Around the traps...

Above: It was standing room only for the owners in the new Caulfield mounting yard as Jamie Kah received last minute instructions from Mick Price 

It was a huge weekend for the RTD team and while results didn't go our way we kept our promise and ensured we celebrated a great afternoon of racing at Caulfield for the running of the $4m All Star Mile. Ayrton didn't have a lot of luck and was slowed by a tiring kiwi horse, having to go back to the inside and finishing seventh. It was a great day with a function for all owners of All Star Mile runners, and we are so proud of the horse who has now ticked over $1m in prize money. That's some effort for a horse that nearly didn't make it a few years ago. 

Off the track it was all happening too. Early Monday morning we saw Steve down at Cranbourne for the trials and the return to the track of Globe and Hughes, both having their first trial. They both went well and will have another trial next Monday before we decide what their kick off plans will be. 

The Adelaide Magic Millions Sale was on this week and while we liked a few yearlings, the ones we wanted to bid on went for more than we were prepared to pay, so we stayed out. We were very strong on value for a sale like that and we just didnt find the right horse, so we move on. 

The Inglis Easter Sale is on from 7th to the 8th April and it's Australia's best sale in terms of quality yearlings with the best pedigrees. We bought extremely well from there last year with a lovely Trapeze Artist colt who is a half-brother to our own Mahuta, and he is showing very good promise at home. If you are interested in getting involved with our next purchase register your interest with Rob and we will be sure to keep you posted.  

Last 15% remaining in our colt by Zousain!

Above - bargain clot of the Inglis Classic Sale, Lot 728, a cracking Zousain colt who has it all 

We were rapt to secure Lot 728, this cracking colt from Inglis Classic Sale last month. This son of the exciting new stallion Zousain is everything we are hoping for when buying a colt. He is correct, perfect size, great attitude, very athletic, has a terrific pedigree, and to pick him up for only $50K... you should read on! 

Zousain is the son of the amazing Zoustar. Zousain was a Group 2 winner himself and multiple Group 1 placed as a 2YO and 3YO. His first progeny were late to hit the track, forcing the price of his yearlings down as they went through the ring, with every owner wanting an early 2YO type. This was where we made our move and capitalised on value. 

Lo and behold, since January when his first crop hit the track he has had 5 winners and a stakes placed getter from 9 runners, and all of those runners have run top 3 in their races. Hmmm...maybe they were too early to judge him, but we see the magic that awaits. We swooped on this lovely colt and now you have the chance to get in at an entry level price for a horse we valued at around $90 - $100K. 

The colt's dam is by legendary broodmare sire, More Than Ready, and she won twice over 1000m and ran fourth in a Group 3, so safe to say she had some ability. She has had two foals to the track and both have won between 1000m and 1300m. This cross of speed on speed doesn't guarantee us an earlier runner, but you only have to look at the page, his photo and video to see that he is in a hurry in everything he does. 

Only 15% remaining and a cost of only $4,750 for 5% all inclusive.  

Get onto Rob on 0448 462 824 to secure your share as he won't last through the weekend! 

On Saturday at Caulfield Peace Treaty was sent out at $1.85 taking on the older mares. From the get go nothing went right. She was fizzy in the mounting yard, cantankerous out on the track, sweating up, and raced unruly from the beginning, running out of puff really quickly to finish at the tail of the field. She was worse on Sunday and we have ascertained that she is heavily in season which explains her behaviour. Complete forget run for her and we will back her up shortly as she is fit and ready to go.

One down but one to go with Ayrton running shortly after in the $4m All Star Mile. He was a bit unlucky not to finish closer, being pushed back to the fence trying to get past slow NZ horses. It cost him a couple of positions at the finish but made no difference to the winner, Pride of Jenni, who was amazing. Ayrton has had a very slow week this week and after 8 runs for the prep, he will now have a break and come back in the spring.

On Sunday we saw the return of Nova Lights to the track. She went around in a maiden over 1200m at Geelong and from the wide barrier did a good job to run fourth. In a race with slow speed on she sat close to the rear of the field, and coming to the turn she had a massive job to run down the leader but couldn’t make up the ground as they kicked clear. She didn’t shirk the issue and will improve a lot from that run. The Freedmans will pick out a similar race for her in a few weeks' time.

On Tuesday we went back to Kyneton with A Blue Star looking for that elusive win he is due for.  A high weight over 1800m from a wide barrier seemed like a task but we were confident going in. The aim was to go forward but others had the same idea and we were wide and working for a while. It was a combination of a very firm track and a knock whilst running, where he threw in the towel and stopped trying and the jockey pulled him out of the race. He’s better than that and he's pulled up lame so we will assess our options with Mitch to ascertain the next steps for him.

Midweek racing was at Sandown and Rhapsody Chic was back to try and atone for his 2^nd placing last time out in a 1300m BM64 along with a jockey change to ride him quiet and have him finishing strong. He wasn’t just ridden quiet from the wide barrier, he was last through no fault of Mick Dee. Coming to the turn he looked lost off the bit, but after straightening he let down really well and just couldn’t run down the leader. Another run full of merit but another 2^nd placing. He has good ability, we just need him to put it all together and we know he loves wet tracks. A little freshen up for him in the hope that the weather breaks soon.

On Saturday we head to Benalla with Headlock in a BM58 over 1406m. He is rock hard fit now and has the addition of blinkers to switch him right on. He has drawn barrier 6 with Aaron Lynch in the saddle and we are expecting a more improved performance from this son of Caravaggio. Let's hope it's his day on Saturday and we get the choccy’s  

In Adelaide on Saturday it will be the second up run of Copperfield in a BM64 over 1200m. He was super first up at Murray Bridge a couple of weeks ago in a good race and David Jolly is really happy with the way the old guy is going. He has the services of Will Price in the saddle but has drawn badly in barrier 13 so we will be going back and riding for luck steaming home late.  

On Sunday, Willmott goes back to his home track Ballarat after a disappointing run in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield a month ago. He is right back in grade in a BM64 over the mile and we think he will be competitive again. We have drawn beautifully in barrier 3 and have the services of Ethan Brown in the saddle and he will go forward on the horse and we think he will be hard to run down.

On Tuesday we are heading to Geelong in a maiden over 1330m with Tymon who is starting to reach peak fitness now second up. The addition of blinkers is a sign of intent and we really need to see some sharp improvement with him this time around. With acceptances out today we hope he draws a nice gate and is right in the finish.