Haunui Farm has a new, complimentary website mating analysis available to breeders for the 2009 breeding season and in joining True Nicks, is the first Southern Hemisphere stud farm to make this new technology and mating analysis available to breeders.  With a simple click on True Nicks link on the Haunui website, breeders will now be able to access more in-depth mating analysis for their mares with the Haunui Farm Stallions.

“True Nicks was offered to us by Alan Porter of Pedigree Consultants,” said Shannon Taylor, Marketing and Operations Manager for Haunui Farm.  “Initially we were very interested and when we looked at things a little more closely, we felt that True Nicks provided a more in depth analysis giving a rating for the proposed mating, a five generation pedigree highlighting nicks and crosses as well as examples of successful racehorses that have been bred on the same cross,” she said.  “We undertake a lot of pedigree analysis when making our breeding decisions for the season and there is no doubt it can become quite costly,” she said.  “In looking at True Nicks, it provides a lot of added information and as a complimentary service to breeders, we hope that it will assist them in their mating decisions,” she said.  

To get a True Nicks Mating Analysis from the Haunui Farm website, click on the True Nicks link on the Haunui Farm homepage or, click on the True Nicks link on any of the stallion pages.  This will take you directly to Haunui’s home page within the True Nicks website where you will see the Haunui stallions listed.  Select one or all of the stallions – make sure you do this first - add your broodmare’s name to the box and click the “Hypothetical Foal” tab.  If there is more than one mare registered under that name, a list of mares will be generated.  Select your mare – use year of birth and damsire to identify your mare – and the report will be generated within a few seconds. 

Once generated, the True Nicks report will show a five generation pedigree highlighting nicks and crosses.  The top left hand corner will show the rating of the mating (from A – F), the bottom right of the page shows the best five horses bred on this particular cross and the bottom left of the page will show the in-breeding. 

In looking at True Nicks and how the analysis works, please read the information below directly from the True Nicks website which explains the True Nicks concept and, the True Nicks rating process.  

About True Nicks

1. While only 13% of the entire Thoroughbred population earn “A” rankings (A to A++), 37% of the stakes winners rate as “A’s.”
2. Horses rated “B” or better (B to A++) represent just 30% of the entire population, yet 3 out of 4 (77%) stakes winners rank “B” or better.
3. Almost half of Thoroughbreds in general–44%–are on the low end of the scale (rated “C” through “F”), yet only two in 25 stakes winners (8%) have these lower rankings.

Four-year-old mare Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) proved the 3200m of the Group One Sydney Cup was no problem at Randwick on Saturday with another gallant effort in finishing runner-up to fellow New Zealand-bred Ista Kareem (NZ) (Germano) who pipped her at the post over the last 100m with a fast finishing inside run.

Caught a little wide in the early running, Divine Rebel was eventually pushed forward by jockey Kerrin McEvoy to sit one off the fence; There she settled beautifully which is an important factor in any staying test and she fought hard to the line, but Group One victory was denied by three-quarters of a length.

A leading light for her sire this season, Divine Rebel has had nine starts since joining the Mike Moroney stable in Melbourne accrediting herself with five wins including the Listed Epona Stakes (1600m) and the Group Two Chairman's Handicap (2600m) and, three seconds including the Group Three VRC Matron Stakes (1600m) and of course, the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m), Divine Rebel now heads to the spelling paddock with the major spoils of the Melbourne Spring Carnival firmly on her agenda. 

With his oldest crop now four-year-olds, Don Eduardo has enjoyed a remarkable run of success of late with six stakes performers since the beginning of January, among these, three Group winners.  Besides Divine Rebel, Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) is also placed in Group One company having missed taking out the Group One Railway Handicap (1400m) by the narrowest of margins.  Both these mares go a long way to proving their sire's versatility with a Group One second over two miles and the sprint distance of 1400m. 

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 at a fee of $7,000 + GST.  For more information in regard to Don Eduardo or any of the Haunui stallions, please feel free to contact Mark - 021 663 995 - or Shannon - 0212 855 513

Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) is quickly closing in on the Top 10 of the Dewar Stallion Award (comdined New Zealand and Australian Stakes) just over $70,000 behind the tenth placed Cape Cross (GB) (Green Desert).

The beginnig of January signalled the start of a stellar run for Don Eduardo with six stakes performers including three Group winners in that time from his first crop.

"In looking at the Dewar Stallion Award top 10, the only sires available and active in New Zealand in the 2009 breeding season are Zabeel, O'Reilly, Pentire, Volksraad and Pins - all stallions standing at fees of over $20,000," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "When you consider that Don Eduardo is standing for a fee of $7,000 + GST this season and, that his oldest progeny are only four-year-olds, his results over the last three months are quite significant," he said.  "It also makes him very good value for breeders," said Mark.

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

Haunui Farm graduate Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) signalled his readiness for the Singapore Derby later this season with a fast finishing third coming from last in the SIN-G1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Friday night. 

Crowned Champion Two-Year-Old of Singapore, at three Onceuponatime added the SIN-G3 Singapore Guineas (1600m) along with four very close seconds to the older horses in the likes of the SIN-G3 Steward’s Cup (1400m), SIN-G3 Three Rings Trophy (1400m) and the SIN-G3 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m) and as a four-year-old, trainer David Hill has always had the SIN-G1 Singapore Derby (2000m) firmly on his agenda. 

Sold by Haunui Farm at the 2006 Ready-to-Run Sale, David Hill purchased Onceuponatime for $60,000.  “As a yearling he came in from the paddock one day with a swollen fetlock and all we could put it down to was that he must have stepped in a rabbit hole,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “He had no problems during his preparation for the Ready-to-Run sale and the issue was always going to affect his price,” he said.  “The great thing is that he has had no problems, came out at two and was crowned Champion and, he has raced on,” said Mark.  “It just goes to show that sometimes vets get it wrong!”

Three Group winners in the space of three months gives the team at Haunui Farm every reason to be excited about the prospects of young stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel).  "I said at the beginning of the season that if Don Eduardo could end it with four or five stakes winners, he would be in a very good position," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "With six stakes performers since the 1st of January and three Group winners in the last ten weeks, he is nearly there and there are a number of other smart types winning virtually every week that will hopefully get him to that level," said Mark.

The victory of All In Black (NZ) (Don Eduardo) in the Group Three Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2200m) ended another successful four days of racing for Don Eduardo with a winner every day not to mention three seconds and a third.  All In Black’s victory has trainer John Wheeler planning a Melbourne Cup assault later this year and pushed her sire’s tally of Group winners to three since the beginning of January.  This followed the efforts of Vickezzchardonnay in the Group Three Taranaki Cup (2000m) and Divine Rebel after first winning the Listed Epona Stakes over 1600m and then two weeks later taking out the Group Two Chairman’s Handicap (2600m).  Divine Rebel will be given her chance at Group One glory on Anzac day when she contests the Sydney Cup over two miles.

The winner of the AJC Derby, heralded as the most significant Derby in the Southern Hemisphere, Don Eduardo has the pedigree to support his race track success.  "He is arguably the best pedigreed stallion in the New Zealand stallion register," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "While it might be premature to say that he is the heir apparent to his sire Zabeel, the momentum that he has built with his progeny over the last four months is very exciting especially when you consider New Zealand's penchant for producing outstanding stayers," he said.  “With that in mind, Don Eduardo has already proven his versatility having left a Group One sprinter in Dashing Donna and smart three-year-old sprinter in Australia Swift Alliance whilst at the other end of the spectrum, you see the likes of Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay proving themselves as true stayers,” says Mark. 

Standing at a fee of $7,000 + GST in 2009, Don Eduardo’s recent run of success has seen him move swiftly up the stallion ranks .  “When looking at active, New Zealand-based stallions, Don Eduardo is moving into elite company behind Zabeel, Pins, O’Reilly and Pentire - all proven stallions standing at much higher fees,” said Mark.  "While there is still a way to go before Don Eduardo can be compared with the likes of these proven horses, if the results keep coming as we think they will, I'm sure he is headed for his day in the sun and those breeders that have supported the horse will have their day too," he said.

Peter Moody sent Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) three-year-old filly Returntosender (NZ) to Brisbane with a Queensland Oaks campaign in mind however upon loading on the truck earlier last week, the filly still had to prove her ability over the staying distances having won her last two starts over 1400m.

Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made it two stakes wins in a row on Easter Saturday when taking out the Group Two Chairman's Handicap (2600m) at Randwick for trainer Mike Moroney and jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

This preparation has seen Divine Rebel accumulate three stakes performances to date including her last start victory in the Listed Epona Stakes (1600m) and a second in the Group Three VRC Matron Stakes (1600m) in Melbourne before heading to Sydney.

"She has really proven herself this preparation and is a tough mare," said trainer Mike Moroney.  "She deserves a chance at a Group One so she will now head to the Sydney Cup on Anzac Day where she's only got 51kg," he said.  "After that, she will go to the spelling paddock and we will then bring her back with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup's in mind for the Spring," he said.

Another of Don Eduardo's first crop, Dashing Donna (NZ), came close at Group One level yet again when finishing from toward the rear of the field to claim fourth in the Group One Easter Handicap (1600m), missing third by just a half head.  Stakes placed at two, the mare has proved herself over the sprinting distances finishing third in the Group Two Concorde Stakes (1200m) and second in the Group One Railway Stakes (1200m) this season.  On Thursday the John Wheeler-trained duo of Galente (NZ) and All In Black (NZ) made it a double for Don Eduardo at Taranaki, both winning impressively.  All In Black now looks set to head to Brisbane for the Queensland Carnival where Don Eduardo will also be represented by the Gai Waterhouse-trained sprinter Swift Alliance (Aus) who was bred and is raced by Don Eduardo's owner, Mr Eduardo Cojuangco of Gooree Park Stud.

Don Eduardo's 2009 service fee has been reduced to $7,000 + GST and he will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

One of the leading performers from her sire's first crop, three-year-old filly Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City) put in a fine performance at her first start this season, easily taking out the Group Three Prix Imprudence over 1400m at Maisons-Laffitte in France over the Easter weekend.

A leading light in Elusive City's first crop of Northern Hemisphere two-year-olds, Elusive Wave won on debut for trainer Richard Hannon before being transfered to France and the stable of Jean-Claude Rouget.  Winning the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure (1400m) and then the Group Three Prix du Calvados (1400m), Elusive Wave franked her form as one of Europe's leading two-year-old fillies with a second in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m).

After an all the way win on her return this season, Jean-Claude Rouget has confirmed the filly will attempt the French Classic double of the Group One Poule d'Eassau des Pouliches and the Group One Prix de Diane - the French equivalent of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

Elusive City will stand for an unchanged fee of $8,000 + GST at Haunui Farm in 2009 and will serve a restricted book of 120 mares. 

It's all systems go for three-year-old filly Nashmiah (Ire) (Elusive City) as she heads towards the Group One 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket on the 3rd of May.

Thoroughbred Daily News reported today that leading jockey Jamie Spencer has elected to ride the filly in one of the first "majors" of the British flat season after flying in to ride her in work during the week.  Winning her first start of the season, a Listed event at Lingfield, the filly will head straight to Newmarket.  "Jamie Spencer came over to ride her in work the other day and was delighted," reported trainer Clive Brittain to the TDN.  "He was impressed with her at Lingfield but says she has improved since, as we expected she would.  It's all systems go to the Guineas now and she must go there with a sound chance," he said.

Elusive City has two leading chances in two of the early season European Classics with Nashmiah headed to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas and fellow three-year-old filly Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City) set to contest the French equivalent.

"His two-year-olds have certainly trained on at three," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm, referring to the success of Elusive City's first Northern Hemisphere at two and now three.  "With the European flat season starting to wind up I'm sure there will be more results to come and I'm certain New Zealand breeders will continue to see the great value Elusive City represents when standing this season at $8,000," he said.

For more information in regard to Elusive City or any of the Haunui stallions, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

The recent service fee announcement for Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) coincides with a recent string of success for the young stallion.

Saturday saw Australian-based mare Divine Rebel (NZ) frank her form in Australia with a hard fought and impressive victory in the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill.  Trained in Melbourne by Mike Moroney, the four-year-old mare was unbeaten in three starts in her first Australian preparation last Spring and has come back in fine form this Autumn to claim black type success.

The second stakes winner for Don Eduardo after Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) broke through in February for a Group Three win in the Taranaki Cup (2000m) Divine Rebel was also Group Three placed at her previous start in the VRC Matron Stakes (1600m) giving Don Edaurdo a total of five stakes performers from his first crop.

The last two days have also seen further success in Australia with Gooree Park Stud's Tio Juan (NZ) (Don Eduardo) notching up his second win from ten starts whilst yesterday in Melbourne, Najib (NZ) (Don Eduardo) won impressively at Seymour.

Don Eduardo's 2009 service fee is $7,000 + GST.  Please feel free to contact Mark Chitty or Shannon Taylor for any further information.

Following the resolute win of four-year-old mare Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) in the Listed Epona Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday and another stakes performing run by three-year-old Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City), Haunui Farm has announced their stallion roster and service fees for the 2009 season.

As the Northern Hemisphere flat season begins to roll, European Champion First Season Sire Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) has hit the ground running with his Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds notching up two stakes performers in the last seven days.

Estoril City (Fr) (Elusive City) got the first points on the board with a second in the Listed Prix Montenica (1300m) at Deauville mid-week.  From an eight start career to date, Estoril City has been a consistent performer with three wins, two seconds and a third, his stakes placing making him Elusive City’s seventh stakes performer so far from his first Northern Hemisphere crop.

The weekend’s results show that stakes placed two-year-old Nashmiah (Ire) put in an impressive performance in the Listed Spring Cup (1400m) at Lingfield easing down to win by almost three lengths.  Trained by Clive Brittain, this was the filly’s first start since finishing third in the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes (1400m) at the beginning of October last year and with a win of this fashion, proves that she is well on target for a tilt at the Group One 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“It hasn’t taken long for Elusive City to get some more points on the board in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm, Elusive City’s Southern Hemisphere base.  “What is particularly pleasing is that both of these horses performed creditably at two and have come out as early three-year-olds and done the job,” said Mark.   With 94 foals from his first Northern Hemisphere crop, Elusive City has a stakes winners to foals ratio of 7.4% and with 58 runners, his stakes performers to runners ratio is 12%.

Owned in the Southern Hemisphere by Haunui Farm, Fairdale Stud and Trelawney Stud, Elusive City has enjoyed a run of success in Australia over recent weeks with the Gerald Ryan three-year-old Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) stakes placed at Randwick and, the Peter Moody-trained filly Returntosender (NZ) (Elusive City) winning and being aimed toward Queensland Oaks (2400m).  Other recent winners include Full Moon (NZ), Sandusky City (NZ) and Tolaga Bay (NZ).

“Elusive City has had ten individual winners in Australia from fifteen starters – 66% winners to runners – that’s a pretty impressive statistic,” said Mark.  “He has a stakes performer in Sydney and has had a stakes winning three-year-old and Group Two-placed two-year-old in New Zealand so far this season,” he said.  “We’re pretty excited about his prospects and I think we have good reason to be,” said Mark. 

Four-year-old mare Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) is stepping up the mile distance for the first time tomorrow in the Group Two Japan/NZ Trophy at Tauranga but co-trainer Donna Logan isn't worried.  "With the way she races I don't think it will cause her any problems," said Donna referring to Dashing Donna's style of getting back and making a late charge for the finish.

Stakes placed at two, Dashing Donna was also stakes placed at three and as a four-year-old missed out on victory in the Group One Railway Stakes (1200m) by the narrowest of margins, finished third in the Group Two Concorde Stakes (1200m) by less than half a length and has twice been a fast finishing fourth at Listed level.  "I'm really happy with her and hopefully we can finally get a stakes win," said Donna Logan yesterday.

Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) who last week finished second in the Group Three Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington will next week head to Sydney to chase further black type in the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill. 

Transfered to the Moroney stable in Melbourne last spring, Divine Rebel won three-in-a-row before heading to the spelling paddock.  She has had three starts this campaign and with two seconds in a row, will be looking to go one better next weekend.

With the Northern Hemisphere flat racing season beginning to get back into action, Champion First Season Sire Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) has notched up another stakes performer to add to his Northern Hemisphere tally, his first for the 2009 season.

Three-year-old colt Estoril City (Fr) (Elusive City) got his career of to a flying start at two with a win on debut.  With two further wins to his credit, after yesterday's second in the Listed Prix Montenica (1300m) at Deauville, his 8 start career includes three wins, two seconds and a third.

Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, this colt, along with a number of Elusive City's standout performers such as Elusive Wave (Ire), Soul City (Ire) and Man River (Ire) will undoubtedly go on to represent their sire in any one of the upcoming European classics this season.

"It's always good to see two-year-olds come out and train on the following season and with flat racing just getting underway again up there, we're looking forward to seeing some more good results," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm where Elusive City stands in the Southern Hemisphere.  "Elusive City has now had seven stakes performers from his first Northern Hemisphere crop," he said.  With 94 foals from his first Northern Hemisphere crop, Elusive City has a stakes winners to foals ratio of 7.4% and with 58 runners, his stakes winners to runners ratio is 12%.

Elusive City also saw further success in Australia yesterday with the Danny O'Brien-trained filly Full Moon (NZ) (Elusive City) winning over 2200m at Bendigo - her second win from nine starts which have also included two seconds and a third.  This win comes on the back of an impressive effort by Returntosender (NZ) (Elusive City) on Wednesday and the stakes performance of Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) at Randwick on Saturday.  With four runners today including last start winner Sandusky City (NZ), the results look set to keep coming.

Group Three-winner Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom) will look to get her race career back on track at Caulfield tomorrow when she lines up for the first time since surgery to remove bone chips from her knee.

Formerly trained in New Zealand by Roger James, Valpolicella remained in Australia after an injury-plagued Queensland Oaks/Derby campaign was aborted due to the discovery on bone chips and will debut on Saturday for the Mike Moroney stable.

"She has come through everything with flying colours so far so it will be exciting to see her back at the track tomorrow," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "She will definitely need the run and more ground but it is a good starting point and will give us an idea of where to go from here," he said.  All going well this preparation, Valpolicella will head toward the Queensland Carnival.

The Peter Moody-trained filly Returntosender (NZ) (Elusive City) claimed her first "city" win at Sandown yesterday over 1400m to take her tally to two wins and a second from only five starts.

Given the trail by stable jockey Luke Nolen, Returntosender won by a comfortable one-and-a-half lengths with Moody lining up a possible trip to his home state of Queensland.  "I am hoping she might get to the Queensland Oaks," he said yesterday after the race.  "She strikes me as a staying type of filly even though her pedigree suggests otherwise but we can only point her that way and see what happens," he said.

Returntosender is one of ten individual winners in Australia for her sire Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) from fifteen starters ito date.  Champion First Season Sire of Europe, his progeny are starting to hit their straps as three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere with recent performers including the Bart Cummings-trained Tolaga Bay (NZ) and the Sydney stakes performer Ahdashim (NZ).

Runners to watch by Elusive Cityin Australia this week include the Danny O'Brein-trained Full Moon (NZ) at Bendigo, last start winner Sandusky City (NZ) and big improver Monsieur Pimpernel (NZ) at Moonee Valley whilst in New Zealand, debut winner El Bimbo (NZ) lines up at Hawke's Bay.

Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) became the first stakes performer in Australia for his sire when finishing second (by a neck) to Bhutane Dane (Aus) (Danehill Dancer) in the Listed AJC Strada Stakes (1200m) at Randwick yesterday.

Bred by Trelawney Stud, partners in Elusive City (USA) (Elusive City), Ahdashim was sold from Trelawney's 2007 Premier Draft and was purchased by Gerald Ryan for $150,000.  The winner of three from three in his first preparation, Saturday's start was Ahdashim's fourth this time in, his first at black type level and he didn't disappoint.

"It was a terrific performance by the horse and it seems Gerald Ryan really has him up to the mark," said Mark Chitty.  "I think he slipped under a few people's radar and was a bit underrated but he will have made a few people stand up and take note after that performance," he said.

With the likes of Bhutane Dane being targeted toward the major Group One sprints of the Autumn Carnival, Gerald Ryan isn't 100% sure where Ahdashim will head for his next start but after Saturday's performance, he knows he has a competitive horse in stakes company.

Elusive City has been enjoying a stellar run in recent weeks with a trio of winners last week including the win of the Bart Cummings-trained Tolaga Bay (NZ) (Elusive City) and now Ahdashim earning black type.  "His figures in Australia are very impressive," says Mark.  "He's had ten winners from 15 starters over there, that's a winners to runners ratio of 67%," he said. 

Two-year-old Spirit Of Unicorn (NZ) (Elusive City) also turned in another impressive performance to finish second at Trentham on Saturday going down by a head adding to his placing in the Group Two Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) two starts back.

Champion First Season Sire of Europe, Elusive City was the only freshman sire in the Northern Hemisphere to sire two Group winners and also produced the winner of the Goffs Million.  "His results in the North are a huge testament to the horse when you consider his mare opportunity up there compared to the likes of One Cool Cat and Exceed And Excel," said Mark.  "It shows he can upgrade his mares and there is a fair bit happening in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand now," he said.

Elusive City's 2009 service fee will be announced shortly and like all Haunui stallions in 2009, he will serve a limited book of mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Three-year-old filly Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket) added her name to the Haunui Farm Honors Board this past weekend with a stunning victory in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at only her fourth start.

Bred by Roger Lam, Jungle Rocket was born and raised at Haunui and was sold at the 2006 NZB Weanling Sale due to the dispersal of some of Roger's New Zealand-based bloodstock.  Purchased by the astute John Camerson on behalf of Louise Betts of New South Wales, the filly only spent a few days off the farm at the sales complex and returned to Haunui under her new ownership.  "John asked if we would be happy to manage the filly through on behalf of her new owners," said Mark. 

Upon their first visit to Haunui to see their new purchase, Craig and Louise Betts and David and Cynthia Pleasance also asked to see the filly's dam, Gu Li - they ended up buying her too!  "It is quite remarkable really because as they were based in Australia, they hadn't seen the filly in the flesh and after seeing some photos of her and receiving some comments from others, were a little worried," said Mark.  "I wonder what those people are saying now!" he said.  "As a family, they get a lot of pleasure out of the horses so there were lots of phonecalls, emails and photos to keep them updated," said Mark.  "Given that they purchased the filly as a weanling, there was a lot of time when there wasn't really much happening because all she was doing was growing out," said Mark.  "It was a bit of a long wait until she was broken in and she was among the last that we did break-in as she just needed that bit more time," he said.

Purchased as a weanling, Jungle Rocket was grown out at Haunui and broken in at Haunui by Luke Geddes, the Yearling and Breaking-In Manager at the time, before heading to Jeff McVean's for her first preparation.  "This result is a huge testament to Jeff and his skills as a horseman," said Mark.  "This filly was a maiden at the beginning of February and in the second week of March, she is a Group One-winner at only her fourth start - that's not a fluke," he said. 

Now the owners of a Group One filly and a Group One-producing mare, the Betts' and the Pleasance's have a lot to look forward to with Jungle Rocket possibly heading across the Tasman for a tilt at the Queensland Oaks.  They also have a Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) yearling colt who is currently being broken-in and will head toward the Ready-to-Run Sale in November and, a Don Eduardo weanling filly who will undoubtedly be retained to race.  This season the mare is due to foal to Savabeel (NZ) (Zabeel).

Jungle Rocket became the ninth Group One-winner to have been bred, raised or sold by Haunui Farm in the last four years.  "Up until Saturday we'd had six stakes performers so far this season," said Mark.  "It's nice to get that stakes win on the board for the year and it's a Group One no less!"

Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added their names to the list of black type performers for their sire Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) this weekend with impressive performances at Trentham and Flemington respectively.

At the New Zealand Oaks racemeeting, Booming lined up in the Listed St Leger Stakes (2500m) finishing third.  With only nine starts under her belt, Booming has emerged this season as a very promising type notching up two wins, three seconds and a third to her credit for trainer Jeff Lynds.

In Australia, the Mike Moroney-trained Divine Rebel finished second in the Group Three VRC Matron Stakes (1600m) at only her third start this preparation having notched up three wins in succession toward the end of 2008.

"Two stakes performers over the weekend was a great result," said Mark Chitty.  "Both of these mares are very promising stayers and it was pleasing to see Divine Rebel perform like that over a mile as she is only going to be better over the longer trips," said Mark.

Don Eduardo now has six stakes performers to his credit from his first crop, among them Group Three-winner and Group One-performer Vickezzchardonnay (NZ).  "You could say Don Eduardo is a little unlucky not to have had three Group winners but the results will come," said Mark.  "We can only take our lead from trainers and they were buying his progeny at the yearling sales so that is definitely saying something," he said.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continues to make an impression on Australasian racetracks with three new winners added to his growing tally this past weekend.