Press Statement’s positive start to the season can go to another level during the Sydney spring carnival with his promising last-start winners Toomuchtobear and Notions.
The Vinery sire’s ability to get a good galloper wasn’t lost on Chris Waller after Toomuchtobear scored a narrow victory in the $130,000 Bowermans Furniture Hcp (2000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
He led home a Waller trifecta from Our Intrigue (Showcasing) and Yiyi (No Nay Never) in recording a third win in four starts since July. “This horse is going places,” the champion trainer predicted. “He was rated well by Jason (Collett) and overall it was a well-judged ride.”
Waller prepared Press Statement to Group 1 victories in the J J Atkins Stakes and Caulfield Guineas and Toomuchtobear is one of the stable’s numerous nominations for the $7.5million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 30.
A $120,000 buy at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, he is raced by a syndicate that includes leading owners Nev Greenhalgh and Peter Tighe who managed Waller’s world champion Winx.
Press Statement 3yo Notions stamped herself as a filly of the future with a powerful finish to win the HRC Motel Hcp (1600m) at Hawkesbury on Thursday. “I was really happy with her today,” jockey Rachel King said. “She’s still a bit new and took a while to flatten out but actually went to the line really nicely.
“That will give her a good bit of confidence and she will keep going on from here.”
A day beforehand, her older half-sister to Sirileo Miss had won at first-up at Sandown Hillside. She had been placed in the Auraria Stakes Gr.3 at Morphettville in April.
Trainers Richard & Michael Freedman have black-type plans of their own for Notions with consideration being given to a start in the Gloaming Stakes (Gr.3, 1800m) on September 25.
Press Statement’s Melbourne-based 3yo Daily Bugle continued his spring prep on Saturday with an even fifth in the Exford Plate (LR, 1400m) at Flemington. He was a powerful winner of the Mornington Sires’ Produce Stakes (1500m) in April and remains on track for a Group 1 grand-final in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) next month.
Press Statement has sired 8 individual winners this season to sit in equal third place on the third-season winners table behind equal leaders Headwater and Pride Of Dubai with 12 winners.
He added another off-shore strike on Sunday when Steel Win scored a fighting victory in Hong Kong on Sunday. He had signed off last season with a similar victory over 1200m at Sha Tin. “He has improved from a three year-old to four and luck was on my side today,” trainer Michael Chang admitted. “Joao (Moreira) took the box seat and saved ground and some energy.”
Steel Win was bred by Reg Ryan from Lago Joy (Encosta de Lago) who descends from blue-hen Denise’s Joy. The mare’s Press Statement 3yo Press Talk is also bound for Hong Kong-bound for clients of Upper Bloodstock manager Ross Lao.
Vinery stands Press Statement for a $13,750 (inc GST) service fee with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
