Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Traditionally, Flemington would have hosted its Anzac meeting on Tuesday, including the Listed Anzac Day S. for the juveniles. However, owing to Monday’s tragic death of the much admired Dean Holland, the meeting was postponed by Racing Victoria.
In New Zealand however, the blue-blooded Just A Floozie (NZ) (I Am Invincible) justified her hype with a victory on debut at Avondale in the Avondale Classic.
Just A Floozie was bred and retained by her breeder James Chapman of Jamieson Park after she failed to meet her NZ$500,000 reserve at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Just A Floozie (NZ) stretches out to win the Avondale Classic | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Just A Floozie was sent into training with Peter and Dawn Williams, who are based at Byerley Park in South Auckland.
The filly had been impressing her trainers with a series of trials stretching back to November at Matamata. Just A Floozie finished second on that occasion before heading to Avondale over 800 metres, where she set tongues wagging with her performance coming from last after missing the start.
Peter and Dawn Williams elected to send their exciting filly for a break after that trial, returning earlier in April. Just A Floozie was sent back to Avondale for a trial in preparation for her debut effort. Once again, the filly showed above-average ability with a runaway success by over 4l, prompting her co-trainer Peter Williams to label her, “Just a lovely type of filly and has been pretty professional; she seems to be a smart type.”
Just A Floozie (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Sent to Avondale for the Avondale 2-Year-Old Classic, Just A Floozie was sent out the short-priced favourite with Michael McNab aboard Jumping from barrier five, she moved into second, racing slightly over the top on the outside of the leader until the field moved into the home straight where McNab shook the reins at his filly.
She immediately picked up, hitting the front and appearing a little lost. She just had enough in reserve to hold off a massive run by the second-placed Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), who no doubt marked herself as one to follow.
Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) was not far away in third. It was the Rich Hill Stud-based stallion Ace High’s second runner to hit the track from his debut crop.
Just A Floozie is the second foal from the Mastercraftsman (NZ) mare Thee Auld Floozie (NZ). This mare was an outstanding race mare, winning 11 times from 1200 to 2100 metres, including the G1 Thorndon Mile, G2 Westbury Classic twice and the G3 Sunline Vase. She was also placed twice in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) when racing | Image courtesy of Jamieson Park
Just A Floozie’s second dam, Thee Auld Hussie (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), was a five-time winner from 1000 to 2000 metres. Among her five victories was the Listed Manawatu Breeders’ S., and she was placed in the G3 Cuddle S.
Meanwhile, her third dam, Thee Old Dragon (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), was another outstanding performer, winning the G3 Desert Gold S. and placing in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Third time lucky for Queen Of The Mile
Bathurst hosted the Gold Nugget 2-Year-Old H. on Tuesday and it was the Michael Freedman-trained Queen Of The Mile (Written Tycoon) who, at start three, broke through for a maiden victory.
The daughter of the Champion sire Written Tycoon prevailed by 2.65l over Hot Jive (Star Witness), with Razella (Hellbent) further away in third.
Queen Of The Mile is the third foal from the unraced Real Saga mare Stresa.
Although unraced, Stresa is a half-sister to the Champion 2-Year-Old Capitalist, a G1 Golden Slipper S. winner who is now carving out a successful stud career at Newgate Farm.
Queen Of The Mile is a full sister to Tyresa, who won the Listed Tatt’s RC Life Member S. The filly was a $180,000 yearling purchase by Darby Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Queen Of The Mile as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Written Tycoon stood the 2022 season for $165,000 (inc GST) at Yulong Stud. A 2023 service fee for the Champion Sire has yet to be announced.
Purveyor opens account
The former Coolmore Stud-based Merchant Navy, who has transferred to Kooringal Stud for a fee of $13,200 (inc GST) in 2023, sired a debut juvenile winner Purveyor at Beaudesert.
The Bevan Laming-trained Purveyor opened his career by scoring a 1l victory over Mishani Mystique (Kobayashi) and Mishani Perfection (Show A Heart).
Purveyor as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Purveyor is the eighth foal from the Montjeu (Ire) mare Mystique (NZ). Mystique was a winner of the North Canterbury Cup and was placed three times at Listed level. She is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Replique (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Mystique Falcon (Pride Of Dubai), and Mystery Shot (Shooting To Win).
The colt was a NZ$80,000 yearling purchase by John White Bloodstock from the draft of Inglewood Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
