TBQA latest (a good wrap up)

Queensland-bred and Queensland trained, Temple of Boom (pictured) provided his connections with a memorable success at racing’s elite level when he sprinted away with the Group One Galaxy Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.

The win was the first at Group One level for Toowoomba trainer Tony Gollan and the first in Australia for gun kiwi hoop James McDonald.

A $40,000 purchase for Gollan from the Eureka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the son of Piccolo sent his earnings soaring over $1 million with his biggest win to date.

“It’s unbelievable at the moment, I’m pretty speechless,” a delighted Gollan said in the moments after the race.

“We had him a little soft a couple of weeks ago. But we stuck to our plan and the track dried out and that’s the way it went.”

“He rode him great today – rode him closer and the horse has done the job like he’s done so many times.”

“This is as good as it gets,” Gollan added.

Gollan is currently planning to move his base from Toowoomba to Eagle Farm and he’s been busily buying at recent Magic Millions sales, particularly on the Gold Coast.

“We are trying to better our stable and this horse is our flag bearer. We couldn’t have asked for a better horse to get us on our journey.”

The win was the fourth on the day for New Zealand’s record breaking rider James McDonald.

“I’ve only ever been beaten on his horse once,” McDonald said. “He’s a fantastic horse to me.”

A winner of 10 of his 29 starts, Temple of Boom is one of two stakes winners, from three to race, for Temple Spirit.

An eight time winning and stakes performer by Special Dane, Temple Spirit is also the dam of the $700,000 earner and recent Magic Millions Cup winner Spirit of Boom.

Combined the pair have cost Gollan and their connections $130,000 and earned a staggering and always increasing $1,788,145 in prizemoney.

Wattle Brae Stud sires Easy Rocking and Court Command continue their phenomonal success for Queensland, and their climb up the National Sires rankings.

Easy Rocking’s latest winner came in the form of Easy Running (pictured) who stormed home to win the Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m)

The Magic Millions Guineas runner-up produced a dazzling sprint over the final 100 metres after getting off heels and around the leaders.

In a driving finish Easy Running finished with a flurry to get up and beat Sydney visitor Didn’tcostalot by a short half head. Saraji was another long neck back in third place.

The win is the first on the record for Easy Running. He was first past the post in the listed Gold Edition in December but lost the race to Biggles in the stewards room.

After running a close up fifth in the Vo Rogue Plate he went into the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) where he was beaten by Punch On in a thrilling photo finish.

Winning trainer Desleigh Forster was worried that she was again beaten in a thrilling photo finish.

Forster said Easy Running would have his next run in the Gold Coast Guineas on May 5 prior to the Fred Best Classic and Queensland Guineas.

The eighth individual stakes winner for record breaking sprinter Easy Rocking, Easy Running is the sole runner to date for his dam Melrose Gardens.

Easy Rocking went close to having multiple stakes winners on Saturday with both Funtantes and Bagman narrowly defeated at Eagle Farm and Morphettville Parks respectively.

Hidden Jewel started favourite in the Listed Greenslopes Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The daughter of Lyndhurst Stud’s boom sire Hidden Dragon began well with jockey Glen Colless putting her in the box seat and from there she was never in doubt.

The easy win took her record to an impressive six starts for three wins, one second and one third and over $140,000 in prizemoney.

I, along with many others, am relieved to see the resignation of Racing Queensland Chairman, Bob Bentley and a number of his committee-men (Bill Ludwig and Tony Hamner).

Racing in our State has died a slow death under his control and is in dire straits. There is a lot of work ahead for the new board, when elected, and I think it will take a few years to recover and get us back on track.

One of their first jobs will be to review the Race Fields Legistlation in July of this year. Let’s hope they follow the lead of NSW and broker a deal that will see excellent returns and a major increase in prizemoney for Queensland. It is the only way we can remain viable and survive.

I hope that the new board listens to industry participants, the grass roots organisations have some very good, feasible ideas, and we all want to get our industry back on track.

– Basil Nolan,TBQA President

The Queensland breeding industry has received a boost with news former outstanding juvenile Sidereus (pictured) will be standing in the state this spring.

A group of influential breeding operations have joined forces to secure the son of General Nediym from Patinack Farm in a deal brokered by Magic Millions.

Selected by Oaklands Stud proprietor Neville Stewart, Sidereus will stand at Oaklands in conjunction with the McAlpine family’s Eureka Stud and the Heinrich family’s Darlington Stud. Patinack Farm will retain breeding rights in the exciting prospect.

A cracking individual, Sidereus was bred and sold by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud for $210,000 to leading trainer Anthony Cummings at the 2007 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Right from the moment he was placed into training Sidereus showed exceptional ability and he realised that potential when he scored a brilliant win in the Group Two Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill.

“Sidereus was a very strong horse with tremendous speed,” Cummings said.

“He stamped himself a quality two-year-old from his first gallop and his win in the Group Two Pago Pago Stakes was well earned,” Cummings added.

Larry Cassidy who rode Sidereus to victory in the Pago Pago Stakes said he was one of the most naturally gifted juveniles he rode.

Oaklands Stud’s Neville Stewart said Sidereus would be a welcome new addition to the sire ranks in Queensland.

“Sidereus is a cracking individual,” Stewart noted. “He was a highly admired yearling and was purchased by a renowned judge and trainer.”

“He is built in the same mould as his outstanding sire General Nediym and I understand he will be his only son at stud this spring.”

“His pedigree should suit most mare owners as it is totally free of Danehill blood. His dam hails from the family of one of the world’s great pedigrees – being a member of the Eight Carat family,” Stewart added.

Sidereus is one of two stakes winners from the 100 per cent winner producer Hootenanny – a lightly raced daughter of Best Western and half sister to handy middle distance performer Come on Cugat.

He hails from the family of Group One winning stars Octagonal, Kaapstad, Bonanova, Telesto, Marquise, Diamond Lover, Mouawad and Fraternity.

His sire General Nediym was one of the most popular sires in the country with Sidereus being one of his almost 500 winners and 39 individual stakes winners. His stars include Regimental Gal, Warhorse, Military Rose, Night War and Ichihara.

Sidereus will stand his debut season at Oaklands Stud this spring at a fee of $6,600 (inc GST