Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Race-day Recap
It was a valuable victory for connections of 3-year-old gelding Conchiero (Pierata) at Warwick Farm, the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series meant First Light Racing and connections pocketed roughly $150,000 from his maiden victory.
First season sire Farnan gained his third juvenile winner as King Of Pop made quite an impact with an impressive debut victory at Warwick Farm.
Nostringsattached is now unbeaten in two trials and two raceday appearances as a 3-year-old as he went back-to back with a solid win at Sandown.
Best Rose (Maurice {Jpn}) is highly-rated by trainer and jockey after a very professional and dominant win at Riccarton.
Conchiero hits the lucrative bonus
The First Light Racing-owned (in partnership) 3-year-old gelding Conchiero (Pierata) secured a big payday when he crossed the line first in the Captivant at Kia Ora Maiden Handicap at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Not only did he win the $100,000 maiden race, but he also claimed the lucrative Inglis $100,000 bonus, proving too strong in the finish under jockey Regan Bayliss. He defeated runner-up Polymnia (Dundeel {NZ}) by 1.37 lengths, with Jacob's Ladder (Written By) filling third place.
Conchiero had shown promise leading up to this maiden victory. On August 4 last year, he ran a solid second behind Rip Off (Ribchester {Ire}), nearly leading all the way. He backed up that performance with a close fifth at Warwick Farm on August 21 in a competitive $100,000 Super Maiden.
After a well-earned break, he resumed with an excellent second behind Spaceballs (Dundeel {NZ}) in another Super Maiden on February 5, setting him up perfectly to break through second-up.
Connections of Conchiero after winning the Kia Ora Maiden Handicap | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
When The Thoroughbred Report caught up with First Light Racing's Director Tim Wilson he was understandably very happy.
“He's a lovely style of horse and we picked him up for $65,000 at the Sydney breeze up sale. We really rate our stride data analysis we do when purchasing horses and he scored very well.”
“You could say he was superbly placed winning the bonus today after getting beaten in a couple lower races, but his form was very solid.”
“He has the Gai and Adrian toughness, he can race on speed and was strong late, he is nominated for lots of the big races all the way to The Derby but we will wait and see, he looks progressive and carnival quality.”
“You could say he (Conchiero) was superbly placed winning the bonus today after getting beaten in a couple lower races, but his form was very solid.” - Tim Wilson
Yulong Stud’s Pierata has been in strong form this season, and Conchiero became his 27th winner from his first crop.
"He's a promising stallion and we were happy to get one."
Originally purchased for $45,000 by Tracey Bartley from the Telemon Thoroughbreds draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Conchiero was later pinhooked and sold for $65,000 from the Hidden Valley Thoroughbreds draft to First Light Racing/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
That now looks like a bargain purchase, and based on the style of today’s win, there’s plenty of earning potential ahead.
Conchiero as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
King Of Pop: Top of the charts on debut
Kia Ora Stud’s exciting first-season sire, Farnan, has made quite an impact with his first runners. Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s 2-year-old colt, King Of Pop, joined them with an impressive debut win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. He became Farnan’s third winner, alongside another five placegetters from only 17 runners so far.
King Of Pop won in narrow but stylish fashion under in-form jockey Jason Collett, claiming victory by 0.1 lengths over the 1100-metre trip.
“He’s a little pocket rocket,” said Collett.
“He floated a bit but he was strong late. This is his time now. He’s sharp, got a bit of class about him. He did a wee bit wrong so he’s going to improve.”
Purchased for $800,000 as a yearling by Ryan and Alexiou Racing at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he was offered by North as the vendor. King Of Pop is the second foal of Za Zi Ba (All Too Hard), winner of the Listed Darby Munro Stakes and half-sister to G1 Epsom Handicap winner Rediener (Redoute’s Choice).
Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
King Of Pop’s grandam, Wiener (More Than Ready {USA}), was placed in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes and is also a half-sister to Champion stallion Snitzel and his stallion three-quarter-brother Hinchinbrook.
It’s a family that co-trainer Gerald Ryan knows well, having trained Snitzel and many of his top progeny.
“I’ve always liked this little horse; he’s our best chance in the Slipper,” Ryan said.
“What I liked about today, he sat back off a hot speed. He’s built like a sprinter. He’s got a great sprinting pedigree. If he can win a decent race, he will be worth plenty.
“What I liked about today, he (King Of Pop) sat back off a hot speed. He’s built like a sprinter. He’s got a great sprinting pedigree. If he can win a decent race, he will be worth plenty.” - Gerald Ryan
“We’ll step him up now. We’ve got about three races we can try to get him in.
“Very easy to train. Eats everything you give him. Not a hassle in the world.”
Nostringsattached goes back-to-back
Promising colt Nostringsattached (Extreme Choice) looks to have massive upside, winning his second race in a row this preparation in the Sportsbet Get On Extra Class 1 Handicap over 1400 metres. He defeated the Ciaron Maher-trained Sacred Rocks (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) by 0.35L, with Divine Justice (Harry Angel {Ire}) running third.
He is trained by Cranbourne-based duo Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and was once again piloted by Blake Shinn, who is now two-from-two on the colt.
After two placings he has returned in excellent form this preparation, winning both his trials at Cranbourne before going back-to-back at Pakenham and Sandown Lakeside.
A striking individual, Nostringsattached’s quality was reflected in his yearling sales price. He was purchased from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $675,000 from the draft of Milburn Creek by Busuttin Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA). Dam, Come On Over, has since produced a colt by Extreme Warrior last spring and was subsequently served by Toronado (Ire).
Potential black type targets for impressive Best Rose
Te Akau co-trainer Sam Bergerson was satisfied after the dominant win by 2-year-old filly Best Rose (Maurice {Jpn}) at Riccarton on Wednesday. On debut, she ran a strong second over 800 metres at the same track on January 25, narrowly beaten by Zelia (Fierce Impact {Jpn}) after enduring a wide run throughout.
This time, Best Rose turned the tables in dominant fashion, defeating Zelia by three lengths over 1000 metres.
“She was very straightforward, quickened nicely once she found the rail, and she has a good aggressive racing style,” Bergerson said. “She seems happy down here, and there are a couple of Listed races in April (Welcome Stakes and Champagne Stakes) that look like two initial targets.”
Jockey Michael McNab was also impressed “She’s a little ripper. We jumped well, cleared them, kicked away, and did a really good job. She won well today and should only go ahead with it.”
“She’s (Best Rose) a little ripper. We jumped well, cleared them, kicked away, and did a really good job. She won well today and should only go ahead with it.” - Michael McNab
A homebred for Gene Tsoi's Standard 2080 Ltd, Best Rose is by Arrowfield Stud’s star shuttler Maurice (Jpn) and is the second—and sadly, last—foal from the unraced Snitzel mare Queen’s Legacy.
She hails from an exceptional family, being a three-quarter-sister to 2011 NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year King’s Rose (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), winner of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. She went on to become an accomplished international broodmare, producing Satono Arthur (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a dual Group 3 winner and Listed winner in Japan.
Best Rose winning The Tea House at Riccarton Park 2YO | Image courtesy of Race Images
