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February.

Bel Estar, The Package 21/08/09

Bel Estar with The Package Unwraps
After an unlucky Wednesday when No Respite had the race taken away from him in a protest and Heigl and Anquetil both came home second, we certainly needed a winner to brighten up the week.
Bel Estar looked a good thing in Star Hotel, Sale Hcp (68) over 2224m and he didn't let us down, racing in the middle of the field in a fast run race, this 4yo horse by BEL ESPRIT x GAMELAN (TIMBER COUNTRY (USA) made his move getting into the last turn and raced away for a four and a quarter length win.
This is the longest race that any of the progeny had contested and he is the eight of the nine winners of the progeny to win as a four year old and the five year olds have failed to hit the line yet. Part owner Simon Hearnan-Hunter is to be congratulated as this win takes him to equal leader on the Owner's Premiership.

Bel Estar (AUS) [2005]
Sold $90000 at Magic Millions Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Session 1-4 by Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie Vic
Siblings not found

Not long later over in West Australia at Northam, the second runner (Battle Ace ran third) to front the starting line. The Package fought on doggedly in the straight to win the Hollywools Mdn. The Package, a four gelding by BEL ESPRIT x SORELLA (EUCLASE) trained by N D PARNHAM and ridden by DUNCAN MILLER, 1300m

The Package (AUS) [2005]
Sold $40000, N Parnham, WA at William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Premier Yearling by Carbine Vale Thoroughbreds, Toolern Vale
Siblings
GENORELL (AUS) [2003] - GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS)0w-1p-8s $1,500Race: 1000-1425m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
LA ROSSA (AUS) [2004] - TESTA ROSSA (AUS)1w-2p-25s $12,200Race: 1000-1980m Won: 1479-1479m Wet: 0w-0p-2s

There are a few problems with the blog page, Google is trying to fix them; it is hard to have patience. On top of that I dropped my computer onto the floor BIG BANG, got a message to say I have a fatal error.
This will be a test for my computer technician

Auction 20/08/09

Auction closes 5pm Thursday 20 August
The Eliza Park / Living Legends Online Auction closes at 5pm (EST) tomorrow (Thursday 20 August) and has been a “tremendous initiative” according to Eliza Park CEO, Cameron Croucher.
“This is the second year running that Eliza Park and its stallion shareholders have offered up service nominations to our entire roster in an effort to raise funds for Living Legends,” Croucher points out.
“However, this was the first time Eliza Park decided to stage the auction via online tenders and I’m very pleased to say that the response this year has already exceeded monies generated in 2008.

“And we’re expecting a flurry of activity as the auction draws to a close tomorrow … after all, this the last opportunity for broodmare owners to secure a nomination to Bel Esprit (top right) or Statue of Liberty in 2009, while there are bargains to be had on each of the other stallions as well.
“Eliza Park is proud to be associated with Living Legends and I’d like to thank those who have taken part in the tender process as, I’m sure everyone will agree, it’s for such a good cause.”
VIEW AUCTION & CURRENT BIDS »

No Respite 19/08/09

Carmody denied first city win as trainer
By Russell Jackson
Sydney
Wednesday 19 August 2009, 5:39pm

"You are joking ... how hard is this game?"
They were the words of Craig Carmody in the stewards' room at Randwick on Wednesday after they upheld a protest which cost the multiple Group One-winning jockey his first city winner as a trainer since taking out his licence in late 2005.
Stewards ruled Glyn Schofield, the rider of the Carmody-trained first past the post No Respite, shifted in when insufficiently clear of Triple Elegance near the 450 metres of the Al Mansour Handicap (1550m).
No Respite hit the line a short neck in front of the Chris Waller-trained Triple Elegance and steward Jim Walshe said in the inquiry the incident near the home turn cost Corey Brown's mount 1-1/2 lengths and ultimately the race.
The race was run at a muddling speed and Schofield elected to push forward earlier than planned on No Respite and took off about 600 metres from home.
Carmody told stewards he thought Brown was caught unawares by Schofield's move and allowed his mount to come out on to No Respite.
Brown said he was just about to get rolling on a horse who takes time to get through his gears and Schofield's move cost him two lengths.
Schofield later pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge and was handed a three-meeting suspension over the incident.
His ban commences on Tuesday week and he will be eligible to return three days later.
The upheld protest cost Schofield an early winning double after he teamed up with the David Payne-trained Chordata to win the Vale Pat Quinn Maiden Plate (1150m).
Htis is the fourth race where a Bel Esprit progeny has been first past the post and been protested against, they have only had one race dismissed

Black Caviar 18/08/09

CAVIAR ON MENU AT MOONEE VALLEY
Monday, 17 August 2009: Peter Moody gets another of his top spring team into gear at Moonee Valley on Saturday with exciting filly Black Caviar.The filly, unbeaten in two career starts at Flemington on debut and Caulfield more recently, could have run in last Saturday's Quezette Stakes but was instead saved for this weekend's Arrow Training Services Plate.
Moody said the Valley run was the ideal time to try the filly on the tight turning track, with races such as the Champagne Stakes or even Manikato Stakes possibilities down the track.
Further into the spring Black Caviar is being aimed at the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, Moody confident the Bel Esprit three-year-old will handle the journey.Moody was meanwhile happy with the returns of both Headway and Typhoon Tracy at Caulfield last weekend.

Nissan Stakes to be reduced by O'Brien
By Mark Ryan
Melbourne
Monday 17 August 2009, 5:19pm

Danny O'Brien has 11 of the 18 nominations for Saturday's Nissan Stakes at Moonee Valley but expects only two or three of them to actually start in the race including the promising Cabeza.
O'Brien said he would finalise which other one or two take their place in the Listed 1200m event for colts and geldings after six of them gallop at the Valley in the morning.
He said some of the squad, of which seven were unraced, would be entered for the Seymour meeting on Sunday.
"You need to kick them off somewhere," O'Brien said.
"Cabeza will run and one or two others.
O'Brien has already decided not to run last-start easy Sale three-year-old fillies maiden winner Nun Faster, his sole entry in Saturday's Arrow Training Services Plate (1200m).
"I don't want her to be chasing Black Caviar. I think Black Caviar is the best horse in Melbourne," he said.
The Peter Moody-trained Black Caviar has won at her two starts by an aggregate of 11 lengths and is headed towards a start in the Group One weight-for-age Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the Valley on September 25.
The Bel Esprit filly is resuming having last raced when she defeated Demerit by six lengths in the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on May 2.

Breeders,Four Wins 1/08/09

Leading Breeders for Three Seasons (4 wins min.)
No starters Runs Wins Top earner
Mr LJ Fleming, NSW
…….…8… 51.. 18…. BLUE SKY $253,130
BJ & AP Donohoe (Foal shares)
……….5… 41… 7…. BELTROIS $132,415
Mrs AA Arnott, NSW
……….3… 29… 9…. BEL MER $599,575
Mr KG Williams, Vic
……….3… 28… 5… VIVACIOUS SPIRIT $260,010
Speedhunter Pty Ltd, Vic
……….3… 37… 8… SNIP ESPRIT $198,725
Contract Racing Pty Ltd, Vic
……….3… 30… 4… SPIRITED HALO $120,110
Tori Park Stud, SA
……….3… 31… 5… ESPRIT DE ROSES $100,140
Mr DA Blackshaw, Vic
……….3… 22… 4… LOTSA GRUNT $52,539
Menzies Racing Stables Pty Ltd, Vic
……….3… 26… 6… ESPRIT LAD $39,850
Huntworth Stud, Ms B Woodford-Smith, Mr P Stewart, NSW
……….2… 20… 5… ROYAL ESPRIT $171,450
Benson House Racing & Stud, NSW
……….2… 26… 5… LAURA'S SPIRIT $11,450
Ms B Hawking, Wayne Ross, Vic
……….1… 13… 4… BEL SHOES $117,585
Jasmine Park, Vic
……….1… 24… 5 …BEAU ESPRIT $96,989
K P Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, NSW
……….1… 25… 4… VIGNERON $54,200
D & E Dance, Mrs E Dance, Vic
……….1… 12… 4… KHAIRESPRIT $33,904

Champagne Flute 13/08/09

Bel Bubbles
When Champagne Flute had her first start, she finished stone, motherless last at Canterbury. She had another start and then put out for a spell.
This Bel Esprit filly came back at Canterbury on a slow track at the end of May this year and finished third in a photo, a neck from the winner and the trainer Ken Moses must have thought that he had something.
Her next two starts were in the City on heavy tracks and not great results, however Champagne Flute’s form improved when she came second last start at Newcastle on a slow track.
Today at Wyong with Hugh Bowman on top, she broke her Maiden status winning by four and a quarter lengths over 1300m and the owners A Lamshed, S Doyle, D Royal, Miss S Uechtritz, C Woodcock, T Kench, G McCasker, R Dunwoody, R Wrock & Miss L McDougall are set to recoup the $30,000 she cost at the 2007 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale

Champagne Flute (AUS) [2005]Kevin Moses
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Woodwind (USA)
Sold $30000, D Harvey, NSW at William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Classic Yearling by Kitchwin Hills, Scone NSW
Siblings
MOJAVE SONG (AUS) [1999] - DESERT KING (IRE)0w-5p-24s $4,600Race: 1100-1670m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-2p-8s
IRISH SKY (NZ) [2001] - STRAVINSKY (USA)6w-7p-21s $94,600Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1110-1400m Wet: 0w-1p-5sG2 0w-0p-1s, G3 0w-0p-1s, LR 0w-2p-2s
STORM KEEPER (NZ) [2003] - KEEPER (AUS)1w-5p-24s $14,500Race: 1200-2100m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 1w-2p-10s
CROSS SECTION (AUS) [2004] - CAPE CROSS (IRE)4w-4p-15s $55,500Race: 1100-1800m Won: 1400-1550m Wet: 1w-0p-4s

Breeders and Owners 2008-2009

Breeder's and Owner's Premierships for Bel Esprit Progeny
BREEDERS
The winner of the Breeder’s premiership for the season 2008-2009 was
Lee Fleming 9 wins
Tollesprit 2, Aranda 2, Blue Sky 1, Ibsen 1, Rich Esprit 1 Beau Desert 1, Esprit Soleil 1

Mrs A A Arnott 7 wins
Mooring 4, Bel Mer 2, Forty Two Below 1.

Brian & Peter Donohoe 5 wins
Beltrois 3, Spirited Halo 1, Spirits in the Sky 1 (foal shares)

Benson House Racing & Stud, NSW 3 wins
D & E Dance, Mrs E Dance, Vic 3 wins.
Jasmine Park, Vic 3 wins
K P Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, NSW 3 wins
Menzies Racing Stables Pty Ltd, Vic 3 wins
Mr DA Blackshaw, Vic 3 wins
Mr KG Williams, Vic 3 wins
Mr K Sheedy 3 wins
Mr R Pietrykowski, Vic 3 wins
Mr RD Coleman, SA 3 wins
Mr RD Griffiths, Vic 3 wins
Mr VV Tu, Tas 3 wins
R A & J E Ferguson, NSW 3 wins
Roseleigh Park, Vic 3 wins
Speedhunter Pty Ltd, Vic 3 wins
Tori Park Stud, SA 3 wins
Dr WR Riches, Mrs J B Riches, Monterey Park, Seville Thoroughbreds, King Lodge Thoroughbreds, Vic 3 wins

OWNERS
The winner of the Owner’s premiership for the season 2008-2009 was
Kevin Sheedy 6 wins
Bel Shoes 2, Van Der Star 1, The Phoenician 1, Queen Rene1, Diplomatic Strike 1.

Brian and Peter Donohoe 5 wins
Beltrois 3, Spirited Halo 1, Diplomatic Strike 1.

Peter Harrington 4 wins
Bel Shoes 2, Tollesprit 2.

Michael Duffy 4 wins
Beau Esprit 3, Diplomatic Strike1.

Shiranee Griffiths 4 wins
Beltrois 3, Anquitel 1.

Mummify stable 4 wins
Mooring 4.

Trainers and Jockeys 2008-2009

Trainer's and Jockey's Premierships for Bel Esprit progeny
TRAINERS
The winner of the trainer’s premiership for the season 2008-2009 was
Robbie Griffiths 7 wins
Beltrois 3, Cascabel 2, Anquetil 1, Baltic Spirit 1

Mick Price 6 wins
Bel Mer 2, True Persuasion 1, Mythical Spirit 1, Diplomatic Strike 1, Vivacious Spirit 1.

Michael Freedman 6 wins
Mooring 4, Aranda 2.

John Symons 6 wins
Regal Scout 2, Milakai 2, Belcino 2.

JOCKEYS
The winner of the jockey’s premiership for the season 2008-2009 was

Ben Melham 6 wins

Craig Newitt 5 wins

Billy Egan 4 wins

Black Caviar 12/08/09

Black Caviar To Step Up This Spring
Peter Moody has flagged the possibility of unbeaten three-year-old filly Black Caviar taking on the weight-for-age sprinters in the Manikato Stakes.
Moody, who is excited about preparing what he describes as his strongest ever spring team, said the Group One Manikato (1200m) on September 25 was a definite option for Black Caviar before the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 14.
"Why wouldn't you run her in her both?" Moody said.
Black Caviar, who is also entered for the Caulfield Guineas, has won her only two starts by an aggregate margin of 11 lengths and is among Moody's eight Cox Plate nominations.
At her April debut at Flemington she scored by five lengths from Kwassa Kwassa and was nearly two seconds quicker than the winner of an open class mares race when she won the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) by six lengths at Caulfield at her only other two-year-old start on May 2.
She is among an outstanding crop of three-year-olds for Moody this spring which also includes Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort, Golden Slipper Stakes runner up Headway, Kindergarten Stakes winner Wanted, and Tickets, who was second at Group One level in both the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.
"Basically they are all ready to go," Moody said.
"They have had great spells and good long preparations and they will step out from next week at Caulfield."
Moody said Reward For Effort and Headway would lead the stable's three-year-old brigade in next Saturday's Listed Vain Stakes (1200m) and Quezette Stakes (1200m) respectively.
Moody said Black Caviar was expected to return in the Listed Arrow Training Services Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 22 and the same day Wanted would resume in the Listed Essendon Nissan Stakes (1200m).

Black Caviar Jump-out
Tuesday, 11 August 2009:
Peter Moody's headline acts all galloped well at Caulfield in jump-outs this morning, a few of which begin their spring campaigns this weekend.
Leading the way was Typhoon Tracy , who will return to the track in the Group 2 Liston Stakes on Saturday in the hope of remaining unbeaten after six starts.“She worked strongly on the course proper here this morning and pulled up well,” Moody told Sport 927. “At this stage I think she'll go to the Liston.“She's better suited at 1400m. She's matured a bit more and the tempo will suit her better than the 1200m.
”Exciting filly Black Caviar galloped well but will be saved for another week.“At this stage well keep her for Moonee Valley the following week. She's about a week behind Reward For Effort and Headway. She worked nicely on the course proper this morning but had a bit more of a blow. I'm keen to give her a look at Moonee Valley too. She's raced at Caulfield and Flemington with success but it's a good opportunity to have a look around there.
”Reward For Effort and Headway will both kick off their campaigns on Saturday, though, in the Vain and Quezette Stakes respectively.“He and Headway worked together. Both horses ran well and will take their places in the colts and geldings and fillies races for three-year-old on Saturday.
“Reward For Effort has always been an imposing individual. To my eye I think he's the benchmark colt in the land“Headway isn't a big horse but is strong and powerful and certainly hasn't gone backwards. She's gets a little bit forgotten with the hype around Black Caviar. She's run second in the Golden Slipper while Black Caviar has won a listed race against winter horses.”

A Spring In Moody's Step
Few trainers have approached the Spring racing with more anticipation than Caulfield mentor Peter Moody.
Whilst it is not exactly a make or break situation, the big fellow who cut his teeth in outback Queensland, is sitting on a handful of aces at present.
The unbeaten duo of Typhoon Tracy and Black Caviar, both exciting fillies, would be enough to whet the appetite of almost any trainer, but Moody also has Headway and Reward For Effort to throw into the mix.
When the question was raised about the ability of Black Caviar, Moody was quick to say "she is a very good filly and could ultimately get to a mile".
Having said that the One Thousand Guineas has been penciled into the program at present
Whether she is just too brilliant to run out that trip, time will surely be the deciding factor.

100 Winners

100 Winners in 2009-2010.
One of the little noticed events happened in July 2009, Bel Esprit progeny had 100 starts for the month and properly only noticed by people who like to keep records.
For the year, he had 882 starts for 140 wins with 162 starters from 365 live foals and the 4th year crop had 130 live foals so putting all these facts together and working with percentages, this year the progeny will have about 230 starters for the year.
This all leads to setting a target for these boys and gals to better the one we had about getting 200 winners by the end of last season which he did.
Going thru the last 100 winners a year for fourth year stallions since the year 2000 these names were the only ones to come up

PoL Stallion.................... Serving age..... Live foals.. Strs/winners
1..Encosta de Lago (AUS), 1993,...8yrs.......373..........202/107
6..Redoute's Choice (AUS), 1996..8yrs.......416...........179/101
6..Lion Hunter (AUS), 1992..........8yrs.......461...........222/99
7..Commands (AUS), 1996............8yrs.......468...........194/98

Last year seven years stallions were an impressive lot and all capable of getting the magic 100 winners with Choisir getting 92 winners and Bel Esprit 82 (Australia only) The resultis more impressive when Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, South Asia and Zimbabwe results are taken into account, Choisir 101 winners, Bel Esprit 90

Stallion........... Serving age...... Live foals Strs/winners
Bel Esprit..............8yrs.................495
Choisir...................8yrs.................475
Hussonet...............8yrs.................434
Rock of Gibralter.8yrs.................449

Two winners a week would do it and the six in the first ten days of the new season gets Bel away to a flying start. I will keep records and update monthly.

Heigl, Spirits in the Sky, Beau Desert, Bel Estar,

BEL'S BIG WEEK
It doesn’t appear that Bel Esprit – named Champion Victorian Sire on Saturday (1 August) for the second year running – is about to rest on his laurels.
Just three days into the new season, Bel Esprit logged a two state treble with Heigl and Beau Desert scoring at Echuca, while Spirits in the Sky lobbed at Forbes.
And, making it a quartet on Thursday (6 August), Bel Esprit entire grabbed the major prize at Sale with Bel Estar.
Indeed, since the season commenced on Saturday, Bel Esprit has had 16 runners for 4 winners and 11 money earners.
Heigl, bred by long time Eliza Park client Shane Stiles, was having just his second start for trainer Peter Morgan after finishing midfield at Wodonga in July.
Part-owned by Sirecam principal, Sport 927 commentator and former Collingwood great, Michael Christian, Heigl is a half sister to Kiwi Group One winner Rockabubble from the Rory’s Jester mare, Blond Rocket, in turn a full sister to Caulfield Guineas-G1 and QTC Sires’ Produce-G1 winner Chortle.
Shane Nichols’ lightly raced sprinter, Beau Desert, registered his second win from his past three outings when successful over the 1012m journey at Echuca.
Bred by Eliza Park, Beau Desert is out of the Straight Strike mare Desert Strike and is raced by a number of the stud’s clients.
A half brother to Desert Sun stakeswinner Real Time, Beau Desert is closely related to Wellington Cup-G1 winner Samasaan.
The well named Spirits in the Sky (from the Hurricane Sky mare Cosmic Dust) rounded out Monday’s treble with an exciting win at Forbes.
Closely related to Melbourne stakeswinners Slipstream and Blazing Aspect, Spirits in the Sky was bred by Contract Racing, Brian and Peter Donohoe and Kerry Good and produced a couple of placings from four starts, including a second at Wagga on 15 May.
Purchased by Shane Beattie at the Great Southern Bloodstock Sale a week later, the NSW trainer then produced him at Wellington in mid June before turning him out for a few weeks.
Resuming at Wellington at the end of July for a midfield performance, Spirits in the Sky was back in the winners’ circle at Forbes: not a bad effort – an $8,500 purchase scoring two wins from three starts in just over two months.
John Wheeler hasn’t overtaxed his nifty Bel Esprit 4YO, Bel Estar, who notched up a classy win at Sale on Thursday (6 August) to round out a sensational few days for his sire.
Having raced on just nine occasions, Bel Estar has brought home a cheque from six of those starts and the Sale win was his second after injury had the entire on the sidelines for nearly a year.
Bred by Simon Hearnden-Hunter, who is also a part-owner, Bel Estar is out of the Timber Country mare, Gamelan, a daughter of multiple Group winner Reno Belle.

Royal Saint 8/08/09

Caviar in the Bush
Racing in the village of Louth, situated on the banks of the Darling River 100km SW of Bourke and 132km NW of Cobar, dates back as far as 1880 when the Louth Christmas Races were held on the 27th December of that year. Featuring a two race program, the two mile open handicap with prize money of 60 sovereigns and a maiden plate over one and a quarter miles with prize money of 15 sovereigns.
These early race meetings may have provided inspiration for Henry Lawson's 'Louth on the Darling' in which he described Louth as a place that loved a drink, a punt and a party!
Not a lot has changed for Louth in that respect and they have a reputation for staging a great party - an annual race meeting that keeps the crowds coming back year after year... racegoers love the sheer isolation of Louth, the colourful bush characters and the experience of watching the horses thunder past the winning post in a cloud of dust.

My Son, Peter went there three years ago, had a great time. Two thousand people sleep in the camping area the night before and from 11PM on the camp gets noisy; they find the best way to make a lot of noise is to rev up the fast cars.They are all a bit slow waking up in the morning then they join the other two thousand at the races followed by all in bed by 10PM and the only noise is snooooring
The Black Caviar (he won two races by eleven and a half lengths) of the bush, Royal Saint BEL ESPRIT x PONIARD (LAKE CONISTON (IRE) came there today and won by six and a half lengths, following up his five lengths win at Wellington on 27th July.
Phillip Ayoub has done wonders with this horse who had his first start for Peter Moody as a three year old in December last year. This filly was ridden by James Geppert who rode twenty two winners last year, beating the gelding Footy Legend (Choisir), trained by Bret Cavanough who took six horses to the meeting

Bel Esprit/Polar Sky 7/08/09

Bel Esprit Top Colt Sold
New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd
Christchurch turned on a cracker with spirited bidding the order of the day for New Zealand Bloodstock's annual South Island Sale of Two Year Olds and Mixed Bloodstock.
The top colt of the day was Esker Lodge's Lot 37, by Bel Esprit from the Hurricane Sky mare Polar Sky. Te Akau Racing's David Ellis secured the strongly built youngster for $65,000.
This colt had previously been sold at the Inglis Weanling sales in Melbourne in May 2008 for $10,000 and sold again at the Inglis Weanling sales in Sydney a month later, for $30,000
Ellis finished the leading purchaser at the sale, signing for four lots amounting to $135,500.
The two-year-old section finished slightly back, averaging $13,268, 18% lower than last year's record South Island Sale average of $16,215.
Total receipts for the session totalled $1,592,700 for 120 lots sold and a clearance of 75%.
The overall sale average settled at $11,709 from $14,899 last year and $12,478 in 2007. A total of 145 horses were traded from 210 catalogues to bring an aggregate of $1,697,750 back from $2,115,700 for 116 last year.
Focus now turns to New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of Two Year Olds on 17 & 18 November with entries for the sale due on 24 August. Contact reception@nzb.co.nz for a hard copy of today's sale results to request an entry form.

Top Victorian Stallion 7/08/09

Bel Esprit top of the Victorian list in stallion earning for 2008-09
Andrew Garvey
August 7, 2009
AFTER a frustrating run of placings, Encosta De Lago finally took out the general sires' title by earnings in 2007-2008 and had no trouble making it back-to-back wins in the season just completed.
In fact, there was little change at the top of the order from last year, although Redoute's Choice bounced back from an ordinary - by his standards - 10th the previous year to be second.
There were only three changes to the top 10 with Choisir, Testa Rossa and Red Ransom replacing Flying Spur, Hussonet and O'Reilly.
With his number of runners dwindling, Danehill continued his drop down the list, coming in 59th, but he had a win in the broodmare sires' list over Centaine.
While he won by about $600,000, Danehill's 203 individual winners was well ahead of Rory's Jester, whose daughters produced 160 individual winners.
Charge Forward was champion first-season sire by earnings, with another Arrowfield stallion, Not A Single Doubt, taking out the title by winners, drawing clear of Fastnet Rock with a winner on the penultimate day of the season.
In Victoria, Bel Esprit took out the John Ingleton Award for champion stallion, with Blue Gum Farm's Elvstroem following in some of his predecessors' footsteps in taking out champion first-season honours. Blue Gum Farm also took out the champion broodmare-sire title with Last Tycoon.
Champion Victorian broodmare was Swing Queen, dam of Thousand Guineas winner Gallica. Bob and Rosemary Scarborough, who bred Gallica, later sold Swing Queen at a Magic Millions sale for $75,000.
David and Jenny Moodie's Contract Racing was the leading Victorian breeder for the season with the award based on points allocated in group and listed races.
In New Zealand, O'Reilly held on to win over Zabeel in the Centaine Award, which is based on worldwide prizemoney earned by NZ-based stallions.

Bel Estar 6/08/09

Our Star Bel Estar
Day six of the new season and up pops Bel Estar, the favourite in the last at Sale.
Coming from back in the field he loomed up and the turn sprinting to the front and winning very comfortably on the line.
The extra distance of 1713m was more to his liking and there is nothing to sat he wont run 2000m.
Bred by Simon Hearnden-Hunter who bred Snip Esprit (six wins), Babieca Noire (one win), this takes prizemoney won by this Bel Esprit Stallion to $33,800 from nine starts (two wins)
Simon now joins the leaderboard of wins by an Owner with his ninth win today. and shares part of the $294,000 won by horses he has kept an interest in.
Bel Estar (AUS) [2005]
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Gamelan (AUS)
Sold $90000 at Magic Millions Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Session 1-4 by Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie Vic
There are no siblings

Heigl, Spirits in the Sky, Beau Desert 3/08/09

Three on Day Three of the New Season
It was a big day for Bel Esprit on Monday the 3rd August, five starters and three winners.
Heigl started it off when she dead heated in the Moama Bowling Club Maiden Plate at Echuca over 1212 m leading all the way up the straight to be caught right on the line.
Trained by Peter Morgan this mare is out of a Rorys’ Jester mare Blond Rocket and was passed in at the magic Millions National Select sale for $77,500 with a reserve of $80,000
Siblings
AS LAME AS (AUS) [1997] - SIR LAURENCE (NZ) 0w-0p-1sRace: 1000-1000m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
ROCKABUBBLE (AUS) [2000] - BUBBLE GUM FELLOW (JPN)6w-3p-20s $134,400Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1100-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-1sG1 1w-0p-4s, G2 0w-0p-1s, G3 0w-0p-1s, LR 1w-1p-3s
ALISA FREE (AUS) [2001] - FAVORITE TRICK (USA)0w-1p-4s $1,400Race: 1000-1600m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
GENUINE ROCKET (AUS) [2003] - GENUINE (JPN)0w-0p-6s $100Race: 1200-1900m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s

An hour later Spirits in the Sky won his second race for Steve and Simone Beattie when he fought back after being headed, to win the Ainsworth/Rodgers Ind. Hcp-C1 over 1300m at Forbes.
He is proving to be a very cheap steal for Steve winning $12.500 from his three starts and will be keenly followed by one of his previous owners when he comes back from a spell.
He was ridden by apprentice Kody Nestor who was aboard when he won his first race at Wellington. Out of a Hurricane Sky mare Cosmic Dust, he is a full brother to Cosmic Vision who finished third in the race before Heigl won at Echuca earlier in the day.
Spirits In The Sky (AUS) [2005]Steve Beattie
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Cosmic Dust (AUS)
Sold $8500, S Beattie, NSW at William Inglis and Son Ltd. Great Southern Bloodstock Sale 2009 by Contract Racing Pty Ltd, Melbourne
SHOOTING STARS (AUS) [2004] - RUBITON (AUS)2w-8p-25s $52,200Race: 1000-1200m Won: 1000-1000m Wet: 1w-3p-6s
COSMIC VISION (AUS) [2006] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)0w-1p-3s $1,600Race: 1100-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-1p-1s*Next Run: ECHA 3/08/2009 Deniliquin Rsl Mdn Plate

Back to Echuca for the last race and Beau Desert was the third winner when he had a great tussle with the runner up Banker’s Lamp all the way up the straight to win by a neck.
He is in the Inglis August Thoroughbred Sale at Oatlands next Friday (lot 328) and buyers would have been impressed with the way he won this race.
Bred by Lee Fleming this Bel Esprit gelding has now won two races and a second from eight starts
Beau Desert (AUS) [2005]Shane Nichols
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Desert Strike (NZ)
Psd $75,000 Res $80,000, at Magic Millions Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Session 1-4 by Eliza Park, Kerrie Vic
KYZYL (NZ) [1995] - KREISLER (IRE)0w-0p-3sRace: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
REAL TIME (NZ) [1996] - DESERT SUN (GB)7w-13p-40s $214,500Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1000-1450m Wet: 0w-1p-3sG2 0w-0p-1s, G3 0w-2p-3s, LR 1w-2p-10s
TWIN DESERTS (NZ) [1997] - DESERT SUN (GB)1w-7p-35s $7,100Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1200-1200m Wet: 0w-1p-9sLR 0w-0p-1s
DESERT FAME (NZ) [1999] - CLASSIC FAME (USA)0w-0p-2s $200Race: 800-200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
ARONDAN (AUS) [2000] - ANZIYAN (USA)5w-3p-24s $70,600Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1050-1450m Wet: 1w-0p-2sLR 0w-0p-3s
REAL DEAL (AUS) [2004] - DESERT SUN (GB)0w-3p-6s $1,900Race: 1000-1206m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s

Belle Tivo 1/08/09

A First at Roxby Downs
The first winner of the 2009-2010 season came on the first day and was won at one of the most unusual places, Roxby Downs. They only have one meeting for the year.
This year, the Roxby Downs Racing Club held the annual Gymkhana and Picnic Races. $25,000 prize money was on offer for competitors in the 26 events and this year organisers were hoping to attract about 800.
There were a total of six flat races held on the day. One of the most popular events, and one that required transport of the wheeled variety was the wheelbarrow race, with winners taking home 15 cartons of beer and the entertainment didn’t stop when the sun went down.
Mick Whittle took six horses up to race while Kym Healy took three, one being a Bel Esprit first starter, Belle Tivo, out of a Danehill Mare, Conte Partiro and bought by Kym and Ms C Shannon at the Magic Millions Sale in Adelaide 2007 for $11,000.
Belle Tivo won the $3,500 1000m Maiden event and was ridden by P Crich, winning by a length and a half starting at $5.50

Bel Esprit 2006-2009 Stats

Crop Stats over Three Years
Overall
---------starts--wins--place--total--% win--% place
1st crop--714---112----163---275---15.69--38.5
2nd crop-513---78-----116---194---15.20--37.8
3rd crop--78---14------19----33----17.95--42.3
Total---1305--204----298---502---15.63--38.5
Winners
--------Starters--Winners--% win--Live foals
1st crop---71--------46------64.8---94
2nd crop--80--------50-----62.5---122
3rd crop--34--------11------32.4---149
Total----185-------107------57.8---365
These include Hangang Ruby's two wins in South Korea

Runners ages
------------wins-----%
2 year olds 211-----16.11
3 year olds 740-----15.14
4 year olds 354-----16.38
Total------1305

Wins by seasons---wins
From 1/8/06 till 31/7/07---10
From 1/8/07 till 31/7/08---54
From 1/8/08 till 31/7/09--140
Total----------------------204

Bel Esprit Free Service 1/08/09

Bendigo Cup Day Free Service to Bel Esprit
THE powerful Lloyd Williams racing team will use the Bendigo Jockey Club as part of its base for the spring carnival.
Starting this Sunday, horses of the calibre of 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient, last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter C’est La Guerre and multiple Group One placegetter Zipping will regularly use the course proper at Bendigo for training runs leading into Melbourne’s feature events.
For the second year in succession Efficient, C’est La Guerre and Zipping will step up their spring preparation with exhibition gallops in between races at Sunday’s BJC meeting.
Williams’ horses are stabled at his expansive Macedon base where Bel Esprit spent his racing days and racing manager Jim Bowler said the BJC was the perfect location for their stable stars to work out.
Three of Eliza Park Stud’s premier stallions - Shinzig, Delago Brom and Danbird - will parade in between races four and five.
The BJC and Eliza Park have joined forces to offer owners of fillies and mares an added incentive to run their horses at the BJC over spring.
On Sunday the winner of the ShinzigEliza Park Handicap will receive a free service to Shinzig, while future events on September 13 and on Bendigo Cup day will also bonuses.
A 3YO fillies event on Bendigo Cup day will carry a free service to boom sire Bel Esprit.