The Frank Ritchie-trained Don Dixit (NZ) (Don Eduardo) will relish the wet conditions predicted at Riccarton tomorrow when he lines up in the Group Three Winter Cup (1600m).

One of few Don Eduardo's who really relish wet conditions, Don Dixit has four wins, two seconds and four thirds to his credit from nineteen starts - mostly on wet tracks.

The 2009 Autumn saw Don Eduardo credited with three Group One performers after getting the season off to a flying start through the deeds of Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who at he start of last season quickly notched five stakes wins between them. A win tomorrow would see Don Dixit kick off the 2010/2011 racing season in a similar fashion for his sire.

The on set of Spring racing will see the return of Swift Alliance to the track who will be chasing some major Spring spoils after his Queensland campaign was curtailed due to problems associated with a foot abcess.  Unbeaten filly Autumn Ember (Aus) (Don Eduardo), the winner of five, is another who will undoubtedly wave the flag for her sire in Australia this Spring along with Divine Rebel (NZ) and Sevada (NZ) whilst in New Zealand we can look forward to the return of Booming (NZ) who will be aiming for some of the major staying races both here and across the Tasman.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2010 for a fee of $7,000 + GST. 

Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) claimed a Ruakaka double at Saturday backing up from her victory at the same track just two weeks ago.

Lining up on home turf, the five-year-old mare had no trouble with her opposition winning comfortably by a length for jockey James McDonald and the stable of Donna and Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs.

Stakes placed at two, Dashing Donna just missed Group One glory when second by the narrowest of margins in the Group One Railway Stakes over the sprint distance of 1200m - a race which Don Eduardo's dam Diamond Lover (Aus) (Sticks And Stones) claimed as a four-year-old - and was also placed in the Group Two Concorde, again over 1200m.

Racing at Ruakaka on Saturday also saw promising stayers Reposado (NZ) (Don Eduardo) from the stable of Jamie Graham and Jessardo (NZ) (Don Eduardo) from the Richard Collett stable placed over 2100m whilst Don Dixit (NZ) (Don Eduardo) put his foot in the till at Opunake when second over a mile. 

Spring racing will be a busy time for the progeny of Don Eduardo with the likes of Zevada (NZ), Autumn Ember (Aus) and Swift Alliance (Aus) all having major spring assignments across the Tasman whilst Miss Bindi (NZ), a three-time winner and four-time placegetter from nine starts this season, will undoubtedly get another tilt at stakes level to add to her third placing in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) this season.

Don Eduardo stands for a fee of $7,000 + GST.

Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) has cracked the million dollar mark in stakes earned in Australia this season thanks to the deeds of talented four-year-old Zevada (NZ) (Don Eduardo) in Brisbane on Saturday.

One of 16 winners across the Tasman for Don Eduardo so far this season, Zevada is one of a growing list of talented gallopers that the AJC Derby-winner is leaving joining the likes of Divine Rebel (NZ), Swift Alliance (Aus), Moti (NZ), Autumn Ember (Aus) and Older Than Time (Aus)  just to name a few.

To cap the day off, Reposado (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added his name to the list of stakes performers for his sire when second in the Listed Cornwall Handicap (2200m), one of the traditional races of Queens Birthday Weekend racing at Ellerslie. 

In finishing second on Saturday, Reposado became the 11th stakes performer for Don Eduardo, following a very successful Autumn with three Group One performers in the in the form of Booming (NZ), Divine Rebel, and Swift Alliance.  Add to that list stakes placed three-year-old filly Miss Bindi (NZ) and Zevada, and Don Eduardo has a tally of five stakes winners in the current racing season.

"To have earned over a million dollars in stakes in Australia this season is an excellent result," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "He has left two Group One horses in Australia this season and his two top priced yearlings were sold to two of Australia's best trainers in John Hawkes and Lee Freedman which shows the regard he is held in over there," said Mark.  "That is very important given that Australia is our major export market and as long as they keep performing, it all bodes well for the future," he said.

Don Eduardo will stand for $7,000 + GST in the 2010 breeding season and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995, Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513 or, Justine Sclater - 0276 464 761.

Three-year-old filly Miss Bindi (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made light work of her rivals at Ellerslie on Saturday with an effortless three-length victory over 1400m in the last event on the card. 

The Graeme Richardson-trained Don Domingo (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made it back to back wins on Saturday with an impressive win over 1560m at Rotorua.

Settling just behind the leaders who set a solid tempo for the race, Don Domingo mounted his challenge on the turn and under a hands and heels ride from apprentice jockey Alvin Ng, made light work of his opposition stretching out to a comfortable two-and-a-half length victory.

The winner of four, Don Domingo has a further four seconds and three thirds to his credit with his trainer looking toward races such as the Rich Hill Mile over the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.  “I have tried him over staying distances a few times and it hasn’t panned out,” said Graeme.  “He has a too much brilliance and I think he is better suited to a mile,” he said.  “He will have a start at Te Rapa in a fortnight’s time as long as the track is OK and then he will go to the paddock and come back in the Spring,” he said.

For the second season in a row, Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) has put in a stellar performance in the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) to finish second.

The five-year-old mare proved an exciting staying prospect for her sire, Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel), last season winning the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) and the Group Two Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) on her way to a slashing second in the Group One Sydney Cup.  An injury leading into the spring curtailed what could have been a promising Cups campaign.

Summer and autumn racing provided some mixed results for Divine Rebel however trainer Mike Moroney was confident the five-year-old mare would find form at the right time and he wasn’t far off the mark.  Racing prominently throughout the race, Divine Rebel set a solid tempo early in the race before handing up and settling in behind Auckland Cup-winner Zavite (NZ) (Zabeel) with about a mile to run.  Swinging for home, Divine Rebel mounted her challenge and quickly took command over the rest of the field.  In the meantime, Jessicabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) had been biding her time toward the rear of the field and managed to get a run with 300m to go.  Divine Rebel stuck strongly to her task and it wasn’t until the last 100m that Jessicabeel hit the lead with Divine Rebel runner-up.

“It was a very gutsy effort by Divine Rebel and I guess the only consolation you can take out of another Group One second is that the race was won by a New Zealand-bred horse and she was by Zabeel,” said Shannon Taylor, Marketing & Operations Manager at Haunui Farm.  “She has put in two fantastic performances in this race over the past two years so she obviously relishes the two miles which bodes well for the first Tuesday in November,” she said. 

Doncaster Day at Royal Randwick proved very fruitful for the progeny of Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) with four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) proving he is right up there with Australia’s top sprinters beaten a neck and a neck in the Group One The Galaxy (1200m) on Saturday.

Tipped to be a sure thing by trainer Gai Waterhouse in the week leading up to the sprint feature, Swift Alliance travelled mid-field for jockey Nash Rawiller.  Race favourite Ortensia (Aus) (Testa Rossa), regarded as one of the best sprinters in Australia at the present time, made her run down the extreme outside of the track with the race commentator’s attention firmly focused on the efforts of the four-year-old mare.  In the meantime, Swift Alliance mounted his challenge and emerged from the middle of the pack with a furlong to run to be in a tight finish with the eventual race winner and second place getter Shellscrape (Aus) (Dane Shadow).

“It was a fantastic run and from where I was I thought he had won,” said Gooree Park General Manager Andrew Baddock.  “He is a great horse, he’s won two Group Three’s and is now Group One placed,” he said.  “I’ve said all along he will win a Group One race and we’ll be heading to Brisbane with him now for a tilt at the BTC Cup over 1200m,” said Andrew.

Earlier on Doncaster Day, Group One Auckland Cup runner-up Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) finished third in the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) in what was his first start since the million dollar race in early March.  In Sydney for a tilt at the Group One Australian Cup, Booming will be looking to go one better when lining up in the two mile feature next Saturday than Don Eduardo mare Divine Rebel (NZ) who ran second in last year’s rendition of the race.

“Saturday’s results were certainly a strong indication of Don Eduardo’s versatility siring a Group One performer over 1200m and a stakes performer over 2000m on the same card,” said Shannon Taylor, Haunui Farm’s Marketing and Operations Manager.  “There is no doubt Don Eduardo is emerging as a very exciting young stallion and to get two stakes performers at Royal Randwick on one of the AJC’s biggest days of racing is no mean feat,” she said.  “He also had Don Domingo win at Ellerslie on the same day so it was a pretty good one all round,” she said.

Swift Alliance is more than likely to be joined on a Queensland campaign by two-year-old filly Touch Of Greatness (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who has impressed with two trial wins to date.  Set to line up on raceday for the first time on the 5^th of May, all going well she too will head north to contest some of the two-year-old features over the Queensland Carnival.

“He has some quality horses doing a very good job at present, not only the likes of Swift Alliance and Booming but also Autumn Ember, Zevada and Touch Of Greatness who looks to be an exciting prospect,” said Shannon.  “We sold a Don Eduardo colt at the Easter Sale just two weeks ago for $160,000 to Hawkes racing,” she said.  “There was plenty of competition on the colt and there is no doubt the success Don Eduardo’s progeny have had in Australia has been noted and he is definitely a respected stallion in the market place over there,” said Shannon. 

Haunui Farm General Manager Mark Chitty took a gamble when sale entries were completed deciding to send a colt by Don Eduardo to the William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  Late on Thursday afternoon, that gamble paid dividends.

“We had two colts that were very similar on type and looks and I thought that if we sold them both at Karaka, one would have benefited to the detriment of the other,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Don Eduardo had a flying start to the season with Swift Alliance and Moti winning six stakes races between them so I thought we would take a punt and send one of the colts to the second session of the Easter Sale,” he said.

The weekend prior to the sale, leading performer for his sire Swift Alliance (Aus) ( Don Eduardo) was an impressive winner of the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m).  “Whilst that win couldn’t have been timed any better, the colt had already been well inspected by all of the right people on the sale ground,” said Shannon Taylor, Marketing and Operations Manager for Haunui Farm.  “A number of people had inspected the colt two or three times so we knew there was some solid interest in him, it was just a matter to what level,” she said.

With solid competition on the colt from the outset, he was finally knocked down to the bid of John Hawkes for the princely sum of A$160,000.  “When you convert that to New Zealand dollars, to say it is a fantastic result is an understatement,” says Mark.  “This colt was bred off a $10,000 service fee!”

Another significant result in the Haunui Farm draft for the Easter Sale came when Lot 369, the half brother to Group One Rosehill Guineas-winner Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) fetched $300,000 to the bid of Danny O’Brien.  “Coming across to the sale we thought the colt would make around the $150,000,” said Mark.  “John O’Shea had been saying for some time that Zabrasive was his horse for the Derby but the timing of winning the Guineas couldn’t have been better,” said Mark.

Haunui’s first lot through the ring, a filly by Champion Sire Pins (Aus) (Snippets) was sold to the bid of Demi O’Byrne for $140,000.  “She was an outstanding filly on the move, she’s the first horse we have sold to Demi,” said Mark.  “Colm Santry told us the filly would go to the stable of David Hayes so she is going to get every opportunity,” he said.

Early on the final day of the sale, Haunui sold Lot 411, a colt by Commands (Aus) (Danehill), he was purchased by Steve Brem for $120,000.

Haunui Farm sold four yearlings for a total of A$720,000 with an average of A$180,000.

Golden Slipper day at Rosehill yesterday provided a great result for Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) with four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) proving too strong for his opposition in the last event on the card, the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m).

Already a three-time stakes winner, including the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over the straight six at Flemington, Swift Alliance was quickly out of the barriers and took a handy position for jockey Nash Rawiller.  Always travelling sweetly, Swift Alliance hit the lead a furlong from home and never looked in doubt of winning crossing the line a comfortable half length in front.

“He’s a great little horse,” said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.  “He’s a stable favourite at Gai’s with all of the staff and he has done a great job on the racetrack,” he said.  “He’s done a great job for Don Eduardo too and because of his brilliant speed, always has a few people scratching their heads,” says Andrew.

The result couldn’t be more timely for Haunui Farm who will offer a colt by Don Eduardo at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  “With the success that Swift Alliance and Moti had in Australia earlier in the season we thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a Don Eduardo colt over,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “He’s a good looking colt, nearly black, and he is a very good mover,” he said.  “He has taken the eye of a few buyers since he’s been on the sale ground and I’m sure a few more will be looking a little more seriously at him after yesterday’s result,” he said.

The colt, out of Frilly Filly (NZ) (Dream Well) will sell as Lot 552 and will fall under the hammer as part of the second session of the sale on Thursday afternoon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) took another step toward qualifying for the Wellington Cup field at Awapuni on Saturday when winning over 2300m in a Rating 90 event.

Drawn toward the outside, Booming was caught wide in the early stages of the race and was pushed forward to work his way across the field by jockey Opie Bosson. After leaving the homestraight for the first time, Booming was sitting just outside the leader before getting some cover partway down the back straight. Remaining handy for the entirety of the race, Booming set out to chase the race leader Montetra (NZ) (Montjeu) who had put a three length break on the field coming into the turn. The race never looked in doubt with Booming hitting picking up the leader and winning by a length at the line. 

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) three-year-old Donna Mia (NZ) has a lot to live up to being a half sister to Group One New Zealand Oaks-winner Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket) however on debut at Hawke’s Bay over the New Year weekend, she signalled that there could be more good times ahead for her connections.

Lining up over 1200m, Donna Mia was settled toward the rear of the field by apprentice jockey Rosie Myers and coming into the home turn was tailing the field. Once balanced, Donna Mia showed a powerful turn of foot to reel in her rivals and nab victory on the line.

“It was certainly an impressive victory,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “Coming into the straight I certainly didn’t expect her to win but she showed a huge turn of foot and I know her win had a few people talking,” he said.  “Jungle Rocket didn’t have her first start until early February and she went on to win the Oaks,” said Mark.  “There’s a long way between a maiden victory and lining up in a Group One race but it would be nice to think this filly might be headed along the same lines!”

Donna Mia was bred by David and Cynthia Pleasance and, Craig and Louise Betts.  Through New Zealand Bloodstock’s John Cameron, they purchased Jungle Rocket from Haunui’s 2006 Weanling draft and since then, have purchased Gu Li (NZ) (Last Tycoon), the dam of Jungle Rocket and Donna Mia.

Stakes performer Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) showed he is back to his best form at Awapuni on Saturday with a resounding victory in just his third start this preparation.

Settled toward the rear of the field over 2000m, Booming made an impressive run down the outside of the track to take out the last race of the day and left racegoers and viewers with a lasting impression when striding past his rivals to win comfortably.

Third in the Listed St Leger (2500m) last season, Booming looks set to be a strong contender in some of the major staying events over the summer.  “Don Eduardo started 2009 with a bang with Dashing Donna finishing second in the Railway, Vickezzchardonnay taking out the Taranaki Cup and All In Black taking out the Hawke’s Bay Cup so it would be nice to think he could finish the year off on a similar note,” said Mark Chitty.

2009 has seen five stakes winners for Don Eduardo, the three mentioned above and the multiple stakes winners Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) and Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) in Australia.  “Like Elusive City, it is nice to see Don Eduardo’s progeny hitting their straps at the right time of the year and I’m sure come yearling sale time there will be more black type performers added to his tally,” said Mark.

Three-year-old gelding Distillery (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added his name to a growing list of impressive three-year-old performers for his sire Don Eduardo when effortlessly winning at Kilmore yesterday.

Facing the starter for the second time after finishing second by a neck at his first start, Distillery showed speed from the barriers taking the lead and then came back to jockey Mark Zahra nicely to settle at head of the field.  Popped the question on the turn, Distillery kicked away from the rest of the field easing down at the line with four lengths to spare.

Trained by Lee and Shannon Hope at Kilmore, Distillery is the fifth graduate of Haunui’s 2008 Ready-to-Run draft to salute the judge following Dunloe Park (NZ) (Lonhro), Celtic Fantasy (Aus) (Giant’s Causeway), Tuffinup (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) and, Williams (NZ) (Elusive City) and.  Always held in high regard by the stable, Distillery looks set to take the step up to city company at his next start.

Don Eduardo’s current crop of three-year-olds are the first to have been bred at Haunui Farm and already he has produced the stakes performing filly Miss Bindi (NZ), second start winner Elaparado (NZ) – both possible Classic contenders – Melbourne winner Meet Me At Raffles (NZ) and, Don Eduardo’s Best (NZ).

“It’s great to see Don Eduardo’s first Haunui-bred crop starting to notch up the wins,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Distillery’s win yesterday was very impressive and with the story behind the horse it was certainly very satisfying,” he said.  “He was a colt that we targeted specifically for the Ready-to-Run Sale,” said Mark.  “He was always a good looking colt, almost black, of medium size with very good bone and muscle,” he said.

Don Eduardo has twenty four yearlings entered for Karaka 2010 and Haunui will offer fifteen of those yearlings.  “There is no doubt that getting winners on the board at this time of year is ideal leading into the yearling sales,” said Mark.  “There is no doubt the performances of Swift Alliance and Moti in Australia early this season has certainly put Don Eduardo on the radar of Australian trainers and in fact, we had a couple of mares sent to him this season from Australia,” said Mark.  “He has followed this up with some very nice three-year-old performers of late and some of his proven horses are starting to step back out again so it bodes well for the major carnivals ahead and we’re certainly looking forward to presenting some nice Don Eduardo’s come sale time,” he said. 

Three-year-old filly Miss Bindi (NZ) (Don Eduardo) broke through for her maiden victory at Ellerslie yesterday, taking her race record to a win and four placings from just five starts.  Continuing a run of outside barrier draws, Miss Bindi drew barrier 17 over 1400m at Ellerslie yesterday.  Checked by jockey Cameron Lammas to avoid Andrew Calder who fell from his mount, Pearl Dancer (NZ) (Danehill Dancer), Miss Bindi's one-and-a-half length victory was even more impressive given that she made her run from the rear of the field. 

Stakes placed in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie at her last start at the end of September, Miss Bindi has continued to impress her breeder and owner Ngaire Fraser, enough so that the filly will now go directly to the Group Two Avondale Guineas.   

“Michael Manson trains the filly for us and he does a great job,” said Ngaire.  “He actually trained Yellow Brick Road, the dam of Miss Bindi, and brought her down to Haunui to be covered by Don Eduardo when she was still up at Ruakaka with him,” she said.  “His wife used to work for Donna Logan and she tells me that they by-passed going to Christchurch and Trentham with Vapour Trail and went to the Avondale Guineas and she went on to win the Oaks,” said Ngaire.  “It would be dreaming to think this filly could do the same thing but who knows!” 

Miss Bindi is one of three stakes performers for Don Eduardo for the 2009/2010 season, joining the likes of Group Three-winner Swift Alliance (Aus) and multiple stakes winner Moti (NZ) – both in Australia.  With a total of ten stakes performers to his credit to date, nine of these coming in 2009, Don Eduardo has proved a popular choice with breeders this season and is set to serve a full book of mares by the time the breeding season is completed.  “He is a great stallion in the breeding shed,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “He is very professional and most importantly, very fertile,” he said.  “It has been great to see his numbers creeping up and up during the season and there are a lot of his progeny just starting to step out onto the tracks again and I’m sure there will be some big results to come,” he said.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Promising four-year-old mare Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) scored another impressive victory at Warwick Farm today notching up the second win for the day for the powerful Gai Waterhouse stable.  Racing in the colours of Gooree Park Stud, undoubtedly one of Waterhouse's largest owners, it is fitting that the mare should secure the Sydney trainer, her seventh premiership title.

The winner of five from ten starts, today's race was Moti's first in this preparation after following the standard Waterhouse programme of two trial starts before a raceday appearance.  No doubt the stable will be looking for a similar result from rising stable star Swift Alliance (Aus), also by Don Eduardo and of course, also raced in the famous Gooree Park colours, when he lines up over 1200m at Randwick tomorrow after opening his campaign with a solid first-up victory a little over three weeks ago.

"It was great to see Gai secure the title with a daughter of Don Eduardo," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "It was fitting that the race that secured the premiership should be won by a horse wearing the Gooree colours and given that Mr Cojuangco owns Don Eduardo, it makes the win even more significant," he said.  "I'm sure Gai wouldn't mind a few more Don Eduardo's in the stable if they keep performing like that!"

With six stakes performers to his credit so far this season including three Group winners and two Group One performers, the 2009/2010 season will be an exciting one for Don Eduardo.  "His first crop of Haunui-conceived foals are set to turn three tomorrow and we will definitely be watching them with interest," said Mark.  "The last six months has been huge for Don Eduardo with six stakes performers and two Group One performers and we're looking forward to seeing these results continue with the onset of the new season," he said.

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.

Three-year-old colt Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) made his long awaited return to the racetrack on Saturday at racing headquarters in Sydney.

Lining up at Randwick for the Gai Waterhouse stable, Swift Alliance put in a gutsy performance lugging the top weight of 58kg to the line over 1200m.  So anticipated was Swift Alliance's return to the track, Gooree Park Stud manager Andrew Baddock listened in from Europe whilst on holiday and was more than satisfied with the colt's effort.

Swift Alliance had an extended break from the track after a sale to Hong Kong didn't eventuate and will possibly have one further start before a Spring campaign.  "I think he has a big race in him and he will be given every opportunity," said Andrew Baddock.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) 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 or to make a booking, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

After a six-month absence from the track, exciting sprinter Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) will be making a welcome return in the next few weeks.

The winner of two from three last season, Swift Alliance was subject to a large offer from Hong Kong which saw him miss the Sydney Autumn.  Back in the stable of Gai Waterhouse he has thrived and today won his second trial over 1050m at Randwick in impressive fashion.

"He has come back bigger and stronger," said Andrew Baddock, manager of Gooree Park Stud, owners of Swift Alliance and of course, his sire.  "He's followed the usual programme of having two trials before lining up at the races and he has won them easily," he said.  "Admittedly he is ready to race at a funny time of the year but that is just how things have panned out," said Andrew.  "We will line him up, see how he goes, and then map out a campaign from there," he said.  "All going well, he will be lining up in some of the nice races over the Spring," he said.

Another tip from the Gooree racing team is three-year-old filly Devilish Intent (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who lines up in the first race at the STC's Canterbury meeting tomorrow after finishing second at his first start this campaign.

At a time when debate is raging in our industry in regard to stallion service fees and the prospect of breeding a filly, it is pleasing to see Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) continuing his run of success producing three winners - all of the fairer sex - in the past week.

Jessardo (NZ) (Don Eduardo) got the ball rolling at Ruakaka winning in impressive fashion over a mile.  She now has two wins and second to her credit from only seven starts from the stable of Richard Collett.

Chief's Daughter (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added her name to Don Eduardo's list of winners, the three-year-old filly breaking maiden status over 1200m at her fourth start.

Mrs Gordon (NZ) (Don Eduardo), also a three-year-old filly, completed the trio of winners for her sire when victorious over 1400m at Rotorua just yesterday.  Like Chief's Daughter, it was her fourth start and first win.

"It is nice to see the results still rolling in," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "With the debate at the moment in regard to the value of breeding fillies, when you consider Don Eduardo's service fee of $7,000, getting a filly by him isn't necessarily a bad thing," he said.

"It is also interesting to note that Don Eduardo's three Group winners this season have all been mares - All In Black, Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay," said Mark. 

Don Eduardo will stand at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST.  He 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gooree Park Stud's homebred filly Autumn Ember (Aus) (Don Eduardo) impressed connections so much with her win at Warwick Farm yesterday that the three-year-old filly will be given every opportunity to stake her claim for the Group One AJC Oaks (2400m).

Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Autumn Ember made it two from two yesterday and ridden by leading jockey Blake Shinn, the filly was nicely positioned in the trail for most of the race.  Coming to the turn she was eased off the fence and went up to challenge the leader and race favourite Messenger (Aus) (Choisir) and after doing battle, Autumn Ember got the better of her opponent easing down to the line to win by just under a length with four lengths to third.

It wasn't the fact that Autumn Ember won the race, it was the manner in which she did it that has Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud and Gai Waterhouse looking at some bigger fish to fry.  "With Samantha Miss out of the Autumn the three-year-old fillies ranks are blown wide open and while there is still a bit to do before we could really label Autumn Ember a contender for the Oaks, we're going to give her every opportunity," said Andrew Baddock.

Autumn Ember will line up next over a mile at Warwick Farm on the 9th of March and will then target a Listed three-year-old fillies race at Kembla Grange before hopefully lining up in the Arrowfield Stakes and then the AJC Oaks.  Out of stakes winning mare Blab (Aus) (Flying Spur), Autumn Ember has the pedigree to suggest she would be well at home in an oaks field having a pedigree which already features Champion Filly and AJC Oaks-winner Bounding Away (Aus) (Biscay).

"The Autumn could be a flagship time in Don Eduardo's career as a sire," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm where Don Eduardo resides on behalf of his owner Mr Cojuangco of Gooree Park Stud.  "He has Vickezzchardonnay lining up in the Auckland Cup on Wednesday and she is a very real contender," he said.  "He also has Autumn Ember in Australia who can hopefully add to her tally and he has a lot of horses lining up in the next few days such as Booming, Cadonna and Don Julia who have all shown a lot of promise and will hopefully go on to bigger things and, his good sprinter in Australia Swift Alliance is back in pre-training and headed toward a Queensland campaign," said Mark.  "There are a few to keep an eye on!"

Haunui Farm will be announcing Don Eduardo's 2009 service fee in the near future with all Haunui stallions set to serve a restricted book of mares in 2009.

After being so close, but yet so far, on a number of occasions in black type events, four-year-old mare Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo) finally broke through for that all important black type win at Taranaki on Saturday and in doing so, became the first stakes winner for her sire, Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel).

Third in the Group Two New Zealand Cup (3200m) and a luckless fourth in the Wellington Cup (2400m) after rider Craig Grylls dropped his whip in the run home, Vickezzchardonnay has been a stand out performer from her sire’s first crop with five wins and eight placings to her credit from a 22 start career.  Saturday’s victory in the Group Three Taranaki Cup (2000m) is certainly well deserved.

“Until Saturday, Don Eduardo had had three horses beaten by less than half a length in Group races,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm, referring also to the placings of Il Divo in the Group Two Great Northern Guineas (2100m) and the Group Three Waikato Guineas (2000m) and, Dashing Donna’s placings in the Group Two Concorde Stakes (1200m) and the Group One Railway Stakes (1200m).  Don Eduardo also has a stakes performer in Australia in the form of three-year-old filly Lara’s Glitter, runner-up in the Listed Hobart Guineas (2100m) “His progeny have been knocking on the door for a while and it is nice to finally have his first Group win in the bag,” says Mark.

With 33 individual winners to date, this season has seen the emergence of some exciting prospects for Don Eduardo with the likes of Booming, Cadonna, Don Julio and Divine Rebel all starting to build reputations as promising stayers whilst across the Tasman has seen the emergence of promising sprinter Swift Alliance highlighting Don Eduardo’s versatility as a sire.

“Whilst Don Eduardo was a Derby winner and bred to stay, he is proving very versatile producing sprinters and stayers,” said Mark.  “His dam, Diamond Lover, won the Railway over 1200m so there is definitely some speed in the his pedigree and he seems to be passing this on,” he said.

Don Eduardo will serve a restricted book of mares in 2009 and his service fee, along with the fees of Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) and Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) will be announced shortly.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) enjoyed another day of success on the tracks of New Zealand and Australia with a treble of winners.

Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) started the ball rolling with an impressive victory over 2100m at Awapuni when starting as favourite for trainer Jeff Lynds and jockey Darryl Bradley.  Settled one off-the rail just behind the leaders, the race was never in doubt when Booming challenged for the lead with the four-year-old gelding easing down to win by one and a quarter lengths.

Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo) followed suit over the same distance but this time at the home of the Auckland Racing Club, Ellerslie.  Settled in a handy position by jockey Troy Harris, she was caught in a head-to-head battle with Casa de Campo (NZ) (Generous) and jockey Michael Walker over the last 250m but proved the stronger nabbing victory just on the line.

Across the Tasman it was the Gai Waterhouse-trained Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) who notched up her third win this campaign over the 1500m at Rosehill.

With 22 individual winners so far this season, both Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) and Vickezzchardonnay have been incredibly unlucky not to have become stakes winners for their sire – Dashing Donna missing out by a nose in the Group One Railway Handicap (1200m) and Vickezzchardonnay going down less than a length in the Group Two New Zealand Cup (3200m).  “He could easily have had three stakes winners in the bag rather than three stakes performers but that’s racing,” said Haunui Farm’s General Manager, Mark Chitty.  “The good thing is that he has got some quality horses out there and people recognise that,” said Mark.

Karaka 2009 is just on two-weeks away with 20 Don Eduardo yearlings catalogued in the sale.  “We have already had some interest from Australia in the Don Eduardo’s that we have in the sale and I’m sure buyers will have them on their radar at the sales,” said Mark. 

It was a case of close but yet so far at Ellerslie on New Year's Day with four-year-old mare Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) when finishing second by just a long neck in the Group One Railway Handicap (1200m).

Two starts ago, Dashing Donna finished third in the Group Two Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Avondale and 250m from home yesterday, it looked unlikely she would finish in the money until sprouting wings for jockey Noel Harris at the 200m mark to storm home down the outer of the Ellerslie straight.

The leading light in her sire's first crop, Dashing Donna was stakes placed at two and has continued to add to her credentials with four wins, four seconds and three thirds from seventeen starts.

"Two strides past the post she was in front and it would have been huge for Don Eduardo," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "She is certainly proving that she is a first class mare and just shows the versatility of Don Eduardo being a sprinting type," he said.

With Karaka 2009 just around the corner, a Group One win would have timely for the progeny of Don Eduardo who will be represented by 20 yearlings at Karaka 2009.  "I'm sure there will be plenty of interest in the Don Eduardo's as he has been getting some very good results over the last six weeks  and has 22 winners for the season so far," said Mark.  "Dashing Donna and Vickezzchardonnay have been incredibly unlucky not to have won major black type events and I'm sure buyers will be keeping this in mind come sale time," he said.

Haunui will offer eight yearlings by Don Eduardo at Karaka 2009 including a half brother to Group One-winner Gallic (NZ) (Zabeel). 

Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) has enjoyed a stellar run of success over the past week through the performances of Dashing Donna (NZ), Cadonna (NZ), Don Julio (NZ), Diplomatic (NZ) and All In Black (NZ) - his latest winner in a tally of nine so far this season.

Dashing Donna started the ball rolling with her third placing in the Group Two Concorde Stakes (1200m) on Avondale Cup-day last week and this was followed up with impressive wins by Cadonna and Don Julio over the weekend.

Last night at Ellerslie's Twilight race meeting, Diplomatic who is part owned by Haunui, was ridden to a tee by jockey Gavin McKeon and downed a promising field to break maiden ranks and today, All In Black came from the rear of the field to overpower her opposition over 1200m for rider Troy Harris and trainer John Wheeler.

"He has had some very impressive winners over the last week and Dashing Donna only missed winning the Concorde by the narrowest of margins," said Mark Chitty of Don Eduardo.  "His versatility as a sire is really starting to come through with horses like Swift Alliance, Dashing Donna and Moti all favouring the sprint distances whilst he has some very nice milers and staying types," he said. 

Horses to watch this weekend are recent winner Reposado (NZ) from the stable of Jamie Graham with Noel Harris aboard in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier (2400m) whilst the Andrew Scott stable will saddle Verdasco (NZ) for the first time on a raceday with the debutant lining up in the Listed Fairview Ford Stakes (1100m) for two-year-olds.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) three-year-old Swift Alliance (Aus) has tounge's wagging in Sydney as the racing foe try to figure out how the son of a Derby-winner can have so much brilliance.  Bred and raced by Gooree Park Stud, Swift Alliance made it two from two on Saturday at Rosehill backing up after an impressive five-and-a-half length first-up victory at Canterbury two weeks ago.

"They are trying to get Gai to compare him with Northern Meteor," said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud, referring to trainer Gai Waterhouse and Gooree's Group One-winning three-year-old by Encosta De Lago (Aus) (Fairy King).  "He has got a lot of speed which is something people don't expect from Don Eduardo's but they seem to forget there is a fair amount of speed in his pedigree, especially on the dam's side," he said. 

With two wins under his belt, it is highly likely Swift Alliance will have one more start this campaign before having a short spell for an Autumn campaign that will more than likely include a number of black type events.  "We really think a lot of this horse and he will get every chance to prove himself," said Andrew.

Meanwhile in New Zealand, the Jamie Graham-trained Reposado (NZ) (Don Eduardo) posted his second victory from eight starts when winning over 2170m at Tauranga on the same day. 

With a majority of the field in front of him swinging for home, Reposado was the widest in the run home and was brought down the outside for a comfortable win by jockey Corey Parish.  With two wins, a second and a third from eight starts, Reposado looks to be a horse to watch as he makes his way through the grades.

Riccarton was the scene of a stellar raceday yesterday with the running of the million dollar Group One 2000 Guineas (1600m) as well as the Group Two New Zealand Cup (3200m).  It was in this event that four-year-old mare Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo) collected more black-type finishing a close third after setting the pace for the majority of the race. 

Trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker, Vickezzchardonnay has had a fruitful Spring campaign with two wins and a second and will undoubtedly feature in some of the major staying races of the Autumn.

"It was certainly a very good day for Don Eduardo," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Swift Alliance looks to be a very exciting prospect in Sydney as well as Divine Rebel in Melbourne for the Moroney's," said Mark.  "A winner on each side of the Tasman and a stakes placing isn't a bad days work really," he said.

The Gooree Park-owned Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) lived up to the reputation that stud manager Andrew Baddock has been building for the horse when winning impressively on debut at Rosehill today.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse, the three-year-old colt has always been held in high regard by his connections and is reported to be right up there with Gooree's top three-year-old colts.  Facing the starter for the first time today, the colt jumped from a wide barrier to sit just outside the leader for most of the 1200m journey and turning for home, quickly put the race beyond doubt to annihalate his opposition by five lengths easing down at the line.

"It is great to see a nice three-year-old emerge for Don Eduardo this season," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud has always talked highly of this colt and we have been waiting for him to hit the tracks," said Mark.  "He showed a lot of promise at two and they did earmark a Queensland campaign for the colt but he went shin sore and was duely given the time he needed," said Mark.  "On today's performance you would have to say that everyone involved with the horse has been right on the money and hopefully he can go on to some nice black type events," he said.

Swift Alliance became his sire's sixth individual winner in Australia so far this season with his total standing at nine in Australasia for the 2008/2009 season.  Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2008 for a service fee of $10,000 + GST.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

After an impressive second in her last start at Ellerslie, Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) showed she is well and truly on track this preparation with a scintillating win over 1200m at Matamata on Saturday.

Early in her career, Dashing Donna was an on-pace runner however like at Ellerslie in her previous start, on Saturday she was jumped out to take up a position in mid-field by jockey Vinny Colgan and there she stayed until turning for home.  Behind runners turning into the straight, the opening soon appeared and once into open space, Colgan asked Dashing Donna for her effort and she was quick to oblige quickly reeling in race favourite Ruud Van Slaats (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy).

Saturday's effort has placed the Listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m) to be run on the 12th of November on the four-year-old's agenda  however a firm decision won't be made until co-trainer Donna Logan has spoken to the mare's owner, Dominic Li.  "There is also a nice race for her at Waikato so we will just see what suits best," said Donna Logan.  "The turn of foot she has showed in her last two races has been great and it's what we normally expect from her," she said.  "Getting her to settle back in the field and then finish off her races seems to be working," said Donna.

Stakes placed at two, Dashing Donna has four wins to her credit from a twelve start career as well as three seconds and two thirds.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) mare Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made it three from three in Australia this preparation with another impressive win at Mooneey Valley on Friday night.

The four-year-old kicked off her Spring campaign impressively at Warnambool and followed this up with an impressive win when debuting at "The Valley" three weeks ago.  In that race, Dvine Rebel started the lowest rated horse of the field but finished her race of strongly to win on the line. 

Friday night saw Divine Rebel return to the home of the Cox Plate and again, she was impressive in her effort signalling that she will be a strong contender for some major spoils toward the end of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

"We did have her nominated for the Cups initially but we pulled her out in early September as she just took a little longer to come to it in Melbourne than we expected," said Paul Moroney who takes care of the New Zealand arm of the Moroney training operation and who has overseen the career of Divine Rebel all the way through.  "We have always rated her among the best horses in the stable," he said.

From ten starts, Divine Rebel has four wins and three seconds to her credit and with her form to date, looks like adding to this tally in the weeks ahead.

"It's great to see this mare doing the job in Melbourne," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "She has been impressive this campaign and there's no doubt it would be a great result for Don Eduardo if she were to pick up some nice black type in the Spring," said Mark.  "We know his progeny are only going to get better with age and with three stakes performers from his first crop who are now four, we're looking forward to him notching up further black type success," he said.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2008 for a fee of $10,000 + GST.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made light work of her opposition over 1400m yesterday at Warnambool streaking to a comfortable four-length victory on debut in Australia.

Transfered from the Moroney’s Matamata base some time ago, Divine Rebel has always been held in high regard by the training duo of Mike and Paul. "We rate her as highly as the best horses in the stable," said Paul Moroney. "She is a very good mare and she is only going to get better and better and we see her going to the top grade in Melbourne," he said.

A Cups campaign was initially on the agenda for Divine Rebel but after taking a little more time to settle in Australia than was hoped, she will target some of the major spoils on offer toward the end of the Melbourne Carnival.

With Spring racing now in full swing, Don Eduardo has notched up three winners in Australia over the last ten days and as the track conditions improve in New Zealand, there is no doubt we will see many more of his progeny hitting the track in the weeks ahead.

"The win of Divine Rebel yesterday was impressive to say the least," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm. "As a staying mare, she showed a great turn of foot and put paid to the field pretty quickly," he said. "The comments from Paul Moroney are very encouraging and we look forward to following her, as well as the likes of Najib, through the Spring," said Mark.

It was a successful day on the track for Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) at Awapuni yesterday with his two fillies Cadonna (NZ) and All In Black (NZ) finishing first and second in the fillies and mares event over 1600m.

Cadonna, trained by her part owner and breeder, Mark Oulaghan, was lining up for just her third race day appearance after a debut third on the 25th of April. Ridden by experienced jockey Hayden Tinsley, she was bounced out of the gate quickly to vie for the lead in the early stages before being eased to get some cover just outside the lead.

Swinging into the turn, Tinsley moved Cadonna into some space and from there the race was never in doubt, the only challenge coming from the other Don Eduardo filly in the field in the form of the John Wheeler-trained All In Grace who wound up late, finishing strongly to finish second.

Success on the trials track came earlier in the day with two-year-old fillyTequilla (NZ) (Don Eduardo) winning impressively for the Autridge-Hawtin training partnership. A daughter of Smooch (NZ) (Rory’s Jester), this filly has an outstanding pedigree and according to co-trainer Stephen Autridge will be a nice filly come the Spring. “We trialled her about five weeks ago and then gave her a bit of a break,” he said. “She trialled on good ground yesterday when she won but it’s hard to know what the tracks will be like in a couple of weeks time so it’s hard to make any plans,” he said. “She’ll be a nice filly come the spring.”

Another two-year-old filly from the Autridge-Hawtin stable to trial nicely was a filly out of Jo Valachi (NZ) (The Jogger) who finished second in her heat. “That was her first trial and she’ll be another nice filly for the Spring,” he said. “One thing I’ll say is that they definitely show a lot more speed that you would expect them to,” commented Stephen, and he’s not the first to make this statement with John Sargent also making the same comment when spoken to in the early stages of Il Divo’s career.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2008 for a service fee of $10,000 + GST. For more information, please feel free to contact Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513 or Mark Chitty – 021 663 995.

 

It was a successful day at Counties yesterday for resident Haunui stallion Don Eduardo with two of his fillies, Jessardo (NZ) and Zirconia Lover (NZ) winning in impressive fashion.

Jessardo, ridden by Tasha Collett for father Richard, got her sire off the mark early in the day with victory over 1200m in the third event on the card.

Jumping nicely and then settled toward the end of the field, both horse and rider had a wall of horses in front of them turning for home and it wasn’t until the last 100m when the filly got some racing room, that she powered home under a hands and heels ride to win comfortably by three-quarters of a length.

The last race of the day saw another Don Eduardo filly assert her authority over her counterparts, this time over 1600m. Zirconia Lover, trained by Mike and Paul Moroney, was settled handy to the pace in the 17 horse field by jockey Michael Coleman and challenged race favourite Monument (NZ) Monolith) on the turn. From then on, it was a ding-dong battle between the two with Zirconia Lover surging ahead in the shadows of the post.

Don Eduardo has been represented by three stakes performers in his first crop through the deeds of Dashing Donna (NZ), Il Divo (NZ) and Vickezzchardonnay (NZ). He has now had 16 individual winners from his first crop. Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2008 for a service fee of $10,000 + GST.
 

Talented three-year-old filly Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) (Don Eduardo) became her sire’s third stakes performer with a hard fought second in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

LEFT: DON EDUARDO

Vickezzchardonnay jumped well and was settled in mid-field by jockey Hayden Tinsley making up some good ground down the back straight to sit in just behind the leader coming to the home turn. A race run in testing conditions, a number of runners made their runs wider out on the track however Tinsley and Vickezzchardonnay remained closer to the inside and looked the winners until Belmont Cat (NZ) (Felix The Cat) emerged from the pack, relishing the very wet conditions.

Trained by Murray Baker, Vickezzchardonnay has been a consistent filly this campaign coming close on a number of occasions. She ran an impressive third in the Ellerslie Oaks (2100m) as a lead up into the New Zealand Oaks where she finished a close fifth and in her three starts since, she has finished second.

Saturday also saw another winner for Don Eduardo across the Tasman with Gooree Park Stud’s homebred Tio Juan (NZ) (Don Eduardo) scoring impressively over a mile at Newcastle. Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Tio Juan has started on only four occasions with two seconds, a fifth and now a win to his credit. “Hopefully with this win under his belt, we can move him into the city for a few nice races,” said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.

“There are plenty of people keeping an eye on the Don Eduardo’s,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm. “He has left some very smart types and buyers have certainly been more than happy to pay good money for them,” said Mark. “He has sold six figure yearlings from three yearling crops so far and at a $10,000 service fee, that represents very good value,” says Mark. “There are not many stallions in that service fee bracket that can leave those types of yearlings,” he said.

Don Eduardo has six weanlings in the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling and Broodmare Sale. He stands at Haunui Farm in 2008 for a service fee of $10,000 + GST.