Australia’s first juvenile event of the season is set down for Race 8 at Toowoomba on Friday afternoon. The Fitton Insurance Hopefield Plate (1000m) has drawn a capacity field and first-season sires Ferocity and Southern Image both have babies engaged.
Ferocity has been quoted at $15 by sportingbet.com.au for the Australian first-season sires’ premiership (winners) while Southern Image is at $31.
Ferocity stands at Oaklands Stud and his Hopeful Plate filly Silverton is from Jerash (Mukaddamah). Southern Image stands at Widden and his colt Captain Fun has won both his trials at Toowoomba. Both youngsters are raced in partnerships by Oaklands Stud owner Neville Stewart and are trained by Mark Webb.
The Hopeful Stakes finish could be a local affair as Webb has four starters while fellow Clifford Park trainers Michael Nolan, Darryl Gollan and Rochelle Pereira are all double handed.
Pereira prepares Sequalo filly Paparazzi Blonde who has looked a very smart type winning her hit-outs. She is raced by the same connections as Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Mimi Lebrock.
Dalby trainer Matt Kropp can knock them off with Little Zachary who has two Toowoomba trial wins to his credit. He is a son of General Nediym who started his stud career in Queensland at Glengarry Stud. Little Zachary was a $50,000 buy at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions from the Grange Thoroughbreds.
More Than Ready can start the defence of his 2yo crown on a winning note with Just About Ready. He is trained by Col Williamson at Peachester Lodge and was the most expensive yearling among the Hopeful Plate entrants. Linda Huddy paid $100,000 for him from the Velvet Stud consignment at the Gold Coast Magic Millions.
sportingbet.com.au has opened its market for the first season sires’ premiership with Widden sire Stratum a short-priced favourite for the 2009-2010 season
$2.20 Stratum $5.50 Snitzel $6 Jet Spur $8 Bradburys Luck $10 Starcraft $11 Snippetson $11 Dubawi $13 Hidden Dragon $15 Ferocity $17 Oratorio $21 Gods Own $26 Al Samer $26 Keep The Faith $31 Southern Image $51 Barely A Moment $51 Break The Vault $61 Rakti $67 Domesday $81 Benicio