August 18th, 2008

It was Group 3 Premier Stakes day at Rosehill on Saturday, however, only five runners faced the starter and that race was upstaged by the Quality three year-old event on the card, the Group 3 Run To The Rose (1300m) which was taken out by the very talented Desuetude.

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for Sheik Mohammed, Desuetude began very well from barrier nine to race on the speed. Rounding the home turn Desuetude had Maybe I race up on his outside and with 150m to run it appeared that Maybe I had him cold, but McEvoy asked the son of Strategic for another effort and he lifted to claim the valuable stakes success by the barest margin a short half-head.

TVN's Richard Callendar, spoke with trainer Peter Snowden after the win and he said, "He's a really good chaser and I knew once a horse got beside him that he would dig deep and he did." 

"If we do go to the $1 million race it's going to be a lot harder than this, they'll be coming out of the woodwork for it.

"The progression for the race is just right and it's a $1 million race, so you've got to give it a go," Snowden continued.

Callendar asked McEvoy, how he thought Desuetude had handled racing outside his comfort zone and McEvoy replied "That was such a brave effort to come again the way he did, he's such a terrific horse and I'm just glad I was on him."  

The hoop predicted that the gelding would be hard to beat in the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on August 30, however, McEvoy isn't guaranteed to be in the saddle for the race.

McEvoy was ruled out of the Golden Rose after being handed a five-meeting suspension for careless riding at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Maybe I (Red Ransom - Flittery by Danehill) was very brave and her run had been outstanding considering it was only her second career start, while the David Payne-trained Emperor Bonaparte (Montjeu - Endless Joy by Centaine), was another three-quarters of a length away third.

Desuetude was bred by Woodlands Stud and is out of the five-time winning Unbridled's Song mare, Martella, who is due to produce a full sibling to him very soon. A good metropolitan class sprinter, Martella is a grand-daughter of Faithful Mahal, who comes from the family of champion mare Maybe Mahal.

Standing at a fee of $16,500, Strategic is a proven sire with 17 stakes winners and 23 stakes placegetters and is great value again this spring he stands at Darley Cootamundra.

August 3rd, 2008

Desuetude stamped his class on the event showing that his win on debut at Hawkesbury was no fluke while the other Strategic youngster, Aichi, tried his hardest to carry top-weight of 58kilos.

Desuetude and Aichi, are both prepared at Warwick Farm by Peter Snowden and neither is entered for the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on August 30. 

Desuetude was sporting blinkers for the first time and he left his rivals when Dan Nikolic asked for his sprint home to beat Aichi by 1-3/4 lengths with Onethingatatime (Catcher in the Rye - Sweet Affiar by Mukaddamah) another three-quarters of a length away third.

Nikolic told TVN that Desuetude he shown him plenty of ability and that he was confident the grey would continue to improve.

Desuetude is out of Martella (by Unbridled's Song), a winner of five races, and he is her first winner.  While Aichi is out of Nagoya (by Quest For Fame), a maiden winner and three-quarter sister-in-blood to Le Mans, winner of the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes, and a half-sister to the stakes-placed winner Hairpin (by Octagonal).

Strategic stands at Darley's Cootamundra property on Dirnaseer Road and his fee this spring is $16,500.00 inc gst.

November 27th, 2007

Good news for Woodlands Stud overnight when Strategic's top juvenile son of last season (2006-07) Meurice, pictured on the left, was crowned the Yallambee Stud Champion Two-Year-Old at the annual 'Horse of the Year' awards.

On top of that in South Africa last Saturday at Turffontein his four-year-son Strategic News took out the Group I Steinhoff International Summer Cup (2000m).

Strategic News was one of the outsiders for the elite event but left no doubt as to his potential in claiming the win by two and three-quarter lengths. 
Strategic News had established a clear lead passing the 300m mark with Our Giant and Natural Selection trying to wear him down, but any thoughts that they might wear him down were dispelled as the Australian-bred galloped on relentlessly and pulled away from them at the end. At the line, the margin was nearly three lengths, with Natural Selection battling on to run Our Giant (Giant’s Causeway ex Macrosa), out of second place. 

The victory marked a career high for young trainer Dylan Cunha and he revealed afterwards that this race had been his mission for some time now and he had deliberately avoided taking the horse down to Durban for the winter season, so as to allow him time to properly mature - a decision that has paid rich dividends indeed.

Strategic News has now won four events in South Africa and with his previous group three level placing he became Strategic's third group one winner joining Meurice and former brilliant sprinter Mistegic.
Bred and offered for sale by Newhaven Park, Strategic News fetched $40,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale when knocked down to Dylan Cunha.

Strategic News is the first foal of the Grand Lodge mare Sensuous, a half-sister to the Group Two winner De France and Group Three winner Whistler. Sensuous was sold by Newhaven last year and picked up by Riverslea Farm at the 2006 Inglis Broodmare Sale for $62,000 and the foal she was carrying, a colt by Charge Forward, was sold at the Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale this year by Riverslea to Hallmark Stud in New Zealand for $70,000.

Sensuous produced a colt on October 28 by Arrowfield Stud’s well credentialed young sire Snitzel. 

The sire of Sensuous, Grand Lodge, is also having a great run of results lately with the success of Zipping (Danehill) and Marching (Commands) in stakes events during the rich Victorian spring carnival.

The stock of Strategic are bound to come under notice at the Magic Millions 'Ready To Run' sale on Wednesday, November 27th and with catalogues for the 2008 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka Premier yearling sale about to be released, Hallmark Stud's, Lot 344 is in receipt of a very nice pedigree update! 

September 23rd, 2007

Woodlands stallion Strategic continues to churn out the winners and on Saturday at Caulfield on the Underwood Stakes card, his five-year-old daughter, Miss Judgement took out the Group 3 South Yarra Stakes (1200m) in solid fashion.

Miss Judgement jumped from the horror draw of 16 and found the lead fairly easily and she was able to steady ahead of Miss Fantabulous and Megadeal.  She still had something in reserve in the straight and fought on tenaciously to hold off Juste Momente, who ran on quite well, and Flying Object, who finished full of running in third.

Miss Judgement is from the city winning Unbridled’s Song (USA) mare Miss Jakeo, a half-sister to 2001/2002 Champion Hong Kong Griffin Able Choice.

April 28th, 2007

Alan Porter looks at the pedigree of Meurice.

There can be few more demanding tests for a two-year-old the Sydney carnival triple of Golden Slipper (G1), Sires’ Produce Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1), run on successive weekends. This year, only one horse attempted all three legs, and after taking third in the Golden Slipper, and second in the Sires’ Produce Stakes, he proved he had the toughness to match his class, with a win in the Champagne Stakes (G1). 

Meurice is a son of the speedy Strategic – rated third best of crop at two, and third best three-year-old sprinter the following year. Strategic’s most notable victories include the William Reid Stakes (G1), Silver Slipper Stakes (G2), Pago Pago Stakes (G2) and Skyline Stakes (G3). On of the best sons of Three-Year-Old Champion Zeditave (by the high-class sprinter, The Judge), Strategic is a representative of a male line which has been a purely Australian one since the importation of Zeditave’s grandsire, Showdown (a grandson of Nearco) back in 1966. Strategic has sired 14 stakes winners, the best of which in addition to Meurice, have been The Galaxy (G1) winner Mistegic, and millionaire Fair Embrace. 

Meurice is the third foal of the Danehill mare, Espadon. Espadon failed to win, but she is a half-sister to the outstanding runner, Rubiton, hero of the Cox Plate (G1), Mackinnon Stakes (G1), Underwood Stakes (G1) and VATC Futurity (G1), to Rubiton’s brother, the Goodwood Handicap (G1) victor Euclase, and to stakes winner Rory’s Power. Meurice’s granddam, Ruby, gained black-type with a second in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, but she was the only foal of her dam, Briar’s Toddy to achieve that status. A daughter of Todman, Briar’s Toddy, was a sister to Red Toddy, the dam of the Royal Sovereign Stakes (G3) winner, Red Currant. 

Inbred 3 x 3 to Todman, one of the most brilliant sons of Star Kingdom, Meurice has a third cross of Star Kingdom through Kaoru Star. Meurice follows the SAJC Breeders’ Stakes (G2) winner Pelt (dam by Danzig Connection) as the second stakes winner by Strategic out of a mare by a son of Danzig. It’s not that surprising to see the Zeditave line doing well over Northern Dancer. Both Zeditave and Northern Dancer are Nearco/Native Dancer crosses, and Zeditave also brings in Mossborough, a close relative to Northern Dancer’s sire, Nearctic. Showdown also brings in Fairey Fulmar (his broodmare sire), a horse bred on the same Fair Trial/Felstead cross as the granddam of Danzig. 
The pedigree also has the three-parts-sisters Your Hostess and Flower Bowl (granddam of Danehill’s broodmare sire, His Majesty), and they are by Alibhai. Alibhai is a Hyperion/Tracery cross; Star Kingdom three times here) is Hyperion, with a granddam by Tracery; Petition (twice here) is out of a mare who is a Gainsborough (sire of Hyperion)/Tracery cross, so there is a background of similar crosses here.

April 16th, 2007

On Sydney Cup day at Randwick the Group I AJC Champagne Stakes (1600m) was claimed by Meurice in tough fashion.

Meurice was stepping out for this third successive Saturday of action, his fourth start in five weeks, which generally has horses looking for the oxygen mask!  Ridden by Nash Rawiller who jumped him away best from the widest barrier, 12.  Rawiller was happy to sit just outside the early leader Solo Flyer under Michael Rodd.  Waiting until he was well into the straight Rawiller asked Meurice for his final effort and he ran clear from Solo Flyer (Belong to Me - Fly the Flag by Sir Tristram).  Camarilla (Elusive Quality - Camarena by Danehill), who suffered interference at the 400m mark, showed plenty of courage to run on again for third two lengths away.

Meurice was the impressive winner of the Group 2 STC Todman Stakes (1200m) in mid-March, he didn't have the best of luck when third to Forensics in the Group I Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) on March 31.  One week later, he split the fillies Camarilla and Sashenka in the Group I AJC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). 

With twelve two-year-olds making it to the Group I Champagne Stakes start, Meurice was the only juvenile to have turned up for all three legs of the Sydney grand slam series.

With a record of three wins, two second and two thirds embracing an early season Listed win in the Melbourne, breeder and part-owner Jonathan Munz proudly trumpeted the cause for Meurice to be honoured as best two-year-old at the end-of-season Horse of the Year awards.

Gai Waterhouse, trainer of Meurice, had a big day out saddling up another two Group One winners on the day and she is entitled to high praise and all the accolades.

Meurice is out of Espadon, who is by Danehill, sire of five Golden Slipper winners. Her mother is Ruby (by Seventh Hussar) and is the dam of nine winners including the four-time Group I winner and successful sire, Rubiton (by Century) and his full-brother the Group I winning, Euclase.

March 25th, 2007

In the space of a couple of hours, Woodlands Stud and its stallion Strategic became the talk of the town as Meurice grabbed the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and Crosswire landed a successful plunge in the Fine and Dandy Welter at Rosehill last week.

Meurice, was having his first run for new owners and trainer and he displayed speed and courage as his neck victory came after an exhilarating duel over the closing furlong, with Zizou (Fusaichi Pegasus – Natural Is My Name). The third placed Shaft (Flying Spur – Traceable) had raced with the pair until the last 100 metres and was only a head away in the thrilling finish.

In collecting his second stakes victory from four starts, Meurice had forced his way into contention for the Group I Golden Slipper Stakes and gave his crack sprinter-miler sire, Strategic his 14th stakes winner. 

Meurice is out of Espadon, who is by Danehill, sire of five Golden Slipper winners. Her mother is Ruby (by Seventh Hussar) is the dam of nine winners including the four-time Group I winner, Rubiton (by Century) and his full-brother the Group I winning, Euclase.

Strategic, a Silver Slipper winner, is a son of Blue Diamond winner Zeditave and Sudden Impulse, the Luskin Star mare who is also the dam of another Group 2 Sliver Slipper winner, Clang (by Bellotto) and the multiple Listed winning Destruct (by Sir Tristram). All are relations of the Golden Slipper winner, Sweet Embrace (by Todman).

Since his retirement to stud Strategic has made a habit of supplying two-year-old winners, and when his first crop hit the racecourses in the spring of 1999 they included Mistegic, winner of the Listed AJC Breeders Plate who went on to claim the feature autumn sprint the Group I AJC Galaxy Stakes, and Fair Embrace, runner-up in the AJC Listed Gimcrack Stakes. 

Fair Embrace also trained on to claim the Group 2 MVRC Champagne Stakes and the Group 3 AJC Sapphire Stakes amongst her six wins.

Strategic went on to have 10 two year-old winners for the season and collect the first season sires title. Since he has been represented by more than 285 winners including 34 who have won or placed in stakes races with earnings of $19.3 million.

The efforts of Meurice and Crosswire are bound to remind breeders the value of Strategic who stood last season at the Cootamundra branch of Woodlands Stud for $16,500 (inc gst).

January 14th, 2007

Smart Strategic filly Illuminates won her second Magic Millions feature race for the season when she romped away with the $101,775 Heinrich Group Magic Millions 2YO Plate (900m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Trained by Graeme Rogerson, Illuminates showed good speed out of the barriers and after sharing the lead to the turn she was able to zip clear and score a brilliant win.

Saturday's victory followed her recent impressive win in the Strawberry Hill Stud Magic Millions Wyong Slipper last month.

"She's a nice filly," Rogerson said. "Gerry wanted to let someone else win the Magic Millions (2YO Classic) so he made me run it in that race."

"So at least we've got something," Rogerson added.

Zac Purton hardly had to move on the daughter of Strategic as she streamed home in the new race record time of 51.72 seconds. Her last 600 metres was covered in a slick 33.67 seconds.

Rogerson purchased Illuminates for $86,000 from the draft of Baramul Stud at last June's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale over the road at the MM complex

The filly will chase yet more Millions glory. She will now be set for the $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic (1200m) late next month at Morphettville.

The race proved a cakewalk for Illuminates. Her winning margin at the post was three and three quarter lengths.

$80,000 buy Anabarbarian, for Paul Hammersley and Gerald Ryan was second, while a half head back in third place was $38,000 purchased Falontime for Scott Seamer and Helen Page.

Illuminates is one of two winners from as many runners from the unraced mare Dazzle Light, a half sister to Group winner Stoway and a daughter of Oaks winner Travel Light.

Later in the day in Western Australia, the six-year-old gelding Stratazoa (ex Zoa by Keen), gave Strategic an interstate metropolitan double when he took out the Clan West Hcp (1200m) at Ascot.

In collecting his tenth career victory Stratazoa took his earnings past $125,000, thus repaying his owners' in full as they purchased him from the 2002 Magic Millions Adelaide sale for $105,000.

October 24th, 2006

Brilliant Strategic colt Meurice kicked off his career with a strong win at Caulfield on Wednesday, October 18th, taking out the Listed MRC Debutants Stakes over 1000 metres for two-year olds.

Trained by Rodney Douglas, the colt was coming off a nice win at a Cranbourne trial on September 11th, by 15 lengths.  Living right up to that trial Meurice jumped straight to the front and was never headed and scored a nice stakes debut win by two lengths from the Recooperrate (by General Nediym).

Bred and raced by Jonathan Munz, Meurice is the third foal of the Danehill mare Espadon, a half-sister to Group One winners Rubiton and Euclase and the Listed winner Rory's Power (Rory's Jester) and the winning stakes placed Ruby's Jester (by Rory's Jester). 

Espadon was a moderate performer and she was secured by bloodstock agent Robert Roulston for Munz at the 1997 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $180,000, the highest priced yearling sold at that sale.

Since her retirement to stud Espadon missed two seasons in a row before producing a filly to Quest for Fame (GB), now named Ruby Quest.  Another missed season followed before she delivered a filly by Strategic called Fauchon and then back to Strategic to produce Meurice, who has now made the whole exercise worthwhile by bringing a Black Type victory into the family.

Meurice is the thirteenth stakes-winner sired by the Woodlands Stud based Strategic, who is always among the leading sires by individual winners each season

October 10th, 2006

On Saturday at Flemington the bonny Strategic filly She Will Be Loved did best in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes after the punters elect Miss Finland raced too boldly on her rider.

Miss Finland drew a bad barrier, 14, and showing his hand Craig Williams squeezed Miss Finland out of the gates to take up a good position and she kept going, setting a fast tempo.  As Miss Finland started to tire in the straight, She Will Be Loved pounced after having a nice trail behind the favourite and went home to score by three-quarters of a length.

Miss Finland (Redoute's choice - Forest Pearl by Woodman) showed her class to hold on for second with My Only Hope (Redoute's Choice - Centenac by Marauding) a short head away in third.

She Will Be Loved (ex Katie O'Neill by Zabeel) was selected for her owners by bloodstock agent Henry Plumtree at the 2005 New Zealand Karaka Premier Sale from the draft of Blandford Lodge.  Plumtree signed away NZ$110,000 for her connections - she has now repaid them in spades!

October 10th, 2006

She Will Be Loved took her record to two wins, two seconds and a third from just seven starts, amassing $254,425, becoming the third individual Group 2 for her sire Strategic, a wonderfully consistent chestnut who stands at Woodlands’ Cootamundra division.

Strategic is the sire of winners of over $17 million, with in excess of 60% winners to runners. She Will Be Loved was a $110,000 purchase at the 2005 New Zealand Premier Sale for owner David Moodie whose Victorian based racing and breeding operation is one of the most successful in Australia.

Trainer Mathew Ellerton has done a terrific job with Moodie’s Contract Racing syndicates over the past few seasons and they seem to have unearthed another star with She Will Be Loved, who is the fifth foal and fifth individual winner for the unraced Zabeel mare Katie O’Neill. This is the family of HK Group 1 winner All Thrills Too, Black Sun, Silky Red Boxer and Polly’s Brother, who stood in Australia over 20 years ago as a stallion.

August 14th, 2006

Last season Strategic had a wonderful season with a record number of winners and his daughter Sans Lee got him off to a flying start when she claimed the Ansis Dizigalvis and David Heuberger Hcp (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Ridden by Victoria's leading rider from last season, Craig Williams, the five-year-old chestnut travelled very kindly for Williams from barrier one.  Settling in fifth as Gracious Curves set a even pace.  With Gracious Curves going slow speed the rider on Snow Flight dashed to front as they rounded the turn.  Williams bided his time on Sans Lee waiting until the 250m and the mare did the rest sprinting away from her rivals to score a very nice half-head victory over Arctic Sliver (Entrepreneur - Silver Eskimo by Icelandic) with Bubrae (Lochrae - Classic Assest by Tristino) a half-length further away in third.

Sans Lee (ex Quiet Step by New Regent) appreciated the kind tactics employed by Williams and she will benefit from the arrogance of her victory.  Prepared by Mick Kent she can be placed to advantage in the coming weeks and it wouldn't surprise if she landed some black type.

January 15th, 2006

A framed photograph of consistent four-year-old Plans is set to take pride of place upon David Hayes wall after the consistent mare escaped the chaos caused by a riderless horse to win the Jaguar Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. 

In an ironic twist, the recent successes of Plans have coincided with the successful return to Australian racing for Hayes. Plans was Hayes's first winner since returning from Hong Kong when she saluted at Moonee Valley. Then when Hayes set up his Sydney stables at Royal Randwick Plans, once again, was Hayes' first Sydney winner when she won there three weeks ago. It seems wherever the master trainer goes Plans is rarely far away.

"Ive got a soft spot for her as she was my first winner in Australia then my first winner in Sydney....and now to win up here, she'll be on my wall for sure," beamed a clearly happy Hayes.

"It's a big thrill when you set them for these races so the plans went the right way."

The daughter of Strategic was able to hold off a determined challenge of outsider Warrior Trader (Fuji Kiseki - Shared Destinies by Conquistador Cielo) by a half-neck margin, with Deuxieme (Telesto - Serenely by Mister C) a further length back in third.

Plans has proved a bargain purchase by Lindsay Park's Mark Pilkington who paid just $40,000 at the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale - she has now grossed an impressive $404,730.

General Patton who lost it's jockey Mitchell Rice shortly after the start caused havoc during the race as it strode freely amongst the the field minus it's hoop.

The riderless horse galloped up the inside part of the track in the straight where it interfered with many horses of which included leading fancies Cool Front and Amex.

The win of Plans was all the more remarkable given the riderless horse also bumped into her on several occasions. Winning jockey Craig Williams actually commented that General Patton "drove me mad", but was thankful the interference was not as bad as that experienced by other runners.

The win of Plans was also a big buzz for local businessman Michael Laffey who bought her sight unseen, outright, from long term Lindsay Park client Bill Galbraith.

Later in the day in New South Wales at Canterbury, Strategic chalked up an interstate double when Our Liam took out the Schweppes Ciata Hcp (1200m) by three-quarters-of-a-length.

November 20th, 2005

On Saturday, Maxerelle chalked up her third career victory in solid fashion taking out the AAMI Blue Diamond Stakes 1st Acceptance Hcp (1400m) at Sandown.

The breakthrough this campaign came after Maxerelle had finished second behind Little Doutes a week earlier, ridden again by Steve King, who settled Maxerelle in third position behind early leader Provence.  

As the field cornered Maxerelle and Retail Therapy had moved up on the outside of Provence, with Special Deece trying to join them wider out.  Provence still lead at the 300m, but had nothing left, with Retail Therapy and Maxerelle grabbing her from Miss Debonair. 

Retail Therapy and Maxerelle had a good battle over the final 200m, with Maxerelle (ex Lady Ruby by Rubiton) showing plenty of determination to score the win by a head.  Retail Therapy (Flying Spur - Sortie by Marauding) had every chance and will win again shortly.

August 15th, 2005

Plans gave David Hayes a memorable start to the season taking out the Cash Logistics & Security Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, being his first runner he saddled up since returning from a decade in Hong Kong.

Ridden by apprentice Ryan Hinton, Plans (ex Sardaffe by Air de France) made it two wins on end at Moonee Valley over the 1600m journey.  Although she rose sharply in weight she showed plenty of determination to hold off Regal Summer (Generous - True Summer) by a 1-3/4 lengths with a long neck back to Palatine HIll (Palace Music - Rather Droll) in third.   

July 19th, 2005

Plans stepped up to a mile at Moonee Valley on Saturday in the Palace Symphony Handicap and took the event out in solid fashion.

Plans was ridden by Nick Ryan, settled just behind the solid early pace set by Mosstara, Channon Princess with Froth And Bubble and Gigajoule niggling up behind them.  Ryan had Plans travelling well within herself about one horse out from the rail.  As the field strung out through the middle stages, but as they came to the 600m, the field had packed right up with Plans waiting for a run to come.  Staying just off the rail, Ryan took a spilt with Plans to grab the lead.  

Plans (ex Sardaffe by Air de France) went home to win very comfortably by 1-1/2 lengths from Marwina Lass (Marwina - Sworn by True Version) with Kingston Bird (Kingston Rule - Rosebird by Mukaddamah) a half-length away in third.

In recording her fourth win from 12-starts, Plans ran her final 600m in 38.80 on a heavy track - covering her final furlong in 13.20. 

July 4th, 2005

The Murray Bridge trained Dodgy Boy chalked up his seventh career win in the Carlton Draught Hcp (1822m) at Cheltenham Park on Saturday.

Dodgy Boy (ex Miss Daisy by Final Straw) was coming back in distance after a freshen up to run home well for seventh at the same course two weeks earlier and on Saturday he appeared to be placed to advantage.  On the limit weight from barrier two Dodgy Boy got the prize by a long head from Jillimarg (Blevic - Brora Lass by Caledonian Planet).

May 22nd, 2005

Strategic sired an interstate metropolitan double on Saturday. His juvenile son Quarterman (ex Graphics by Sir Laurence) took out the BP Woodward & Associates Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill by a short-head.

Later in the day in South Australia, Plans (ex Sardaffe by Air de France) claimed her third victory from nine-starts in the Distinctive Homes Handicap (1000m) at Cheltenham Park. 

December 13th, 2004

Woodlands Stud's Strategic (Zeditave-Sudden Impulse by Luskin Star) had another fine Saturday on 11/12/04 with his daughter Plans (ex Sardaffe by Air de France) and his son Tactical Toy (ex Toy Fountain by Water Mill) both winning impressively, at Moonee Valley and Newcastle respectively. Plans took her record to 2 wins from just 7 starts while Tactical Toy broke his maiden at his fourth start and looks to have more wins in store.

Strategic started his stud career in spectacular style with Mistegic and Fair Embrace in particular. He continues to sire high class winners week in and week out although lacking a real "headline" horse at the moment. However, his overall percentages of SWs and SPs are very solid, so with the much better quality books of mares his early success attracted it won't be long before his name is up in lights once again.

He belongs to a peer group of very talented sires (all currently 4th crop racing) with many of them due to rebound strongly for the reasons outlined above. Strategic is a beautiful individual and sure to be in the news for all the right reasons in the coming weeks.

October 29th, 2004

Promising filly Codify (ex Voice Mail by Magic Ring) looked to have the opening event at Moonee Valley's Thursday night meeting well and truly won from before the turn - the Steve McKinnon trained three-year-old travelling under double wraps.

Racing in a style that suggested she had a soft win in front of her, Codify instead opted for a stoush - going head to head with Doubtful over the final stages of the 1000m event, prevailing by just a half head.

But prevail she did, winning despite racing greenly - "she is used to leading," said jockey Stephen Baster "and she just wanted to go straight to the rails."

"She is still very green," he added - "she is only going to improve."

Steve McKinnon was not surprised to see his charge involved in such a tight finish as the bay works in that way at home.

"I worked her with a slow horse and she wouldn't go past her," he said, initially disappointed with that work - "but then I worked her with Miss Marion (a fast three times city winner) and she put in the same work - only three seconds faster!"

A horse who has not yet learned quite what to do when she gets to the front, Codify has still managed to win three from three - a record that augers well for her future.

"She still doesn't know what she is doing," said McKinnon, "when she learns she might make a racehorse."

A $41,000 Adelaide Magic Millions purchase ("the most expensive yearling we have ever bought"), Codify is raced in similar interests to the Railway Stakes-Gr.1 winner Zaparri (who, incidentally, is enjoying a happy retirement looking after younger horses).

A daughter of the Australia Stakes-Gr.1 winner Strategic, Codify is out of a city winning half sister to the New Zealand Listed winner Deerstalker. 

Hailing from one of the great New Zealand families, Codify's third dam is Tricateer, a three-quarter sister to the champion Balmerino and the Brisbane Cup-Gr.1 winner Lord Hybrow. Tricateer is the dam of seven winners including Tristram's Belle (VRC Oaks-Gr.1) and Maharajah (Newcastle Cup-Gr.2).

Tricateer's grandam is of course the wonderful matriarch Dulcie, dam of Balmerino, the Brisbane and Adelaide Cup-Gr.1 hero Fulmen, the Toorak Handicap-Gr.1 winner Gay Filou and the multiple weight-for-age winner Fileur.

An influential mare over several generations, Dulcie is also ancestress of the Horse Of The Year Beau Zam, the WA Derby-Gr.1 winner Mr Sandgroper, The Galaxy-Gr.1 winner Black Bean and the stakes winners Orange Walk, Another Sound, Monarch Prince, San Raphael, Dame Cath, Iga Ninja, Imps Love, Superior Star, Station Hand, Our Sovelda, Antiquity, Citi Success, Sovereign Parade. 

July 26th, 2004

An interstate metropolitan double for Woodlands, Strategic on Saturday.

Strategic Madness opened his winning account with an impressive on-pace victory in the Elizabeth Brown Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield. 

Prepared by Mick Price, and having his first start for five months, Strategic Madness settled outside the early leader Marie Madeline (Redoute's Choice).  He was able to get a break on his rivals halfway up the straight and went on to score in comfortable fashion from Johnny Be Good (Danehill  - Ain't Misbehavin by Canny Lad) and Roccabarocca (Snippets - Zantoussa by New Regent) in third another length away.

Price purchased Strategic Madness (ex Coracle Lady by Forest Glow) from the 2003 Adelaide Magic Millions sale from the Goodwood Farm as agent draft for $25,000.  Already he has won more than $30,000 for his syndicate of owners.

Later in the day in New South Wales at Warwick Farm, three-year-old Dismissal chalked up his third consecutive win in the C V D Asian Delights Handicap (1400m).

Dismissal (ex Leg Bye by Dr Grace) has kept improving and won by a long neck from Bazaars (Barathea - Nassipoint by Nassipour) with My Charity Style (Humam - Gratuity by Sea Swell) a further long neck away third.

June 20th, 2004

Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes capped off a quartet of winners at Rosehill with Strategic's son Dismissal when he claimed the Wentworthville Leagues Club Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.

Hawkes did have a fight to hang onto his fourth victory as the rider of Winning Master (Snippets - Winning Table by Bletchingly) Danny Beasley, fired in a protest against Darren Beadman who was aboard and first past the post on Dismissal (ex Leg Bye by Dr Grace).

With only a short half-head separating the pair on the line but Beasley alleged interference over the final 50m, arguing that Dismissal hung in and hampered Winning Master, costing him the race.

"I had to stop and give a pull to the outside rein so the horse didn't get on to the fence and lose confidence," Beasley told stewards.

"When you are talking a short half-head it only takes a brush like that to lose the race."

Beadman said the contact between Winning Master and Dismissal was minimal and Beasley was not forced to stop riding at any stage.

"Yes we have brushed but I considered the last 50 metres to be competitive racing but without causing interference to Danny Beasley's mount and the better horse won on the day," Beadman said.

"At no point did Danny stop riding."

Stewards agreed and dismissed the protest. 

March 14th, 2004

At Flemington on Saturday, Strategic's gelding son Domine was never headed in the National Jockey Celebration Day Handicap (2000m).

Ridden by the master of front running horses Darren Gauci, Domine was pushed along in the early stages to grab the lead from Eddy And D'Postman (Encosta de Lago - She's a Pirate by last Tycoon).  As usual the rest of the riders in the race allowed Gauci to dictate terms as he slowed Domine to a moderate tempo through the middle stages of the race.  As Gauci turned for home he kicked Domine clear and by the time they had reached the 400m mark Domine had the race won.

Domine scored a two length victory over race favourite Jameela (Jeune - Nadimarco by At Talaq) with a head to Personal Image (Personal Flag - All Imagination by Loosen Up) in third.

Later in the day at the Gold Coast in Queensland, Merthyr Road (ex My Sweet Surrender by Roman Empire) scored in the Class 4 Handicap (1400m) by three-quarters-of-a-length from Merv's Wish (Encosta de Lago - Sober Dancer by Noalcoholic).

August 2, 2002

The release of the 2001-02 Australia and New Zealand Classifications has proved a stunning result for Woodlands Stud.  Every stallion currently standing at the Stud that has runners, had representation in the top ten highest rated horses in at least one of the three divisions.   

There was no separating the sprinters Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince) and North Boy (Rory's Jester - North Bell, by Bellwater). Mistegic with his outstanding performance in the AJC G1 Galaxy Handicap and North Boy who reminded our Asian friends just who breeds the best sprinters with his win in the Singapore Kris Flyer Sprint at Kranji.  Both sprinters ended the season with a rating of 112.       

April 4, 2002

Strategic had an important double on Australia's richest race day - Derby Day at Randwick.  The Schillaci Silver Arrow series winner Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince), won the G1 Galaxy,  over 1100 metres.  Mistegic's win was all class as he gave away weight and age all round.  Fair Embrace (ex Janelle Again by Indian Ore), who was purchased at the Inglis Classic sale for $75,000, has lifted her earnings to more than $800,000.  She was too strong for a quality field of fillies at the end of 1200 metres in the G3 Sapphire Stakes, March 30, 2002.

Two-year-olds Environs (ex Suburb by Zephyr Zip) and Stratica (ex Oak Beach by Western Symphony), both finished third in stakes races.  Stratica in the G2 Magic Night Stakes, at Rosehill and Environs in the LR  Leslie Froggatt Stakes, both events were over 1200 metres.

March 15, 2002

The G1 Newmarket handicap invariably produces a great finish, and this year was no exception with Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince), finishing a breath behind Rubitano and North Boy in third place at Flemington on March 9, 2002.

Two-year-old filly Majorette (ex Rhythm Review by The Rogers Four), finished third in the G3 Black Opal Stakes, over 1200 metres, at Canberra, March 2, 2002.

28 February 2002.

Strong three-year-old filly Fair Embrace (ex Janelle Again by Indian Ore), won the LR Sandown Park Stakes, over 1200 metres, February 16 2002.

Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince), finished second in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, over 1100 metres, at Caulfield, February 23 2002.

January 31 2002.

Another stakes winner for Strategic with Shags (ex Prime Block by Blockbuster), who won the LR Hawkesbury Guineas, over 1200 metres, January 20 2002. 

More two-year-old winners this month with Uniforms (ex Career Woman by Bletchingly), and Stravain Lady (ex Our Vain Lady by Vain), both winning at metropolitan tracks this month.

Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince), finished second in the G2 Challenge Stakes, over 1000 metres at Warwick Farm after a hard run in the race, January 19 2002.

October till December 2001

During the Melbourne Spring Carnival, Strategic's progeny raced against some tough competition and came out the victorious.  Mistegic (ex Volcanic Mist by Volcanic Prince), posted two victories at Group 2 level with wins in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield and the Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley both races were run under weight for age conditions and over 1000 metres.  Fair Embrace (ex Janelle Again by Indian Ore), won the G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes, at Moonee Valley over 1200 metres, October 25, 2001.

During this period Strategic produced another stakes winner with two-year-old filly Riona (ex Tromper by Lunchtime), winner of the LR Widden Stakes, over 1000 metres, at Warwick Farm.  Riona then travelled to Melbourne and finished third in the LR Debutante Stakes, at Caulfield, October 17 2001.

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