New SW for Proisir, Dark Destroyer Wins G3 Bonecrusher

Media Release - Saturday December 4

A downgrade in the Matamata track due to persistent rain on the day played right into the hands of local runner Dark Destroyer as the promising galloper delivered a gritty victory in the day’s feature event, the Gr.3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).

Dark Destroyer digs deep in the tough conditions at Matamata to take out the Gr.3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) Photo: Race Images – Kenton Wright

Sent out a warm $2 favourite after the late scratching of his well-fancied stablemate Karman Line due to the downgrade from a Dead4 to a Slow8 track surface, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Proisir showed plenty of heart as he dug deep to defeat fellow three-year-olds Whiskey and La Bella Beals in a slogging finish to the contest.

Rider Sam Weatherley stalked La Bella Beals throughout and moved into contention approaching the home turn. Just as he mastered La Bella Beals, Whiskey snuck through on the rail and looked set for victory before Weatherley coaxed a further response from his mount which saw him draw to a half-length victory at the line.

Advertisement

The race was the first for Dark Destroyer since he finished fifth behind fellow Matamata galloper Noverre in the Gr.1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) in early November, with O’Sullivan delighted to see him back in the winners’ enclosure.

“That was good for the team and really good for David (Archer) as we think he is a very nice horse,” O’Sullivan said.

“Sam was pretty complimentary of the horse and he actually said he felt with a set of blinkers he would be even better.

“I thought he showed a really good will to win on a tough track that meant the 1400m was probably more like a mile.

“We weren’t sure about what his distance range is and even though we sent him to Riccarton, both Scotty and I thought he would be a better horse for the experience.

“He holds a nomination for the New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), but we want to sit down and talk with David about what his thoughts are and we won’t be making any decisions until we’ve done that.”

While the downgrade to a Slow8 played in favour of Dark Destroyer, it did force O’Sullivan’s hand into late scratching impressive debut winner Karman Line.

“Scotty went for a walk on the track about 45 minutes before the race and he said it was getting very testing,” O’Sullivan said.

“We had to take a longer-term view with her (Karman Line) as we didn’t want her finishing near the back after having a real gut buster.

“We have thoughts about tackling the Eight Carat Classic (Gr.2, 1600m) on Boxing Day and if she had failed today, she might not get a start or worse, she would have been physically affected for the race.

“There is a rating 65 race for her at Te Rapa next week, so we thought we would tread with caution and save her for another day.”

Raced by well-known owner David Archer under his Archer Equine Investments banner, Dark Destroyer is out of the All American mare All Can Party and has now won two of his five starts while also finishing third in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m).

He comes from an extended family full of Group One performers including Gr.1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) winner Festal, Gr.1 Galaxy Handicap (1200m) winner Masked Party and Gr.1 Spring Championship Stakes (2000m) winner Complacent, who is one of the resident stallions at Matamata’s Mapperley Stud.

Dark Destroyer also becomes the seventh individual stakes winner for his sire, Rich Hill Stud resident Proisir. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Mitchell Fam. Bonecrusher Stks Gr3 1400m

Matamata Track: Slow(9) Time: 1:27.28
1
Dark Destroyer
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x All Can Party (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
2
0.4
Whiskey
- 3g Burgundy (NZ) x Likeapins (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
3
1.7
La Bella Beals
- 3f Star Turn (AUS) x Miss Beals (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: K Asano 54.5
Star Turn
4
5.0
Dubai Diva
- 3f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Mae Jinx (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C R Barnes 54.5
5
14.5
Iffshecan
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x La Sommeliere (NZ) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: B E Grylls 54.5
6
16.5
Endean Affair
- 3f Jakkalberry (IRE) x Grand Affair (NZ) (Black Tuxedo (JPN))
Tnr: I B Kennedy Rdr: L H Satherley 54.5
7
18.6
Laneway Flirting
- 3f El Roca (AUS) x Flustered (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
8
26.6
Bugatti
- 3g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Josephines Fortune (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
9
29.1
Rekindled Express
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Rekindled Glory (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: B W Foote Rdr: J Kamaruddin 56.5
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
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.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
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.