If there is an award for leading breeder of the 2010 Queensland winter racing carnival then New Zealand’s Highview Stud will be a prime contender.
Saturday’s racing at Eagle Farm enhanced a sensational record of outstanding results achieved at the winter carnival by Highview-bred gallopers when brilliant racemare Wealth Princess was runner-up in the Group 1 A$500,000 Winter Championship Stakes and the smart up-and-comer, Pennacchio, was a superb winner of the Listed A$100,000 Centenary Classic Mile (1600m).
Wealth Princess confirmed her reputation as one of the best sprinters to be produced in New Zealand in recent years with her terrific effort to beat all but the leading Australian three-year-old filly, Melito, in the Winter Stakes which attracted a classy line-up.
Bred by Victor Ngai at Highview, Wealth Princess made up a huge slice of ground in the closing stages of the fillies and mares’ feature after coming from second to last position with 800m to run.
“It was a huge effort from her,” said trainer Brent Gillovic. “She drew wide and she didn’t have the early gate speed to get across so she was forced to go back on a track that was playing into the hands of on-pace runners and those who were racing close to the fence.
“It was no disgrace for her (Wealth Princess) to be beaten by a horse with such a big reputation as Melito,” Gillovic said.
“I have been very proud of her performances throughout the Brisbane carnival as her campaign over here has been hindered by one problem after another as well as poor barrier draws.
“She goes to the spelling paddock now and will be prepared by her new stable for a couple of Group 1 races at the Melbourne spring carnival,” Gillovic said.
“The Aussies really rate her and in particular they are well aware of her devastating turn of foot. She is just so tough and gutsy and doesn’t know how to run a bad race,” said Gillovic.
Wealth Princess had demonstrated her true ability to Australian racegoers earlier at the Brisbane carnival with her scintillating win in the Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes at Doomben on May 22 and then a gutsy third placing in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 5.
A summary of the results at the 2010 Queensland Racing Carnival by horses bred at Highview Stud is:
Wealth Princess:
1st Gr. 3 A$150,000 BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) May 22
2nd Gr. 1 A$500,000 BRC Winter Championship Stakes (1400m) June 26
3rd Gr. 2 A$200,000 BRC Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) June 5
2nd A$12,000 SCTC Yalumba Handicap (1200m) May 9
Pennacchio:
1st Listed A$100,000 BRC Tattersall’s Centenary Mile (1600m) June 26
1st Listed A$75,000 BRC Myer Spear Chief Handicap (1500m) June 5
The Hombre:
1st Gr. 3 A$125,000 BRC Rough Habit Plate (2020m) May 15
2nd Gr. 3 A$150,000 BRC Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) May 29
Zevada:
1st A$50,000 BRC Mittys Plate (1800m) June 5
