One to Watch – Murtoa

Tara Madgwick - Sunday July 17

Exciting young sire Maurice (Jpn) has had plenty of stakes placed horses this season outside of his Group I superstars Hitotsu and Mazu and one of them is a maiden no more.

A modest 1200m maiden race at Murtoa was chosen as the starting point for newly gelded three year-old Port Louis by the Maher Eustace stable and he obliged with an easy win.

Stakes-placed twice previously and placed six times as well as being competitive in Group I races, Port Louis had been the source of some frustration, but as with Mazu, gelding may have proven the master stroke.

He's a man on a mission - Port Louis wins at Murtoa - image Brendan McCarthy / Racing Photos

Advertisement

Port Louis cruised home to win by  two and a half lengths and will no doubt take confidence from the win.

 

Withdrawn from Inglis Easter, Port Louis runs for Katsumi Yoshida and has won over $200,000 in prizemoney even though this was his first win in 11 starts!

Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with Cloros Bloodstock, Port Louis is a half-brother to Group II placed Raphael’s Cat and Tale of Choice being the sixth winner from imported US Group II winner Cat By the Tale (USA).

Cat by the Tale has been a regular partner for The Autumn Sun in the last three seasons producing a yearling filly, a weanling colt and she is back in foal to him again.

Port Louis is the 39th Australian winner this season for Maurice, who will be the Champion Australian second Crop Sire by earnings and returns to Arrowfield this spring at a fee of $88,000.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Shannon Bros Bulk Storage Mdn 1200m

Murtoa Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:12.30
1
Port Louis
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Cat By The Tale (USA) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 59.5
2
2.3
Stunna The Runna
- 4m Skilled (AUS) x Rustana (AUS) (Kempinsky (AUS))
Tnr: Tori Madigan Rdr: Jack Hill 57.5
3
2.5
Jungle Flight
- 4g Jungle Ruler (AUS) x Top Flight (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: S V Gebert Rdr: J Lorensini 59.5
4
3.7
French Comet
- 3g Shalaa (IRE) x French Doll (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Dean Holland 59.5
5
4.9
Here He Looms
- 3g Lonhro (AUS) x Heirlooms (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Michael Poy 59.5
6
8.2
Costa Margo
- 5m Von Costa De Hero (AUS) x Domargo (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Jaensch Rdr: Ms C Puls 57.5
7
11.2
Hardcover Edition
- 3g All Too Hard (AUS) x Sports Writer (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: R Downey 59.5
8
11.4
Kumana
- 5g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Lieserl (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: Nathan Hobson Rdr: Lucinda Boyd 59.5
More Reading...
Quickfire Double Strengthens Karaka Millions Hand for Rutten and Bergerson
Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson and respected yearling buyer Chris Rutten have had a dream start to 2025 with their $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contenders.
Black Type Bid for Sassy Lass
Wexford Stables are hoping their purple patch of form can continue at Trentham on Saturday where they will line-up three runners in two of the feature events on the card.
Bourbon Empress a Great Result for Highline Thoroughbreds
The emergence of Bourbon Empress has gone a long way toward confirming a future plan for Highline Thoroughbreds.
Real Class Sold to Australian Bloodstock - Set to Join Waller Stable
This week’s Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Real Class has been sold across the Tasman to Australian Bloodstock, but the promising filly may remain with her Byerley Park trainer Jenna Mahoney for a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) campaign.
Weather Watch for Skew Wiff Ahead of G1 on Saturday
Only one part of Skew Wiff’s build-up to the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday has not gone to plan for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and it is a factor beyond their control.
One to Watch – New Year’s Day
There was an overload of racing right around the country on New Year’s Day and rightly so given our national interest in horse racing as a sport to be enjoyed over the holiday break and there was a winner that did catch my eye, but until now have not had a chance to put my thoughts into a story.
Rich Hill Mile Sponsorship Rewarded
Rich Hill Stud has enjoyed a lengthy and successful association with an Ellerslie feature, with the 2025 edition one of extra special significance for the Waikato nursery.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards
The Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards proudly announce the commencement of nominations, welcoming you to appreciate, celebrate and motivate individuals shaping the future of our industry. This is your chance to show your gratitude as we honour the commitment and passion displayed by the backbone of our industry and great sport.
Vale, Hayasugi
A brilliant winner of the 2024 Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, top class three year-old filly Hayasugi is sadly no longer with us with her trainer Clinton McDonald announcing the tragic news of her passing on Thursday.
Yaldi Moves into Karaka 3YO Million Contention
Cambridge stables have a proud recent record in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) has emerged as a chance to uphold that tradition at Ellerslie later this month.