One to Watch in Breeders Crown semis

Harness racing’s Breeders Crown heat winner and Vicbred Super Series candidate Techys Watching (Hes Watching) “could be the best horse I’ve ever bred”, according to Shepparton East hobby breeder-owner Mario Cirillo.

“He’s a very exciting prospect.”

Techys Watching, a striking brown colt, is unbeaten in three attempts so far highlighted by a 1:53.3 effort over 1720 metres at Melton and a Breeders Crown heat at Maryborough.

The colt is a member of Emma Stewart’s all-conquering Delacombe team.

Prior to Techys Watching’s blazing entry on to the racing scene in June, Cirillo rated his older half-sister Techys Angel (Alta Christiano) as the best one he’s bred.

Techys Angel won nine races including the Group 1 $100,000 Riverina 4 & 5YO Mares Championship at Wagga and the Group 3 $30,000 Jodie’s Babe at Melton before being sold to North America late last year. She has won a further four races in her adopted country and increased her stake tally to $225,435.

Another smart performer bred by the Goulburn Valley enthusiast was Whats The Big Idea, a Blissfull Hall gelding who won 13 races in a comparative short career.

“He could have been anything but for a leg injury,” Cirillo said.

Techys Watching and Techys Angel are both out of the well bred Washington VC mare Venus Williams, who Cirillo bought privately as a racing and breeding proposition from New Zealand 12 years ago.

Venus Williams, who won five races and held the Horsham track record at 1:55.3, was a half-sister to the Gloucester Park winners Lavros Cam and Giddyupandgobaby and the Albion Park winner Motoring With Marty.

Since producing Techys Watching in 2019, Venus Williams has left a rising two-year-old filly by Always B Miki and a yearling colt by Rock N Roll Heaven. She is booked to the former USA 3YO Colt of the Year and Aged Male Pacer of the Year Bettor’s Wish this season.

Besides Venus Williams, Cirillo is also breeding from the 1:57 Blissfull Hall mare Angel Of The City, a half-sister to five winners including the dual Melton winner Lombo Quick Step.

Techys Watching is racing in a semi-final of the Breeders Crown at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night (Nov. 12).

For complete race fields, click here.

by Peter Wharton, for HRV