January 2015

Having always shown staying ability, as was evident by his path to the Group 1 New Zealand Derby during his Classic season, it is as four-year-old that Maygrove, a product of the Laurel Oak Zhivago Breeding Syndicate has really come into his own, having record six top three placed efforts prior to his start in the Group 2 staying contest.

By Darley’s Epsom Derby winner Authorized, out of the former Laurel Oak Bloodstock raced Zabeel mare Lady Zhivago, it was always evident that Maygrove was bred to stay, and stay he did.

A narrow second last time out in the Listed Marton Cup over 2200m, the step up to the 2400m of the Wellington Cup say the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained grey started the race favourite once again, and after jumping away well from the gates, he settled just ahead of mid-field.

Challenging when it was clear he was going better than anyone else in the race, jockey Matthew Cameron allowed his mount to stride forward, and he pulled his way clear of the rest of the field to record a commanding two length victory.

“He has been very impressive,” commented Forsman.

“Even when he raced in the Derby he was a very immature horse and is still a bit immature now but he is slowly getting there.”

“He has always shown ability and we always thought he would be up to this level, it was just a matter of waiting for him and letting him do it in his own time. The key has been not rushing him and letting him come through the grades and finding soft options for him on his way through.”

When he was a yearling and going through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales, we were actually the under bidders on the colt, but the good news for the Lady Zhivago Breeding Syndicate was that the other party was too strong at $NZ120,000, so they had a good result in the sale ring.

Currently in foal to Reliable Man, a winner of the Group 1 French Derby (2100m) and the Group 1 ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), we wait with anticipation until next Spring, where the resultant foal will have a nice and healthy black type pedigree behind it come sale time!

To view a race replay, please click on the below image.

Exciting young stayer Maygrove (Authorized) achieved an impressive first stakes victory in the $200,000 Group 2 Platinum Homes Wellington Cup (2400m) at Trentham yesterday.

From the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Maygrove has produced five wins from his 20 starts. The four-year-old gelding has had a stellar season, placing in seven of his nine starts this campaign including four wins with his last result running second in the Listed Gallagher Marton Cup.

“He has been very impressive,” commented Forsman. “Even when he raced in the Derby he was a very immature horse and is still a bit immature now but he is slowly getting there.

“He has always shown ability and we always thought he would be up to this level, it was just a matter of waiting for him and letting him do it in his own time. The key has been not rushing him and letting him come through the grades and finding soft options for him on his way through.”

Jockey Matthew Cameron rode Maygrove to victory after a steady start to the race with the pair going forward from barrier five. Cameron and Maygrove sat comfortably ahead of mid-field throughout the 2400m journey.

Challenging the rest of the field, Maygrove progressed forward and confidently headed for home for a two-length victory. Powering along the outside was Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) who took second place and She’s Insatiable (NZ) (Ustinov) finished in third position.

The son of Authorized earned $118,750 in yesterday’s victory, increasing his total stakes to $189,260 for Lib Patenga’s JML Bloodstock Ltd & P W O’Rourke.

“There are no immediate plans for him,” said Forsman. “He will go to the paddock for a couple of weeks now. There are no firm plans but the owners are keen to have a go in Australia at some point.

“We are very lucky to have the backing of Lib (Patenga) and Bruce (Perry), it is a big boost to us. Bruce buys very good horses, he does his homework and he is a good judge so you are a very good chance when you get one of their horses into the stable.”

Maygrove was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $110,000 at the 2012 Karaka Select Yearling Sale from Haunui Farm. Haunui Farm has 13 horses catalogued in this year’s Karaka Premier Sale which commences tomorrow.

Bred by Laurel Oak Lady Zhivago Syndicate, Maygrove is out of winning Zabeel mare Lady Zhivago (Zabeel), who is a three-quarter-sister to stakes winner Zaza (Zabeel), winner of the Listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

Story from New Zealand Bloodstock

Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

With three runners set to race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, all for trainer Gary Portelli, the Laurel Oak Bloodstock team ended the day with a winner and a second placed performance – not a bad effort at all.

Last start winner Tuscan Falls (pictured left), headed back to the city after impressively breaking his maiden at Newcastle on Boxing Day to step up to the 1000m of Race 2: Drummond Golf.

Ridden by James McDonald, the well-bred Nicconi three-year-old finished second, clearly indicating that there is talent there, he just has to put it all together.

Congratulations to his connections; Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd ( Mgr: L J Mihalyka), Hon. W R Haylen, J M Ryan, J T O’brien, N Macdonald, S C Cook, Mrs K Fraser, M R Tudehope, D Monch, M J Baumann, K Macdonald, J R Wilson, C J Reynolds, R H Spee, W A Chalker, S M Sandridge, M J Clift, R I Cullen and P Mckenzie on the effort.

Two races later, our special mare All My Loving headed to the barriers as one of the outsiders of the field behind the short-priced favourite Artibai.

Having finished third last time out of 2100m at Gosford where she was beaten less than a length, trainer Gary Portelli decided to step her up to the 2400m for the first time, a distance her pedigree may suggest that she wouldn’t run out, well at least her sprinting sire Not A Single Doubt would have something to say about that!

Settling towards the rear of the field for Winona Costin, the Laurel Oak Rose (Mgr: L J Mihalyka), Jalana (Mgr: D Gremmo), A N Fitzgerald, L J Carpenter, Mrs K A Carpenter, Ms K L Benson, Mrs S L Grant, S James, S E Johnston, Mrs P Hunter-Knight, Mrs J C Mcauliffe, Mrs V Racovalis, Ms A Kung, Mrs C A Mathieson, Mrs R C Fitzgerald, G M Fitzgerald and L A Brennan-owned mare started to make ground around the field as they headed for home.

Looking a live chance to catch the leaders with 200m to go, her group of owners could be heard cheering her on extremely loudly as All My Loving surged to recorded her third career win, getting up to defeat the favourite by a head margin, with a further length and a quarter back to the third horse.

Secured at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Cathy Hain’s Burnewang North, All My Loving is out of the Black Minnaloushe mare Valentine Rose – this is where she gets her ability to run a trip.

With three wins and seven placed performances from 19 starts to date, it is great to report that 10% of her prize money goes to the Breast Cancer Foundation!

We would like to thank trainer Gary Portelli for a good day “out at the farm” and we are looking forward to the carnival getting underway in a few weeks’ time!!

Thanks to Burnewang North for uploading the below picture of All My Loving as a foal…