Welcome in to our Speed in the breed article. A look into the successful families represented at the trials and workouts.
If you look in the sales catalogue or those that find fame out on the track in the feature races you’re likely to find that many of the champions of today come from great families of the past. Here we touch on that habit of success – how the great families continue to leave the very best.
A look into the trials and workouts to take place Ashburton on Tuesday the 27th sees plenty of interest points – these would include.
Beach Babe (Downbytheseaside – Forever Royal) Catching the eye last week in behind Echappe, this D Mitchell trained runner has the breeding to go on with things. By Downbytheseaside, dam Forever Royal was unraced but has left the impressive 20-time winner Remember Me Now as her first foal.
The damline traces back to the celebrated broodmare in Burgundy Lass, mother to star pacer Il Vicolo (Vance Hanover), she also left the mother of Stunin Cullen in Vicario (Soky’s Atom) This is a family with a deep history in New Zealand harness racing – hopefully, for connections, Beach Babe can write a little more in times to come.
Beach Babe looks to improve on this effort last week at Ashburton.
Devine Trouble (Superfast Staurt – Con Chua Rieu) Anotherwith the “Trouble” name, this Heenan trained 3yr-old filly won a learners trot last week and looks to build on that form in the 5th on the card. Superfast Stuart finds himself a in-demand trotting sire, particularly with those looking for grass track success.
Devine Trouble counts the 8-time NZ winner in Trouble Rieu and the 4-time winner Bear’s Rest as close relations with the wider family also including the impressive Superstaragogo (8 wins) and the mother to BD Love (Love You) in Twitchit.
Devine Trouble does everything right in action last week.
Madam Patsy (Father Patrick – Sueno) Another trotter by the super sire Father Patrick, this McRae trained filly is out of Sueno (Dream Vacation) if that name doesn’t ring any bells then her close relations will. Speeding Spur, the million trotter by Pegasus Spur, Meyer Lansky (Sundon) winner of 8, and Ella’s Speed (Pegasus Spur) a 6-win mare, are all out of grandam Della’s Speed.
It’s a class family of squaregaiters to say the least so plenty of eyes will be on this one to see if the family speed is present.
Madam Patsy will look to continue the strong results from a trotting breed with plenty of star power.
Valyrian (Volstead – Arya) Appearing in a workout learners trot towards the end of the card, this Regan Todd trained gelding got the attention due to the recognizable damline. Dam Arya was a multiple Gr1 winner, capturing the Breeders Crown 2YO Trotting Fillies Final and NSW Trotters Oaks titles in a grand career – she’d go on to win some 15 times, earning just shy of $300’000 in stakes.
The damline then calls upon Belle Galleon for a little more trotting prowess, the 11-time winner left superstar Stent (Dream Vacation) as her first foal, if that wasn’t enough Belles Son, an 11-time winner by Majestic Son, and Arya quickly followed.
Royal blood resides here, in this family, fullstop.
Mother to Valyrian Arya wins the Gr3 NZ 2Yo Trotting Stakes at just her 3rd start, beating Prince Fearless and Speeding Spur in the process.