One To Watch - Warwick Farm

Mark Smith - Wednesday June 12

It was an exciting 35 minutes for Segenhoe Stud at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with both two-year-old winners Disruptor (Dissident) and California Salto (Fastnet Rock) consigned by the leading thoroughbred nursery.

Settled back midfield by Tommy Berry, California Salto was given a shake-up before the turn. The daughter of Fastnet Rock was gifted a run through the field and given a couple of backhanders by Berry she careered away to defeat Mini Boom (Spirit Of Boom) by three lengths with Vinaigrette (Salade) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, California Salto finished a troubled sixth was making her career debut at Kembla Grange back on May 11 before finishing second to Minted at Warwick Farm at her most recent start.


Bred by John Camilleri's Fairways Stud, California Salto (pictured as a yearling ) was consigned by Segenhoe to the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where she was knocked down to Asian Bloodstock Services, on behalf of Howard Liang, for $800,000.

She is the first foal of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Comaneci who was herself consigned by Segenhoe to the 2016 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale when carrying California Salto.

She was purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $780,000.

The winner of a Kyneton maiden in a 7-start career, Comaneci is a half-sister to 5-time Group 1 winner Elvstroem and triple Group 1 winner Haradasun as well as the Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks runner-up Hveger who is the dam of Highland Reel, Idaho and Cape Of Good Hope and the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes runner-up Valdemoro.

Comaneci's Redoute's Choice yearling colt was purchased by Gai Waterhouse Racing / Adrian Bott / Rifa Mustang for $450,000 at this year's Easter Yearling Sale.

After missing to Fastnet Rock in 2017, Comaneci was covered by the Coolmore champion again last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Russian Revolution Filly Scores at Arawa Park
Elegant Jazz made a strong opening to her three-year-old campaign at Arawa Park on Wednesday, breaking her maiden with a promising performance in the Novara Park 1230.
Promising Debut Winner – Three-Quarter Brother for MM 2025
Chiming in late with giant strides at the finish was I Am Invincible filly Arriving Home, who made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in the same colours as her Group I winning stablemate Steffi Magnetica.
Nicks That Click – Looks Like This One Has Worked Again
This nick involving two champion sires is well proven and documented with a two year-old winner last Saturday appearing as the latest example.
4.8 million Irish Oaks winner Leads Record Turnover at Tattersalls December Mares Sale
The extraordinary trade seen at Tattersalls during the October Yearling Sale and last week’s December Foal Sale suggested that something spectacular could be in the offing at the December Mares Sale and so it proved on a day where turnover of 55,168,500 guineas exceeded the previous record for the highest grossing day in European auction history, set at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mares Sa
Aussie Hopes Looking Bright in Hong Kong
The three Australian contenders for this Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races all look in great shape leading into the meeting with Grant Courtney getting some great images from the track.
La Crique Chasing Another G1
La Crique hasn’t returned to Trentham since she won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) as a three-year-old, and three years down the track, the star mare will line up as a leading hope in Saturday’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m).
More G1 Success for Fastnet Rock’s Avantage
A Champion 2YO that won the Karaka Million in 2018, quality Fastnet Rock mare Avantage again showed her class at Trentham on Saturday when scoring a determined victory in the Group I JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) defeating Enzo’s Lad, who had won the previous two editions of the prestigious sprint.
All Too Hard Sprinter Going Strong
Well-performed speed merchant Babylon Berlin will strip a fitter mare for Saturday’s assignment at Ellerslie.
FBAA Open Letter on the Australian Pattern System
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) is writing to address a matter that impacts the foundation of our industry’s credibility and success: the stagnation of the Australian Pattern system and the concerning attempts to assign unapproved Group race status.
Christmas Comes Early for Kiwi Racecaller
In Hong Kong, Christmas comes early for racing fans, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosting their International Races at Sha Tin each December.