Little Avondale Stud’s yearling drafts have yielded plenty of success for Bjorn Baker, and the expat New Zealand trainer returned to the same formula with his purchase of another Savabeel colt at Karaka on Tuesday.
Jimmysstar kept his unblemished Australian record intact with a super-impressive win in Saturday’s A$175,000 Freeway Ford Shooting Stars (1500m) at Cranbourne.
Father time finally caught up with the seemingly ageless Towkay, who was retired from stallion duties at Little Avondale in 2017, and the decision was made earlier in the week to humanely euthanise the son of Last Tycoon.
Leading stallion Per Incanto will serve a limited book of mares at best in the 2023 breeding season after suffering a leg injury in a paddock accident.
Classy three-year-old Desert Lightning thrust himself to the forefront of discussions surrounding the Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby when he narrowly defeated Waitak to claim victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas at Pukekohe.
Little Avondale Stud principals Sam and Catriona Williams are already buzzing ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales, which kick-off at Karaka at 11am this Sunday.