Press Statement started another winning run with Packing Famous (Hong Kong) and Korobeiniki (Pakenham) leading up to the Anzac Day long weekend.
The Vinery sire had logged 15 individual winners in the month prior to Easter and he sits Top 5 on the Australian third-crop ladder by winners (46) and wins (74) this season.
Packing Famous was the third-leg of a treble for Joao Moreira at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening. He powered home out wide to land the Tseung Kwan O Hcp (1650m) by a half-length from Irish-bred gelding Big Two (Dandy Man).
The promising stayer was scoring for the second time in a row after bolting in over 1800m last month. “He was coming back in distance but remained in Class 4 company which was ideal,” trainer Danny Shum said. “He’s only lightly raced and has scope for more improvement.”
Packing Famous is one of four winners by Press Statement currently racing in Hong Kong. After winning a Newcastle maiden on debut by five lengths in November 2020, he was targeted by an agent for owner Lee Marina Man Wai.
Russian Revolution’s breeder Brian Backshall (John Stuart Investments) bred him from Gipsy Countess (Sadler’s Wells) who is an Irish-bred half-sister to North American Group 1 winner Toccet (Hollywood Futurity & Belmont Champagne Stakes). She has a 2yo filly by Russian Revolution with Liam Howley at Flemington and a Headwater yearling filly with Stewart Mackinnon on the Sunshine Coast.
Korobeiniki doubled up for Press Statement at the Pakenham meeting on Thursday night in the Red Gem Growers Maiden (1600m). The 3yo filly burst through a gap at the top of the straight when stepping up to a mile for the first time for local trainer Nick Harnett.
“I have a big opinion of this filly,” Harnett claimed. “She’s bred to stay and will stretch out further, for sure. We’ve had to teach her not to over-race. She loves it wet and we will get her out to 2000m over winter.”
Korobeiniki is the first named foal of Hidden Spirit (Casino Prince) who is a half-sister to seven winners topped by Unchain My Heart (VRC Bagot Hcp LR). “She’s still a work in progress,” jockey Patrick Moloney said. “The key is to ride her conservatively and I bided my time while she travelled sweetly on the fence behind the front-runners. She accelerated when the leaders split and that will give her plenty of confidence going forward.”
Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) stands for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee at Vinery. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
