Magic Millions Day One

Blue Sky Bloodstock were extremely active on day one of the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and although we unfortunately missed out on a few that we wanted, we managed to secure eight in partnership with leading trainer Gai Waterhouse, while another for a client.

The first purchase came early in the piece when Lot 6 (pedigree) from the draft of Eliza Park International was secured.

By Medaglia d’Oro, the sire of Vancouver, the bay colt (pictured) is out of the Desert Prince mare Agnus Dei, a half-sister to the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes and Group 1 Goodwood Handicap placed Altar, both out of the multiple stakes winning Hosannah.

A few lots later, Lot 13 (pedigree) from the draft of Newhaven Park was purchased on behalf of a client.

From the first crop of Encosta de Lago’s dual Group 1-winning son Delago Deluxe, this filly is out of the fast, stakes performed juvenile Alezan Thunder who finished third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic of her year behind the Gai Waterhouse pair of Driefontein and No Looking Back.

Eureka Stud’s Lot 22 (pedigree), was an impressive Snitzel colt out of the Rory’s Jester mare Angel Girl. Already the dam of Stratum’s Group 1 winner Southern Lord, the colt was bred on a very similar cross and he was such a great type that we had to have him.

The next of the lots to be secured was in partnership with Gai and Dermott Farrington, and was Lot 73 (pedigree), a More Than Ready filly (pictured) from the draft of Kia-Ora Stud.

The fourth living foal of the Listed-winning, Group 1 placed Catbird mare Burgeis, the mare has had two foals to race, with both in the money.

From the family of Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Stratum and the Redoute’s Choice mare Dystopia, it is a classy family and one we are confident will continue to improve.

With the competition between first season sires a hot topic at the sale – as always – the first one we purchased was a colt from the draft of Vinery Stud by Champion Three-year-old and multiple Group 1 winner All Too Hard as Lot 90 (pedigree).

The colt is the second living foal of the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas winner Chakvetadze, a winner of eight races herself.

Taking home our second lot from the draft of Newhaven Park, we purchased Lot 112 (pedigree), a colt (pictured) by Sebring (who Gai trained to win the G1 Golden Slipper), out of the Catbird mare Cinnamon Bells, who is herself a full-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Catechuchu from the an extensive black type family.

Speaking of Sebring and his Group 1 Golden Slipper winner – the next yearling we took home was from the breeder of that amazing colt – Corumbene Stud!

Secured as Lot 162 (pedigree), the colt is by one of the hottest stallions around at the moment in Snitzel, out of the Flying Spur mare Donnica, herself a sister to the Roedean (who was actually first across the line in the Group 1 Blue Diamond of her year).

This filly is bred on the exact same cross that has had two winners from two runners highlighted by the stakes performer Choice Snitzel.

Next up it was Lot 210 (pedigree) from the draft of Emirates Park. From the second crop of world class sprinter Dream Ahead, this colt is out of the Danehill mare Faiza, a Group 3 winner of the Blue Diamond Prelude.

Rounding out day one of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale was Lot 212 (pedigree), a bay Snitzel filly (pictured ) out of the Dehere mare Fashion Rocks from the draft of Widden Stud.

The first foal of the talented race mare, this is the family of Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate runner-up Wonderful World.

For any information on any of our purchases from day one, or any subsequent lots we may secure, please contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803 or bluesky@blueskybloodstock.com.au

Boundary By A Nose…

Starting the short priced favourite in the 1421m of the B & B Aluminium at Geelong on Thursday, the Heath Conners-trained, Blue Sky Bloodstock yearling purchase BOUNDARY jumped the gates and travelled forward for the in-form Damian Lane.

Restrained to settle behind the leading few, the four-year-old Manhattan Rain mare travelled sweetly in fourth and when the home corner was reached she had something to offer, but just needed to find a gap.

When one eventually appeared to her inside, the Magic Millions graduate darted through to quickly hit the lead.

Just as it looked as if she would win comfortably, the Daryl Brown-trained Caesar’s Revenge came out of the pack and the battle was on.

Not to be denied, Boundary took the win and elevated her earnings past the $100,000 from three wins and three placings from 12 starts, a great return on the $38,000 yearling purchase price from the draft of Millbrook at the 2013 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

Raced by Newhaven Park Syndicate (Mgr: R J Kelly, Mrs S Kelly, J W Kelly, R C Kelly, Mrs N Agostini, Mrs G Walker) V O C Racing Syndicate (Mgr: G Pignatelli), R K Hamer, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Syndicate (Mgr: J Blaxland), N A Mukhi, M Rava, J A Lee and S C Waugh, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds would like to congratulate all owners of the mare.

Newhaven and Yarraman Take Juvenile Spoils

As we near the 2016 Magic Millions race day on the Gold Coast, a two-year-old stakes double for graduates at Doomben on Saturday highlights two of the best chances for Queensland-trained juveniles leading into the lucrative day.

Super impressive in his almost five length romp in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1050m), Sundance joins Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1050m) winner Zelady’s Night Out towards the top of the market behind this week’s Wyong Magic Millions contender Capitalist and the recent impressive debut winner Nikitas.

Both Sundance (I Am Invincible) and Zealdy’s Night Out (Myboycharlie) were purchased by Julian Blaxland’s Blue Sky Bloodstock in partnership at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Sundance was the second winner of the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes by Yarraman Park’s Champion first season sire I Am Invincible after the 2013 win of Bassillique.

Both Sundance (pictured right) and Bassillique are Toby Edmonds, who interestingly also trained their sire in his early days on the track,

Sundance was a $140,000 purchase from Newhaven Park draft at the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Blaxland and Edmonds.

No stranger to selling top class yearlings at the sale highlighted by South Africa’s multiple Group 1 winner Wylie Hall (Redoute’s Choice) and in more recent year’s Bjorn Baker’s 2014 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unencumbered, Newhaven Park will consign a large draft of 33 yearlings in 2016.

Sundance is out of Pacific Dreams (Desert Prince), an unraced half-sister to Cannarelle, who is in turn the dam of I Am Invincible.

Pacific Dreams was sold at the 2014 Inglis Broodmare Sale for only $20,000 carrying a foal to I Am Invincible, with the resultant colt sold earlier this year to Luskin Park Stud for $32,000 as a weanling that will now head to the Easter yearling sale.

Pacific Dreams wasn’t covered this season, but produced a colt by Rosemont Stud’s Starspangledbanner on October 22.

Trainer Toby Edmonds won’tdecide if his colt will have another start or not just yet, but will wait for the dust to settle after the impressive win.

“It (the McLachlan Stakes) is the logical race for him next but he doesn’t need to run again,” stated Edmonds.

“He might have a trial or a jump-out but he is in the Millions field now so I won’t do too much.”

The most expensive yearling sold by Vinery Stud’s Myboycharlie at this year’s sale, the Yarraman Park consigned Zelady’s Night Out (pictured above) was secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock and Ricky Surace’s B2B Bloodstock for $65,000.

A half-sister to the Group 3 winner Excites Zelady, Zelady’s Night Outis the eighth foal of the Zeditave mare Zelady.

Unfortunately Zealdy’s Night Out is the final foal of Zelady, with the mare having died earlier in the year.

In-form trainer Tony Gollan was very excited by the performance of his filly.

“She’s a very professional filly, she really made light work of it in the end,” Gollan said.

“We will go home and have a chat to the owners and see what we’ll do. We may go four weeks into the Millions, we’ll see how she pulls up.”

If both trainers decide that their two-year-olds need another run, then they could clash in the Group 3 McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on Boxing Day.

Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park was excited by the victory of the two juveniles on Saturday, having sold one at the sale (Zelady’s Night Out) and standing the sire of the other.

“Sundance’s win was pretty impressive, especially for being on wet track,” commented Mitchell.

By the stud’s leading sire I Am Invincible, Mitchell was quick to point out what a quality book of mares he has just finished covering.

“He served close to 180 mares with the likes of Aloha, Commanding Jewel, Elegant Fashion, Peggy Jean, Secret Admirer and Hurtle Myrtle – all Group 1 winning mares.

“On top of that there is also the dams of Group 1 winners Fat Al, Alinghi and Sepoy, as well as Belle Couture, the Redoute’s Choice half-sister to Black Caviar.”

“All up his book contains some 80 stakes winners or the dams of stakes winners, so we’re really pleased with that, especially as his crop of foals on the ground were also from an outstanding book of mares.”

News from Aushorse

One To Watch: Zelady's Night Out

"She was impressive but you havent seen anything yet."

These were the words of Queensland's leading trainer Tony Gollan after the impressive victory of B2B Bloodstock and Blue Sky Bloodstock's Magic Millions yearling purchase ZELADY'S NIGHT OUT.

Click the below image and head to Page 5 of Vinery Stud's December Newsletter to read the article.

It's A Wrap

After a good few weeks on the track for BLUE SKY BLOODSTCOK graduates we have another exciting week coming up!

This week we have GERVAIS (below as a yearling) set to head to Sandown on Wednesday for Race 1: The Cove Hotel Handicap over 1800m.

Last start at Moonee Valley the three year old son of Rip Van Winkle was slightly disappointing, but not all went to suit and now with the step up in trip on a bigger track we are confident of a more forward showing for the Danny O’Brien trained New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale graduate.

Another runner we will have this week is out lightly raced Choisir mare FLEURIEU who will head to Hawkesbury on Saturday over 1100m in a Filly and Mares maiden for trainer Gai Waterhouse.

While Redoute's Choice four-year-old ORPHEUS has been nominated for two races in Melbourne on Sunday with a decision to be made later in the week as to which he will head towards for Paul Messara.

Taking a quick look back at some recent results highlights how well the team is progressing.

Having his first start for the Heath Conners yard, STERNO put an outstanding effort to claim the Tobin Brothers Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) at Werribee.

Asserting his superiority, Sterno charged away to win impressive by one and three quarter lengths from race favourite Diamond Baroness, with a wide margin back to the third placed Holy Heart.

It was a really classy performance and we are looking forward to him having his next starts. To read a recap on the win, head over to ‘Sterno Salutes First Up For Heath Conners.’

SANTA ROCKS (below) was an impressive winner second up this time in, racing over 1550m at Canterbury last Friday night.

Team Hawkes Post Report: “The mare has come through the run quite good. It was a really good effort on the day, she had a nice run throughout and she hit the line really good the last 100 metres.

"We will see how she progresses before deciding where to go next and we will advise.”

The now four-year-old mare has appreciated the time and patience by both her trainers as well as owners, so a massive congratulations to all.

To read more about the win of Santa Rocks, head to our recent story 'Christmas Comes Earlier For Blue Sky Owners.’

While it wasn’t a winning performance, the run of SUNDANCE on debut last Saturday at Doomben was a great effort.

Going down by a narrow head margin to the previously raced Emtevee Queen, the effort was one that has us excited about the future prospects of the colt.

Our first horse with Toby Edmonds, we are really looking forward to seeing where this relationship can go, and who knows, we could have a Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner with our first horse in the stable.

On Monday at the Randwick barrier trials POLAR STAR (Lonhro x Polar Success), who was purchased in conjunction with Gai Waterhouse at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Vinery Stud had his first appearance, pleasing all with a nice third over the 730m, finishing three parts of a length behind stablemate Northern Fire.

With the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling Sale set to be held next month, if you are interested in being involved in racehorse ownership with Blue Sky Bloodstock, please CONTACT US by clicking here.

Christmas Comes Earlier For Blue Sky Owners

Lightly raced mare SANTA ROCKS produced an outstanding effort second-up at Canterbury on Friday night, recording her second career victory when winning the TAB Rewards Handicap over 1500m.

When the gates open, the Godolphin runner Bracteate went forward to take up the running, with jockey Brenton Avdulla allowing the Team Hawkes-trained Fastnet Rock Santa Rocks to settle in a mid-field position on the outside of Scratch Me Lucky.

Starting to make her move well before the home turn, at the 300m mark Santa Rocks was full of running and starting to make ground on the leader, coming around the field to be in a challenging position.

Hitting the lead with 100m to run, the mare pulled away for an impressive length and a quarter victory over Baylie Louise with race leder Bracteate holding on for third.

Purchased from the draft of Newgate Farm at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in conjunction with Paul Messara Racing, the victory was the second from only five starts for the mare and owners; Favretto Bloodstock, Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Mr J C Ashton, Mr G P Calder, Henry Field Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr W G Bax, Mr J M Andrews, Mr J M Andrews, Mrs R E Andrews and Adcock Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd should be congratulated on their patience.

Invincible Colt Aiming For Winning Debut

Purchased by Blue Sky Bloodstock and Gold Coast-based trainer Toby Edmonds at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale, two-year-old colt SUNDANCE (I Am Invincible x Pacific Dreams) makes his debut on Saturday, November 28 at Doomben.

Set to contest the Race 1: Sky Racing QTIS Two-year-old Handicap over 1050m, the colt will be ridden by Jeff Lloyd and has drawn barrier 12, but will come in a few after scratching’s.

Second a few weeks back in a Gold Coast barrier trial behind Starante, who has since come out and produced a length and a quarter debut victory at the Gold Coast, the form reads well for our talented colt and all reports indicate he should perform well.

Sourced from the draft of Newhaven Park, Sundance (pictured above as a yearling) is out of the Desert Prince mare Pacific Dreams, who is herself a half-sister to Cannarelle, the dam of I Am Invincible himself!

Also in the pedigree are numerous stakes winners including O’Lonhro, Mamzelle Pedrille, Diamond Drille as well as the exciting Australian-bred, South African Group 2-winning, Group 1 placed Tamaanee.

If Sundance can come through the run, he is likely to head towards the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January.

Having purchased I Am Invincible as a yearling and also training him in his early days, Toby Edmonds can also be credited with supplying the stallion with one of his first stakes winners when Bassillique won the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes on debut.

Very best of luck to our fellow owners;  Mrs D A Diamond, J Steenhuisen, Token Croats (Mgr: I Rados), Rkh Thoroughbreds (Mgr: R K Hamer), C I P Bloodstock (Mgr: R N Woods), Blue Sky Bloodstock (Mgr: J C H Blaxland), G1G Racing & Breeding (Mgr: Mrs T L Vogel) and Just Fun Racing (Mgr: D C Halpin).

Sterno Saultes First Up For Heath Conners

After a recent change of stable to Heath Conners, the Blue Sky Bloodstock Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase STERNO started first-up at Werribee on Tuesday in the Tobin Brothers Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

From a wide barrier jockey Stephen Baster jumped the five-year-old out swiftly from the gates before allowing him to settle back in the pack, on the outside.

While considered one of the outsiders in the eight horse field, Baster rode Sterno like a good thing, keeping him wide before the first to make his move, coming even wider around the home turn.

Asserting his superiority, Sterno charged away to win impressive by one and three quarter lengths from race favourite Diamond Baroness, with a wide margin back to the third placed Holy Heart.

Secured from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2012 sale, Sterno is by Widden Stud’s Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Stratum, out of the Bianconi mare Fresh Tracks.

From a predominately Japanese stakes-winning pedigree Sterno has finished in the top three on 10 occassions from 13 starts to date, and with the gelding still only lightly raced, owners Mr R K Hamer, Mr M S Sowerby, Mr S Wilson, Mr B J Baker and Mr T R Folsom look to have some exciting times ahead.

Image Slickpix, Footage Racing.com

Blue Sky Bloodstock Secures Savabeel Colt At NZB Ready To Run

New Zealand’s Champion Sire Savabeel, a dual Group 1 winner in Australia has been experiencing a great run with what it seems is a weekly stakes winner, so why wouldn’t we try and secure an outstanding colt by him?

Striking early, Blue Sky Bloodstock in conjunction with Gai Waterhouse and Phil Cataldo purchased Lot 4: Savabeel x Pare colt (above) at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale for $200,000.

Recording a nice breeze up time of 10.40 (vision below, yellow cap), the colt is the fifth foal of the Prized mare Pare, herself a daughter of an unraced half-sister to Group 2 winner Vickey Av, also a very good second in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks of her classic season.

Bred on a cross that has had four winners from only seven runners highlighted by the dual Group 2 winner Saavoya, the colt was pretty much sold to clients before he had even left the sale ring!

If you would like to touch base with Blue Sky Bloodstock about the 2016 yearling sales and how you can be involved, contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803, or head to our Contact page here.

Magic Millions Contenders At Ballarat

Second in the Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic last year, three-year-old colt PROMPT RETURN (right) will head towards the $100,000 Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic over 1100m.

Second up after a run at Flemington during Cup Week, Prompt Return was having his first starts in almost nine months on that occasion, and justifiably knocked up late.

A winner of the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate when racing second up during his first ever racing campaign, the son of Beneteau was purchased for $60,000 in 2014 from the draft of Newgate Farm and races in the ownership of Mark Sowerby and Ron Hamer.

With Saturday’s run giving trainer Danny O’Brien a guide as to how he has come back, the exciting colt is likely to progress onto the 2016 Magic Millions race day on the Gold Coast, a day worth over $10 million in prizemoney!

Set to join him in the race at Ballarat, is four-year-old Manhattan Rain mare BOUNDARY (below), who resumed recently at Mornington for trained Heath Conners with a pleasing third place.

Already the winner of two races for her large group of owners; Newhaven Park Syndicate (Mgr: R J Kelly, Mrs S Kelly, J W Kelly, R C Kelly, Mrs N Agostini, Mrs G Walker) V O C Racing Syndicate (Mgr: G Pignatelli), R K Hamer, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Syndicate (Mgr: J Blaxland), N A Mukhi, M Rava, J A Lee and S C Waugh, it was around this time last year when she started her career finishing first, second and third at her first three starts.

Purchased from the draft of Millbrook at the 2013 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, there could also be an option for this mare to head north for the Magic Millions race day in January.

With both runners set to take on a handy field of runners, Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to wish the connections of both Prompt Return and Boundary the best of luck for the race.

Click the below image to view the final field and form.

Magic Contender For Blue Sky Bloodstock

Creating a big impression with a facile four length win over 1050 metres at Doomben was the Tony Gollan trained Zelady's Night Out, who bolted in on debut as favourite.

The Myboycharlie (IRE) filly was a $65,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman draft for B2B Bloodstock/ Blue Sky Bloodstock and is the eighth winner from eight to race from top producer Zelady.

A half-sister to stakes-winner Excites Zelady, Zelady's Night Out is the final foal of Zelady, who died earlier this year.

She will be aimed at the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January and will follow the traditional path via the Listed BRC Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) at Doomben on December 12.

"She will then run in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes which will be the perfect lead-up because it is at the Gold Coast this year and will give her a look at the track," Gollan said.

"She has shown us plenty right from the start. As you saw she can be a little stirred up before going into the barriers but she can really fly the gates.

"The good thing is she jumped lengths in front, but then came back under Jim (jockey Byrne) and relaxed beautifully.

"She really appeals as an ideal Magic Millions horse although I think eventually she will get out to 1400 metres. The other plus is showed today she could handle a wet track."

News from Breednet

Stakes Success For Mamma

After some good efforts at stakes level recently, the Tony McEvoy-trained DON'T DOUBT MAMMA had a month away from the races before heading to Melbourne Cup day where she started in the Listed Lexus Hybrid Stales over 1400m.

With Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, the Not A Single Doubt filly jumped away with them before drifting back to me amongst the tail enders in the field of three-year-old fillies.

As Tiz My View went to the lead, Dunn has Don’t’ Doubt Mamma travelling well, and started to urged her to the outside before the home turn.

Travelling very well down the outside, it was evident that at the 300m she was going better than any other filly in the race.

200m from home she hit the lead, and kept going to record an utterly impressive two length victory from Indarra, with Denpurr a half-length back in third.

Starting the race favourite, it was the third career win from eight starts for the filly, and the way she won that race, suggests that the P Katelanis, P Hunt, A P Lathlean, J Katelanis & Seymour Bloodstock (Mgr: D S Thomas)-owned filly is surely one to watch for the future.

Bred by the former Tyreel Stud owner Dean Fleming, the filly was purchased privately by Blue Sky Bloodstock for client Peter Katelanis and is the final foal of the well-related Fantastic Light Coconut Mamma.

Blue Sky Bloodstock had also purchased the first foal of Coconut Mamma for Katelanis, with that filly racing as MISS ST TROPEZ (Magnus).

The second foal of the mare Risen From Doubt was raced in a partnership that included Katelanis, with that talented runner, a full brother to Don’t Doubt Mamma, winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on debut by two-and-a-half-lengths before a third in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes behind eventual Golden Slipper winner Mossfun.

A special congratulations to all owners of the filly, and with a pedigree that includes the likes of Group 1 winners Tuesday Joy, More Joyous, Sunday Joy, Fenway, Arlington Road and Joie Denise, the residual value of this filly continues to grow and now with a black type victory next to her name, she will become a value commodity when she retires at the end of her racing career.

Brother-Sister Duo Searching For Cup Day Success!

What a great thrill to have runners on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington, and the Blue Sky Bloodstock silks will be seen on two runners early in the day.

The opening race of the day sees two-year-old filly PROMPT RESPONSE make her debut for trainer Gai Waterhouse.

While Gai does send two-year-olds down to Melbourne, they have to be good, and after a barrier trial victory (below) and a recent jump out at Flemington, the Ron Hamer owned filly is set to go!

By the Blue Sky Bloodstock yearling purchase BENETEAU, who we raced to stakes success, the filly is out of the Exceed And Excel mare PROMPT, who was also secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock as a broodmares prospect.

With a large field of two-year-olds set to jump away in the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate over 1000m (field and form), out filly is in barrier 14 and with Damien Oliver in the saddle, fingers crossed for her connections.

A few races later her year old brother PROMPT RETURN (below) carries top weight in the Schweppes #FlemingtonFling over 1000m (field and form).

Resuming after not racing since the February this year when injured in the Group 1 Blue Diamond, the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate winner has been readied for his assignment with a recent jump out at Flemington – leaving Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Japonisme and the third placegetter Counterattack many lengths behind!

While it was only a jump out, it was great to see the Danny Obrien-trained colt perform so well and we are really looking forward to a great showing today with Hames Winks in the saddle.

Raced by Mark Sowerby and Ron Hamer, the colt was purchased as a yearling from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2014 from the draft of Newgate Farm for $60,000 with the colt already winning double his purchase price, with more to come!

Best of luck to the connections of our runners today!

Last Laugh As Gervais Scores

An encouraging third on debut on October 11, the Blue Sky Bloodstock, New Zealand Bloodstock yearling purchase GERVAIS contested Sunday’s Tac Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Sale Cup meeting.

Slowly away from the barriers, jockey James Winks didn’t panic, allowing his mount to settle where comfortable, in this case third last.

With Miracle Mounting ensuring a good clip upfront, charging many lengths ahead, Winks maintained his composure on the Danny O’Brien-trained gelding allowing him to come through the field before popping off the rail to find some clear galloping room down the home straight.

As the race leader start to put up the white flag, four-year-old mare Tranquil Miss charged through closer to the inside, but it was Winks on Gervais who was coming home the best.

Taking the lead just before the post, the long neck victory was indicative of a horse showing some good talent at just his second race start.

Bred to appreciate further that the 1200m of Sunday’s victory, the $80,000 yearling purchase is out of the Marscay mare My Funny Face, already the dam of Group 3 Queen’s Cup winner Gondorff and the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Princess Annaliese.

Raced by M Sowerby, S Wilson, B Baker, B Ainsworth, D Bourke, P Schubert, Cussen Brothers Racing (Mgr: B Cussen) and A Bright Idea (Mgr: N Tresize), we are really looking forward to seeing this three-year-old progress as we are confident we have a nice horse on our hands.

“Gervais was bought from great breeders Trelawney Stud in NZ. From a handful of buys over the year's we've had good success from Karaka with Super Easy, Keep De Rose and a little filly called Miss Confidential who wasn't a star but won a few and ran 3rd in the Karaka 3yo Mile sales race, stated Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland post-race.

“Danny will keep that race as an option for this fellow as it's worth NZ$200,000 and is a restricted race.

“He looks like he has good ability and was professional in both his starts. James Winx is riding superbly at the moment and never panicked when he missed the kick so it was pleasing to see him get home so well.”

Storm Surges At Canterbury

Heading to Canterbury on Friday night, three-year-old Snitzel gelding STORM SYSTEM was in good form, having been placed in all four starts to date.

Contesting the opening race of the night, the Fastlane Karting Handicap over 1550m, the Gerald Ryan-trained, Blue Sky Bloodstock Inglis Easter Yearling purchase jumped well from the middle of the line and went forward to settle in second position after having to do a bit of work to get there.

Jumping from the inside gate, the second favourite Schopenhauer went forward to keep the lead, a length ahead of Storm System.

At the 550m mark, jockey Josh Parr on Storm System started to urge his mount along as the Chris Waller-trained Baubo came three wide to make his challenge.

Fighting off the race leader, Storm System surged to the lead at the 100m, and once in front, held his own to take the win by a half-length margin, breaking his maiden.

Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland was suitably impressed by the winning performance.

“Storm system was a lovely horse we bought from Lauriston at Easter II last year. He had plenty of scope and always looked like he'd get a mile and further so I'm hoping he will in time."

“You love horses that are genuine and he's placed at all of his starts but it's nice to break through and win his maiden in the city. No doubt this horse will go onto bigger things.”

Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to congratulate our fellow owners: Pinecliff Racing, Just Fun Racing, Mr S Wilson, Mr B Entwistle, Mr B S Brosseuk, Mr S R Heslin, Mr J M Hynes, Mr A Hawkins and Adcock Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd on the victory – onwards and upwards!

Prompt Performances Signal Positive Runs

Brother and sister duo PROMPT RETURN and PROMPT RESPONSE have both, in recent weeks, given notice in jump outs that they are looking likely to hit the race track in the coming week with positive performances.

A winner of the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at his second start back in November last year, the two length victory of Prompt Return highlighted himself as an extremely classy colt.

After not all went right in the Group 1 Blue Diamond of his two-year-old season, Prompt Return had a chip removed from his knee and after many months of recuperating, as the jump below shows, he looks right on track.

Purchased by Blue Sky Bloodstock for $60,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2014, Prompt Return is likely to resume on Melbourne Cup day in the Schweppes Tonic Stakes.

Finishing in terms with Singapore’s star colt Super One, and leaving the remainder of the field many lengths behind which included Group 1 performed Sebring Sun and the stakes winners Japonisme and Counter Attack, the Mark Sowerby and Ron Hamer-owned colt looks an exciting prospect.

His year younger full-sister Prompt Response, also raced by Ron Hamer, is yet to race but was an impressive Randwick barrier trial winner about three weeks ago, before performing extremely well in her jump out a week ago down the Flemington straight.

Expected to join her brother on Melbounre Cup at the races, this time in the Ottowa Stakes for two-year-olds, it would be am amazing result for all concerned to have the duo both successful on the same day!

Both by BENETEAU, a colt that Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased as a yearling before racing him with various partners. Trained by Paul Messara during his short career, Beneteau was one of the most talented juveniles of his generation, winning at Group 3 level before a narrow third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond of his year.

PROMPT, the dam of both Prompt Return and Prompt Response was also secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock, purchased at the 2011 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for only $45,000 for Ron Hamer.

With such a close connection to these two runners, Blue Sky Bloodstock are extremely excited to see them both at the track in the coming weeks for their connections.

Race Record To Havana

Clearly appreciating the ‘country life’, HAVANA produced an impressive performance at Muswellbrook on Tuesday to set a race record when winning the South Muswellbrook Cup over 1450m.

Having finished fourth the start prior in the Denman Cup over 1280 behind Goldstone, the Paul Messara-trained Havana relegated that very galloper into a half-length second with his race record winning victory.

Ridden by Mitchell Bell, Havana was away well from the inside gate and having to carry 60.5kg, he settled handy to ensure he didn’t need to make up too much ground when it counted.

Starting to make his run before the home turn, Bell pulled the Starcraft gelding out wide to chase down the leaders, and while he was easing up on the line, Havana had done enough off hold off the late challenge of Goldstone who charged along the rails to nab second.

Purchased from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Havana is the winner of three races with a further two placed efforts with his highlight coming when an impressive length winner of the Group 3 Fred Best over 1350 at Doomben during his three-year-old season.

Congratulations to our fellow owners on the win Arrowfield Pastoral Synd (Mgr: J Messara), Favretto Bloodstock Synd, B Kennedy, T C Lloyd-Jones, S J Pont and Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D Halpin).

Savalas Drawn To Get Perfect Run On Debut

Purchased from the draft of Newhaven Park at the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, two-year-old Snitzel colt SAVALAS makes his debut on Saturday at Bendigo for trainer Danny O’Brien in Race 1: Wilson's Treet Service 2YO Maiden Plate (900m).

Drawn the inside gate in the small field of seven runners, jockey Jamie Mott has plenty of options with the colt from his barrier but will likely go forward to try and get a good position.

The first named foal of the Listed placed Red Ransom mare Movie, who is in turn the only filly out of the Listed-winning Thunder Gulch mare Strawberry Storm, it is a family littered with impressive stakes winners including the Group 2-winning, Group 1 placed Danroad, the Group 3 winner Strawberry Road as well as the Listed Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winner Tippitaka and the Listed winner Newtown Jet.

Bred on a cross that has produced 8 winners so from only 14 runners; the top performer for teh cross is the fleet footer flyer Chance Bye, a winner of the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes.

With five of the eight winners to date being stakes performers, it is pleasing to see that the cross is already performing so well on the track and we are confident that our colt can add to that list as he progresses throughout his campaign.

Carrying the colours worn to victory by many top class runners such as Group 1 winners Niconero and Nicconi, we wish our fellow owners; P B Devitt, L N Piper, Just Fun Racing Syndicate (Mgr: D C Halpin), B Ainsworth, Innistown Syndicate (Mgr: P Arnell) and S Wilson the best of luck for Saturday.

General James Salutes At Cranbourne

Second-up this time in off the back of a pleasing run over 1300 three weeks back at Bendigo, the Danny O’Brien-trained Blue Sky Bloodstock yearling purchase GENERAL JAMES appreciated the step up to the mile at Cranbourne on Sunday.

Contesting Race 6: Cranbourne Hyundai (1600m), the James Winks ridden four-year-old settled handy in run, going forward to be only a few lengths from the leaders in sixth.

In between runners and needing some luck, jockey James Winks urged the Savabeel gelding off the heels of those in front, and when they rounded the corner, he came to the outside to start his challenge.

While the first three were at each other over the final 100m, General James swept past them with ease to record an emphatic victory, clearly highlighting himself as a galloper with plenty of potential.

Purchased from the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale by trainer Danny O’Brien and Blue Sky Bloodstock from the draft of Waikato Stud, General James’ pedigree suggest he will appreciate further than the 1600m of Sunday’s win as his dam is a sister to the HK-Group 2 Derby Trial winner Unique Jewellery, while his immediate family includes Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Marju Snip, dual Listed winner Kingdoms, also a runner up in the Group 1 Metropolitan and Group 1 ATC Derby as well as the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks winner Candide.

When stepped up in trip last time in, he just didn’t appear to have a lot of luck, and now that he has matured further during his break, we are really looking forward to getting him back over 2000m and further.

Earlier on the same race card, another of our New Zealand Bloodstock yearling purchases made their debut.

From the draft of Trelawney Stud, Rip Van Winkle three-year-old GERVAIS produced a very encouraging effort first time out to finish third over 1200m, beaten under three lengths, when continuing to work to the line.

Bred to also appreciate further, being a half-brother to Group 3 Queen’s Cup winner Gondorff and the Listed-winning, Group 1 New Zealand Oaks fourth placed Princess Annalise, Gervais' (pictured above as a yearling) third placing in the Patterson Cheney Isuzu Maiden had all connections excited for his future prospects.

Congratulations to the connections of both General James and Gervias on very encouraging runs on Sunday.

Blue Sky Plays Small Part In Horse Of The Year!

While we can’t lay claim to having secured Dissident as a yearling at all, Blue Sky Bloodstock did buy Diana’s Secret, the dam of Dissident as a yearling.

Purchased from the draft of Widden Stud, the Anabaa x Palace Scandal filly went in to training with David Hayes, where she recorded six top three placed performances highlighted by two wins and a narrow second at stakes level, beaten a head by Kibbutz, who two starts later won the Group 1 VRC Derby.

Retired to start the next phase of her career, Diana’s Secret was sold by her racing connections to head to stud, with clients of Widden Stud purchasing the mare.

Covered by Widden Stud’s Sebring during her second season at stud, the resulting horses is the now Newgate Farm stallion Dissident (pictured), a winner of five Group 1 races as well as a being crowned Horse of the Year overnight to add to his Victorian Horse of the Year Award – Dissident was also crowned Champion Sprinter overnight!

It has been a great year for Dissident, as his dam Diana’s Secret was recently crowned the NSW Broodmare of the Year recently at the Australian and NSW Breeding Awards held in Scone during the stallion parade weekend.

If you would like any further details on either securing fillies with broodmare potential, or broodmares themselves, please do not hesitate to contact Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803.