All Too Hard carried on his superb form leading up to the Gold Coast Magic Millions with a winning double at Randwick on New Year’s Day.
The Vinery sire has hit the ground running in 2019 with Love Shack Baby and Fuchu both saluting for their fourth win after being given time to mature. Neither faced the starter as two year-olds.
Love Shack Baby learned the ropes winning at Kembla, Wagga and Wyong last year. “His three runs this prep have all been tip-top,” jockey Jay Ford said after sending him through a gap to cruise home by a length. “He’s an adaptable type and I had a lap-full when the split came in the straight.
“He showed glimpses of form last year but is really consistent now. The best of him is still ahead.”
Trained by David Pfieffer at Warwick Farm, the progressive 4yo was bred at Baramul Stud and is a half-brother to four winners including Melbourne stakes-performed mare Metonymy.
“That’s a good way to start the year,” Pfieffer said. “He’s fit and game and all credit to Jay. He showed initiative and this horse is an asset for the stable.”
Fuchu completed a hat-trick for Kim Waugh after strikes at Newcastle and Wyong last month. He’s found a new lease of life since an early-season transfer to Mahtoum Lodge at Jilliby.
“There’s not much of him but it’s all heart,” Waugh said. “We’ve always thought he was city-class and it was a great ride by Robbie Dolan today.”
Fuchu is a homebred for Phillipa Cooper from Fuji Fairy (Fuji Kiseki) and is a half-brother to Group 1 winning filly Yosei.
All Too Hard finished 2018 with a win a day in December. (That’s not counting Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve when he signed off early without a runner).
Alligator Blood was his last win for the year at Sunshine Coast on Sunday and the David Vandyke-trained youngster was the first among his current crop of juveniles.
It wasn’t just a win – Alligator Blood blew them away with a whirlwind finish to claim Written With Ease (Written Tycoon) on the line. Jockey Jeff Lloyd timed it to perfection…he wasn’t in the call on the home turn.
“It’s a game of inches…Jeff just got there,” Vandyke said. “This is the first horse we’ve had to the races for Ezy Racing and we will be celebrating tonight. He’s an All Too Hard and has a lot of upside as they get better with age.”
Alligator Blood is another Baramul-bred winner by All Too Hard. His dam Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) descends from Champion South African mare Tracy’s Element. It’s a family that clicks with Vinery.
Red Ransom was Vinery’s foundation sire in Australia and among his winners from that family include Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy and Flemington stakes winners Red Element and Red Bomber.
Vinery’s Magic Millions consignment, which includes two colts and two fillies by All Too Hard, will be available for inspection as from this Friday, January 4.
FUCHU