The NZB Ready-to-Run Sale is just around the corner with the Breeze-Ups for the two-year-olds held on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Haunui will be represented by twelve two-year-olds at the sale with pedigrees and breeze-up clips now available online by visiting the SALES section of the Haunui website. 

Haunui’s 2009 Ready-to-Run draft features some well related two-year-olds, including a half brother to Group One New Zealand Oaks-winner Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket) by Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel).  Lot 265, the colt breezed-up in a time of 11.73 and he will undoubtedly attract a fair amount of attention come sale time. 

Haunui will also offer a gelding by Don Eduardo and as lot one, he will open the bidding at the sale.  Out of Labasso (NZ) (Bassenthwaite), he is from the family of Champion Hong Kong sprinter Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta De Lago) and he breezed-up in a time of 12.24. 

Lot 63 is a His Royal Highness gelding out of Rhythm Rock (NZ) Rhythm) and he will be immediately followed through the ring by another member of the Haunui draft, a Carnegie (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) gelding out of Rivaletta (Aus) (Thunder Gulch) who is from the family of Group One-winner Heart Ruler (Aus) (Marscay).  Lot 63 breezed-up in a time of 12.21 whilst Lot 64 stopped the clock at 11.46.

Lot 88 is the first foal out of dual stakeswinner and Group Three performer Sheka (NZ) (Sandtrap).  He is a colt by Multiple Group One and Japan Cup-winner Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) (Sunday Silence).  He covered in the 200m in a time of 12.16. 

Lot 94 is a colt by Caulfield Guineas-winner God’s Own (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice) out of seven-time winner Silently Yours (NZ) (Clay Hero).  Silently Yours is a half sister to multiple Group One-winners St Reims (NZ) (Zabeel) and Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel) with this family last season producing Group Two-winner Champagne Harmony (Aus) (Choisir).  He was paired to breeze-up with the colt out of Gu Li and breezed-up in a time of 11.72. 

Lot 124 is a gelding by Handsome Ransom (Aus) (Red Ransom).  Out of Tall Lady (NZ) (Oregon), he is from the family of Group One Wellington Cup-winner Cyclades (NZ) (Alleged Dash) and he set a time of 11.79 for his 200m. 

Lot 179 is an athletic gelding by General Nediym (Aus) (Nediym) out of three-time winner Beach Dance (NZ) (Carnegie).  A horse that has done everything easily in his preparation, he covered the 200m in 11.47. 

Haunui’s draft features two two-year-olds by Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality), the first is Lot 184 a gelding out of Biaire (Aus) (Best Western).  His half brother topped the Haunui draft at this sale last year fetching $175,000 to Singapore interests.  He breezed-up in a time of 12.82. 

The second Elusive City in the Haunui draft is Lot 196, a filly out of Capezio (NZ) (Groom Dancer), a half sister to stakes winner Champion Star (NZ) (Soviet Star).  This is her second foal and the filly stopped the clock in a time of 11.91. 

Lot 248 is a gelding by Stravinsky (USA) (Nureyev) out of Esperance (NZ) (Housebuster), a half sister to Super Impose (NZ) (Imposing) and rounding out the Haunui draft is Lot 250, a gelding by Bahhare (USA) (Woodman) out of Famous Special (NZ) (Famous Star).  These two horses breezed together with times of 11.55 and 11.54 respectively. 

“As always, we have a number of horses by a variety of stallions in our Ready-to-Run draft this year,” said Mark Chitty.  “We have been monitoring all of the two-year-olds whilst they have been in work and they have coming along nicely,” he said.  “Our draft has been prepared by a number of trainers this season - Jamie Graham, Craig Ritchie, Richard Yuill, Gareth McCrae and Jeff McVean - and they all do a great job for us,” said Mark.  “The breeze-ups are very important so the groundwork that they receive is very important and these guys do a great job in educating these two-year-olds and we certainly appreciate their efforts,” he said.  

The last seven days has proved very fruitful for Haunui Farm graduates, in particular the year of 2006 with four winners from the farm’s current three-year-old crop.

The results started last Thursday through the deeds of three-year-old filly Perfect Hostess (NZ) (Dehere).  Sold by Haunui at the 2008 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, she was purchased by Dean Hawthorn for prominent owner, Jonathan Munz for $370,000.  Racing on Moe Cup day, the almost black filly won impressively over 1200m to notch up her first win from just three starts, one of those as a two-year-old.  Perfect Hostess is the first foal out of the stakes winning mare Eire Hostess (NZ) (O’Reilly) and was bred by Haunui Farm in partnership with Garry Cranny and Denis and Maureen Nicol.

Next to stick their foot in the till from Haunui’s 2006 foal crop was Ransom Success (Aus) (Red Ransom).  A daughter of Tully Tango (Aus) (Danehill) - a granddaughter of Savana City (Aus) (New Regent) - Ransom Success was stakes placed as a two-year-old and kicked off her three-year-old campaign with a three length victory over 1000m last Friday.  Racing in the Whakanui colours, Ransom Success was purchased by Whakanui’s Tim Bodle from Haunui’s 2008 Karaka Premier Draft for $300,000.

After finishing second on debut, Ready-to-Run Sale Graduate Dunloe Park (NZ) (Lonhro) saluted the judge at his second start on Seymour Cup day with a half length victory over 1300m.  Dunloe Park is out of the multiple stakes winning mare Stella Maree (NZ) (Magic Ring) who is herself a half sister to dual Group Two-winner Pasta Express (Aus) (Rigoletto).

The fourth winner in the space of seven days came in the form of the John Wheeler-trained La Vie En Rose (NZ) (Elusive City).  Facing the starter for the first time this campaign, the daughter of Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) showed the rest of the field a clean pair of heels winning by almost four lengths over 1400m.  She was sold from Haunui’s 2008 Festival Sale draft and was purchased by John Wheeler for $11,000.

Three-year-old filly Miss Bindi (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added her name to the growing list of stakes performers by Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) when finishing third in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Settling toward the rear of the field on the fence, jockey Cameron Lammas took advantage of a rails run to make ground and finished well to take third.  "While she was able to make a lot of ground by taking the rails run it probably proved her undoing in the end as it was the worst part of the track to be on," said Wendy Fraser, daughter of Miss Bindi's breeder and trainer Ngaire Fraser.

From only four starts, Miss Bindi has been very consistent finishing in the first three on all four occassions and has added to her value immensley with a stakes placing already.  She has also continued the strong start Don Eduardo has made to the current racing season through the deeds of three-time stakes winner Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and dual stakes-winner Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo).

Don Eduardo is not the only Haunui Farm stallion to enjoy success this past week with barn mate Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continuing his success with his Northern Hemisphere progeny. 

Three-year-old filly Nashmaih (Ire) (Elusive City) scored her fourth stakes win for the season at Yarmouth earlier this week in the Listed John Musker Fillies Stakes over 2000m, following her last start victory in the Listed Alice Keppel Fillies Stakes over the same distance.

Five-year-old mare Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) claimed her third stakes victory on the trot yesterday when a comfortable winner of the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle.

In a strong field, Moti was taken to the lead by stable rider Nash Rawiller and there she stayed for the duration of the race proving too tough for the strong field containing the likes of past winner Miss Pageantry (Aus) (Viscount), to win by a comfortable length at the line.

Gooree Park Stud, Gai Waterhouse and the stablemates Moti and Swift Alliance have been making headlines for resident Haunui stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) over the last month with a string of impressive stakes wins. 

Moti got the ball rolling at Randwick on the 22^nd of August with a win in the Listed Toy Show Quality Handicap (1400m) and then backed this up two weeks later with a win in the Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong and did it again at Newcastle yesterday.  “She just keeps getting better and better,” said Andrew Baddock, manager of Gooree Park Stud.  “After her last win in the Mona Lisa I was able to convince Mr Cojuangco to keep racing her instead of retiring her to stud and today she validated that decision,” he said.  Moti will attempt to make it four stakes races in-a-row with her next start set to be in the Listed Angst Stakes over her pet distance of 1400m on the 3^rd of October.

Meanwhile, stablemate Swift Alliance, who also won his first stakes race at Randwick on the 22^nd of last month, has been working nicely in preparation for a tilt at the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) on the 25^th of September.  The winner of the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over the straight six at Flemington in his last start, Swift Alliance has been turning heads in both Sydney and Melbourne with his impressive performances.  “He is a lovely horse and a real stable favourite,” says Andrew.  “He is so relaxed in everything he does but on the track he has true brilliant speed and we’re looking forward to the Manikato next week,” he said. 

Swift Alliance and Moti have bagged five stakes races between them over the last four weeks and are two of five stakes winners for Don Eduardo since the beginning of January.  Don Eduardo is currently in the top 20 on the Australian General Sires table ahead of his own sire Zabeel,  and when looking at active sires in New Zealand, sits fourth on both the Centaine Award list and Dewar Award list behind the likes of Pentire, Zabeel and O’Reilly.

“It is only early in the season but it is very exciting to see Don Eduardo featuring on those lists,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “He is an exciting young sire and while there is still a long way to go, he is getting the results and this season could prove a landmark in his career at stud with the likes of All In Black, Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay as well as some exciting young horses on both sides of the Tasman that are yet to emerge,” he said.  “Standing at a fee of $7,000, Don Eduardo is arguably the best value stallion at stud in New Zealand and this has been reflected in the number of bookings we’ve taken to him over the last month – there’s only a handful left as he is limited to 120 mares,” said Mark.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) is continuing his run of success in Australia with another winner today, three-year-old colt Meet Me At Raffles (NZ) (Don Eduardo). 

Bred in partnership by Haunui Farm and Christine Ramsay, Meet Me At Raffles is from the first crop of Haunui-conceived Don Eduardo's and is in fact the first winner from this crop.  Sold from Haunui's 2008 Festival Draft, he was was purchased by Australian Bloodstock Agent Robert Roulston for $60,000 and to date, has had five starts for two thirds, a second and now, today's win.

"It's great to see this horse win and I'm pleased for Christine Ramsay who we bred the colt with," said Mark.  "The mare, La Buster, has had three horses to race for three winners - 100%," he said.

Meet Me At Raffles is Don Eduardo's fifth winner in Australia in the past month with Camiling, Lara's Glitter and the dual stakes winning duo Moti and Swift Alliance all taking line honours over the last four weeks.  This success sees Don Eduardo in the top 20 of the Australian General Sires List with the likes of Zabeel, Pentire and O'Reilly the only other New Zealand-based stallions to feature.

"He's made a great start to the season and long may it continue," said Mark.  "Swift Alliance will start in the Manikato on the 25th of September and Andrew Baddock from Gooree Park Stud just confirmed yesterday that Moti is going to continue racing in the Spring so she is more than likely headed to the Myer Classic after her next start," he said.  "On the home front, All In Black will line up in the Windsor Park Plate next weekend on her way to the Kelt and then all going well the Melbourne Cup.  It's pretty exciting," he said.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to call Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Stakeswinning duo Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) will once again tackle blacktype events this weekend with Moti set to contest the Listed Plumbing Plus Classic (1350m) at Wyong later this afternoon whilst Swift Alliance will take on the Flemington straight for the first time tomorrow when contesting the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over 1200m.

With only eleven starts under her belt, Moti has saluted the judge on six occassions and the Gai Waterhouse stable is confident of another strong showing from the five-year-old mare.  With Nash Rawiller aboard, the mare is likely to line up as one of the race favourites.  "This is a quality field but Moti has been a model of consistency and she is fit," said Robyn Hartney, Racing Manager for the Waterhouse stable.  "We think she will win," she said.

Next on Moti's agenda will be the Listed Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle and should she put in another stellar performance there, she may get her shot at Group One level in the Myer Classic (1600m) during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Emerging sprinting star Swift Alliance travelled to Melbourne earlier this week and will line up in the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over the straight 1200m at Flemington on Saturday.  Swift Alliance will once again be partnered by Blake Shinn and after his impressive last start win in the Listed Show County Quality Handicap (1200m) at Randwick will be at short odds on the tote.

"Everyone involved with this horse just loves him," said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.  "He is such a cruisy horse to do anything with and, he puts in the performances on the track," he said.  "He has got such brilliant speed and I think we'll see it again at Flemington on Saturday," he said.

Swift Alliance has headed to Melbourne with the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) on his agenda.

"It could be another big weekend for Don Eduardo," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "If the results fall our way, I definitely won't be complaining," he said.

Haunui Farm graduate Rooy (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) was an impressive winner in Singapore this weekend notching up his fourth career victory in a $95,000 event at Kranji.

Born and raised at Haunui, Rooy has earned over $200,000 in Singapore to date for his owners SYK Stable.  Out of Gu Li (NZ) (Last Tycoon), he is a half brother to Group One New Zealand Oaks-winner Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket).

Haunui Farm will offer a Don Eduardo half brother to Rooy and Jungle Rocket at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready-to-Run Sale to be held on the 17^th and 18^th of November.

It was  another successful weekend of racing for the Haunui stallions, this time Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) taking the lime light siring three stakes performers.

The first came on Friday when two-year-old colt Boltcity (Fr) (Elusive City) earned black type when finishing second in the Listed Prix de la Huderie over 1400m at Deauville. 

Fourth in a Group Three event at his last start, Boltcity has two wins and two seconds from five starts for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget who seems to have an affinity with the progeny of Elusive City having trained his first Group One-winner Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City).

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Gerald Ryan-trained Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) was once again terribly unlucky not to claim stakes success when third in the Group Three STC Concorde Stakes (1100m).  Already stakes placed on two occassions at three, Ahdashim was held up at a critical time in the run home on Saturday but finished strongly to claim third at his second start this preparation.

The third stakes performer for Elusive City the past weekend was multiple stakes winner Nashmiah who won the Listed Alice Keppel Stakes (1000m) at Goodwood on Sunday, her third stakes win of the season and fourth stakes win in total from a thirteen-start career.

"It's great to see that Ahdashim has come back this season in fine form and hopefully he will be able to get a well deserved stakes win in the next few weeks," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "He was agonisingly close twice last season and Saturday's race proves he is certainly well up to the mark and I'm sure Gerald Ryan will give him every chance," he said.

"It is also great to see Elusive City continue his success in the Northern Hemisphere with his two and three-year-olds and with Spring racing underway in Australia and New Zealand, I'm sure we're in for an exciting few months ahead," said Mark.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Gooree Park, Gai Waterhouse and Blake Shinn proved a formidable combination yet again at Randwick yesterday when five-year-old mare Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) both landed stakes successes at Sydney racing head quarters to give their sire Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) a significant stakes double.

An impressive win in the $100,000 Listed Toy Show Quality Handicap (1400m) has more than likely stalled plans to send consistent performer Moti to stud this spring, the mare instead more likely to target further black type success this spring and beyond.

Lining up for the first time at black type level, Moti jumped quickly from barrier seven in the nine horse field and was taken to the lead by Blake Shinn, a position she never relented at any stage of the race, hitting the line with one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare.  “She has good speed, puts herself in a good position and is very strong at the finish,” said Shinn after returning to scale.

“I’m not too sure where we will head with Moti now,” said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.  “We were thinking of retiring her but I think I will have to try and talk the boss out of that now,” he said, referring to Gooree Park-owner Mr Eduardo Conjuangco.  “I don’t think that will be too hard though,” he quipped.

The same trio was to the fore two races later with the win of Swift Alliance in the Listed Show County Quality Handicap (1200m), arguably one of the most impressive of the day. 

Jumping nicely from barrier three, Shinn quickly had Swift Alliance in the lead and when challenged by McClintock (Aus) (King Cugat), soon handed up to take a nice sit in behind the pace.  Always travelling well, Swift Alliance was rolling nicely at the turn however it did take some time before a gap presented itself in the straight.  At the 200m, Shinn urged Swift Alliance through a small opening with the horse showing great acceleration to quickly take the lead, eventually easing down to a comfortable two length victory. 

“He is a lovely horse and he will be set for the Manikato now,” said Gai Waterhouse after the race.  “You wouldn’t think that such a smart staying sire like Don Eduardo could leave a horse with so much brilliant speed,” she said.  “All I can say is that he is a horse on the real improve, it is very exciting and, I love being involved with him.”

Don Eduardo has enjoyed a stellar run of success in 2009 with five stakes winners and three stakes performers since the beginning of the New Year.  “That was an outstanding result yesterday,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “It’s hard to win any race at Randwick on a Saturday let alone a stakes race and for Don Eduardo to get a double over 1400m and then 1200m was fantastic,” he said. 

“This is a great result for Gooree who purchased and raced Don Eduardo to win the AJC Derby,” said Mark.  “They showed faith in the horse to stand him at stud and have supported him with some of their best mares and now the results are really starting to come,” he said. 

With Swift Alliance headed for the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) and the likes of Group Three-winner All In Black (NZ) (Don Eduardo) headed for the Group One Melbourne Cup (3200m) in the Spring, the versatility of Don Eduardo as a sire is well and truly evident.  “Dashing Donna was stakes placed at two and ran second in the Railway – a race won by Don Eduardo’s dam Diamond Lover,” said Mark.  “On the other hand, he has left three Group winners over staying distances as well as a Group One performer over two miles,” he said.  “There is plenty of speed in the female side of Don Eduardo’s pedigree and it is something he seems to be picking up on as a sire,” says Mark.  “It’s exciting to have him standing at Haunui – bring on the spring!”

Set to commence his seventh season at stud, his fifth at Haunui Farm, Don Eduardo is proving popular among breeders this season.  “We decided to reduce his fee from $10,000 to $7,000 in light of the current economic climate and with the results he achieved last season and, this stakes double, you can’t argue his value,” said Mark.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST and will cover a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – or Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513.

Four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) and mare Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) both get their chance at blacktype level at Randwick on Saturday and all going well, could provide a significant stakes double for their sire, Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel).

Swift Alliance has proved himself to be a horse on the move with four wins from five starts to date and has many on the other side of the Tasman scratching their heads as he shows the brilliance not necessarily expected from progeny of Don Eduardo.  "Everything he does tells us he is a 1200m - 1400m horse," said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.  "He has the brilliance of a speed horse and we rated him right up there with our best three-year-old colts last season," he said.  Swift Alliance was subject to a substantial six figure offer from overseas interests as a three-year-old however after some differing in opinions by numberous vets, the sale was stopped.  "This meant he was out in the paddock at a time when he would have been racing but that might not necessarily prove to be a bad thing," said Andrew.  "We are confident he's got a big race in him and Saturday is the first step toward proving that," he said.

Swift Alliance will line up in the $100,000 Listed Show County Quality Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday and by all accounts, has every chance to notch his first black type success.  "He comes into the race with some very good form and Gai is more than happy with his work since his last start," said Andrew.

Moti has been a consistent performer in a ten start career that has seen her salute the judge on five occassions, including her last start when opening her current campaign.  She too will be having her first crack at blacktype when she lines up in the $100,000 Listed Toy Show Quality Handicap (1400m).  "Moti certainly deserves her chance at black type level," said Andrew.  "She is such a consistent mare and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her right in the finish on Saturday," he said.

2009 has proved a lucrative year in the stud career of Don Eduardo with six stakes performers since the beginning of January including two Group One performers.  "His results in the last six months have certainly been welcome and there are plenty of promising young horses about that look set to make an impression this season," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm. 

Reports from the Waterhouse stable suggest Autumn Ember (Aus) (Don Eduardo), the winner of two from two starts last season before having to have bone chips removed, and Royal Esteem (Aus), a daughter of Group Two Royal Stakes-winner Basra (Aus) (Desert King), will be two to watch in the Spring.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST and will cover a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

An astute purchase by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney and a willingness to back his judgement by Haunui Farm has started to reap some major rewards in the past five days. 

Three-year-old filly Bouvardia (GB) (Oasis Dream) added further international success to the pedigree of a member of the Haunui broodmare band when finishing second in the Listed Flying Fillies' Stakes (1200m) at Pontefract this past weekend.

Racing against the older mares, Bouvardia settled just behind the leaders and sustained a solid effort in the run home to claim second in her first start at black type level for trainer Henry Cecil and owner/breeder Khalid Abdulla of Juddmonte Farm.

Bouvardia's link to Haunui comes through Destined (GB) (Danehill), a mare that has turned out to be a very astute purchase by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney.  "Paul offered the mare to us not long after the sale and being a daughter of Danehill, we jumped at the opportunity," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "We own the mare in partnership with a very good client, Cathy Franich, and since we bought her, her half sister Modern Look has notched up two Group wins and now this filly has stepped out and added further black type," he said.

Out of Group One Cheveley Park Stakes-winner Prophecy (Ire) (Warning), Destined's first foal was sold at Karaka earlier this year.  A colt by Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), he was purchased by Charles Laird for $230,000.  Haunui has a Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) colt out of the mare who will be sold as a yearling in 2010 and Destined is due to foal to Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) this spring.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) has continued his run of success this past weekend with a new stakes performer added to his ever increasing tally.

Two-year-old colt Cadley Road (Ire) (Elusive City) became his sire's 15th stakes perfomer worldwide when running second in the Listed Deauville Prix Francois Boutin (1400m) on Sunday at just his third start.

Trained by Richard Hanon, the colt travelled to France to contest his first black type event after winning at Sandown over 1400m toward the end of July.

Champion First Season Sire of Europe in 2008, Elusive City started 2009 with a bang in the Northern Hemisphere with Elusive Wave (Ire) winning the Group One French 1000 Guineas (1600m) whilst Soul City (Ire) ran third in the Group One Irish 2000 Guineas. 

With his first crop proving they have trained on at three, Elusive City's second Northern Hemisphere have certainly made an impact with ten individual winners to date including two stakes performers.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City) produced and impressive and timely win in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1400m) at Otaki toward the end of last season and is a filly that looks set to claim greater spoils as a spring three-year-old as she is aimed toward the Hawke's Bay Carnvial and undoubtedly beyond.

Lamington Vegas joined Metropolitan (NZ) (Elusive City) as stakes winners for their sire in the Southern Hemisphere in the season just past, with three further stakes performers to his credit in the form of Ahdashim (NZ), Returntosender (NZ) and Spirit of Unicorn (NZ).

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

The first Southern Hemisphere foal of multiple Group Two-winner and Group One-performer Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) has finally hit the ground this past weekend.

A bay colt out of Let’s Enjoy (NZ) (Danske), he was bred by Robert’s Holdings – Paul and Mary Kenny and Charlie Roberts – partners in Iffraaj.  “From all reports the colt has a lot of quality about him and is a nice, leggy type,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm. 

“It’s great to have Iffraaj’s first foal on the ground and it will be nice when we’ve got a few of our own here at Haunui,” he said.

A two-time winner of the Group Two Park Stakes – setting a record at York for 7f of 1.21:98 – Iffraaj also won the Group Two Lennox Stakes and placed second in the Group One July Cup.  Retiring retired with an International Classification of 128 and Timeform Rating of 127. 

Iffraaj served a full book of mares in his first season at Haunui in 2008 and has 103 mares due to foal to him this spring.  “34% of his first Southern Hemisphere book were stakes performers or stakes producers so he has been given every opportunity to make an impact,” said Mark.  Out of a half sister to Cape Cross (Ire) (Green Desert), Iffraaj represents a pedigree that has already been successful in the Southern Hemisphere.  “If he can achieve similar results to what Cape Cross has achieved in the Southern Hemisphere, we will be more than happy,” said Mark.

Iffraaj stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $12,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

Haunui Fram graduate and Group One performer Activation (NZ) (Zabeel) has been absent from the winners circle in recent times but a change of trainer and scenery, has given the eight-year-old a new lease on life.

The $150,000 Darwin Cup was held this past Monday and Activation, now in the care of young trainer Michael Hickmott, never looked anything but the winner as soon as he hit the lead in the 2000m event.

Bred by long-time Haunui Farm client Marie Leicester, Activation was purchased as a yearling by the Lloyd Williams team and in those famous colours, won the Group Three Coongy Handicap (2000m) at Moonee Valley, the Listed BTC Rough Habit Plate (2020m) and the STC Premier's Cup (1800m), ran second in the Group One Metropoltian Handicap (2400m), third in the Group Three AJC Queen's Cup (2400m) and fourth in the Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m).

A change of ownership and trainer brought some mixed results for Activation but the move to Darwin has seen the eight-year-old back to some form in his last two starts culminting in the win on Monday.  "While the Darwin Cup doesn't have any black type associated with it, winning a $150,000 race is certainly nothing to be sneezed at and it's nice to see this horse back in the winners circle," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.

Out of Group One-winner Coogee Walk, Activation has a two-year-old half sister by Redoute's Choice that has been retained to race with the mare due to foal to Flying Spur (Aus) (Danehill) this season.

Spring has sprung at Haunui Farm with stakes winning mare Bonaichi (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus) producing the first foal of the season on Saturday evening.

Owned by Don and Rochelle McLaren, Bonaichi produced a brown colt by Champion sire O'Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon) and as a maiden mare, she has taken to motherhood with aplomb.  "You just never know how maiden mares are going to react once everything starts to happen but she did everything right," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm. 

A stakes winner, Bonaichi is a daughter of Group One winner Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way) and a half sister to dual stakes winner Prima Nova (Aus) (Danehill Dancer).  She is a close relation to Group One winners Telesto (NZ) (Star Way) and Fraternity (NZ) (Star Way) and further down the pedigree page you see the likes of Diamond Lover (Aus) (Sticks And Stones).

"It's always nice to get the first foal out of the way and it signals the start of what will be another very busy season," said Mark.  "Bookings to the stallions are going very well and we're looking forward to the arrival of Elusive City and Iffraaj at the farm this weekend," he said. 

We welcome visitors to Haunui and should you wish to come and view the Haunui stallions, please don't hesitate to contact the Haunui office to make arrangements.

Three-year-old filly Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City) put in an outstanding performance at Deauville overnight finishing second to Breeders' Cup Mile-winner and Champion mare Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in the Group One Prix Rothschild (1600m), the latter claiming her second successive victory in the race.

Elusive Wave's effort in the Group One event, combined with her win earlier this season in the French equivalent of the 1000 Guineas, prompted regular race rider Christophe Lumaire to proclaim Elusive Wave as the best three-year-old miler in France.  "It was the best performance of her career," said trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.  "The ground was much softer than we had hoped for and although she was second, there were some very good fillies and mares behind her," he said.

Champion First Season Sire of Europe in 2008, Elusive City started the 2009 Northern Hemisphere season with a bang producing Elusive Wave to notch up her first Group One win whilst Soul City (Ire) (Elusive City) was placed in the Group One Irish 2000 Guineas.  To date, he has had eight individual two-year-old winners and further black type success was also gained this weekend with three-year-old filly City Dancer (Ire) (Elusive City) placed in the Listed Queensferry Stakes (1200m) at Chester.

"The win of Lamington Vegas in the Ryder Stakes last week was very timely," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "We have taken a good number of bookings and a huge amount of enquiry since that victory and with his momentum continuing in the Northern Hemisphere, Elusive City is undoubtedly the most exciting young stallion standing at stud in New Zealand at the present time," he said. 

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Gai Waterhouse started the new season as she finished the last, saddling Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) to take out the STC Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday for owners Gooree Park Stud.

The winner of four from five starts, Swift Alliance dealt a blow to the much-hyped race favourite O'Lonhro (Aus) (Lonhro) winning in style by half a length after hitting the lead early in the run home.

This win followed the victory of Moti (Aus) (Don Eduardo) for the Waterhouse/Gooree Park Stud combination, that win sealing a seventh trainers premiership for the Queen of the Australian turf.

Held in very high regard, Swift Alliance has lined up in city company at each of his five starts, his only defeat coming at the hands of subsequent Group Two-winner Youthful Jack (Aus) (Youthful Legs).  Now four, Swift Alliance will get his first shot at black type level when he lines up in the $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m) in three weeks time and don't be surprised to see the brilliant son of Don Eduardo heading for the top in Melbourne this spring.

"Don Eduardo came within a nose of producing his first Group One winner when Dashing Donna finished second in the Railway earlier this year," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Swift Alliance has showed some brilliance over the shorter trips and it's exciting to think he will be aimed toward some of the major sprint races coming up this Spring," he said.