Trainer Kris Lees and Australian Bloodstock experienced the highs and lows of racing with their Press Statement mares Tawfiq Lass and Miss Statement on Thursday.
Tawfiq Lass had won at Randwick and Canterbury during a winter campaign and tuned up for her next prep in a Cessnock barrier trial over 900m. She worked home nicely for third but stumbled shortly after the line dislodging apprentice Amelia Denby.
Denby fractured a collarbone that required surgery at John Hunter Hospital and Tawfiq Lass sustained superficial injuries that will keep her on the easy list for a week or two.
It could have been a lot worse and the good news continued in the afternoon when Miss Statement became the 100th individual winner by Press Statement. She was eye-balled in front by Cavente (Mikki Isle) and then forged clear in the Moonee Beach Hotel Hcp (1000m) at Coffs Harbour.
“It’s good to get her maiden out of the way,” stable rep Andrew Le Jeune reported. “It was a nice ride by Ben Looker and the mare is maturing well.”
Miss Statement (4m Press Statement – Arziki by Tale Of The Cat) is a half-sister to winners by Casino Prince and Congrats and was bred and sold by Vinery for $30,000 at the 2020 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale.
Arziki won a Ballarat maiden for Mick Price and is a half-sister to the dams of Pierata (ATC All-Aged Stakes Gr.1), Our Playboy (SCTC Winx Guineas Gr.3) and Ashokan (ATC Skyline Stakes Gr.3).
Her latest foal is a Star Turn 2yo colt that was purchased for $52,500 by Hong Kong based All Winner Thoroughbreds at this year’s Scone Yearling Sale.
Press Statement’s first 100 winners have won 230 races and he’s available for late-season covers at Vinery for $8,800 (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
