Karaka Graduate Ucalledit (NZ) Wins Lough Neagh

Media Release - Saturday December 17

Like many Kiwis, five-year-old gelding Ucalledit is relishing life in Queensland.

Ucalledit dashes away with the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm Photo Credit: Grant Peters Photography

The former New Zealand-trained galloper has proved a handy addition to the Kris Lees stable and broke through for his maiden stakes success when comfortably accounting for his rivals in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Originally prepared by Kevin Myers, for whom he won four of his 14 starts, Ucalledit was purchased by Australian Bloodstock after two Riccarton victories during last year’s New Zealand Cup Carnival.

Advertisement

After striking heavy tracks in two Sydney runs in the autumn, Lees opted to campaign the gelding from his Gold Coast stable and Ucalledit has quickly shown his affinity for the sunshine state, winning four of his five starts from his new quarters, with his career earnings now surpassing A$300,000.

Jockey Michael Cahill had an armchair ride on Saturday, coming from just off the speed to score by nearly two lengths in a seven-horse field.

“He has come a long way. He has just kept improving since he has come here,” said Mel Eggleston, who manages Lees' Gold Coast operation.

“He is a horse that could race once a month and it would suit him and Kris said we might just space his runs and head towards the Buffering (A$300,000, 1350m at Doomben on December 31).

“But when this race came up light he said they’re not going to get any easier and he threw the nomination in and it has proved a great call.

“The horse is just a gentleman. He is a real racehorse and is no bother. He just goes about his business and just takes everything in his stride.

“He is a lovely big strong horse that is sound and he makes his own luck.”

Bred by Bill Lawton, Ucalledit is the eighth stakes winner by Zacinto and is out of the unraced Al Maher mare Special Bay. He was purchased as a Karaka yearling by Kevin Myers from the draft of Grangewilliam Stud for $15,000. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Lough Neagh Stakes LR 1400m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.01
1
Ucalledit
- 5g Zacinto (GB) x Special Bay (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: M Cahill 54
2
2.0
Rubamos
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Oriental Ruby (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L V Cassidy 54
I Am Invincible
3
3.0
Holyfield
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Hurtle Myrtle (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Brodie Loy 60
I Am Invincible
4
3.4
Rainbow Connection
- 5g Choisir (AUS) x Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 54
5
4.1
Vinco
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Percussive (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 55.5
6
4.9
Emerald Kingdom
- 8g Bryannbo's Gift (NZ) x Horshoe (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: J Byrne 61
7
9.5
Master Jamie
- 6g Poet's Voice (GB) x Verkko (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: G R Green Rdr: Leslie Tilley 57.5
More Reading...
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Stakes Double for Kiwi Bred Ucalledit
Former New Zealand galloper Ucalledit has completed a feature winter double in Sydney, adding Saturday’s Listed Robrick Lodge Winter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick to his win in the Listed Civic Stakes over the same course and distance two weeks ago.
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.
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.
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.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
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.
Kiwi Bred Ucalledit Wins Listed Civic
After two unlucky runs during the Queensland Winter Carnival, accomplished Kiwi-bred gelding Ucalledit has returned to New South Wales and turned his form around in Saturday’s Listed Drinkwise Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
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.
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.