Turn Me Loose 2YO Chasing Stakes Success

Media Release - Friday June 4

Promising juvenile Verbek has made quite the impression on trainers Luke and Robert Price.

While he will head into the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday a maiden, his trainers don’t believe he will be one for long.

Windsor Park's Turn Me Loose is the sire of Verbek.

The son of Turn Me Loose has finished runner-up twice in his three career starts, including a relegated second-placing at Hawkesbury last start following a judicial review.

“I don’t believe he should be a maiden, but that was the stewards decision the other day,” Luke Price said.

“He showed great fight and I just think he is getting better and better every time we do something with him.”

Verbek has continued to show natural improvement with each outing and Price believes he has a bright future over further ground.

Advertisement

“He was a really laidback customer early days, he took a bit to get up and going, but I remember his first prep we gave him three jump outs and each one he just thrived off and got better and better,” Price said.

“He went to the races and arguably should have won at Newcastle (on debut) if things went his way.

“He is a horse I have found very tough and thrives off a hard hit-out.

“He is a horse we have earmarked since day dot that he wants a mile-plus before we see him at his best, so what he has done so far has just been a bonus for the owners.

“I can’t wait to get him to 10 furlongs in the spring, that could just be ideal for him.

“There is a Group One race at Randwick we are half eyeing off, but we will get through Saturday first and then come up with a plan for the rest of the year. He has certainly shown great promise.”

Verbek will jump from barrier eight on Saturday after the scratching of Cape Breton, and Price said he will appreciate getting back and having something to chase.

“It would have been nice to get a better barrier, but we come in one now,” Price said. “The way the track races it probably doesn’t matter, it is a big roomy straight, and he is a better chaser.

“The other day he got there too soon and the horse went past him and he fought back, so I think with him chasing you will see a better horse.

Verbek is the only horse the Price’s have in their stable by Windsor Park Stud stallion Turn Me Loose, but they have been impressed with what they have seen so far.

“We certainly wouldn’t shy away from them at the sales,” Price said. “I am sure we are going to be looking for more of them when the sales come around again next year.

“I have got nothing but good things to say about the breed. He is a promising stallion and I definitely think he will make it.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.