Mufhasa sets course record

New Zealand Bloodstock sales graduates made their mark yesterday at Riccarton Park by winning the three features, with Mufhasa breaking the course record for the mile.

Mufhasa highlighted the day by taking the Group 2 CJC Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m) by over a length in a course record time of 1:32.83. He flew by the previous course record of 1:33.51 set by Cog Hill (Star Way) in the same event three years ago. Trained by Stephen McKee, Mufhasa now boasts nine wins from 18 starts and earnings of $382,437 for owners DL, Ms NN and SC Archer and Mrs DJ Wright. The four-year-old gelding was purchased by part owner David Archer from Rich Hill Stud at the 2006 Karaka Select Sale for $50,000. Bred by Colin and Irene Thompson, Mufhasa is by Pentire out of Sheila Cheval (Mi Preferido).

Pentire will be represented by seven youngsters at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. A standout on pedigree is Lot 388, out of Donna's Habit (Ashabit), who worked up the 200m in 11.13. When asked about Lot 388, John Thompson of Rich Hill Stud stated that he is, "A big, strong, and powerful colt; the sprinter/miler type of Pentire with a standout pedigree." Entered in the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale is a full brother to Mufhasa. Thompson stated that the dark brown colt is, "A typical Pentire that possess' more quality than Mufhasa did as a yearling."

Earlier on the card, New Zealand Bloodstock graduates were represented by two more winners, the first being San Bernardino in the Group 3 Steward's Stakes (1200m). San Bernardino was a 2007 Karaka Select Yearling Sale purchase, taken home by Rogerson Bloodstock at the price of $28,000. He is a three-year-old brown gelding by Gold Mine out of Miss Katella (The Commander) who was bred by T O Hurley. In the care of the Rogerson, Lucock and Bergerson partnership, San Bernadino added the Canterbury Group 3 sprint featureto his two Listed wins as a juvenile for owners T C Clarke, B Hickey, B K Parker, G A Rogerson MNZM & K Summers.

There will be three progeny of Gold Mine available at the upcoming Ready To Run Sale, including Lot 212, a bay gelding out of Shaayil (Haayil) who won a Cambridge trial by five lengths on 23 September. Shaun Ritchie of Bremner Bloodstock, the vendor offering the gelding, commented, "He had an easy win at Cambridge. The fact that he is nominated for the Karaka Million is a bonus in his case. He was quick out of the barriers and ticked over easy. He will be ready for the races within a fortnight of the Sale and is a genuine candidate for the Karaka Million."

Madam Stravinsky by Stravinsky out of Standing Ovation (Ruling) brought home the trophy in the CJC Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m) for owner/breeder/trainer David Jones, who is also bred last year's Group 1 Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly. The seven-year-old mare has won four times, earning over $110,000 since being offered at the 2003 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.

Her sire, Stravinsky will be represented by three lots at this year's Ready To Run Sale, which include Lot 268, a colt out of the Last Tycoon mare, Tycoon's Gold. This bay colt is a full brother to Wine Win, who has won four times in Hong Kong, earning HK$2,553,600. Eion Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge commented "He's a nice athletic type with a good turn of foot , and he has shown us enough over the time that we have had him in work".