Turf Monthly August 2023

monthly

TURF

August 2023

THIS MONTH FIRST SEASON SIRES 2023 ARTORIUS HITOTSU JACQUINOT

Editor’s Letter We have been looking at some of the new stallions standing in Australia over the past couple of months, and one thing I like to look at are the diverse bloodlines on offer. One interesting thing that I came across that never rates a mention is the difference between Australian and overseas 2yo’s. The big difference we find is that many overseas 2yo’s race over 1600m whereas there are only a handful of races over that trip locally. It is somewhat counterintuitive to the argument of the harm of 2yo racing to a horse’s development when we often see horses running over longer journeys having greater longevity than those racing over shorter trips. Historically, we saw many of the greats race at two, and it was certainly not unusual to see them run over a mile at that age. We see plenty of the Darley stallions come over with similar 2yo form and breeders tend to be cautious of this type of performance. Perhaps Darley do not necessarily have the greatest success with 2yo’s, although Anamoe clearly shows that they can reach the highest level when it suits the horse. This is probably the biggest takeaway from this line of thinking as we see Darley have a great record in keeping their horses sound despite the huge numbers that they race. You only have to look at the results of their regular online Inglis sales to see how prized some of the older Darley horses are, and the confidence that buyers have despite the horses having raced for some time. The industry faces rising pressures on horse health and injury so perhaps now is a good time to look at the fundamentals of what we do.

CONTENTS

5

Jacquinot

12

Hitotsu

22

Diatonic

28

Auction - A Brisbane Star

32

Jim Pike on Racetracks

Until next month

Cover Photo

Jacquinot

Ross Prowd

Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181

Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au 2 Swan Street Parkside Qld 4825

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JACQUINOT HITOTSU DIATONIC

JACQUINOT BOOM COLT

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acquinot heads to stud at Widden in NSW this season and we probably struggle a touch to know exactly where he fits. Just as on the racetrack, the stallion was hailed as potentially one of the greats, only to have his reputation pushed into the background behind the outstanding Giga Kick. Looking at his race record may help to highlight this a little.

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acquinot started his career on Boxing Day, 2021 winning a 2yo race over 1200m at Caulfield. The colt settled well back and had a chequered passage down the straight but was clearly superior winning impressively. After a freshen, he returned in the Blue Diamond Prelude, again settling last in running. He did not have a great deal of luck in the straight, when his jockey Damian Lane chose to stay on the

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fence. Arguably he may have had an opportunity to finish closer than his two length fifth in the 1100m race. In the Group 1 Blue Diamond, Jacquinot again settled back in the field, and ran well to finish third behind Daumier and Revolutionary Miss, although arguably he never looked likely to win despite being beaten by only a long neck. It was then on to the Golden Slipper but the colt did not show quite the same dash on the heavy track at the end of a long preparation, finishing a respectable sixth behind Fireburn.

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he colt returned in the G3 HDF McNeil Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield, winning impressively by 1.5 lengths from Aft Cabin. Jacquinot then returned to Sydney in the G1 Golden Rose where he won like a superstar beating In Secret at his first attempt at 1400m. Next up it was the Everest, and Jacquinot finished fifth behind Giga Kick beaten just over 1.5 lengths. At Flemington in the G1 Coolmore, he finished with a bunch of horses for ninth beaten four lengths by In Secret after again having little luck in getting clear running at times. After a break, he returned in January to win the G3 Manfred Stakes before winning the G1 CF Orr, albeit in controversial circumstances. He finished a head behind Gentleman Roy but successfully protested after the leader had shifted out in the straight. Jacquinot then stepped out a short priced favourite in the Australian Guineas back against his own age over 1600m at Flemington. The NZ filly Legarto proved an outstanding winner with the colt finishing sixth less than two lengths from the winner. Jacquinot then had his final race start at Randwick in the G1 All Aged Stakes over 1400m on 15 April 2023. He finished fifth, beaten almost four lengths by the star, Giga Kick to

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Away Game

bring to a close a career that perhaps did not quite deliver what it promised. In all, Jacquinot won five of his twelve starts for earnings approaching $2.5 million.

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acquinot is a son of Rubick out of the Pierro mare, Ponterro. Rubick by Encosta De Lago won three races including the G2 Schillaci Stakes and G3 Blue Diamond Prelude. He now stands at Sweetenham Stud in Victoria having started his career at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley. Rubick has sired nine stakes winners including the Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes who replaced his sire at Coolmore. Rubick’s dam was Sliding Cube by Rock Of Gibraltar who is notable as a daughter of Shantha’s Choice, the dam of Redoute’s Choice. Jacquinot is out of an unraced mare who is a sister to Dragon Leap, a G2 winner in NZ, and also a half-sister to Inference by So You Think who won the G1 Randwick Guineas and was placed in the Rosehill Guineas and VRC Derby. He is now at stud in Victoria with his oldest just finishing their 3yo seasons with quite moderate results to date. Whether his results will impact on Jacquinot’s opportunity is unknown, although there are probably enough differences to ensure that most breeders will take Jacquinot on his own merits. The female family of Jacquinot arrived in NZ during the 1950’s through a British mare called Oleanda. This line has produced a range of wonderful horses like Away Game, Ranier, Tantra, and Looks Like Elvis.

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he pedigree of Jacquinot is important in that it is quite heavily inbred at 17.97%.

Perhaps the most notable feature is the presence of the three-quarter siblings Sliding Cube and Redoute’s Choice. We also see the presence of the full brothers Fairy King and Sadler’s Wells along with multiple lines of Mr Prospector, Sir Ivor,

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Inference

Nijinksy II and six lines of Northern Dancer within the first six generations. Breeders no doubt will be tempted to look at the presence of Encosta De Lago, and no doubt he has been a significant influence in local thoroughbreds. Given the inbred nature of Jacquinot’s pedigree, it is questionable as to whether breeders can really feature this influence to any great extent without reinforcing the other lines that are so prominent. It is likely that a daughter of Encosta De Lago would be unsuitable, and there are few sons of that stallion who would appear to have suitable daughters. One of his best in Manhattan Rain is himself a son of Shantha’s Choice. Encosta De Lago also had a deal of success with Danehill and again the wisdom of introducing close lines of this stallion would be questionable.

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here does that leave us with Jacquinot. Importantly the more classic lines that appear in his close relation Inference may give us the best clue. He is a son of So You Think and there may be some appeal with his daughters. Again, caution must be used as he is a grandson of Sadler’s Wells who we see present in the pedigree of Jacquinot. Classic lines though are available from a range of countries.

Japanese mares have a growing presence and daughters and granddaughters of Deep Impact may well prove successful with the stallion. The UK has plenty of these types of mares, and daughters of stallions like Shamardal, Street Cry, Dubawi and even Invincible Spirit may fall in this category. Invincible Spirit of course has

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special interest as the sire of I Am Invincible, and while this stallion does not carry classic lines, these lines may present the best opportunity for Jacquinot to sire those precocious 2yo’s. I Am Invincible carries a female line of Canny Lad who is the sire of Shantha’s Choice. On the topic of local speed lines, Written Tycoon and his daughters and granddaughters are also strong prospects for the stallion.

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ther overseas lines also appear to be well suited to the stallion, and we will see sires born in the USA and even New Zealand presenting opportunities through their daughters. Street Boss in particular is worth mention as he had had such success when crossed with Redoute’s Choice mares. Medaglia D’Oro could be another, as well as the likes of Animal Kingdom, American Pharoah and the old favourite, More Than Ready. Overall Jacquinot will probably struggle a little as he is likely to have more success with less inbred types. Most Danehill line mares will need to be treated with extreme caution which means that the stallion will be in direct competition to many of the Danehill line stallions. This is important when we hark back to the Encosta De Lago influence who was seen as largely an outcross to the Danehill dynasty. More than most stallions who are featured in our Freshman Sires this season, Jacquinot looks to be more reliant on opportunity than most. While he is likely to get good numbers, the query is as to whether he is likely to get his share of compatible mares.

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HITOTSU

A DUAL DERBY WINNER

Hitotsu-VRCDerby courtest of Bronwen Healy

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itotsu was bred at Arrowfield Stud, by their Japanese stallion Maurice out of the Redoute’s Choice mare, Love Is Fickle. The colt was sold at Magic Millions, purchased by Kevin Kelly, the bloodstock agent husband of Cranbourne trainer, Wendy Kelly. Kevin was acting on behalf of owner, Kevin Payne and the colt was sent to the Kelly stable. They had a big wrap on the colt from the beginning, and he was set for an ambitious campaign. His first race start was on 7 February 2021 in the Blue Diamond Prelude. He started at $91 but stuck on well from midfield to finish seventh, beaten a little over 3 lengths, behind General Beau and a colt who was having his first run back from a spell in Anamoe. His next start was in the Blue Diamond and he settled last and ran home decently to finish tenth, beaten a little over 5 lengths behind the impressive Artorius with Anamoe in third. Next up it was another G1 in the Sires Produce, and again Hitotsu settled well back in the field.

When taken to the outside in the straight, he finished strongly to run sixth only 3.5 lengths from winner Lightsaber. After the race, a large offer was made for the colt by leviathan owner, Aziz "Ozzie" Kheir but the Kelly’s convinced Kevin Payne to retain a share in the colt that they thought was going to be a Derby prospect.

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itotsu resumed racing for his new stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in a 1350m maiden at Donald, winning comfortably at the prohibitive odds of $1.24. It was then to the Caulfield Guineas where he was doing his best work late to finish fifth, less than 3 lengths behind the impressive winner Anamoe. Three weeks later Hitotsu then won the VRC Derby having settled towards the rear in the run. Once he got clear around the 400m, Hitotsu finished like a true stayer to win impressively. Like most modern Australia Derbies, the quality of the field that he beat was questioned, and Hitotsu’s win passed with little interest from the general racing public as the colt was sent to the paddock.

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urprisingly the Derby winner returned to racing on 5 March in the Australian Guineas. It was a competitive betting race with Profondo starting the $4.60 favourite while Captivant ($6), Forgot You ($6.50) and Pinstriped ($6.50) competed for market share. Hitotsu was next at $8 while Lightsaber, the Sires Produce winner was unwanted at $19. Hitotsu had come back a more mature horse and this was reflected in his ability to race much closer than was his normal pattern earlier in his career. he settled midfield, gaining a run on the inside to join the leaders in the straight. It looked like the swoopers were going to run straight past, but Hitotsu showed his fighting ability and eventually pulled away to win by almost a half-length from Lightsaber. Connections then took the colt to Sydney for a tilt at the AJC Derby, an ambitious programme given that it was only his second start back. On the heavy track at Randwick, Hitotsu again raced midfield and was taken to the outside as the field entered the straight. Favourite Benaud who had tracked him in the run ran beside him, taking the lead. Again Hitotsu proved his fighting qualities as he wore down Benaud as the pair, along with the Darley trained Alegron came away from the field. Hitotsu did too well, winning by 0.36 lengths from Benaud, with around the same margin back to Alegron in third. Connections had no hesitation in sending the colt back to the paddock. Hitotsu’s win in the AJC Derby saw him join an elite group to have won the two Derbies in the modern era, and in fact he was to become the first colt to achieve the feat since the fabulous Mahogany in 1993/94.

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s we have mentioned, Hitotsu is a son of Maurice, a Japanese stallion who was an outstanding galloper. He won two of his three starts as a 2yo, although at only a moderate level. As a 3yo, Maurice started only 4 times, running only one placing and finishing fourth in the G2 Nakayama Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes over 1800m. However, the following season, Maurice proved himself top class. He was

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unbeaten in six starts including three G 1 races in the Kyoto Mile Championship, Tokyo Yasuda Kinen and HKJC Longines Hong Kong Mile. As a 5yo, Maurice started five times for three wins and two seconds. His wins were all at G1 level in the Longines Hong Kong Cup over 2000m, the famed Tokyo Tenno Sho (Autumn) also over 2000m and the HKJC Champions Mile. He was second in the G1 Tokyo Yasuda Kinen and the G2 Sapporo Kinen over 2000m beaten by Neorealism who interestingly stands at stud in Qld where he has not attracted much interest from local breeders. Maurice is by Screen Hero who was an upset winner of the G1 Japan Cup in 2008. In turn he was by Grass Wonder by Silver Hawk who shuttled to Australia for four years in the early 2000’s. Grass Wonder was interestingly out of a daughter of Danzig, while Screen Hero saw his damsire as Sunday Silence. Maurice though is out of a Carnegie mare, Mejiro Frances highlighting the international flavour of Japanese pedigrees. Another interesting feature of Maurice’s pedigree is that Japanese breeders embarked on a plan to create their own exceptional branch of the thoroughbred. Little was done by accident although the early days often saw them utilise lesser known lines of the top international influences. Sunday Silence of course is a classic example in that despite his racetrack success, there was little interest in him as a stud prospect in the US. In the case of the family of Maurice, it is actually the family of one of the great stallions in Bayardo by Dark Ronald. There are plenty of lines that have had international success, and Australia has shared in that with greats like Chicquita, Eskimo Prince and Imagele all sharing common ancestors.

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Imagele

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itotsu is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare, Love Is Fickle who was unraced but did trial without success on half a dozen occasions. She was a daughter of She’s A Meanie by Prince Salieri who won the G1 Avondale Gold Cup and G3 Thames Valley Cup in NZ where she raced as She’s A Diamond originally. As a side note to her career, she retired with seven wins from 39 starts and earnings of less than $200,000 reflecting on major changes in the industry. She’s A Meanie was to prove an outstanding broodmare producing Love Conquers All by Mossman who stands at stud having won eight races including the G2 The Shorts. She also produced She’s Meaner by Falvelon who won the Listed Tommy Smith Slipper and Wyong Millions, and ran second to Augusta Proud in the Magic Millions. At stud she has produced another emerging stallion in Lean Mean Machine by Zoustar who won the ATC Run to the Rose and BRC Sires’ Produce. The female family is of particular interest to historians as it traces to a foundation mare called Gipsy born in 1840, and a celebrated race mare in NZ. She is recorded in the studbook as being by the stallion Rous’ Emigrant out of an unidentified Bay Camerton mare. Gipsy was to prove a wonderful matron and was responsible for many good horses including Calumny (1875 VRC Newmarket), the stallions Slanderer and Zingara, and Manton who won six stakes races in NZ including the NZ and Canterbury Cups and two Derbies, and himself was to go on to become a popular stallion. His greatest claim to fame though is as the damsire of the very good galloper Kennaquhair, another we have mentioned in previous editions. Kennaquhair won six stakes races including the AJC Sydney Cup and Metropolitan and VRC CB Fisher Plate. He was probably unlucky to have faced off in many of his races against the champion Poitrel. We found an interesting piece on the gelding Auction from this family who raced in Brisbane around WWII and you can read this a little later on in this edition.

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Kennaquhair

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letter to the editor of the Sydney Mail though gives a hint as to the origins of Gipsy. She was recorded in the stud book as a black mare, bred in New South Wales by Mr Charles Smith. She was subsequently Mr John Beit in 1845 who sent her to NZ. Around 1827, the NSW Government had imported fourteen mares into the colony. Among them was a filly believed to be born in 1825 by Muley Moloch.

She was purchased by Robert Campbell of Bligh Street in Sydney, who sent her to his brother-in-law, Robert Crawford who lived at Hill End, a farm on Penrith Road which adjoined Bungarrabee, the stud farm of Charles Smith. This mare was then served by Bay Camerton who had been imported in 1824 to produce a brown filly in 1829, and later a chestnut colt called Chester who was to win a race on the sand course at Randwick in 1834. The filly though was put to Rous’ Emigrant who had been imported in 1828 to produce a black filly in 1840 which was believed to be the filly that was to become known as Gipsy. She was regularly ridden at the property of Charles Smith by a former jockey in Johnny Higgerson who was the source of the information. Gipsy was later sold by Smith as part of a dispersal sale which saw her end in NZ to create one of the most enduring of that country’s thoroughbred lines.

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e have touched briefly on Hitotsu’s pedigree, but if we look at his tabulated pedigree, there are a couple of key points that jump out in terms of his future success. Firstly, we see a sex-balanced duplication of Danzig which is somewhat unusual but will attract many breeders who are looking at introducing further strains of the stallion. Importantly one of the lines of Danzig is through Danehill and his son, Redoute’s Choice and this will likely present one of the greatest challenges for breeders. This perhaps becomes even more significant when we see that there are six lines of Northern Dancer, three of Natalma, and an all-female cross of His Majesty which are all influences we see in the pedigree of Danehill. Modern breeders do not seem to mind multiple lines of Danehill in pedigrees, so it may well be that this strategy alone will make or break the stallion. The first of these Danehill lines to address is that of Redoute’s Choice. With Hitotsu hailing from a daughter of that champion stallion, there will be a temptation to breed to stallions with that stallion in their sire line. This is likely to pay dividends but with all things, caution must be urged. We should be looking at pushing Redoute’s Choice as far back in pedigrees of mares as we can. Granddaughters of Redoute’s Choice like daughters of Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt may be suitable but come with a share of risk. As we saw with Danehill, and even Northern Dancer, the greatest success with duplications come when they are pushed further back into pedigrees. While we can always find examples of successful close inbreeding, this tends to be infrequent and there are usually hints within families that this type of mating is beneficial. With grandsons of Redoute’s Choice being at stud now, perhaps daughters of these will be a more attractive proposition. The proviso on this is what influences are in the female side of their pedigree. Additional lines of Danehill and Danzig may not be ideal. When talking of Redoute’s Choice, he had good success with daughters of Last Tycoon, and this is another stallion who might be found in pedigrees to complement the stallion.

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oving away from Redoute’s Choice, next we should consider the Danehill influence. From what we suspect about that stallion, providing we push him back to at least the fourth generation of a mare’s pedigree. There are any number of opportunities for breeders to find Danehill in this position, although there could be some caution when looking at these mares that have been bred speed on speed for a number of generations. I do not necessarily see Hitotsu as a major stamina influence but would rather see the more classic lines of his pedigree reinforced rather than trying to introduce too many speed lines.

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nother influence that we need to look closely at is that of Sadler’s Wells. We see that stallion appears in the fourth generation of Hitotsu’s pedigree through his son, Carnegie. Success of Sadler’s Wells duplications are a little of a mixed bag, as we would suspect as many of these have been in the third generation or closer. As we saw with Danehill, subject to the other influences within a mare’s pedigree, the presence of Sadler’s Wells in the fourth generation or later of a mare is probably of little concern. Daughters of High Chaparral and Dundeel for example will have to be treated carefully. Interestingly we often see the best success with Sadler’s Wells duplications under local conditions in sex-balanced matings, and then often with the added influence of Zabeel who we see includes a line of Special who is the granddam of Sadler’s Wells. It is probably also worth mentioning that Encosta De Lago is by Fairy King, a brother to Sadler’s Wells and another influence that may be important to the future of Hitotsu. The suggestion of seeing Zabeel in a mare’s pedigree should also raise interest with breeders and of course the likes of Lonhro and Pierro, who introduces a female line of Sadler’s Wells have attraction with the stallion. There are probably a number of NZ bred mares that will also suit Hitotsu.

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Hitotsu Australian Guineas

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aughters of Dubawi appeal, and there will be sons of that stallion who will also have suitable daughters. Street Cry and his close relation, Shamardal, are other stallions who appeal through their daughters and granddaughters. It is no coincidence that we have seen these bloodlines brought to Australia by Darley, and many mares bred by that leviathan will be good matings for Hitotsu. An important factor here is that breeders are likely to steer clear of this type of mare thinking that Hitotsu will produce staying types. As we have seen with his family, it can produce good 2yo’s, although there is little doubt that many of the family are more slowly producing types like Hitotsu himself. We must remember that most horses do not make it to the races at two, so this should not be of concern to many. It also gives confidence for those breeders who might like to look at the Japanese connection.

We are seeing more mares with Deep Impact in their pedigrees and if we can find granddaughters of that stallion, we may see a classic style of thoroughbred result.

Other Japanese stallions may also be of interest, and there are probably no better studs to stand Hitotsu than Arrowfield who has had success with Japanese lines.

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he fact that Hitotsu did not return to the track following his 3yo season was a blow to racing as he had the potential to be a superstar of the turf. His pedigree showed the benefits of blending international and local lines to produce a classic style of horse that has made the Japanese breeding industry in particular so strong.

Hitotsu gives astute breeders the opportunity to take advantage of these strengths, and we hope that he can create the same impression in the breeding barn that he did on the track.

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DIATONIC AT STUD

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iatonic comes to Yulong to join a growing band of diverse bloodlines. He will stand along the champion stallion Written Tycoon, as well as Tagaloa, Grunt, Alabama Express, Lucky Vega and Pierata. Even among such a range, Diatonic has something different to offer. He does share some similarities to Tagaloa in terms of pedigree, both being by Japanese champion Lord Kanaloa, but they offer enough points of difference to matter. Diatonic also represents a growing worldwide exodus of wonderful Japanese bloodlines across the world and Diatonic is one of those who did his racing in the ultra-competitive Japanese market. Japan however does not allow their best racehorses to leave their shores, and while Diatonic was impressive, he also does not rate among the elite Japanese runners. Perhaps we should not take all that much from that fact as we have seen moderately performed runners from that country come to Australia and win some of our best races.

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Tawqeet

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iatonic was to retire with 10 wins from 26 starts, and the equivalent prizemoney of AUD$5.2 million. He raced twice as a 2yo for a win and a second placing, and interestingly his win came in a 1600m event which is prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere, but something quite rare in Australia. Perhaps we would do well to learn from other racing jurisdictions in this regard. At three, Diatonic again won only once, but was placed on a further three occasions from only five starts. It was as a 4yo that Diatonic proved his quality. He won four times at that age, including the G2 Kyoto Mainichi Broadcasting System Sho Swan Stakes and the Listed Kyoto Azuchijo Stakes both over 1400m. He was also third in the G1 Chukyo Takamatsunomiya Kinen over 1200m. At five, Diatonic won the G3 Hakodate Sprint S., Gr.3 over 1200m but his career was curtailed by injury seeing him race only once as a 6yo. He returned as a 7yo with some of the best form of his career winning the G2 Hanshin MBS Sho Swan Stakes for the second time, and also the G2 Hanshin Cup, and G3 Hanshin Hankyu Hai all over 1400m. He was also fourth in the G1 Nakayama Sprinters Stakes. One would imagine that his longevity and the fact that he was essentially a sprinter/miler should stand him in good stead for the Australian market.

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s we have mentioned, Diatronic is a son of Lord Kanaloa, a champion stallion.

He was also a champion racehorse and it is interesting that his career shared a lot of similarities with Diatonic in that he little racing at two and then at lower levels. At three, he was stepped up to win at Group 3 level, but it was not until his four and five-year-old seasons that Lord Kanaloa stamped himself as a runner of true class. At stud, Lord Kanaloa produced Tagaloa to win the G1 Blue Diamond but no doubt his best runner was the star Japanese horse in Almond Eye, a filly who won the Japanese 3yo Fillies Triple Crown before going on to win two Japanese Cups and the Dubai Turf. She was twice crowned Japan’s Horse Of The Year. It is

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worth mentioning Lord Kanaloa’s pedigree at this point. He is by the top Japanese stallion, King Kamehameha who was a versatile stallion siring stakes-winners from 1200m to 2400m. He was son of Kingmambo, another star stallion although one more noted for his stamina. Among his stakes-winners are Caulfield Cup and AJC Metropolitan winner, Tawqeet and AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Gold Coast Hollindale Cup winner, My Kingdom Of Fife. Lord Kamaloa is out of a mare by the legendary Storm Cat while his grand damsire is the lesser known, Cormorant, a son of His Majesty, a stallion we see in the pedigree of Danehill. Delving a little further, his third dam is by In Reality, a stallion we see in the tail female line of Snitzel.

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t is the female family of Diatonic though that would see him stand out among even the most expensive stallion prospects in Australia. His dam is by Sunday Silence who needs little introduction, and she was a solid broodmare producing eight winners from eleven foals. While there are excellent runners scattered through his female line, few would be known in Australia. But if we trace the female line a little further, we see it hails from Bruce Lowe number 2 family, and indeed a strain that is now known as the 2-d line. This family includes the immortal Danehill, tracing as it does to Almahmoud and Mother Goose. It also includes the likes of Halo, Machiavellian and Northern Dancer. In an Australian context, the direct family sees

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horses like Diatribe, Al Samer, Ace High, Youthful Legs and Catrail who stood here brief and is perhaps the closest relation to Diatonic of these. One final comment on the pedigree of Diatonic, we should note the presence of a sex-balanced cross of Storm Bird. That stallion is often largely ignored due to the success of his son, Storm Cat, but we should not underestimate his importance in Australia. Apart from Storm Cat, Storm Bird’s sons include Bluebird, whose own sons include Sports Works, Dolphin Street and Lake Coniston, Mukaddamah, the sire of Zariz, Summer Squall, the sire of Postponed, as well as Jan Murray, Prince Of Birds and Saithor.

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n of the first comments that we can make on the pedigree of Diatonic when looking at possible matings, is that his pedigree is strong with classic and stamina influences. This would suggest that he may well be able to sire a range of versatile runners if we reinforce these influences. The yearling market though is focussed on speed, and there are likely plenty of speed lines that can complement the stallion’s pedigree. Perhaps the first to mention relates to the presence of Storm Bird who we see in the female line of Snitzel. He is a stallion whose daughters and granddaughters could well find productive matings with Diatonic. Not only do we see strong speed lines, but often some of the best sons of Snitzel reflect some of the classic influences as well. Importantly though the presence of not only Storm Bird, but also In Reality would see some of these mares at the top of the list if we were looking for matings for the stallion. Repeating multiple lines of Storm Cat needs caution, but a stallion like Puissance De Lune who also is in Victoria sees not only a sex balanced cross of Storm Cat, but multiple female lines of Halo to reinforce this area of Diatonic’s pedigree. While looking at Storm Cat influences, we must remember that his second dam is Crimson Saint who is the dam of Royal Academy who was successful here. While he is becoming harder to find in pedigrees, he does appear in the likes of Fastnet Rock and Bel Esprit who are other stallions whose daughters may be considered.

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ention of Fastnet Rock in particular beings in the Danehill factor, and this will be one of the biggest factors in the success of Diatonic. He would appear to suit a host of Danehill line mares, and with these mares often featuring the speed and classic lines that we have mentioned, these will stand a good chance of success providing there are not competing negative influences within their pedigrees. Overall, the stallion appeals as being a suitable match for a wide range of mares. He is priced very competitively so his success will be limited largely only by numbers, and by breeders’ ability to bring out the best of his bloodlines. We know just how good the Japanese racehorses are, and there is no reason to suggest that this traditionally bred stallion will not be able to bring some of these outstanding qualities to Victoria

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HISTORY OF AUCTION THE FAMILY OF HITOTSU

Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 18 July 1942, page 31 History of Auction

By CHIRON HAVING won the Doomben Newmarket Handicap with the welter weight of 10.12, Auction must be regarded as being one of the best sprinters Australia has produced in recent times. It was a remarkable performance, because he gave Beaulivre 17lb and Gold Salute 25lb and easily defeated them. Beaulivre is a Caulfield Cup winner and Gold Salute has won at wfa at Randwick. Beaulivre broke down in the race, but Auction apparently had his measure at the time. As a weight-carrier Auction recalls the deeds of Machine Gun, more than 30 years ago, when he won innumerable races under weights similar to those carried by Auction. In the Newmarket Handicap Machine Gun ran a great race when carrying 11.3. That was when Pendant won in 1906.

Auction, who is a specialist on the sand track at Albion Park, where the Doomben Newmarket was run this year, comes from an old family which had its origin in New South Wales, but gained most of its racing successes in New Zealand. In 1840 Mr C. C. Smith, one of the leading breeders at the time in NSW, bred a filly by Rous' Emigrant from a mare of unknown breeding, but said to be by Bay Camerton from a Steeltrap mare. In 1844 this mare, which is known to fame, was imported to New Zealand by Mr J. Tinline, and there she established a flourishing line. Auction descends from her. For 4 seasons Gipsy was mated with II Barbiere, and her second foal was Gipsy Queen, ancestress of Auction. Gipsy Queen was joined with Austra-

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lian-bred Sir Hercules, whom Mr Henry Redwood had purchased from Mr Thomas Icely, of Coombing Park (NSW), and taken to NZ in 1852, where he remained for 5 years. Then he returned to NSW to sire The Barb and Yattendon.

Gipsy Queen visited Sir Hercules only that season, and the result was Gitana, who became the dam of Calumny, Slanderer, and Tres Deuce. Tres Deuce became the dam of Manton, a NZ Derby and NZ Cup winner. Other NZ Derby winners descended from Gipsy were Azucena, Envy, Defamation, and Calumny. It is with Calumny that we are most concerned at the moment, as she is the ancestress of Auction.

Calumy and Lurline Calumny was raced in NZ by Mr Henry Redwood, who had Lurline at the same time. These lovely daughters of Traducer were brought to Melbourne by J. Watts in 1874, and soon gave proof that they were quite as good as they looked. They were sent to the sale ring in February, 1875, and Calumny was purchased by Mr J. Ward for 475 guineas, and Mr Samuel Gardiner paid 500 guineas for Lurline.

Both proved a bargain. Mr Ward got his money back at once, as Calumny won the Brunswick Stakes and Newmarket Handicap. Mr Gardiner, who was then founding the Bundoora Stud, did not have long to wait for the return of the money expended in the purchase of Lurline, as she won him the Adelaide Cup and Australian Cup. Mr Ward parted with Calumny later on to Mr J. B. Wallis, for whom she won the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap. Soon after that Calumny became the property of Mr Gardiner, and joined Lurline at Bundoora.

They were mated with The Peer on the advice of Mr W. E. Dakin. Their second foals

by The Peer went into the sale ring on the same day. Mr Dakin paid 350 guineas for the colt from Lurline, which was afterwards known as Darebin. Mr William Pearson, of Kilmany Park, was the buyer of Calumny's filly, Spite, for 300 guineas, She was not in the same class as Darebin, as she won only one race, which was the Sale Derby, in which her solitary opponent was Ned Kelly.

Linked with "Teviotdale" Spite was then retired to the Kilmany Park Stud, and in 1893 she bred Scuffle to Commotion. Scuffle, who was bred shortly before the death of Mr William Pearson, did not race. She was purchased as a 3-year-old for 12 guineas by Mr W. E. Dakin, who was acting for our old friend Dr W. H. Lang, well known to The Australasian readers as "Teviotdale." Dr Lang was then practising at Corowa, but he bred a few horses as a hobby. He mated Scuffle with Padlock, and bred a filly which he named before he sent her to the yearling sales. She was Cross Keys, for whom Mr S. P. Mackay gave 55 guineas. Cross Keys was raced in Adelaide by the late Sir Hugh Denison, for whom she won many races, including the South Australian St Leger, in which she defeated her stablemate, the hot favourite, Sojourner. When Sojourner won the Adelaide Cup a few days later the crowd resented his victory, but in the interim Sojourner had changed stables.

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After breeding Cross Keys from her, Dr Lang sold Scuffle to Mr A. B. Pearson, a son of Mr William Pearson. Scuffle visited Wallace and bred Scourge, who was raced with little success by Mr Pearson, who later sold her to Mr Agar Wynne. Scourge was at Nerrin Nerrin for some years, and to Blankney II produced Mollie Blankney.

In 1919 Mr Wynne passed on Scourge to Mr J. P. Guthrie for 35 guineas. After that she did not appear in the Stud Book.

Mollie Blankney was taken to Queensland by Mr R. Wall, who raced her a few times, but without much success. On her retirement from racing Molly Blankney was mated with Tetratema's brother Corban, and produced Miss Winton, dam of Auction.

Miss Winton was raced by Mr W. H. Wall, who also races Auction. It is easy to discern where Auction gets his speed. Blankney was a speedy son of Flying Fox, and a Gimcrack Stakes winner in England. Here he got some brilliant sprinters, among them Adrift, who won the Oakleigh Plate in 1925, and finished second to Valiard in the Newmarket that year. There was a further infusion of speed in Miss Winton, by Corban, who, although much inferior to his brother Tetratema as a performer, was a winner in England. Like Tetratema, Corban has been noted for the speed of his progeny, notably the Oakleigh Plate winner Arachne.

Arachne (inside) winning the Canterbury Stakes from Cuddle TURF MONTHLY 30

JIM PIKE

MORE OF HIS WORDS

Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 25 April 1936, page 19

THINGS I NEVER TOLD RACECOURSE REVIEW

BY JIM PIKE It is Pike's considered opinion that horses gallop better to the left, the way they race in Victoria, than to the right the way they race in Sydney. He says it is natural for a horse to go to the left.

In this last instalment of his riding experiences Pike discusses the principal racecourses of Melbourne and Sydney, their strong points and shortcomings. He says, comparing courses, Randwick for the onlooking public, and Flemington for the competing horses.

FLEMINGTON is a marvellous racecourse. It affords a chance for every horse competing, and if anybody comes to me with a hard-luck story about not winning a 'race there, I am inclined to disbelieve him. In my opinion, every horse in the race gets his chance at some stage of the race. The big wide run home after a turn that is so gradual that it hardly seems a turn at all, even when you’re going top speed round it, gives the slowest beginner the hope of getting up for a winning chance if he is good enough and has the finishing speed.

I have always liked racing on the Victorian courses and particularly at Flemington because I knew that there was always a hope for anything I was riding. If you got disappointed once or twice in running, you knew that there was still a chance with that long run in.

Returning to Flemington. It is fine for both the stayers and the sprinters. The mile and a quarter start need a bit of caution if you are drawn wide, but I don't hold with horses being hold with horses being rushed to make up ground while they are wide out early, because if they sit patiently in long run from the seven furlong turn affords plenty of opportunity to make up lost ground. I think some riders are inclined to worry too much about barrier positions at the mile and mile and a quarter, and to be in too much of a hurry to improve their positions. If they got in quick, and then waited, they would get their chances long before the end of the race came.

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Like Bowling Green FLEMINGTON'S surface is as smooth as a bowling green, and the grass spongy to a horse's feet. I've never been on a runner who feared to stretch out there.

Caulfield racecourse surface is a treat to ride on also. Smooth and soft to the touch of a horse's feet, it seems to inspire confidence in them.

Caulfield, though smaller and more circular than Flemington, is a fine course affording every horse a chance. This is proved when you see candidates come from far behind and win their Cups. Such as Amounis, Journal and Rogilla. The chute from the six affords an almost straight run for sprint races, with only a mild elbow in it, and two-year-old and older sprinters go well there. Its spongy surface takes all the impact out of galloping. It has a sandy nature, which seems to absorb moisture and get rid of it in some miraculous way so that a few hours after heavy rain they are able to race on it. The marvellous time records that are put up at Caulfield nowadays form a splendid tribute to the excellence of the racing surface.

Skimmed Round I MUST confess that, although in its smaller way it plays a lesser part than Caulfield and Flemington, I like Moonee Valley. The late Mr Hiskens experimented in all directions here with his track criss-crossing each other at what for the spectator, seemed curious angles that would not suit horses. But what happened? Phar Lap, the big, long strider, who seemed awkward enough not to be able to manage lesser tracks, skimmed round the rail on the Cox Plate course as if glued to the paint.

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Randwick Aerial Photo 931

Moonee Valley has been well surveyed, and the fact that its races have attracted all the greatest horses of the last 20 years, including Phar Lap, Chatham, Rogilla and Heroic is sufficient proof that as a racecourse it is satisfactory, even if it is small.

The best horse wins there, too, I have found. Of course, the fast horse does best, and you have to bustle them along. But we can't always be on such easy roomy courses as Flemington.

Randwick Is the track where, apart from liking to ride, I always enjoy most the privilege of being an onlooker. I think the public misses nothing at the A.J.C. course.

In addition to having a close view of racing all the way, there is the convenience of everything.

Randwick Praised Everything is so compact, and there are not the long route-marches which you have to undergo to get from say the betting ring to the saddling enclosure or the saddling paddock, such as at Flemington, and I would say that to people who go racing for pleasure, this is a big consideration.

As a racecourse, Randwick Is a splendid ground, too. The mile and a quarter, the mile, the seven furlongs, and the six furlong chutes afford the best possible conditions for fields in races over all those distances and give even those drawn wide great scope for a winning chance.

Of course, I like to be in a bit towards the inner rail in all races. It means the journey isn't iso long, but you can get in quickly from those big wide chutes for the starting points I have named. The course proper has had the A.J.C. in a bit of bother for some time, but they are striving hard to overcome this, and I hope they are successful very soon now in restoring it to its best. At its best it is a fine course, and I would never wish to ride on a safer course or one offering more facility for winning chances to all.

And Warwick Farm NOWHERE are the turns better graded than at Randwick, and that a I think is the reason why it gives all horses the same chance. > Warwick Farm is a course which has improved tremendously since the A.J.C. took control, and I think that now it Is a credit to the premier club. I have heard it criticised because of its short straight, and TURF MONTHLY 34

it is sometimes referred to as the squibs’ and the sprinters' course. I disagree with that.

People get a wrong conception of Warwick Farm straight because the public stands are a long way down towards the home turn, and that creates the impression that it is. But actually, the horses go a long way after passing the public stand before they reach the winning post.

Long Enough RIDING on this course you notice the straight ls plenty long enough. Often, I have found it so on horses I felt weakening under me when I looked to see how far that winning post was off. Many horses come from behind there to win, too, and I wouldn't be a bit afraid to start any good horse here and back him, too, if I were an owner.

Anyhow, there is no reason why we shouldn't have good courses for the more brilliant gallopers. You can't cater for the slow stayer all the time, and Warwick Farm fills the bill. Moreover, the chutes for the mile, a mile and a half, and the six furlongs offer admirable facilities for horses to get positions if good enough. A three-furlong straight run from these affords all that could be desired for even the slow beginner. These chutes give a jockey the opportunity to get a horse balanced, and you can't estimate too highly the advantage they are to racing on all our tracks. It is the same at Canterbury, Moorefield, and some of the other lesser courses which, though small, give horses their chance of winning because the chute affords such a good send-off. Victoria Park is the course that has been the eye-opener for me. When Mr Kelso lived out Redfern way our cow was kept on the site now occupied by Victoria Park, and it was my job to get on the pony and bring her in every day to be milked.

Bogged In Swamp ONE day I found her- bogged almost down belly-deep in the swamp right in what would be the centre of Victoria Park today. I rode home for help. The boss, Pat Nolan, who was then the foreman, and Jim Thornton, the big strong blacksmith nearby, all came over with chains and gear to drag her out with a donkey to do the main pulling.

It was my job to get In and hitch the tackle on to the old cow and I had to step gingerly, because you could sink just as if you were in quicksand. Anyhow, I got it fixed and then the tug of war started and how they didn't pull that cows head right off her neck I don’t know. But we got her out. Now you see beautiful green turf all over the course, and I suppose the reason is the permanent springs or water that keep it well fed. And, of course the fact that Sir Joynton Smith, laid out a lot of money and carefully planned labor to build it up whilst making use of its natural resources for growing the best grasses.

Warwick Farm 1927

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