Red Letter Day for The Oaks Stud

Media Release - Monday September 2

The Oaks Stud General Manager, Rick Williams was quietly confident leading into the weekend that owner Dick Karreman and resident stallion Darci Brahma could be in for plenty of thrills from their racing representatives engaged at both Hastings and Ruakaka on Saturday.

The Oaks Stud, General Manager, Rick Williams - image Trich DunnellHowever, even he couldn't predict the level of success they would enjoy with Karreman represented by four individual winners, all sired by Darci Brahma, who also added two further victories to rack up a sensational six successes for the day.

"I said to a few people that we had our A team running on the weekend so if we didn't go too well it was going to be a pretty tough drive home," Williams said.

"What eventuated was pretty sensational and probably even exceeded my expectations.

"Dick was watching it all unfold from home and I know he got a huge kick out of it.

"He is a non-drinker but he even told me he might have a couple to celebrate on Saturday night, so that was something very special."

Karreman kicked the day off with a win in the inquiry room at Hastings when three-year-old filly Kali was promoted to first after suffering interference when finishing second behind Jennifer Eccles in the second race on the day. Catalyst dominated his three-year-old rivals as he streaked to a four-length victory in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) before lightly raced four-year-old mare Spring Bouquet stormed home to win over 1400m.

In between times, debutant three-year-old Double Impact set tongues wagging at Ruakaka when he came from near last to win against a handy field of age-group rivals over 1000m.

For Williams, the wins of Catalyst and Double Impact vindicated the opinion he has held of the pair since they first appeared on the training track last year.

"We've said all along we thought we had something special with this pair and another in Darci's Tune that we have sent over to Patrick Payne in Melbourne," he said.

"Dick asked me one day who I thought was the best and I told him I couldn't split them. After yesterday I'm of the same opinion.

"Catalyst was super as he dwelt a little at the start and had to be used up to get a position. He dropped the bit perfectly and when Troy (Harris) asked him to go he just burst away.

"Troy told me afterwards he thought he was just like his old man (Darci Brahma) as he had ridden Darci in all of his trackwork and he had the same type of explosive speed.

"Double Impact is a slightly different type but what he did to win was just as impressive as you don't often see them come from where he did to win at Ruakaka, where it can be almost impossible to make up ground at times."

With Karreman having put up the 'not for sale' sign on both horses Williams is resigned to seeing the pair clash later in the season however until then he is keen to keep them apart wherever possible.

"We would like to get them both to the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Riccarton in November but I would hope they can take a slightly different path to get there as I don't want to see them clash before then," he said.

"Catalyst will most likely go to the Hawke's Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) but that is five weeks away so he could need another run before then which could be back at Hastings on the second day of the carnival.

"Double Impact could also go to the second day there but we might think about sending him down south a little earlier as there are a number of suitable races to get him ready for Riccarton down there.

"If they do come up as I think they can then the long-term plan would see them in Australia in the autumn."

Williams also had a smile on his face as he reflected on the day's success for Darci Brahma.

"You have to hand it to him as he just keeps churning out the winners," he said.

Darci Brahma"His percentage of winners to runners is sensational and I think Catalyst was his 39th individual stakes winner.

"In saying that, he probably won't attract any more mares because of it, as the breeders tend to shy away from him for whatever reason.

"That doesn't bother us as he will serve around 100 mares this season which is pretty much par for the course for him.

"I doubt whether what happened on the weekend will change things much for him, but we know he is a terrific stallion and his record proves that."

Darci Brahma stands at The Oaks Stud at a service fee of $15,000+GST for the current breeding season. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy LR 1200m

Hastings Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:09.97
1
Catalyst
- 3g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Evana (NZ) (Entrepreneur (GB))
Tnr: C M Chipperfield Rdr: T N Harris 57.5
2
4.0
Equinox
- 3c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Our Ella Belle (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J K Riddell 58.5
3
4.3
Loire
- 3f Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Syrah (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
4
5.3
Scotch
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Etain (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M T Coleman 57.5
5
5.8
The Fugitive
- 3g Wanted (AUS) x Diva Von Tessa (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: C W Johnson 57.5
6
7.1
Enjoy The Show
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Danasia (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 57.5
7
7.6
Kurt
- 3c Kingman (GB) x Miss Olive (IRE) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: S T Collett 56
8
7.7
Last Sight
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Ireland's Teardrop (IRE) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
9
7.9
Blue Rata Eligius
- 3g Rios (NZ) x Blue Rata Jewel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Keegan Rdr: H R Andrew 57.5
10
8.7
Second Slip
- 3g Alamosa (NZ) x Scarlet O'Hara (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L J Allpress 56
11
10.5
The Tailors Niece
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Kelly Jane (NZ) (Decies (GB))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: C J Grylls 55.5
More Reading...
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Catalyst to Head Sales Boost for The Oaks Stud
The excitement over the Karaka Million twilight meeting is already high for The Oaks Stud, but it could provide an even greater boost for the Cambridge establishment leading into this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Kiwi Superstar Catalyst Readying for Return
Top three-year-old Catalyst will make his first public appearance since Group One success at Riccarton when he competes at the Matamata trials next week.
From Last to First - Catalyst Simply Brilliant!
Boom three-year-old Catalyst overcame a scare to brilliantly win Saturday’s Group III Henley Park Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie, extending his winning sequence to six.
Aussie Bound Kiwis Impress at Trials
Exciting kiwi gallopers Te Akau Shark and Catalyst had their first hit-out of the year at the Matamata trials on Tuesday and they pleased their connections with their efforts in their 1000m heat.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.