Twickenham is the home of Rugby Union in England and the equine Twickenham looked right at home winning at Kranji on Sunday evening.

By Emirates Park Victoria resident Artie Schiller (USA), he saluted for the second time in three starts and won like a horse with bigger and better wins ahead.

Trained by Kiwi expat Stephen Gray for Paul Hickman’s St George Stable, Twickenham produced a brilliant late flourish to score by a half-length.  He clocked 69.84s for 1200m and flew the final 400m in 22.73s.

Hickman is a British rugby union fan and named the gelding after his country’s famous rugby stadium in London.

Twickenham cost $115,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions HIT Sale and completed his education in New Zealand where he barrier trialled on four occasions last year.

“He’s a half-brother to Black Ice, a good horse that Steven Burridge trained,” Gray recalled.  “Steven was actually the under-bidder at the Gold Coast Sale and we had to go a bit further to get him in the end.

“He’s always had ability, but was a bit hot in the head in New Zealand.  Laura Brennan, our pre-trainer down there, took care of him and has done a good job.

“He wants more ground.   He’s a dead-set miler and he will make it as a stayer one day.

“It’s good to have another winner for Paul.  He invests a lot of money in horses and he deserves every success that comes his way.”

Twickenham is the fourth foal of winning General Nediym mare Lady Migaloo.  Artie Schiller’s only other runner to date from a daughter of General Nediym is three-time winner Song of the Bell.

Artie Schiller (El Prado) represents the Sadler’s Wells sireline and was a Group 1 winner of the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Mile.  He was Australia’s Champion second-season sire in 2011-12 and stood for a $22,000 (inc gst) fee last year.

TWICKENHAM