Written by Tom Baddock
Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Opening Address (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}), a NZ$160,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka purchase, looks bound for bigger and better things after cruising to a comfortable victory under hands and heels riding by James McDonald to defeat a strong field of 3-year-olds in the Listed VRC Trophy (1800 metres) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Opening Address was expertly steered to sit just outside the leader and never looked in danger, forging clear along the inside with a furlong to run, going on for a soft win by just under a length from Statuario (D’Argento).
The son of So You Think (NZ) was purchased from New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Book 1 sale by Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the Windsor Park Stud draft and has quickly turned a profit, winning just shy of $200,000 in five career starts.
Opening Address showed plenty of talent early, breaking his maiden at just start two in a 1590-metre maiden at Wodonga by almost 5l. However, it was his runner-up performance in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase behind Victoria Derby fancy Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}) at start number four, when having his first try at 2000 metres, that had trainer Liam Howley excited for the future.
“I thought his run in the Vase was enormous. He seemed to get forgotten out of it, because we didn't go to the Derby, but he freshened up really well and the team's done a super job with him. So I’m very proud,” said Howley post-race.
“I thought his (Opening Address') run in the Vase was enormous. He seemed to get forgotten out of it, because we didn't go to the Derby, but he freshened up really well and the team's done a super job with him.” - Liam Howley
“Just walking in today was pretty exciting, especially having J-Mac on. For my family and all the friends who have supported the journey, it's just exciting. The number of messages this morning was unbelievable, so to get a win like that with a nice horse is pretty special.
“He’ll head straight to the paddock now. He's done. Five runs in, and we avoided the Derby – we wanted to look after him, and he's returned the favour, so off to the paddock and back for a big autumn, hopefully.”
Opening Address (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Champion jockey James McDonald believes Opening Address will continue to improve with time and maturity.
“He's just got raw ability, and what he's doing now is just a bonus, because as a 4-year-old, he'll come into his own,” McDonald said.
“He's (Opening Addess) just got raw ability, and what he's doing now is just a bonus, because as a 4-year-old, he'll come into his own.” - James McDonald
Opening Address made such a good impression that the same purchasers; Liam Howley Racing, Bevan Smith Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) also took home the half-brother by Almanzor (Fr) at New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale this year for NZ$60,000.
Bred by Singapore-based Ben Kwok, Opening Address boasts a strong international family being the first foal of Royal Welcome (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a placed half-sister to stakes-winners Haddaf (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Lamar (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Almanzor (Fr) x Royal Welcome (GB) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Haddaf was a nine-time winner in Great Britain and Spain including in the Listed Sandown Scurry S. while Lamar was successful in the Listed Fleur de Lys S.
Both of those horses are from Deveron (Cozzene {USA}), who was Group 1-placed in France as a 2-year-old in the Prix Marcel Boussac (1600 metres).
Royal Welcome was purchased by Kwok’s Lionrock Bloodstock, who owns about 35 broodmares between Australia and New Zealand, for $120,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale when in foal to So You Think with Opening Address the result of the mating.
Royal Welcome (GB) when purchased through the 2021 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Inglis
Royal Welcome has a yearling colt by Circus Maximus (Ire) and was due a foal by fellow Windsor Park stallion Profondo in September.
Saturday’s stakes success saw Opening Address become the 58th stakes winner for So You Think, and the third this season alongside Gentleman Roy and Midnight Blue.
So You Think stands at Coolmore at a fee of $77,000 (Inc GST).
