Kentucky Equine Research Clients Have Successful Weekend at Randwick

Providing racehorses with proper nutrition is paramount to a successful career at the racetrack. As young horses mature, they face many stressful situations, such as weaning, yearling prep, and early training. The world’s leading studs know that sound nutrition can help counterbalance this stress, which is why they partner with Kentucky Equine Research to create customised feeding programs that address the needs of their horses. The results of these nutrition programs were on display at Randwick over the weekend, with clients coming out on top over some serious contenders.

Longtime client Mill Park (Meningie, SA) had a good day’s racing on Saturday. Ecuminecal, a daughter of Zebedee, gunned down the competition late to claim success in the Listed AAMI Dequetteville Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. This race is an important stepping-stone for fillies aiming for the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks. We hope to see her name again during the Spring Carnival.

Mill Park uses All-Phase® and Equi-Jewel® to feed and rear their young horses. The farm also relies upon Gro-Trac® to monitor growth and address anomalies that may indicate increased risk for future skeletal problems or signal the need for management changes. Providing precise nutrition during pregnancy and growth provides a strong foundation for success on the track. Growth rates can be closely monitored by using custom-made software like Gro-Trac.

Several other winners throughout the weekend were bred at farms that partner with Kentucky Equine Research to implement research-based nutrition and growth strategies for their horses.

In the Widden Kindergarten Stakes, Doubtland settled second last before angling for a clear run just before the 200-m mark to claim his first group win. Doubtland was bred at Arrowfield Stud in Segenhoe, NSW.

Arrowfield Stud’s Dr. Mark Wylie shares how the farm’s nutrition program helps to ward off the gastric impacts that can come with travel-related stress, “We work to keep them on feeds that are as similar as possible whilst travelling to lessen the changes of gastric upsets.”

Bittern-based stud Bombora Downs graduate Entente claimed victory on a wet track. Saturday’s win was his fifth start and, with his two wins and two thirds, he has definitely inherited his sire’s wet-track skill.

By a nose, Gracie Belle was able to get the win at Randwick on Saturday. Gracie Belle heralds from the famous Godolphin Stud (NSW).

Hugh Bowman had a lovely ride on King’s Legacy, with the son of Redoute’s Choice powering home for a good win. His equally impressive full sister sold at this week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Both horses were bred at Segenhoe Stud, based in Glenbawn, NSW.

An enthralling finish to the Group 1 Bentley Australian Derby (2400m) saw the New Zealand-trained Quick Thinker (by So You Think) score a very narrow victory at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse on Saturday in arguably the most coveted three-year-old classic staged either side of the Tasman. This rising star was bred in the Hunter Valley at the renowned Coolmore Stud.

Nature Strip simply was too fast and too good for a world-class field of sprinters in the Group 1 $1.25 million TJ Smith Stakes. Hailing from the Golden Grove Stud, Denman, NSW, Nature Strip had eight individual Group 1 winners chasing, but they were never going to catch him.

Bred by Riversdale Farm, Scone, NSW, Nettoyer also chalked a win. Her trainer, Wendy Roche, had never prepared a Group 1 winner and her jockey, James Innes Junior, had never ridden one. This is certainly one for the history books.

For information about how the team at Kentucky Equine Research can help your stud or stable, please contact us on 1800 772 198 or email advice@ker.com.