Vinery Stud’s Magic Millions inspections ramped up at the Gold Coast sale-grounds on Thursday and there’s a Vinery connection nearby in Stable L where the Element Hill consignment includes yearlings by Ole Kirk (Lot 36) and Exceedance (Lot 311).
The Ole Kirk – Perfect Impression (Hallowed Crown) colt is the first foal of half-sister to Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) winner Magicool (Fastnet Rock) and traces back to Champion English 2YO Filly Durtal (Lyphard). He’s a beautifully-bred individual, nevertheless, it would stretching the friendship to put his family in the same league as the Exceedance filly from Tracy’s Image (Encosta de Lago).
Her dam is a half-sister to 2010 Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom) and, for good measure, a three-quarter sister to the dam of Alligator Blood (All Too Hard)!
Typhoon Tracy was born and raised at Vinery and she built a huge following while on a unbeaten run that stretched to five in a row for trainer Peter Moody. That initial prep climaxed with the first of six Group 1 victories in the 2009 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
Dubbed ‘The Queen’ by race-caller Greg Miles, she bowed out in a blaze of glory two years later when getting the better of Ortensia (Testa Rossa) after a rousing duel for the 2011 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
“Peter was having a good look at our Exceedance filly from Tracy’s Image on Thursday,” Element Hill’s Mitch Frazer said. “She’s a beautiful type and there was a photo in ANZ Bloodstock News. She has been very popular and not just with Peter.”
Frazer added news that Tracy’s Image has filly foal by Exceed And Excel – the sire of Exceedance – on the ground at Element Hill in the Gold Coast hinterland near Running Creek.
Exceedance is off to a winning start to his stud career at Vinery with trailblazing colt Dublin Down saluting in the VRC Maribyrnong Plate (Gr.3, 1000m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup Week.
Dublin Down was eligible for the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) on Saturday week, January 13, however, trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have elected to hold fire and head to the $2million Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Caulfield on February 2.
“He handled that first campaign beautifully but it was tough and to keep going would have prolonged everything,” Calvin reasoned. “He’s a really good colt and we think he will develop into a Caulfield Guineas horse next season.”
Dublin Down was the top-priced graduate from the first crop by Exceedance making $370,000 at the Gold Coast last year and the Element Hill filly is one of 11 lots from his second crop catalogued for the Magic Millions next week.
Vinery (as agent) sells three by Exceedance starting with the colt from Sharpness (Wanted) catalogued as Lot 176 on Day 1. The pedigree received a runaway update on December 13 when his 3yo half-brother Even Sharper bolted in by five lengths at Strathalbyn for trainer Andrew Gluyas.
Even Sharper is a son of Vinery legend More Than Ready (USA) and had finished midfield in the SAJC David Coles Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) during a juvenile prep at Morphettville in May. He was a long odds-on favourite dropping back in grade and it was an easy kill in a provincial maiden.
“That was a good win and he was superior to them today,” Gluyas claimed. “There’s plenty of strength behind the saddle and I think he can go on with it as the season progresses.”
Even Sharper backed up at Murray Bridge on Xmas Eve and was the victim of circumstances when ‘Stubbie’ Holder had difficulty obtaining clear ground from the entrance to the straight until near the 300m.
He gets a chance to make amends and give his half-brother another update in the Coopers Brewery Hcp (1200m) at Gawler this Saturday. “He covered extra ground but still pulled me up the hill at Strath,” Holder recalled. “He has ability and went through the gears like a horse who will be winning in better company.”
