Foreplay continues to go from strength-to-strength with another feature double in the space of 48 hours last week.
Foreplay filly Playtime won the Breeders Plate at Rockhampton on Thursday and his Flemington based colt That’s Not It was successful in the G3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Danehill stallion had sired just 4 winners of 8 races until July 31 but that total had increased to 14 winners of 27 races by Saturday.
Formerly based at Yarraman Park, Foreplay encountered fertility issues in the Hunter Valley and was transferred to Woodside Park earlier this year. Subsequent stem-cell treatment has rejuvenated his stud career in Victoria with 10 of his first 13 mares tested in foal so far this season.
Playtime (2f Foreplay – Boganvillia by Centaine) became the first winner from his second crop when she produced a strong finish in the Breeders Plate (1050m) at Rocky. She cost $36,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearling sale and owner Ralph Russell collected $26, 800 in prizemoney and bonuses after her comfortable win on debut.
“She showed ability right from the start,” Russell said at Callaghan Park. “She is a lovely filly and has never given us any trouble.”
Playtime will have another run before a let up. A decision on a Brisbane campaign will be made when she returns from a spell.
Foreplay sired her from the Turangga Farm mare Boganvillia who had already foaled the Australian stakes performers Stormpede (Black Minnaloushe) and Cinderella Man (Kaapstad). They were both sold off-shore to win more races in Hong Kong.
Playtime’s yearling half brother by Eureka Stud sire Red Dazzler will go under the hammer at the 2011 Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearling sale.
That’s Not It became Foreplay’s second Group winner when he scored a surprise victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday. He is trained by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zhara and his only other win in six starts had been at Kyneton on October 1.
Ellerton prepared Foreplay in a short but brilliant career that included an outstanding third behind Alinghi and Fastnet Rock in the G1 VRC Newmarket at Flemington.
“I bought That’s Not It because he reminded me so much of Foreplay,” Ellerton said after his colt won on Cox Plate day despite blowing a gale in betting from $11 to $21. “He’s still learning and is a big, raw sort of colt.”
That’s Not It (3c Foreplay – Imco Resource by Bluebird) cost $16,000 from Goodwood Farm at the 2009 Inglis Classic yearling sale and is bred to keep improving over further ground than 1200m. His dam won twice over 1600m in Italy and her first two foals by Generous won up to 2800m and 2040m respectively.
That’s Not It becomes the second stakes winner for Foreplay after star colt Decision Time. He will head for more black-type on home turf in the Listed Hilton Stakes (1400m) on November 6.
Grasslands Thoroughbreds will offer a De Beers half sister to That’s Not It at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale.
Foreplay is currently covering his first book at Woodside Park for a fee of $16,500 (inc. gst).