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Clarken Racing | Clarken Racing News 58760 Clarkens Premiership Chase

Clarken's premiership chase

Clarken's premiership chase

Will Clarken believes it will take a 'herculean effort' for he and training partner Niki O'Shea to win this season's South Australian metro premiership, as they lead the winners of the past two titles, Richard and Chantelle Jolly, by just one win with six meetings remaining.

For Clarken and O'Shea, who joined forces in early January 2023, it has been an incredible first full term together, but Clarken says the premiership is not a major focus.

"Things really could not have unfolded much better on the track for Niki and I this season," said Clarken.

"I still feel it is going to take a herculean effort to upstage Richard and Chantelle for the title.

"My theory with the premiership is yes it would look nice on our CV and would be a huge honour, but ultimately there is no financial gain attached to it.

"We will be slowing down a little bit over the next month or so and at the end of the day doing the right thing by our horses and their owners.

"Episodic is an example, she is airborne at the moment, but rather than stay at home on Saturday to try and bank another win, if we feel Flemington is a good opportunity for a Melbourne victory, she will head that way."

One horse definitely heading to Flemington this weekend for the stable is Extremely Lucky, who will line up in the Country Achiever Shane Fliedner.

"The horse is going really well and was excellent at Caulfield last time out," he said.

"He's drawn low, which is probably not ideal, but we have Blake Shinn, which is certainly a positive."

Of the runners Clarken and O'Shea will saddle up at Morphettville on Saturday, it is Sachem in the final race on the program that Clarken has the most upbeat.

"His best run for us was his effort first time out when second to the Jollys' smart filly Aviatress," Clarken said.

"Subsequently, his next two have been ok but we have just changed a few things around with him since his last run.

"Hopefully we get the desired result and get him back in the winner's stall."

One other horse Clarken touched on for the program was one of his four acceptors in the second event of the day.

"We could possibly keep Mazovia for another day, but of the quartet, Absinthe has us little bit excited," he said.

"A Toronado filly, she won a trial at Murray Bridge recently, had a good blow after it and we like her a lot."

RELEVANT NEWS

Crowther's G1 chance on Flower

It's the race that's provided the script for a string of jockey fairytales in recent years and Kayla Crowther is hoping Saturday's Oakleigh Plate can deliver her a maiden Group 1 triumph too. The South Australia-based rider will partner rejuvenated mare Prairie Flower in the iconic handicap which has provided breakthrough elite-level wins for Ben Thompson (2023 on Uncommon James), Ben Allen (2022 on Marabi) and Teo Nugent (2021 on Portland Sky) this decade alone. Last year, Harry Coffey also won his first Victorian G1 race aboard Queman in the Oakleigh Plate. Crowther, 26, has ridden in 10 races at the top level and said she is always grateful to connections for trusting her with the ride in such races. "I'm pretty excited," Crowther said. "The only other Victorian Group 1 race I've ridden in was the Oakleigh Plate on Shamino and it was at Sandown that year. "Obviously these opportunities don't come up very often, so to be granted the ride, I'm super grateful. "I'm lucky in this one because the weight limits a few of the options of interstate riders. "Winning on the horse helped as well. "Will (Clarken) has been super loyal and he's given me some really good chances in nice races before - I rode Bella Vella for him in the Sangster a couple of years ago." Crowther has won two races on Prairie Flower, including the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville last month. Jamie Melham steered the daughter of Star Turn into third place in the G2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) but has elected to ride Arabian Summer for Tony and Clavin McEvoy on Saturday. Crowther believes Prairie Flower can run a cheeky race with 52kg in a high-pressure contest. "I think the 1100m is right up her alley," she said. "She appears to be in career-best form and I galloped her this morning at Oakbank - it was a really nice working four-two (800m gallop quickening up the final 400m) and she just feels enormous underneath me at the moment. "I couldn't be happier. "52kg in a fast-run 1100m will suit her down to the ground. "She's going to have to improve a couple of lengths to be in the finish of an Oakleigh Plate, but I don't think she's taken a step backwards, that's for sure." WATCH: Prairie Flower's Durbridge Stakes win Among the horses to beat in the Oakleigh Plate is Sghirripa, who Crowther partnered to an eye-catching win in a barrier trial last week. Strathalbyn-based trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade are eyeing back-to-back wins in the race after Queman's victory in 2024. Crowther said Sghirripa, who bombed the start and finished unplaced behind his stablemate in last year's Oakleigh Plate, appears to be maturing. "I was really happy with his trial," she said. "He always does trial really well and he goes super in his first- and second-up runs. "He seems like he's maturing as an older horse and he was doing a few things better than he has before - he wasn't laying in as heavily as he can and he didn't over-race as fiercely as he can." Sghirripa is $15 in Sportsbet's Oakleigh Plate market, while Prairie Flower is $51.Story from Racing.com (James Tzaferis)

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Flower blooms for stakes victory in Durbridge

Prairie Flower is a veteran of 37 race starts, but at five years old the mare is just beginning to flourish. In her fourth start for new trainers Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea, the sharp mare surged to victory in Saturday's Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville. Purchased for $150,000 in an Inglis Online Sale last year, Prairie Flower has now won back-to-back races for the stable, Saturday's black-type win was a first, after running third at the level in the Without Fear Stakes in 2022 when trained by Henry Dwyer. "She came to us in really good fashion, (she's a) lovely sound mare," Clarken said. "David Jolly had a little bit to do with her when she was racing in South Australia, when she went online he gave me a really good push to get her and he was right. "She went into her first-up run and she was really underdone, and the programming was against us going into her second-up run which was a stakes race (Christmas Handicap) over 1200m – she just blew out." Prairie Flower was guided to the line by gun hoop Kayla Crowther, who has ridden the mare in all four starts this campaign. Clarken and O'Shea had the quinella in the race, with stablemate Extremely Lucky running boldly first-up for second. "I really have to pay homage to Kayla, I had to tinker with her gear a little bit and all of my riders work really well with me but we really gel in getting these sort of horses going," he said. "She does the hard yards, we galloped 15 at Oakbank on Tuesday morning, and she was one of the riders to get there and do the hard yards for us." Clarken now has his sights set on the Adelaide Racing Carnival with Prairie Flower, the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) is one of four SA Group 1s worth $1m in prizemoney – and perhaps it's time to dream large. "I'm actually really excited about her, I've got a race in mind that comes up over our carnival, and we'll most probably ease now and target it," Clarken said. "I don't know if she has the class (for the Sangster), but I've won Proud Miss's (Stakes) and other races with horses with less ability, and I think she can be a really high class mare for us." The afternoon was owned by Clarken, O'Shea and Crowther however, who put an exclamation mark on their success in the last race, combining for a win with Clarence, while stablemate Yasuke also gave them another quinella. The result saw Crowther split riding honours with Neindorf and Holder, who also scored a double on Saturday aboard Gin Spirit and Inaugural. Clarken and O'Shea shared training honours with the Stokes stable on the nine-race card. Story from Racenet

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Episodic regains winning touch to trainer's delight

After two unplaced finishes at stakes level, sharp mare Episodic returned to the winner's stall on Saturday with an impressive win at Murray Bridge. Guided under a gun steer from Todd Pannell, the daughter of Tavistock held off race favourite Let's Get Down in the closing stages to salute in a Benchmark 76 over 1200m. It was Episodic's first run in Benchmark grade following two unplaced runs in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes and Listed Christmas Handicap, either side of a four-and-a-half month spell. Trainer Niki O'Shea was thrilled to have his gun mare back in form, notching the fifth race win of her 18-start career. "(We're) delighted with that; it's a great effort by the team to get her back going," O'Shea, who trains in partnership with Will Clarken, said. "She had a big prep last prep; sometimes those mares don't turn up after a spell; it's great to get her back going. "She's a quality mare, a real stable favourite, (she's) beautiful, so we're delighted to get her to win again." O'Shea was full of praise for Pannell's ride; the hoop settled in the box seat, peeling off the rail at the 400m before winding up strongly. The stable has another stakes tilt on the radar for the Pinecliff Racing-owned Episodic as they chase black-type status. "She's tough as nails and just tries her heart out every time; Todd rode her lovely again today, probably against her usual pattern, she usually gets right back and goes down the outside, but he was clever enough to use his position and he rode her beautifully," he said. "That's the aim (black type). She's racing for good clients, and she's got good pedigree; she deserves some black type – she's been really solid." Story from Racenet

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Rising Hong Kong Superstar for Wandjina

Larneuk Stud in Victoria is home to value sire Wandjina, whose talented son Galaxy Patch has been acclaimed as the next rising superstar in Hong Kong racing following his dominant return in the Group II Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on Sunday. Trained by Pierre Ng and ridden by Vincent Ho, Galaxy Patch was second in the Hong Kong Derby back in March and then finished his season with a pair of Group wins in June. Tuned up with a series of recent trials, Galaxy Patch was fit and ready to fire first up over a mile and powered clear of Group I winner Voyage Bubble to win by a length and a half. “He (Galaxy Patch) has got great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Vincent Ho, who partnered Champion Miler Golden Sixty to 26 wins from 31 starts. “At the moment, he’s only 70% fit – based on his form last-season, he would have smashed them easier today, but it was enough for him to win today by just stretching out by himself.” Settling in second last place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb), Galaxy Patch loomed on the home turn before Ho angled into the middle of the track, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m without fully extending. The LONGINES G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in December is the target race Pierre Ng hopes to claim this season with Galaxy Patch and Ho believes Galaxy Patch has the attributes needed to emulate Golden Sixty. “He (Galaxy Patch) is a horse that (will) probably replace Golden Sixty at the mile. He’s still maturing, of course. Once he relaxed, he can put the race to sleep and he also had a great turn of foot. It’s early-season, the first race for him, and the preparation is (going) very well,” Ho added. Ng will aim Galaxy Patch at the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 17 November as a stepping stone to the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 8 December. “He’s the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We’re very pleased. With four trials, we just wanted him to be settled and he was today. Of course he’s not 100 per cent fit, but we just tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well. “With his stride length, he definitely looks improved from last season. Racing-wise, he’s more professional, more relaxed and if he can be more relaxed in the parade ring, I’ll be a bit happier. “Definitely he’s got the potential – it’s how we manage to get him up there. We’ll just do it by each race and hopefully he can go further and better.” Galaxy Patch was a $50,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Will Clarken/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Jolly from the Summerset Park Stud and won his debut in Adelaide before his sale to Hong Kong. He now has the overall record of nine wins from 15 starts. Bred and sold by Summerset Park, Galaxy Patch is a half-brother to stakes-placed Comearoundsundown and Creativity being the best of eight winners from unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Voltara, who died last year.Galaxy Patch is one of seven stakes-winners for Wandjina, who stands at Larneuk Stud this spring at a fee of $6,600. Story from Breednet

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Former Aussie HK's next superstar?

Synonymous with Golden Sixty’s towering feats, Vincent Ho has anointed Galaxy Patch as Hong Kong’s “next future star” after the gelding’s dominant HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday. Ho piloted Galaxy Patch (129lb) to an emphatic one and half length win over Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (135lb) and rising talent Chancheng Glory (115lb) in 1m 33.49s in another confirmation of Galaxy Patch’s extraordinary talent. By Wandjina, Galaxy Patch raced only once in Australia as Gulinga Spirit, winning a Morphettville maiden race over 1100m for Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea before transferring to Hong Kong, where he has now won seven of 13 starts and prizemoney of more than HK$25 million. “He (Galaxy Patch) has got great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Ho, who partnered Golden Sixty to 26 wins from 31 starts, crowned by a Hong Kong record 10 Group 1 triumphs and world record prizemoney haul of HK$167.17 million. “At the moment, he’s only 70% fit - based on his form last-season, he would have smashed them easier today but it was enough for him to win today by just stretching out by himself.” Settling in second last place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb), Galaxy Patch loomed on the home turn before Ho angled into the middle of the track, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m without fully extending. Voyage Bubble was brave in defeat after covering ground, while Chancheng Glory held on well for third as stayer Straight Arron (125lb) charged from the rear for fourth. Ho combined with Golden Sixty to win last December’s LONGINES G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) – the race trainer Pierre Ng hopes to claim this season with Galaxy Patch – and Ho believes Galaxy Patch has the attributes to emulate Golden Sixty. “He (Galaxy Patch) is a horse that (will) probably replace Golden Sixty at the mile. He’s still maturing, of course. Once he relaxed, he can put the race to sleep and he also had a great turn of foot. It’s early-season, the first race for him, and the preparation is (going) very well.” Extending his lead at the top of the trainers’ championship, Ng will aim Galaxy Patch at the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 17 November before the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 8 December. “He's the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We're very pleased. With four trials, we just wanted him to be settled and he was today. Of course he's not 100 per cent fit, but we just tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well. “With his stride length, he definitely looks improved from last season. Racing-wise, he's more professional, more relaxed and if he can be more relaxed in the parade ring, I'll be a bit happier. “Definitely he's got the potential - it's how we manage to get him up there. We'll just do it by each race and hopefully he can go further and better.” Story from Racing.com

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Kuroyanagi back to Caulfield

A return to Caulfield looks imminent for Blue Diamond third placegetter Kuroyanagi. The South Australian daughter of Written Tycoon, who will turn three on Thursday, is being set for the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) against her own age and sex on August 17, after a pleasing return run in last Saturday's Lightning Stakes. Kuroyanagi was brave but ultimately beaten by a fit horse, Lingani, on a testing Soft 7 surface in the Listed feature for two and three-year-old runners. "We were delighted with her to be honest," said Niki O'Shea, who trains in partnership with Will Clarken. "The horse that beat her has been running all winter and is hard fit, so we were very pleased. "I think the ground wasn't exactly what she was looking for but she handled it all right and has come through the run well. "We're talking about going to Caulfield in three weeks' time for the Quezette, that's a loose plan, it gives her three weeks to bounce back because it was hard work first-up." Two of Kuroyanagi's four career starts have been at Caulfield, where she ran second in the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude and third in the Blue Diamond - both races which were won by Hayasugi.Story from Racing.com (Tim Yeatman)

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Kuroyanagi 'could be anything'

One of the finds of the autumn returns to the races this weekend with endless possibilities ahead of a spring campaign. South Australian filly Kuroyanagi was somewhat of a surprise packet rocketing into Blue Diamond calculations after a scintillating jump out at Murray Bridge and eventually ran third in the two-year-old classic behind winner Hayasugi and runner-up Lady Of Camelot who would go on to win the Golden Slipper. Those form lines have trainers Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea brimming from ear to ear as spring nears. “She’s the most exciting horse we have, she could be absolutely anything,” O’Shea said. “It’s great to have her back, we’re delighted with the way she’s been going, hopefully we can kick off her preparation on the right note.” The $390,000 daughter of Written Tycoon resumes in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) for two and three-year-old gallopers at Morphettville this Saturday off a trial at Balaklava which featured talented open class horses. “She was in pretty good company that day and she’s worked well since then so she’s on the right track,” O’Shea said. “It would be great to win but obviously it’s hard against the older horses, first up, and on presumably testing ground.” When looking ahead at the spring calendar, O’Shea says there are many races suitable for Kuroyanagi, but one thing needs to be determined first. “I don’t really think anyone knows what her best trip is yet,” O’Shea said. “You’d assume she gets 1400m no worries but the way her action is you’d say she could be a Guineas filly, but then she’s also got a lot of speed so she might not want that far. “That’s something we’ll have to figure out or let us tell her, so we won’t be making any firm plans.” Kuroyanagi is an $8 chance to win the Thousand Guineas in November with Sportsbet. Clarken and O’Shea also have Hajra and Desert Dancing nominated for the Lightning Stakes.

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Kuro's low-key return

A home-state, black-type win is the immediate aim for South Australia's most-exciting young horse Kuroyanagi, but Will Clarken admits it's hard not to dream about spring features in both Melbourne and Sydney. The Blue Diamond placegetter made a low-key return to the track in a 600-metre jump out at Thomas Farms Racecourse Murray Bridge on Thursday, pleasing both her trainer and jockey Ben Price. Clarken said the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville later this month shapes as the perfect kick-off race and a suitable chance for the filly to secure a Stakes win, after her Group 1 and Group 2 placings over summer. "All being well, we'll get a good trial into her at Balaklava in seven days' time and then a nice gallop on some Good ground, we'll look to kick her off in the Lightning," Clarken said. "It'll come down to her first-up performance but races in both Melbourne and Sydney are definitely there as options. "It was such a vintage year of juveniles, so we'll just have to pick our way through and dodge a few of them. "We just want to get a black-type win next to her name, so we'll just chase little fish to start and build into it. "But we cant hide our excitement about her." During her first racing campaign, Clarken maintained that the daughter of Written Tycoon was far from the finished product and he said he's satisfied with the physical development she's made since the Blue Diamond. And while her early targets are likely to be in the 1000-1200-metre range, he's excited at the prospect of stretching her out in trip. "She's got a lot stronger in her time off," he said. "We did the right thing by stopping after the Diamond, so she got a really good spell into her. "Skeletally, everything has settled down because she was just feeling her shins off and on last prep. "I'd love to see her rolling over seven furlongs because I just think she's got this amazing action. "Brenton (Avdulla) gave us some amazing feedback that she felt like a horse that would get further after he rode her in the Diamond."Story from Racing.com (James Tzaferis)

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Stakes goals for Episodic

Consistent South Australian mare Episodic will chase all important black type next after making a terrific start to life under the care of Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea. Formerly with Chris Waller in Sydney, the Tavistock mare was a maiden at the beginning of this preparation but has won four of her five starts this time in – her only blemish, an unlucky second at Caulfield. Episodic nailed Bews on the line at Morphettville at her last start, storming home with the quickest last 200m of the event and Clarken and his team now certain to raise the bar once again. “She’s been terrific,” Clarken said. “We’ve got our eye on Stakes races in our own backyard down the track. We’ll work out whether we freshen her now. “The team at Murray Bridge have done a terrific job with her and the plan now will be to head towards a Spring Stakes, Penny Edition, Balaklava Cup.” Episodic’s win saw the Clarken-O’Shea yard extend their advantage over Richard and Chantelle Jolly in the metropolitan premiership to two.Story from Racing.com (Tim Yeatman)

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Galaxy Patch - Hong Kong's rising star

It's a story that has its beginnings in a tragedy etched in the mind of so many Australians and one that leads to a horse capturing the imagination of the Hong Kong racing public with his devastating finishes... the story of Galaxy Patch (Wandjina). Christmas Day 1974 is an unlikely place to start the story of a horse who in 2024 is proving himself to be one of the best in Hong Kong. But indulge me as I go back in history a bit! Two people working for the government, based in Darwin. Living in different houses but not too far apart, going through the same terrifying experience as Cyclone Tracy tore through the city. Both hiding downstairs behind walls they thought might withstand the punishment being inflicted on Darwin by the weather gods, both worried that they might not live to tell the tale. But live they did, Rob and Maureen ending up sharing accommodation with a dozen other people with 80 per cent of Darwin's buildings gone - including both of their homes. “They just started to fall apart around us,” they recalled. “It was pitch black," Maureen said - “the only time you could see was when there was a flash of lightning and you'd get glimpses of complete devastation.” “You couldn't stick your head out to see what was happening,” Rob recalled, “due to the flying debris.” Becoming friends - and eventually more - Rob and Maureen McBryde married a few years later. Maureen was already a horse person, Rob "thinking that I better get a horse and learn how to ride!" Summerset Park Stud is born Whilst still in Darwin, the couple participated in horse shows where a horse who'd retired from the track off seven wins caught the eye. As it turns out the owner was considering selling and before too long the handsome thoroughbred Bossie, a son of the imported Safety Match, was theirs and they set about breeding riding horses by him. By this stage they were living in Adelaide where a trip to the ABCOS Sales to buy a nice mare for Bossie proved fateful for not long after they bought one, the sales company called to ask if they'd like to make a quick 50 per cent profit on her as someone wanted her. Another early mare was Leisure Dollar (Millionaire {Ire}), dam of four winners including the dual city winner Summer Gambit (Bestebreuje {Ire}) whose five winners included the star jumpers Some Are Bent (Distorted Humor {USA}) and Black And Bent (Black Hawk {GB}). “We thought we were breeding sprinters!” Rob laughed, noting that Some Are Bent was sharp enough early days to earn black-type as a 3-year-old. How Womantic a smart one for Summerset Summerset also bred out of Summer Gambit the three times city winner Banderilla (Delzao) who sadly did not have much luck at stud with only one named foal - the McBrydes proud breeders of the classy filly How Womantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}) who won five of her 16 starts including the G3 Kevin Hayes S. Instead of selling the mare, they decided she was worthy of going to a more commercial stallion and before they knew it they'd accumulated more mares and they were suddenly racehorse breeders, trading as Summerset Park Stud. And so, since 1984 Summerset have been taking horses to the sales, all the time enjoying the challenges presented by the endeavour - learning along the way and doing ‘plenty of homework.’ Including interstate trips to sales and studs, talking to other breeders and taking it all in. One of the first mares acquired was the well related Lightning Flash (Fr) (Lightning {Fr}) from whom the McBrydes bred their first winner Summer Magic (Eagling {GB}) who was successful on two occasions at Morphettville, going on to a good career a stud - nicely represented by nine winners including the stakes placed Surmato (Bellotto {USA}). She was sold by the stud to Spicer Thoroughbreds for $50,000 at the 2018 William Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, later sold through an Inglis digital sale for $300,000 to Group 1 Bloodstock. It was three years later that Summerset took to the sales - to the Adelaide Magic Millions - a colt by Wandjina out of the unraced Voltara (More Than Ready {USA}) who they had also bred - and who had her own tale to tell. “It was early days for More Than Ready and we were able to get him for $15,000 which was at the very top end of our budget at the time,” Rob recalled. An instant broodmare A lovely filly eventuated, hopes high for a nice profit as she gained a position in the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Only to be found to have a cataract in her eye, a subsequent operation seeing her losing her eyesight - ‘and so we had an instant broodmare!’ Sadly Voltara and her foal (by Dirty Work) died during a difficult birth on Melbourne Cup Day last year - ‘a very sad day for us’- leaving behind an excellent record with all eight of her named foals being winners including the stakes placed city winners Comearoundsundown (Not A Single Doubt) and Creativity (Master Of Design). Exceltara (Excelebration {GB}), Freedom Road (Good Journey {USA}) and Voltage Point (Artie Schiller {USA}) have also been city winners for Voltara - the latter (who is part-owned by Summerset) finishing off well when third at Morphettville last weekend. Summerset don't have any of Voltara's daughters but they do have her half-sister Inca Flame (Hussonet {USA}) out of whom they bred a $150,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale colt by Toronado (Ire)... Magic Cosmos also a Hong Kong resident (yet to race). “We have a lovely Gold Standard colt out of her and hopefully her half-brother can show something before he is sold - and that Galaxy Patch can keep on winning for him.” Special from day one The seventh live foal produced by Voltara, Galaxy Patch showed himself to be something rather special from day one - racing as Gulinga Spirit showing good heart knuckling down late to win at his Morphettville debut for the Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea stable in January last year. Sold by Summerset to Clarken, Suman Hedge Bloodstock and David Jolly for $50,000 (his reserve) at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Galaxy Patch was described by Rob McBryde as being “a very athletic, forward horse who was very popular at the sales.” “He was a big, gangly foal - a typical Danehill but with longer legs than most.” “I remember Will (Clarken) telling us after that he thought he'd stolen him from us,” Rob said, noting that Wandjina “was not the flavour of the month at the time.” He was, however, a great match for Voltara with Maureen describing the mating as ‘a no-brainer.’ “Wandjina had not had many winners at the time but his best ones were out of More Than Ready mares (his Listed winner Express Pass for example) and when I called up the mating there were lots of good crosses.” Utilizing the pedigree programmes Tesio Power and Equisleuth, Maureen puts hours of research into planning the Summerset matings. First a budget is worked out, then the pedigrees studied, then the stallions inspected to ensure that the mating is also going to ‘produce the best possible type.’ Not long after the sale of their Wandjina colt, the McBrydes headed to a stable open day - a family friend hoping to secure a share in the young horse only to discover that he was already full subscribed. The McBrydes were excited by Gulinga Spirit's winning debut and all the more so by his Hong Kong start - in October last year the Pierre Ng trained gelding charging late off a slow start to win over 1200m at Shatin. Fifth at his next start, he then won three in a row - each in easy fashion. Tackling stronger company, he performed consistently without winning but was proving competitive with some of Hong Kong's best gallopers. A big impression Creating a big impression with a fast finishing G1 Hong Kong Derby second over 2000m having had his previous two starts over 1000m and 1400m, Galaxy Patch then dropped back in trip to tackle the topliners in the G1 Champions Mile in which he was fifth. Since then he has raced twice - three weeks ago charging late to claim success in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy and on Sunday again putting in the big strides late to win the G3 Premier Plate in particularly exciting fashion. “He showed that he has a blistering turn of foot,” Rob McBryde said, adding that witnessing Galaxy Patch's career has been exceptionally exciting - “we are over the moon.” The McBrydes were please to meet Galaxy Patch's trainer Pierre Ng at this year's Melbourne Premier Sale where he joked “I'd love to buy another horse like him from you” - their reply being “and we'd love to breed another one like him!” A very, very exciting horse Also enjoying Galaxy Patch's stellar form is Neville Murdoch whose Larneuk Stud is home to Wandjina. “It his flabbergasting the way he finishes off,” Neville said - “he is a very, very exciting horse.” Originally standing at Newgate off a racing career that saw him win three races including the G1 Australian Guineas, Wandjina - who James Harron purchased for $1 million at Easter in 2013 - made his way to Victoria in 2021. “He is a horse who deserves to get his 50 to 60 mares a year,” Neville said, noting that a stallion such as him would've easily done so in the past, in a different time and a different market. Serving 15 mares last year and 41 the year before, Wandjina is a bit more on people's radars now - his strike rate a solid 67.9 per cent, Neville hopeful that a horse like Galaxy Patch can make him all the more appealing to broodmare owners. “We have had a few enquiries so I am staying positive,” he said. Neville took an instant liking to Wandjina and soon purchased him - now owning the 12-year-old outright. “He is a really lovely style of horse,” he said - “his fertility is good and he has a beautiful temperament. We even had some European interest in him a couple of years ago.” Neville stands Wandjina alongside the well related Wolf Cry and two new boys for 2024 - the former Darley horse Impending who has had a recent rush of winners including the promising New Zealand juvenile Imptee and the Group 1 winner Lauda Sion (Jpn) who has been purchased by a Larneuk client. “His owner is keen as mustard about him and is going to support him with some nice mares,” Neville said, describing the Deep Impact (Jpn) line horse as “a really interesting horse for us - he is a stunning type.” Maybe the most talented I've bought “Galaxy Patch may be the most talented horse I have bought,” said Suman Hedge and considering his record of finding rather nice types that is high praise indeed. “He can do things other horses can't do,” he said, noting Galaxy Patch's ability to finish of so strongly over varying distances. “I must admit that we did not envisage his versatility when he was sold to Hong Kong,” he said. Hedge has in his mind a clear picture of Galaxy Patch at the sales - despite the fact that he was involved in the purchase of number of horses that day. “He is the one who sticks in the memory,” he said. “He was a little bit narrow - a big, rangy coat-hanger type, not really the sort we'd normally be after. But he had this big step and used himself particularly well - he tracked so nicely from behind and was very efficient with his movement. “We had him out three or four times and he paraded better each time. “Rob and Maureen McBryde are such nice and honest people and they gave us a good appraisal of the horse. Suman was happy with the gelding's debut win in Adelaide and pleased for the owners who received “four or five times what they paid for him.” Though in retrospect... “Normally you'd think that was a pretty good deal but in this case this horse could be pretty special! But everyone is very happy to see him go on and do such a good job in Hong Kong.” A future star Galaxy Patch's trainer Pierre Ng is looking forward to seeing what his still up-and-coming charge can go on to, telling the HKJC that ‘definitely we are aiming for the big races.’ “You can see he's a much more mature horse now and I hope we can see him all the more mature next season.” “He came from impossible position today,” he said, taking note of the bay's versatility - performing well over a variety of distances. Covering his final 200m in 21.69 seconds, Galaxy Patch had jockey Vincent Ho excited - “he is a horse with plenty of potential, he is a future star.” Story from TTR AusNZ

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Former South Australia galloper a future Hong Kong star

Galaxy Patch showcased his remarkable turn of foot once again at Sha Tin on Sunday, June 23, clinching a dominant victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m) for trainer Pierre Ng. Ridden by Vincent Ho, Galaxy Patch surged from near-last to first in the home straight, completing the race in 1 minute and 48.64 seconds. The four-year-old galloped the final 200 meters in a swift 21.69 seconds, finishing as the race’s second favourite with betting apps in Australia. “He’s a future star with immense potential. He was the best horse in the field, and that’s why he can perform like this. From a wide barrier (10), we just aimed to settle him. He was a bit keen over the first 400 meters but then relaxed just before the turn,” Ho said post-race. Galaxy Patch, sired by Wandjina, initially raced in South Australia as Gulinga Spirit under Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea before being sold to Hong Kong. Earlier this month, Galaxy Patch triumphed in the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m). His impressive record now includes six wins from 12 starts in Hong Kong, with notable runner-up finishes in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) this season. “I just took my time, let him gradually advance, and then asked for an effort. He’s a very decent horse,” Ho remarked. “Thanks to Pierre’s team for their support and trust – riding such quality horses means everything.” Beauty Joy finished a neck behind in second, with Happy Together securing third place. The race favourite, Chancheng Glory, ended up in fourth. “It was likely from an impossible position, but he’s shown versatility across various distances. Now at 1800 meters, he even placed second over 2000 meters,” Ng commented. “He’s like an all-rounder, typical of Australian horses, adaptable from short to long distances. He was much more mature today, and I hope he continues to develop next season.” “We’re definitely targeting big races. Let’s see what the schedule holds,” Ng added. This victory was part of a treble for Ng, propelling him back into the lead for the trainers’ championship with 65 wins, ahead of Francis Lui’s 63. Ng also celebrated success in both feature races of the day, with Mugen and jockey Karis Teetan overcoming California Spangle in the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m).Story from JustHorseRacing

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Clarken's premiership chase

Will Clarken believes it will take a 'herculean effort' for he and training partner Niki O'Shea to win this season's South Australian metro premiership, as they lead the winners of the past two titles, Richard and Chantelle Jolly, by just one win with six meetings remaining. For Clarken and O'Shea, who joined forces in early January 2023, it has been an incredible first full term together, but Clarken says the premiership is not a major focus. "Things really could not have unfolded much better on the track for Niki and I this season," said Clarken. "I still feel it is going to take a herculean effort to upstage Richard and Chantelle for the title. "My theory with the premiership is yes it would look nice on our CV and would be a huge honour, but ultimately there is no financial gain attached to it. "We will be slowing down a little bit over the next month or so and at the end of the day doing the right thing by our horses and their owners. "Episodic is an example, she is airborne at the moment, but rather than stay at home on Saturday to try and bank another win, if we feel Flemington is a good opportunity for a Melbourne victory, she will head that way." One horse definitely heading to Flemington this weekend for the stable is Extremely Lucky, who will line up in the Country Achiever Shane Fliedner. "The horse is going really well and was excellent at Caulfield last time out," he said. "He's drawn low, which is probably not ideal, but we have Blake Shinn, which is certainly a positive." Of the runners Clarken and O'Shea will saddle up at Morphettville on Saturday, it is Sachem in the final race on the program that Clarken has the most upbeat. "His best run for us was his effort first time out when second to the Jollys' smart filly Aviatress," Clarken said. "Subsequently, his next two have been ok but we have just changed a few things around with him since his last run. "Hopefully we get the desired result and get him back in the winner's stall." One other horse Clarken touched on for the program was one of his four acceptors in the second event of the day. "We could possibly keep Mazovia for another day, but of the quartet, Absinthe has us little bit excited," he said. "A Toronado filly, she won a trial at Murray Bridge recently, had a good blow after it and we like her a lot."

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