Saturday’s Belgravia Stakes meeting at Ascot turned out to be a testimonial for Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia.
FBAA members bought 4 of the 8 winners and came close to claiming the feature event when Boomer Bloodstock graduate Epic Grey was runner-up in the Belgravia.
Celebrity Dream (Thorn Park) was the first of four winners in a row for FBAA in the Glenroy Chaff Hcp (1000m). John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) bought the NZ-bred mare for Bob & Sandra Peters and she’s on a hat-trick after winning 5 of her 11 starts.
“She’s lightly-raced and has needed time,” Peters said after watching her swoop late in Race 2. “Hopefully, we can keep her up for the fillies and mares races at the summer carnival.”
Celebrity Dream, who is a half-sister to Group 2 winners Vavasour and Vilanova, will boost her residual value with wins in any of those four features starting with the LR Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) on November 25.
Three Secrets chimed in for Noel Carter’s Commercial Bloodstock (FBAA) after surviving a protest at Ascot. “He’s the real deal this horse,” trainer Steve Wolfe claimed after the TABTouch Plate (1500m). “The owners have been patient and we will keep him ticking over for the (G2) WA Guineas next month.”
Carter paid $135,000 for Three Secrets (So Secret) from Rangeview Stud’s draft at the 2016 Perth Magic Millions. He is a full-brother to G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Hobart Jones and races for a syndicate that includes Lyn Ryan, Rangeview’s Rob & Jody Gray, Jenny Carter and Wolfe.
See Me Sizzle was under siege but kept lifting to score by a half-length in the Ambius Indoor Plants Hcp (1600m). He was rated to perfection in front by Fred Kersley who is emerging as one of the west’s leading apprentices.
The Snitzel gelding was pin-hooked as a foal for $25,000 by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) and was targeted by trainer Grant Williams as a yearling for $75,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.
“I’ve known Fred since he was a pup and he’s in really good form,” Williams said. “The owners are good mates and have been with us for a long time. We’re looking forward to a big day out with this horse in the York Cup.”
See Me Sizzle is raced by a syndicate that includes Elio & Jacquie Galante, Bruce Greenwood, Rob Moralee, Trevor Lindsay & Owen Gilbride. The $70,000 York Cup (1500m) will be run on Sunday, November 12.
Achernar Star will join Three Secrets on the WA Guineas trail after winning the Mumm Champagne Hcp (1200m). He cost $75,000 at the 2016 Perth Magic Millions when purchased by Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Louis Le Métayer for a syndicate headed by Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh.
The Gingerbread Man gelding defeated Gigante to deny John Chalmers a double by a short-neck. “He’s a horse going places,” winning trainer Simon Miller said. “That was a pretty good win against older horses and he will get better as he goes further.”
Achernar Star has earned $361,750 and will now head to the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m) as a final lead-up to the $500,000 WA Guineas on November 25. His older half-brother Man Booker won the 2015 WA Guineas.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.
The list of FBAA members can be viewed at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au
THREE SECRETS
Commercial Bloodstock graduate returns to scale with “Shooter” McGruddy