Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) can sign off another very successful month in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
FBAA members supply three candidates for Perth’s feature sprint headed by Malaguerra. A $3.40 pre-post favourite with the WA TAB, he is coming off a Group 1 victory in the Darley Classic and has worked the house down since arriving at Ascot.
“He came over in good order and has impressed everyone here,” WA-based owner Bruno Micalizzi said. “He’s drawn the inside gate and hopefully it will work out okay.”
Malaguerra (Magnus) was purchased by Bluegrass Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Lenny Russo for $32,000 at the 2013 VOBIS Gold Sale. He has earned $1.43 million with another $1 million in prizemoney to be split in the Winterbottom.
In the last week, Bluegrass buys have saluted at Bendigo (Gagosian), Sandown (Magnatti) and Launceston (Count da Vinci).
Lindsay Park stablemates Sheidel ($10) and Keen Array ($26) can also play a hand for FBAA in the Winterbottom.
Sheidel (Holy Roman Emperor) returns home following her transfer east earlier this year. Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Damon Gabbedy bought her privately for Victorian owner-breeder Rob Crabtree after a Listed victory in the Summer Scorcher (1000m) at Ascot.
“She’s got good form at the track and deserves a Group 1,” trainer David Hayes said from Perth. “Her work has been excellent and she trialled very well earlier this week.”
Gabbedy and Perth owner-breeder Bob Peters won with Redoute’s Choice mare Royal Attraction at Ascot on November 16 and she will be adding black-type in due course.
There was already plenty in the pedigree when Gabbedy bought her on behalf of Peters for $300,000 at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Royal Attraction is a half-sister to Flemington stakes winner Shaaheq and their dam Damaschino was a Group 3 winner at Flemington and Caulfield.
Keen Array (Bel Esprit) has also impressed locals since a Melbourne spring campaign highlighted by Listed victories in the Testa Rossa Stakes and Village Stakes at Caulfield.
He was purchased by FBAA member Mark Pilkington after being passed-in at the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. “Keen Array has settled in nicely and I was happy with his work on the course proper this week,” Hayes said. “We’ve added blinkers and he will be competitive in a very strong race.”
Pilkington purchased last month’s G1 Toorak Hcp winner He’s Our Rokkii out of New Zealand for a Lindsay Park syndicate and he crossed the Tasman again last week spending over $400,000 for colts by Americain, Smart Missile, Teofilo and Helmet at the Karaka 2YO Sale.
FBAA member John Chalmers can win a support race at the Winterbottom meeting with Gigante in the J J Richards & Sons Hcp (1200m). The ever-consistent Stratum sprinter has raced 15 times this year for 4 wins and 7 placings.
Chalmers, who mentored Pilkington and Gabbedy at Goodwood Bloodstock in Perth, bought Gigante from Widden Stud on behalf of owner Sam Trimboli at the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1998 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
Malaguerra returns to scale with Bruno Micalizzi & Lenny Russo