QLD breeding latest

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SOUTHERN STUD MOVES NORTH
ELIZA PARK BUYS RACETREE
The faith in the Queensland breeding and racing industry has been highlighted by yet another big name stud moving operations here.
Eliza Park, one of Australia’s leading stud farms, has announced that it will establish a division in Queensland, acquiring the famous and highly successful Racetree Stud.
Formerly Noble Park and once home to the highly successful Mossman, Racetree was taken over by Kevin Dixon in 2004 and has continued the tradition of producing sound, athletic racehorses.
Now to be known as Eliza Park Queensland, this well appointed property is located in the very heart of Queensland’s breeding region at Innisplain.
Dixon, who was recently appointed Racing Queensland Limited chairman, hands over the leasehold reins to Eliza Park, and enthused: “I’m very proud of where we have positioned Racetree in the Queensland breeding industry. However, I feel this is the perfect opportunity to take it to the next step – Eliza Park has a reputation for professionalism and innovation and this initiative is a tremendous boon for both local and interstate broodmare owners.”
Eliza Park CEO, Cameron Croucher concurred: “The expansion into Queensland is a huge milestone for Eliza Park.
In just over a decade, Eliza Park has established itself as the leading stud farm in Victoria and, courtesy of its five properties and highly professional team, offers clients every possible thoroughbred related service.
“The opportunity to create a division in Queensland was simply too hard to pass up and we are grateful to Kevin (Dixon) to be able to lease what is not only such a well-equipped and beautiful property, but one of the most successful nurseries in the country.”
Eliza Park will announce the 2012 lineup of stallions later in the week: a roster guaranteed to whet the appetite of both local and interstate broodmare owners.
LOSS TO QLD BREEDING
In a blow to the Queensland breeding industry, former Australian Champion 2yo and triple Group 1 winner, Dracula (pictured) has died.
He suffered a twisted bowel at his owner’s North Queensland property on the weekend.
The star sprinter had been the signature sire for Egmont Park Stud at Oakey for five years.
Dracula was a very under-rated sire considering his outstanding racetrack performances and the fact that he sired 47% winners to runners, including Stakes winners – Impaler and Countess Bathory – and Stakes placed gallopers – Dracaan and Drac’s Back.
As a broodmare sire, the 17yo was really starting to make a name for himself. From just 26 starters he has had 14 winners, four placed including one Stakes winner and one Stakes placegetter.
And as with all stallions that pass prematurely, the best may be yet to come.
It is a sad loss to the Queensland breeding industry, especially on the back of the deaths of promising young Queensland sires – Hotel Grand and All Bar One earlier this year.
POSITIVE MEETING
The TBQA Committee held a very positive meeting with Agriculture Minister John McVeigh (pictured) and Toowoomba North MP, Trevor Watts last week.
A number of issues were discussed including:
* the response to Hendra Virus outbreaks and roll out of the vaccine when it’s released.
* the TBQA’s push to introduce an Impoundment of Livestock legislation for bad debtors.
* Anomolies with tick spraying and the tick line
* Mining and Coal Seam Gas Exploration. The LNP has already implemented the following initiatives:
  1. the formation of a Gasfields Commission that will sort out conflicts between landholders and CSG companies. They’re headquartered in Toowoomba and will be instrumental in getting through the science and facts related to the industry.
  2. A Regional Planning Process to extend the above concept into regional areas. The Darling Downs is the number one priority, followed by Scenic Rim and Golden Triangle. And an agricultural Land Audit will be developed so that perimeters can be determined as to where CSG can be carried out.
  3. Proper management of CSG in the future.
Mr McVeigh said the Government is re-establishing a dedicated Department of Agriculture – DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). They will focus on the frontline services and be based in various regional areas. 15 new biosecurity offices are being rolled out as part of this process.
It was a very productive meeting and TBQA President, Basil Nolan would like to thank Mr McVeigh and Mr Watts for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with us.
BRISBANE WINTER CARNIVAL
The Brisbane Winter Carnival kicked off on the weekend and the Queenslanders certainly weren’t disgraced.
Lyndhurst Stud’s Champion sire, Sequalo and Falvelon, who is one of Glenlogan Park’s boom stallions, both featured on the opening day of the Carnival – the BTC Cup.
Excellantes, by Falvelon, only began fairly in the second of the day at Doomben but jockey Damian Browne quickly hustled him forward to take the lead and even under the huge weight of 60kg, he was never in doubt and won brilliantly by two and three quarters in a brilliant 1.09.71 for the 1200m.
Just two races later, 5yo gelding Seek and Find (pictured courtesy Dan Costello Racing), by Hidden Dragon, returned from a spell with a first-up winning performance over the 1010m Doomben Dash.
Seek and Find was given a beautiful run by jockey Jason Taylor from the inside gate and never really looked in doubt, winning by three quarters of a length from the well-tried favourite Nuptse, by fellow Queensland sire, Bradbury’s Luck.
NOTHING TO LOSE
Willowbend Stud’s signature sire, Nothing To Lose (pictured) has recorded yet another first start winner.
Without any previous trial form, I’m Busted (Nothing To Lose x Myban Girl NZ) started as a five dollar chance from barrier five in the Royal Mail Hotel Maiden over 1100 metres at Ipswich last Friday.
He raced wide for most of the journey although and showed good acceleration to claim victory.
I’m Busted is owned by the Pitt family who also race several other of Nothing To Lose’s progeny, most notably the very smart galloper, Venture On.
They’re trained by Brain Smith, who is having good success with the six Nothing to Lose gallopers that he has in his stable.
I’m Busted’s win comes four days after Epic Terra’s dominate 5.8 length win at Murwillumbah last Monday.
Both Epic Terra and Venture On have accepted for a 3YO QTIS Handicap over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
Over the past two weeks, Nothing to Lose has had seven starters for two winners, one second and three third placegetters.