Trelawney Stud’s Taylor family celebrated when Ocean Park and Solzhenitsyn completed a Group 1 double for the NZ nursery at Caulfield on Saturday.

Ocean Park (NZ) won the Caulfield Stakes on his fourth birthday.  He was foaled at Trelawney’s Cambridge base on October 13 in 2008.  Solzhenitsyn (NZ) motored home to claim the Toorak Hcp for a syndicate that includes Trelawney director Cherry Taylor .

Trelawney is New Zealand’s longest running commercial thoroughbred stud and has a strong tradition of Group 1 winners including seven Melbourne Cups!

Ocean Park (Thorn Park) has firmed into a $6 second-favourite for the Cox Plate after a convincing victory over Alcopop and Sincero at Caulfield.  “I couldn’t believe how relaxed he was in the run,” winning jockey Glen Boss said.  “He did exactly what I wanted and then switched off when he got clear.”

Trained by Gary Hennessy for Hong Kong residents Andrew Wong and Steve Yan, he cost $150,000 from Trelawney at the 2010 NZB Karaka Select yearling sale.

Ocean Park was backing up from G1 victories in the Makfi Challenge and Underwood Stakes to underline his Cox Plate claims.  “He’s got weight-for-age form,” Boss said.  “I’m not underestimating the job he’s got ahead but at the moment I wouldn’t swap, I really wouldn’t.

Trelawney has nominated a Pins half-brother to Ocean Park for the 2013 Inglis Easter yearling sale.

Solzhenitsyn (St Petersburg) gave Trelawney its second Toorak Handicap in recent years following Allez Wonder in 2009.

Formerly based with Richard Otto at Te Awamutu, he transferred to expat Kiwi Rob Heathcote following an Ellerslie victory in December 2010.  Besides Cherry Taylor, his owners include bloodstock agents Paul Willetts and Damon Gabbedy.

Solzhenitsyn is will round off his spring campaign in the G1 Emirates Stakes on the last day of the VRC Melbourne Cup carnival.

– Karl Patterson