Three-year-old filly So Elusive (NZ) (Elusive City) made light work of her rivals at Southland’s race meeting yesterday skipping to an effortless debut victory over 1200m.

Autumn Ember (Aus) (Don Eduardo) ended what has been a fruitful number of days for her sire Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel), with a record breaking win at Kembla Grange yesterday.  In winning over 1500m, Autumn Ember set a new track record of 1.29.10.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) four-year-old Brave Kid (Aus) (Elusive City) cemented himself a place as one of the best of his crop when running third in the Group One Hong Kong Derby (2000m) overnight.

In his first preparation in the stable of Champion trainer John Size, Brave Kid has certainly left an impression on the Hong Kong racing scene with a seven start campaign which saw him notch six wins on end and culminated in running third in one of the hottest Hong Kong Derby fields ever to face the starter.

“Brave Kid’s efforts in Hong Kong have certainly helped to put Elusive City on the map in that part of the world,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “The demand for his progeny was stronger than ever at the yearling sales earlier this year and results like this will only continue to increase his popularity among buyers,” he said.  “Hong Kong is arguably one of the toughest racing environments in the world in terms of the level of racing and also, the ability of horses to adapt to the environment,” said Mark.  “This horse as well as the likes of True Intelligence and Blaze King have all put their foot in the till so far this season and have proven that the progeny of Elusive City can adapt well up there,” he said.  “We’ve also seen the likes of All Elusive and Williams do the same in Singapore in recent times which can only be seen as another positive factor,” says Mark.

Elusive City’s first Southern Hemisphere crop has an impressive 75% winners to runners ratio, a telling statistic in these modern times.  Brave Kid is Elusive City’s 18^th stakes performer worldwide and joins Metropolitan (NZ), Lamington Vegas (NZ), Ahdashim (NZ), Returntosender (NZ) and, Spirit of Unicorn (NZ) as his stakes performers in the Southern Hemisphere whilst in the North he has left Group One winner Elusive Wave (Ire) and Group One performer Soul City (Ire).

Lightly raced three-year-old Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) confirmed the opinion of trainer John O’Shea that he is a true AJC Derby-contender with an impressive and fast finishing fourth in Saturday’s Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) at only his second start this preparation.

A graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2008 Premier Draft, Zabrasive was sold for $95,000 and won as he liked in his first start this preparation at Wyong on the 21^st of February.  A three-time starter in the spring of 2009, Zabrasive showed enough for his trainer to set his sights on the AJC Derby.  “He has always showed a lot of ability and we have just taken him slowly,” says John O’Shea.  “I wasn’t just saddling him up to make up numbers on Saturday and the way he finished off the race was certainly very pleasing,” he said referring to Zabrasive’s powerful finish down the outside of the Randwick track after settling toward the rear of the field from an outside barrier.

Bred by Don and Rochelle McLaren, Zabrasive is the fourth foal of the stakes winner and Group One performer Danasia (Aus) (Danehill).  Haunui Farm will offer a half brother to Zabrasive at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Lot 369, a colt by O’Reilly.

Yesterday’s running of the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) saw young Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) notch up his third Group One place getter when promising stayer Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) produced an outstanding performance to finish second in the million dollar event.

Ridden by Glen Boss, Booming was given every opportunity in the hotly run two mile event and settled nicely a little worse than mid-field.  With a solid pace set by the race leaders, it was always going to be a genuine staying test with the final time of 3.18.96 one of the fastest Auckland Cup’s in recent years.

“It was a great effort by Booming and if it wasn’t for the Australian visitor Zavite, he would have had the race wrapped up,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “I guess if he was going to get beaten at least it was by a horse by Zabeel and you certainly couldn’t take anything away from the winner,” he said.

Booming joins Railway Stakes second place getter Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Sydney Cup second place getter Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) as Don Eduardo’s three Group One performers to date.  “He will definitely get his big race,” said Mark.  “The pleasing aspect of it is that Don Eduardo can produce the exact type of horse we expected of him – a genuine stayer – and we have seen this with the likes of Booming, Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay,” he said.

Don Eduardo’s versatility as a stallion will be on show again this weekend with Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) returning to his home track at Randwick to line up in the Group Two Challenge Stakes (1000m).  The winner of two Listed races at Randwick last season before heading to Flemington where he took out the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over the straight six, Swift Alliance will undoubtedly enjoy being back at his home track.

Haunui Farm graduate Beautiful Girl (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) broke through for a deserved stakes victory yesterday when holding out Group One-winner Vonusti (NZ) (Ustinov) to take out the Group Three Darley Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continued his recent trend of high demand last night when at the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame dinner, a nomination that was donated by the Elusive City Partnership, was auctioned.

Elusive City stood for a fee of $8,000 + GST in 2009 but last night’s auction saw this level surpassed relatively quickly, the package – including $3000 worth of agistment donated by Haunui Farm – eventually knocked down to the bid of Ivan Grieve for the princely sum of $21,000.  From Hawke’s Bay, Ivan has had a lifelong interest in racing with a number of horses in the stable of John Bary at the present time.  The underbidders for the service fee and agistment package were the Taranaki Jockey Club.

“It was great to see the package raise such a great amount of money for the Hall of Fame,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “It is also nice to see Elusive City held in such high regard, it is certainly a pretty exciting time in his career with Brave Kid one of the favourites for the Hong Kong Derby,” he said.

Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) will get another opportunity at one of New Zealand’s premier cup races when he goes for the holy grail of New Zealand’s staying races– the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) – at Ellerslie in just over a week’s time.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) four-year-old Brave Kid (Aus) is well on track for the Group One Hong Kong Derby after notching his sixth win from as many starts at Sha Tin last night.

Lining up for the first time in Class One company and for the first time over 1800m, Brave Kid bounced quickly from the barrier to take up a handy position just in behind the leaders.  Runaway leader Deposer (Ire) (Kheleyf) set a hot temp for the entirety of the race and Brave Kid was giving him ten lengths coming into the final turn over 1800m.  Moved into the clear as the field swung for home, jockey Douglas Whyte rode hands and heels with Brave Kid hitting the lead at the 150m mark.  Victory didn’t come easily with Above All (Aus) (Dehere) providing a strong challenge on the inside but once in the lead, Brave Kid was never going to relent and went to the line with a half length to spare.

Trained by John Size, Brave Kid started the season rated 52.  His six impressive wins has seen his rating sky rocket to 101 and he will now head directly to the Hong Kong Derby on the 14th of March where he will aim to become the first horse to win seven races in-a-row in Hong Kong in the last 25 years.

“He is certainly an exciting horse and any horse that can win six on end has to be taken very seriously,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “He has taken the step up in grade each time and I’m sure against his own age group in the Derby, he will be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

Haunui Farm graduate Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) took another step toward a possible tilt at the Group One AJC Derby (2400m) for trainer John O'Shea when a comfortable winner at Wyong this weekend.

Lining up for the first time this preparation, Zabrasive made light work of his oponents to notch up the second win of his career.  A graduate of Haunui Farm's 2008 Karaka Premier Draft, Zabrasive was bred by Don and Rochelle McLaren and was sold for $95,000.

With a first and two seconds from his first campaign during the Spring, the AJC Derby has always been on the agenda for Zabrasive.  “He was a class above them yesterday and it was a great effort first up into a Derby campaign,” said Bryce Heys, Racing Manager for the O’Shea stable.  “The Derby is very much the aim but we will just take it nice and easy and let him tell us what he’s ready for,” he said.  “We haven’t decided on when or where his next start will be but we will know that by the end of the week – there are plenty of options for him,” said Bryce.

Out of stakes winning mare Danasia (Aus) (Danehill), Zabrasive is a full brother to stakes performer Anzali (NZ) (Zabeel) with full brother Good Combination also the winner of two in Australia this season.

Three-year-old filly The Goddaughter (NZ) (Don Eduardo) booked her place on the truck to Trentham to contest the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in March with an impressive last to first finish over a mile at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Another member of the in-form John Sargent team, The Goddaughter was settled toward the rear of the field by jockey Mark Du Plessis and was a good twelve lengths off the leader turning for home.  Remaining cool, calm and collected, Du Plessis elected for the rails run and at the 300m mark was able to get off the rails to get a clear run to the line.  The filly didn't disappoint with a sustained sprint that saw her cross the line in front.

"She is a very nice filly and the Oaks only comes about once a year so she will get her shot," said John Sargent.  "She is still a bit immature but I know she will stay all day," he said.

With only four starts under her belt, The Goddaughter will head straight to the New Zealand Oaks for her next start and will be vying to become Don Eduardo's first Group One winner.

"Last year's Oaks winner Jungle Rocket was a Haunui graduate and nothing would be more satisfying than to see Don Eduardo get a Classic winner," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "It isn't unusual to see a filly take out that Oaks that hasn't had too many starts under her belt but is really on the way up," he said.  "There's no doubt this filly was impressive when winning on Saturday and coming from a form stable, she will have every chance," said Mark.

Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City) confirmed his path to the Hong Kong Derby last night with another impressive win at Sha Tin last night. 

In front of an 85,000 Chinese New Year Crowd, Brave Kid made it five from five for trainer John Size and jockey Douglas Whyte, taking an alternate route in the lead-up to the big race, lining up in a Class Two event over a mile. 

Impressive in all five of his outings, Brave Kid’s current rating of 92 will surely surge to three figures after last night’s victory and ensure him a place in the Group One event on the 14^th of March.

Haunui graduate Goldschatz (NZ) (Pins) scored another feature race win in Singapore last night when taking out the SING2 Fortune Bowl over 200m – his third feature race win for the season.

Trained by Stephen Gray, Goldschatz has impressed this season with wins in the Proinn Contrstruct Stakes (1700m) and the Woodlands Classic Stakes (2000m) and a tilt at the Group Two Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Group One Singapore International Cup, both over 2000m, is well on the cards.

Back in form as an older horse after suffering a stress fracture as a four-year-old on the Singapore Derby trail, Goldschatz is the winner of eight from 28 starts with a further six seconds and four thirds to his credit.  Bred by Marie Leicester, he was sold by Haunui at the 2004 Karaka Weanling Sale.

Bonbonniere (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Princesa (NZ) (Don Eduardo) provided an impressive double for their sire at Ascot Park yesterday, not to mention being part of a six race haul for trainers Sally and Ben Gordon.

Both mare’s were impressive in their respective races, Bonbonniere settling handy to the lead and finishing off the 2000m strongly to win by a length whilst Princesa used the advantage of a rails run and once in the clear kicked away impressively to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare.

On the back of a successful sales series where he sold yet another six figure yearling, Lot 845 fetching $140,000 to the bid of Michael Wallace and Grant Pritchard-Gordon on behalf of the Lee Freedman stable, Don Eduardo looks set to have some autumn spoils ahead with multiple stakes winner Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) set to get his autumn campaign underway in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Saturday week.  Other Don Eduardo’s to watch out for are River Of Salvation (Aus) and Royal Esteem (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who are both being set for a solid autumn whilst on this side of the Tasman, Booming (NZ) is headed toward the Auckland Cup.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) was a stallion in demand at Karaka 2010 with 8 of his 34 lots offered throughout the sales series selling for over six figures with a further five fetching over $50,000.

The scene was set in the Premier Sale with his three yearlings all reaching six figures and topped by two colts fetching $260,000 and $250,000.  Elusive City’s Premier Sale average of just over $203,000 saw a fantastic return of 25 times his 2007 service fee.

The Select Sale saw Elusive City topping the sale with a $250,000 colt offered by Haunui Farm.  The colt was knocked down to the bid of Danny O’Brien and with a further four colts in the top ten lots, Elusive City completed the sale with an average of $77,250.  Finishing fifth on the sale average list behind proven New Zealand stallions O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon) and Pentire (GB) (Be My Guest) further emphasised a continuation of buyers’ confidence in his progeny.

Once again, the Festival Sale provided stellar results for Elusive City with the young stallion setting a sale record of $110,000 for a striking colt from the famed Belle family sold by Haunui Farm.  This followed success at the same sale in 2009 where Haunui sold the top two lots of the sale who fetched $77,500 and $75,000, with the sale topping colt out of Contemplate (NZ) (Dream Well) recently winning his first trial for the stable of Andrew Scott.  The leading sire in 2010 by aggregate, Elusive City had 16 lots sell in the Festival Sale for an average of $36,000 with four lots in the top ten of the sale – three in the top five.

“There is no argument that Elusive City’s sales results were huge,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “The demand for his colts was particularly strong given his recent success in Hong Kong and Singapore but what was particularly pleasing was seeing the likes of Bart Cummings and Danny O’Brien – two of Australia’s leading trainers – prepared to pay six figures for his progeny,” he said.  “If he can further his success in Australia and continue with a 72% winners to runners ratio in his subsequent crops, it will only mean greater results for breeders down the track,” said Mark.

“What is most pleasing about Elusive City’s sales results is the return for breeders that have supported the horse,” said Mark.  “Off an $8,000 service fee, to average $36,000 at Festival, just over $77,000 at Select and over $200,000 at Premier, there are a number of breeders out there who have had very good sales results thanks to Elusive City,” he said.

Karaka 2010 was a resounding success for Haunui Farm and our clients with a bumper sale across all three books.  “We headed into Karaka last Monday with very realistic expectations given the current economic climate,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “We had actually budgeted to be at least 10% down on last year but after the first day of the sale, those predictions went completely out the window!”

The Premier Sale got off to a flying start for Haunui with the first colt through the ring, Lot 15, fetching $500,000 to the bid of Graeme Rogerson on behalf of the Lloyd Williams stable.  By Encosta De Lago (Aus) (Fairy King) out of Liberty Walk (NZ) (Zabeel), the colt was bred and owned by Marie Leicester and was one of three purchases for the Williams team come completion of the sale.  The others were two Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) colts – Lot 371 out of Destined (GB) (Danehill) and Lot 447 out of Derby and Oaks winner Honor Lap (NZ) (Honor Grades).  Both colts fetched $380,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Lots 47, 48 and 50 were three fillies that attracted their share of attention on the sale ground and they didn’t disappoint in the ring fetching $240,000, $120,000 and $320,000 respectively.  Lot 47 was a filly by O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon) out of stakes winner Midnight Babe (NZ) (Kaapstad).  She was purchased by AJC Chairman Ron Finemore and will be trained by John O’Shea.  She was followed through the ring by close relation, Lot 48, a filly out of Midnight Madam (NZ) (Kaapstad).  By Pins (Aus) (Snippets), she is a half sister to dual Group One-winner Perlin (NZ) (Carnegie) and she was purchased by John Hawkes for a group of enthusiastic clients.  Lot 50 was a filly by Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star) from the family of Denise’s Joy (Aus) (Seventh Hussar) and was the first of a number of yearlings sold by Haunui on behalf of Soliloquy Lodge.  She was eventually knocked down to the bid of Melbourne Cup maestro Bart Cummings.

“We certainly got off to a flying start with results far exceeding our expectations leading into the sale,” said Mark.  “To be honest I was a little nervous having six lots to sell in the first two hours but history shows I needn’t have worried,” he said.

The momentum continued for Haunui on day two with three further six-figure yearlings and at sale end Haunui was in the top ten of the sale for both aggregate and average at $2,485,000 and $207,083 for twelve horses sold.

Haunui headed into the Select Sale with the best draft of Select colts the farm had ever presented and results spoke for themselves selling 22 lots for an aggregate of just over $1.8 million with a sale average of $83,614.

“We had a huge Select Sale with seven yearlings fetching over six figures,” said Mark.  “We sold four of the top eight lots of the sale including the top priced colt who fetched $250,000 to the bid of Danny O’Brien,” said Mark.  “Even more satisfying was the fact that he was by Elusive City who had an outstanding sales series,” he said.

The Festival Sale continued in much the same fashion for Haunui with the farm topping the sale for the second year in-a-row and providing three of the top nine lots on top of setting a new sale record of $110,000 for yet another Elusive City colt.

“Overall we couldn’t be happier with the results we had,” said Mark.  “As always, nice horses sold well however there was very solid competition which made for some very nice prices,” he said.  “I was most pleased that all of our clients got a bite of the cherry as well and the fact that Elusive City was in such high demand was just the icing on the cake,” he said.  “He is certainly an exciting young stallion to have on our roster and there are a good number of breeders who have supported him in the past that will have made a very nice return given his service fee of $8,000,” said Mark.

“We’ve already started assessing our foals and after what I’ve seen in the last two days, I’m looking forward to our next yearling crop already!”

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) will be among the leading sires by average at the 2010 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale with his three progeny selling on the first day all reaching six figures.

Little Avondale Stud were the first to hit the jackpot with Lot 155, a colt out of Shahiid (NZ) (Pentire), a full sister to New Zealand Cup-winner Pentathon (NZ), fetching $250,000 to the bid of DGR Thoroughbreds’ Duncan Rammage, the colt almost certain to race for the Bart Cummings stable.

Danny O’Brien went to $260,000 for another colt by Elusive City, this time out of the Group Two-winner Triassic (NZ) (Tights), dam of 2009 Cox Plate-winner So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral).

One of the later lots of the day, Lot 241, an Elusive City colt out of Woodini (Aus) (Woodman), also reached the six figure mark of $100,000 and will head to Singapore.

“It is certainly great to see the likes of Danny O’Brien and Duncan Rammage prepared to pay quarter of a million dollars for a son of Elusive City,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “His results in Asia have been outstanding the last couple of months with horses like Brave Kid headed for the Hong Kong Derby and All Elusive heading for the Singapore Derby,” he said.  “It’s nice to see his progeny heading to the likes of Danny O’Brien and Bart Cummings as there’s no doubt those horses will get every opportunity to succeed,” said Mark.  “It is also great to see breeders getting these kinds of returns off an $8,000 service fee and with some nice Select and Festival horses to come, I’m sure there will be a few more breeders with smiles on their faces,” he said.

Karaka 2010 continues today with the second session of the Premier Sale to get underway at 11am with the Select Sale set to kick off tomorrow at the same time.  “The first day of selling was very strong and it would be nice to see the market continue to hold up well today,” said Mark. 

Brave Kid (Aus) (Elusive City) continued his winning way in Hong Kong making it four from four for the stable of John Size on Sunday.

Lining up in Hong Kong for the first time at the end of November, Brave Kid won impressively and each time he has faced the starter since, has taken the step up in class with ease. 

Lot 986 b f Elusive City - Fashionable Lass
Close relative Joey Massino now the winner of four in New Zealand including the Group Two Avondale Guineas and the Group Three Wellington Stakes.  Vincent Mangano is also now the winner of six.

Lot 791 b f Perfectly Ready - Vingtaine
Now a 1/2 sister to Group One winner Eileen Dubh (NZ) (Storm Creek) who won the Levin Classic since the catalogue went to print.

Lot 608 b c Keeper - Passive Rose
Close relation Kingston Temple (NZ) (Golan) is now the winner of three in Hong Kong, his most recent victory coming on Wednesday, 20th January.  Kingston Temple is out of Jinsky Rose (NZ) (Tights).

Lot 318 b f O'Reilly - Cappie
1/2 sister to G1 winner Captivate (NZ) (Stravinsky) and close relation to Culminate (NZ) (Elnadim), winner of the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes since the catalogue went to print.  1/2 sister Panama (NZ) (Traditionally), 3rd in the G2 Rich Hill Mile.  Also a close relative Eileen Dubh (NZ) (Storm Creek), winner of the G1 Levin Classic.

Lot 845 br c Don Eduardo - Applause
Close relative Macedonian (NZ) (Zabeel) now the winner of three in Australia.

Lot 1063 gr c Postponed - Impulse
Morepork (NZ) (Thorn Park) now a winner in NZ and Royal Pericles (NZ) (Stravinsky) is now the winner of five in Hong Kong.

Photos of Haunui Farm's Karaka 2010 Yearling Draft can now be viewed by visiting the SALES section of the website.

To view photos, please click on the camera image next to the yearling's Lot number.  Pedigrees can be viewed by clicking on the LOT number.

For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.