Publishing youngster Treasure Map is heading back to Brisbane after a first-up victory in Toowoomba on Saturday night.

Treasure Map (2g Publishing – Ski Treasure by Portland Pirate) defeated several smart winners when resuming after a 20 week spell in the Hastings Deering 2YO Hcp (1100m).  He collected a QTIS bonus which increased the collect to $15,000 for owner-breeders Neville and Kara Carter.

“We were thinking of going down to the Gold Coast but it was too wet down there,” trainer Michael Nolan said.  “He won well and surprised me a bit because it was a pretty strong race.”

Treasure Map is the 6th individual first-crop winner for Publishing this season.  The Raheen Stud freshman also sired Our Editor (3rd) and First Release (5th) in the run-through at Clifford Park.

First Release opened Publishing’s account at stud when she won a Gold Coast maiden in January.

Publishing is currently fourth on the Australian first-season winners’ premiership behind Northern Meteor, Sebring and Real Saga.

Treasure Map had been unplaced twice at Doomben in February.  “We weren’t expecting too much in his first two starts,” Nolan added.  “He’s a big, good-looking horse but is going to be much better over 1400 and 1600 metres.

“Neville and Kara have been patient with him and deserved the win,” Nolan explained.  “They raced his older half-brother Carlson’s Treasure but he died in a race-fall last year.

“The Carters live in Melbourne and they sent me the dam Ski Treasure after she won down there,” Nolan recalled.  “We nailed another one up here before she retired to stud.”

The mare is due to foal to Publishing again in September.  “My only other Publishing is My Beloved and she has won two from two,” Nolan said.  “I will probably take Treasure Map down to Doomben now.  He will be suited in a race over 1350 metres.”

Nolan is keen to get his hands on more by Publishing.  Michael’s uncle Basil Nolan snr stands the stakes winning son of Testa Rossa for a $4,400 (inc gst) fee at Raheen Stud.

Hoofnote

Publishing added an international winner to his first-crop tally in Singapore on Sunday.

Golden Knight (2g Publishing – Moondust Magic by More Than Ready) scooted clear for a two-length victory on debut.  He clocked a quick 1.10.81s for 1200m at Kranji.

“I think he can measure up to the better class of horses one day,” trainer Steven Burridge predicted.  “He has done nothing wrong since he came to us.”

Burridge’s son Wade bought Golden Knight for $42,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions HIT Sale.  Bred by Raheen Stud, he is from a half-sister to G1 WA Derby winner Natasha (Old Spice).

“He’s still a bit green but is strong and very sensible,” Burridge snr said.  “He ran a very good time and the owners should have a lot of fun with him.”

His dam Moondust Magic has a yearling filly by Publishing and a filly foal by Captain Sonador.

– Karl Patterson