25 May 2014
Last Saturday's racing from Ellerslie and Doomben provided Cambridge Stud with many highlighs, unfolding as follows...
POLYANTHA BACK IN GROVE
The quality 5YO racemare Polyantha (Encosta de Lago ex Ballcairn) provided the first result when taking out the third event at Ellerslie.
Raced by Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan in conjunction with Dick Myers, Polyantha got home in great style to win the Rating 85 event in the hands of Opie Bosson.
It was the mare's first run for more than 12 months, having bled on the same track in April of 2013, so the return to form was warmly received by her connections.
LISTED RACE QUINELLA FOR TAVISTOCK
Three races later at Ellerslie Cambridge Stud's first season sire Tavistock made headlines when his first-crop runners Avisto (ex Miraculous Miss) and Midnitemagicman (ex Keep Alight) provided the quinella in the Listed Graeme Thomson Jewellers Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m).
It was a huge result for Tavistock who impressed buyers enough at last year's Karaka Premier Sale to be the Leading New Zealand-based first crop stallion.
Tavistock has sired three winners to date and while the expectation is that his stock with be better three-year-olds and beyond, to sire a late season juvenile feature quinella is an excellent sign.
ZABEEL STAYERS PRIMED FOR BRISBANE CUP
The day concluded in style for Cambridge Stud when a pair of Zabeel stayers - both of which were bred, raised and sold by the farm - provided the quinella in the Group Three Premier's Cup (2200m) at Doomben.
Zephyron (Zabeel ex Diamond Like, by Danehill) won the race and looks a ready-made favourite for $300,000 Brisbane Cup-Gr.2 (2400m) at Eagle Farm, 07 June. He is prepared by John, Michael & Wayne Hawkes for a syndicate which includes his breeders, Sir Patrick & Justine, Lady Hogan.
Precedence, who chased Zephyron home and is from the same family as Tavistock, has returned in great heart for this campaign and is already the winner of 10 races & A$1.8m in prize money.