Tasmanian owner-breeder Max Pearce has pocketed a $10,000 bonus after his filly Il Regalo became the first winner by Armidale Stud sire Needs Further.

Il Regalo won a Longford trial by 7 lengths last month and was too good for her race-day rivals in the Hesketh McCrimmon Hcp (800m) in Launceston on Wednesday.  “I was quietly confident – she has shown good ability from Day 1,” trainer John Blacker said.  “I would have been disappointed if she wasn’t competitive.”

Pearce bred Il Regalo from Your Call (King Of Kings) who had won at Kilmore and Terang prior to crossing Bass Strait.  Her Irish-bred second-dam Elaine (Common Grounds) is a half-sister to G2 Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Fracas (In The Wings).

Armidale Stud offered a $10,000 bonus to the breeder of the first youngster by Needs Further to win a metropolitan race and it went off with his first starter.

Needs Further (Encosta De Lago) won the G3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick for Gooree Stud before a joint issue curtailed his career.  His dam Crowned Glory (Danehill) was hailed the winner of the 2000 Golden Slipper Stakes before Belle du Jour jumped out of the ground to deny her by a half-head.

Armidale Stud stands Needs Further for a service fee of $3,300 (inc gst).

IL REGALO
Needs Further filly wins a barrier trial at Longford