Annabel Neasham is an emerging force among Sydney’s training ranks since linking up with Tony Fung’s Aquis Farm.
That combination delivered a Group 1 with Mo’unga (NZ) in the Winx Stakes last month and more black-type beckons with Vinery Stud graduate Nobel who was knocked down for $2.1million at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
There’s another Vinery connection through Press Statement colt Equation who remains on track for the $7.5million ATC Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 30.
Nobel (2c Exceed And Excel – Peace Force by Bernardini) led a Randwick trial on Monday morning and wasn’t pushed out to finish third under James McDonald. He will be nominated for the ATC Breeders’ Plate Gr.3 at Randwick on Saturday week, October 2.
“He’s the best yearling I’ve seen for a couple of years!” Aquis Farm general manager Shane McGrath declared at the Inglis Easter Sale. “We bought Farnan from Vinery. It’s a great farm and hopefully this colt can go on and win a Golden Slipper like Farnan.”
Nobel is the first named foal from Peace Force who was purchased by Vinery for $520,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Her latest foal a first-crop colt by Exceedance that arrived at Vinery on September 8.
A week after the Breeders’ Plate, Neasham will saddle Equation for Aquis Farm in the $500,000 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick. A Canberra Guineas LR winner in March, he resumed from a six-month spell last Saturday and was doing his best work for McDonald at the end of 1100m.
“He had a jump-out at home but didn’t trial,” Neasham revealed. “It was a little short for him but, having said that, I’m really excited about having him back at the races. At this stage my plan is to run him in the Silver Eagle as a top three-finish will get him into the field for the Golden Eagle.”
Press Statement has black-type hopes in Melbourne and Sydney this weekend with Daily Bugle (Moonee Valley) and Notions (Rosehill).
Daily Bugle won the Mornington Sires’ Produce Stakes (1500m) in April and will be racing second-up in the MVRC Stutt Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) this Friday night. His Group 1 goal is the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 9.
Rosehill trainers Richard & Michael Freedman also have a black-type target for their 3yo filly Notions in the Gloaming Stakes (Gr.3, 1800m) this Saturday. Her dam She’s Sirius (Galileo) is a winning half-sister to Spectrolite (VRC Ottawa Stakes LR)
Press Statement’s 3yo filly Brief Statement added her name to his wins column in the DVM Embroidery Plate (1000m) at Orange on Monday. She was bred by Glen Spratt and had the race well in keeping after kicking clear halfway down the straight.
Brief Statement notched the 10th Australian win for Press Statement this season and that puts him Top 5 on a third-crop table led by Pride Of Dubai (18) and his Vinery barnmate Headwater (17 wins).
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).
