Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Polanski has taken to stud life on the Mornington peninsular like a duck to water.
Standing at Ducks Crossing in Tyabb, he’s proving popular with broodmare owners and has attracted 50 bookings in the past month.
Polanski was described by VRC chief handicapper Greg Carpenter as a “truly world-class” colt after his classic triumph at Flemington twelve months ago.
Timeform rated the Victoria Derby victory above three year-olds the calibre of Zoustar (G1 Coolmore Stakes), Criterion (G1 Australian Derby ) and Long John (G1 Caulfield Guineas).
Polanski’s trainer Robbie Laing and senior owner Ross Warner reckon Polanski is all that and more. “Every time we raised the bar, he met the challenge,” Warner recalled. “Before the Derby, Robbie’s last txt to me was: ‘Don’t worry too much – there will be a margin’.
“Robbie’s a good judge – he bolted in by three lengths!”
Connections were looking forward to Polanski racing on as a four year-old. “I’ve got a lot of faith in this horse and he will be a natural at weight-for-age,” Laing declared. “When he thickens, he can become a real star of the turf.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman, after winning his third Victoria Derby following victories on New Zealand raiders Lion Tamer and Sangster, also rated him a colt of untapped potential. “He’s a lot stronger than my last two winners. He is going to be a horse of the future.”
Bookmakers had installed Polanski as the pre-post favourite for this year’s Australian Derby but he injured a tendon in the G1 Futurity Stakes so the decision was made not risk such a valuable stallion prospect.
“There were several options where to retire him although we weren’t knocked over in the rush by the leading studs,” Warner said. “In hindsight, I believe standing him here at Ducks Crossing was the right decision.”
Ducks Crossing owner Jacqui McGregor doubles as visiting vet for several local stables and she has watched Polanski develop from a raw-boned yearling into a 16.3 hands ball of muscle.
There are still late-season bookings available to Polanski at a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee. For further details, broodmare owners can contact Jacqui McGregor (0429 057 037) or office manager Sally Airey (0437 866 856).
DUCKS DELUXE
Ross Warner with Polanski
Photo / Sharon Chapman