Prominent Visitors at White Robe Lodge

Garry Chittick, of the Waikato Stud, Matamata and Gerald Fell (Fairdale Stud, Longburn) were visitors to White Robe Lodge on Monday (23/5/2016) during the course of a tour of the South Island. They were impressed with the weanling filly by Savabeel from She's Snubbed, owned in partnership by Mark Chittick and WRL stud managers Wayne and Karen Stewart.

"She is an outstanding filly,'' said Chittick. The filly is a half-sister to Sharp Princess and Include, both winners of the group three South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes. Sharp Princess was also gr one placed. Include won the Dunedin and Southland Guineas.  Savabeel, who stands at the Waikato Stud, is the leading sire this season for New Zealand; NZ and Australia combined and the sire who's NZ - conceived progeny have the highest stake earnings worldwide. She's Snubbed was served in the spring by Ghibellines, the first season sire at WRL. Chittick and Fell also inspected the Wingatui racecourse. "We were impressed with the Wingatui racecourse. It is a credit to the district," said Fell.

Ready Eddie, bred at WRL by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, won the $50,000 Waikato Hurdles, a prestige jumping race, at Te Rapa on Saturday. Ready Eddie is by the deceased Yamanin Vital from Tawnce. He was bought by his Palmerston North trainer and co-owner, Laura Knight for $15,000 as a 2yr-old at the 2010 South Island sale.

Ready Eddie is the first foal and only registered progeny of Tawnce, who was sold after foaling a filly by Yamanin Vital in 2009.  Tawnce, bred by the Andertons and Bill Oliver, won on the flat, over hurdles and country. She is by Personal Escort, who is achieving as a sire of broodmares. Ready Eddie has won on the flat and three times over hurdles.

Hoist, who cleared maiden ranks at Hastings (19/5/2016) is a 3yr-old by Raise The Flag from Turn The Page. Hoist, who finished second in his other start, is trained at New Plymouth by Allan Sharrock, who purchased him as agent for $55,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock select yearling sale at Karaka in 2014. Hoist, who was bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, is the first foal of Turn The Page (Danzighill- All Style), who won five races to 2200m.

Heroic Guru (Gallant Guru -Enzed) took his earnings beyond $HK2 million ($NZ395,925) for the season in Hong Kong when second over 1650m at Happy Valley last week.