New Zealand breeder Scott Williams has another classic colt on the horizon in Sydney.  

Cambridge based Williams bred Darci Be Good (NZ) who opened Doncaster day with a promise of things to come in the Listed Fernhill Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

Darci Be Good (2c Darci Brahma – You Can’t Say That by by Fusaichi Pegasus) raced prominently off a pedestrian pace and kept kicking in the straight to win by over a length.  “I think he could be a Derby colt, I really do,” trainer Bede Murray said.  “He’s a lovely horse and has a lovely temperament.”

Murray is a past master at preparing classic colts have trained Universal Prince (AJC Australian Derby), Half Hennessy (Queensland Derby) and Coniston Bluebird (New Zealand Derby).

The (NZ) suffix is also prominent on the Fernhill honour-roll.  Kiwi bred G1 gallopers Kinjite, Centro and Sound Horizon won the race and so did the Bart Cummings trained champion Beau Zam who completed the Fernhill – AJC Derby double in 1987.

Rich Hill Stud offered Darci Be Good (NZ) as agent for Williams at the 2010 Inglis Easter yearling sale but he failed to make a $60,000 reserve.  “I approached Scott and asked if I could lease the colt,” Murray recalled at Randwick.  “He was happy with that arrangement and we formed a syndicate with members of the Illawarra Turf Club.”

Rich Hill and Williams also teamed up to offer the top-priced Zabeel – Gin Player filly at last year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale.  Victorian based Lakeview Resources owner Peter Carrick paid $1.30 million for the filly who is now under the care of Lee Freedman.

She is a half-sister to South Australian Derby winner Zarita and has been named Crystalised.  

Williams has developed his bloodstock interests to such an extent he was awarded NZ Breeder-of-the-Year honours in 2008 after the G1 triumphs of Efficient (VRC Melbourne Cup) and Zarita (South Australian Derby).

Williams bought Zarita’s dam Gin Player from his good friend Neil Waddell.  Like Efficient’s dam, she is by Defensive Play.

He also raced paid $105,000 for You Can’t Say That at the 2004 NZB Karaka yearling sale.  The FuPeg filly won a modest maiden at Paeroa in May 2007 and later that year was covered by Darci Brahma.

After Darci Be Good, You Can’t Say That foaled an O’Reilly filly that has been retained.  She had had a season off in 2009 and was served by Zabeel last year.

Darci Brahma (Danehill) retired to The Oaks Stud in 2007 after a career that included Group 1 wins in the T J Smith Classic at Eagle Farm and the NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Apart from his Fernhill winner, Super Easy (Trentham) and Darci Coup (Riccarton) have also saluted and Super Easy was G3 placed in the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.  Other Darci Brahma colts with black-type credits include Chateauneuf Dupape (G1 Diamond Stakes) and Rescue Mission (G3 SA Breeders Stakes).

Darci Brahma’s progeny were well received at the Karaka Sales this year with 31 yearlings selling for an average of over $90,000.  His top price lot was the half-sister to G1 winner Gee I Jane which was knocked down for $625,000 to Patinack Farm.