Trelawney Stud will be keeping a close eye on the action at Randwick on Saturday and on the home front at Hastings with live Group One contenders at both venues.
Trelawney Stud homebred Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will be chasing a richly-deserved breakthrough at the top level in the G1 TAB Epsom H. while its silks will be aboard Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) in the G1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.
Star Of The Seas has won seven races, including the G3 Maurice McCarten H., and he has gone close on several occasions to opening his account at the highest level.
The 6-year-old opened his current campaign when a close second to stablemate Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the G1 Winx S. and last time out was again narrowly denied by another barnmate in Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the G1 George Main S.
The Chris Waller-trained Star Of The Seas was also runner-up in last season’s G1 Doncaster H. having earlier finished third in the Epsom.
The chestnut’s cause on Saturday is aided by the inside gate and he will have the services of Nash Rawiller.
“He’s obviously got a good draw this time and hopefully he can use it and get a nice position. There are maximum starters so it might be a bit of a lottery to a degree, but he’s in career best form and just needs a bit of luck. Hopefully, he gets that on Saturday,” Trelawney’s Brent Taylor said.
Star Of The Seas is a son of Stella Livia (GB) (Titus Livius {Fr}), who was purchased on Trelawney’s behalf by agent Bruce Perry at the 2007 Tattersalls December Mares’ Sale for 50,000 gns (NZ$95,500).
“She was one of the mares we bought over the years in Europe. Titus Livius was a journeyman stallion who had his share of Group and stakes winners without being a Galileo,” Taylor said.
“We brought her down here and Robert Priscott trained her for us. She won a couple of races for us, but obviously we bought her for breeding.
“Unfortunately, she passed away a couple of years ago and I don’t have a daughter of her's so we missed out.
“She was a particularly good mare and produced Speith so it would be nice to get Star Of The Seas over the line for a Group 1 as well.”
Spieth (NZ) won the Listed Lightning H. and finished runner-up in both the G1 Darley Classic and the G1 Lightning H. before the son of Thorn Park retired to stud at Aquis.
Taylor felt there was little between the Tony Pike-trained Loire, who won last season’s G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and Two Illicit, prepared by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, a dual Group 2 winner last term and runner-up in the New Zealand Derby.
Loire was unplaced resuming in the G1 Tarzino Trophy, but made ground late from a wide gate, while Two Illicit was a dominant winner in a lower grade at Ellerslie to open her 4-year-old campaign.
“We think Two Illicit is a little bit better from a mile and above and Loire a little bit better than Two Illicit at a mile and below,” Taylor said.
“They will be pretty even I would have thought on Saturday, and with the draw and the way she jumps Two Illicit might get the better position in the run.
“Loire would have to start better than she has to take advantage of that number one gate.”
The pair will be outstanding additions in time to the Trelawney broodmare band.
“They are quality prospects and we’ve got some nice mares in Australia so it’s exciting going forward over the next few years,” Taylor said.
While Two Illicit’s dam Gemini (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) has been on-sold, Trelawney is still breeding from Loire’s dam Syrah (NZ) (Traditionally {USA}).
“She’s in foal to Ocean Park and time hasn’t been kind to her with a few issues so we’re hoping to get this last foal with her,” Taylor said. “We’ve also got a Satono Aladdin filly, she’s a good type and will be retained.” -Paul Vettise, TDN AUS NZ
