Young Kiwi Stayer Medatsu is On the Up

Media Release - Saturday August 3

The Chris Waller-trained Medatsu ran out a gritty winner of the Jockeys Appreciation Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday as the four-year-old gelding recorded his first Sydney metropolitan victory.

Medatsu commenced his career in New Zealand under the tutelage of Clint Isdale for whom he had placed in three of four starts, including finishing third in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m).

Medatsu wins at Rosehill - image Steve Hart

Transferred to Waller’s Sydney operation last spring, the Kiwi import was a good winner at Kembla Grange over 2000m before finishing down the track in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

After a lengthy spell, the son of Staphanos was sent out a $21 chance fresh-up and came from last to loop the field just before straightening under a clever Tommy Berry ride and fought gamely to defeat Until Valhalla and Autumnation.

Advertisement

“There was good pace early but they backed off through the mid-stages and Tommy had the initiative to get rolling a bit earlier,” Waller said.

“I didn’t know if he would sustain the run because he did get going early but to the horse’s credit he certainly did.

“Tony Muollo and his brother Luigi thought enough of him to send him to Australia and have a little look at those spring three-year-old races, but he must have just had a little problem. He has had a decent break, and he has shown why he was brought to Australia with his performance today.”

Winning jockey Tommy Berry confirmed that Waller had given him an open book to put the gelding into the race a little bit early.

“I’m not sure if he would have liked it to be as early as I did, but I just thought because they had gone very steady, I didn’t want to make my move a bit late and have everyone start popping before the corner,” Berry said.

“I made my move when it was a bit early for everyone else to make their runs and he sustained it really well.

“Full credit to Chris and his team. They had a really good foundation in this horse first-up.

“He is a progressive staying type and obviously Chris had a big opinion of him running him in a Group One at his second start here in Australia which you don’t see him usually do. He has had a little bit of time off and matured quite nicely and this is the start of what is to come from him.”

Bred by Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding Ltd, Medatsu is by Novara Park stallion Staphanos and is out of the Mastercraftsman mare Christine Ann. He is a half-brother to Listed winner Rocababy. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Jockeys Appreciation (Bm72) 1500m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:31.21
1
Medatsu
- 4g Staphanos (JPN) x Christine Ann (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
2
0.8
Until Valhalla
- 4m Snitzel (AUS) x Bislieri (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: N Rawiller 58
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $425,000
Seller: Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock
3
0.9
Autumnmation
- 4m The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Little Hottie (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $210,000
Seller: Northmore Thoroughbreds, Murchison North
Buyer: Chris Waller Racing / Guy Mulcaster Bloodstock
4
1.3
Imposant
- 4m Epaulette (AUS) x Sexy Siren (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J R Collett 54.5
5
1.4
Mickey's Medal
- 4g Brave Smash (JPN) x Olympic Medal (USA) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Zac Wadick 56.5
6
2.6
Lady Boss
- 4m Street Boss (USA) x Da'ladiestune (AUS) (Rogano (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56.5
7
3.8
Captain Maverick
- 4g Free Eagle (IRE) x Seekamist (IRE) (Famous Name (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
More Reading...
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Staying Stakes Goals Ahead for Kiwi Bred Medatsu
Chris Waller is looking forward to stepping Medatsu up in distance after the emerging four-year-old collected his second successive victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Jersey Day Andrew Wisemantel Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
Kiwi stayer Medatsu on the Up
Four-year-old gelding Medatsu notched his fourth victory from 11 starts when running out a strong winner of the Vale John Nicholson Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on 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.