Moonloushe races into Derby Contention

Moonloushe races into Derby Contention

The Peter Moody trained two-year-old, Moonloushe (Black Minnaloushe x Hula Lei) scored an impressive victory at Flemington on Saturday in VES Collex Hcp (1410m).

Ridden by Luke Nolen, Moonloushe started from the outside gate and trailed throughout, before circling the field on the home turn and unleashing a sustained finishing burst.

The son of Black Minnaloushe scored by a length from Exalation (Galileo x Grosvenor Gardens), with First World (Redoute's Choice x Mondo Contea) finishing third.

Impressed by the progress of Moonloushe, trainer Peter Moody is now considering giving the colt a brief let up before a tilt at the Gr.1 VRC Derby in spring, a race he has won previously with Amalfi (Carnegie x Rationaine) in 2001.

Sold through the draft of Trelawney Stud to Kieran Moore for NZ$50,000, Moonloushe is a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's 2005 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale,

The victory continues the impressive start to the stallion career of Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat x Coral Dance), a dual Group One winning three-year-old in Europe, whose victories include the Irish Two Thousand Guineas.

Black Minnaloushe stands his fifth consecutive season at New Zealand's Windsor Park Stud in 2006.

Personal Drum Claims Grand National Chase

Trainer Chris Hyland made it back to back Grand National Steeplechases when Personal Drum (Personal Escort x Tympanum) prevailed in the grueling 4500m jumping feature at Flemington.

Personal Drum, who previously raced in Western Australia and Tasmania had not won a race since 2003, but was well supported on the strength of his solid second in the Australian Steeplechase at Sandown last month.

A graduate of the 1999 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Select Sale, Personal Drum was purchased by Western Australian Bloodstock Agent, John Chalmers for $16,000.

The durable son of Personal Escort has raced on 95 occasions, with Saturday's victory in the A$250,000 event, just the fourth of his career.

Players Scores in Shin Min Cup

The Bruce Marsh trained, Players (Haayil x Our Catarina) proved too strong for his opposition when successful in the S$125,000 Shin Min Cup (1600m) at Kranji on Friday.

The seven-year-old was always prominent in the hands of Australian rider, Ronnie Stewart and battled gamely in the straight to deny Shanghai Hero (Blevic) and Reef Beach (Danzero).

Initially raced in New Zealand, Players was purchased by Stuart Hale for NZ$35,000 from the draft of Hallmark Stud at the 2001 Karaka Festival Sale.

Friday's victory was the 5th career victory for Players and notched win number 11 for Kiwi trainer Bruce Marsh, who is ascending the Trainers Table in his second season in Singapore.

Leica Guv Back to Best

Former New Zealand Derby winner, Leica Guv (Deputy Governor x Leica or Not) has recaptured form this winter, claiming his second race in succession with an impressive victory in the Te Awamutu Wines and Spirits Te Awamutu Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Beautifully ridden by Oppie Bosson, who returned to the saddle recently after a 16 month absence, Leica Guv outstayed Zvezda (His Royal Highness x Carnival Girl) in an enthralling length of the straight battle.

Credit must go to trainer Emma-Lee Browne, who has rejuvenated the son of Deputy Governor who was retired after finishing down the track behind Danestorm in the 2004 Brisbane Cup.

Leica Guv has been placed in all 4 starts since resuming his career in May this year and he will now target the Listed Waikato Stud Opunake Cup (1400m) in a fortnight.

Also successful at the Te Awamutu meeting on Saturday was the Alan Sharrock trained Don't Ya Lovett (Lord Ballina x Sea Huntress). The six year old took out the Ford Fairview Motors Handicap over 1150m in the hands of Oppie Bosson.

The son of Lord Ballina, purchased for NZ$41,000 by Alan Sharrock at the 2001 Karaka Festival Sale is another targeting the Opunake Cup and has been a most consistent performer, winning 9 of 19 starts including last year's Gr.3 Winter Cup at Riccarton.

ENDS

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