From The Paddock is our regular newsletter, which focuses
on following the progress of Kitchwin Hills bred horses as
they hit the racetracks of Australia and beyond. We also
highlight happenings on and off the farm as they come to hand.
 
Race The Shadow
 
Race The Shadow (Dane Shadow-Ta Ta) is dual nominated,
having drawn good barriers in both the Wyong and Canberra
race, the state of the track will dictate where the horse
goes, this colt looks like the type of horse that will
appreciate a bit more ground (1400m.) As per his trial,
Race The Shadows is likely to be slowly away and should do
his best work at the finish. Wherever he runs this time,
Race The Shadow will be heading for the spelling paddock
following this weekend’s race.
 
Weekend Preview
 
Racings Autumn Carnival kicks into top gear tomorrow with
the running of Victoria’s 2YO grand final, the Blue Diamond
as well as the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate for the sprinters.
In Sydney topping the bill we have the Group 2 Winning Edge
 Presentations Stakes (1400m). Gallant Tess (Galileo-Dragoncello)-
Easter 2005 (despite failing x-rays, to date $708,000 in
prizemoney now in the bank)) exits a solid first-up fifth and
will appreciate the step up in journey. Having drawn well, she
should put herself in the race and will be extremely hard to beat.
 
A number of promising 3YO’s line up earlier in the day and of
particular interest will be a couple of Redoute’s Choice colts
running in the All Occasions Cruises Handicap, Race 2 on the
card. Lighthorseman (Redoute’s Choice-Salty Sal) is a horse that
comes with a massive reputation. Spruiked before his debut after
braining them in a couple of barrier trials, he raced greenly
on a slow track and was only beaten 4 lengths by the top quality
Darley Duo, Desuetude and Aichi. Given plenty of time to get
over it by the astute Gary Portelli, he was bought back in January
of this year for his second start. Justifying the faith of
connections, Lighthorseman was devastating in putting away a
handy field at Hawkesbury that day and gave everyone a hint of
his enormous ability. He was bought by Vin Cox Bloodstock on
behalf of prominent Kitchwin client Geoff Grimish at the Easter
Sale a couple of years ago. We wish Geoff and family the best
of luck.
 
Also in the same race is the well bred colt I’m Ruthless
(Redoute’s Choice-Bimbo Limbo). Bred by Terry Dickson out
of a half-sister to Handsome Ransom and Danajaya, he was
a $400,000 graduate of the Kitchwin Hills 2007 Easter draft.
This sale fell through as the horse got sick at the precise
wrong time which was unfortunate for Terry but time could
heal this wound if Im Ruthless shows us what we are hoping
beginning tomorrow. Raced by a syndicate which includes
Kitchwin Hills and several of its clients. I’m Ruthless has
shown excellent promise to date. Having raced just three
times, I’m Ruthless has recorded good seconds at his last
2 outings. At his penultimate start he ran Marchinski to a
neck after racing greenly and really only flattening out in
the last 100m. Marchinski subsequently came out last
weekend and gave his elders a galloping lesson in winning
the Frederick Clissold Stakes (Gr3) at headquarters. After
that, I’m Ruthless had the misfortune to run into one of the
Goorees star 3YO’s, the very good Swift Alliance. Spelled
immediately after, I’m Ruthless has impressed Joe Pride with
his work to date and he is confident of a strong return.
 
Saturday February 21
GCTC
5:24pm Race 8 A Fine Tradition on Gabba H., A$10000 1200m
    Goldfinger (AUS) 2005 (F. by Dubai Destination-Oomph)-
sold by Kitchwin, a six figure yearling out of a high class
Flying Spur mare          
STC
1:22pm Race 2 All Occasion Cruises H., A$70000 1100m
    Im Ruthless (AUS) 2005 (C. by Redoutes Choice-Bimbo
Limbo)- Bred by Terry Dickson, is well regarded and expected
to progress this campaign
    Lighthorseman (AUS) 2005 (C. by Redoutes Choice-Salty
Sal)- owned by Geoff Grimish, the wraps have been enormous on
this one – expected to deliver
4:30pm Race 7 Apollo S. Gr.2, A$250000 1400m
    Gallant Tess (AUS) 2003 (F. by Galileo-Dragoncello)-
David Payne’s grand mare steps up to a suitable trip – will
be dangerous

Sunday February 22
Bunbury TC
2:51pm Race 5 Alcoa Willowdale Minesite Maiden, A$10000 1200m
    The Upper Hand (AUS) 2005 (G. by Success Express-Extinct)-
 Bred by the Brown family – has been knocking on the door
Canberra RC
2:55pm Race 5 A.a.M. I Lightning Ridge H., A$25000 1000m
    Patra Rivers (AUS) 2006 (F. by Untouchable-Visage)-
Bred and sold by Kitchwin & Partners, is an exciting prospect
and looms as a winning chance
    Race the Shadow (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Ta Ta)-
a strong city trial win – should be more than competitive here
Wyong RC
1:25pm Race 2 Bluetongue Premium Lager Maiden H., A$14000 1200m
    Race the Shadow (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Ta Ta)

Monday February 23
Narromine TC
2:24pm Race 2 Agrigrain Maiden H., A$9000 1300m
    Amelena (AUS) 2005 (F. by Galileo-Bella Claudia)- breeding
suggests that a step up in trip will suit – tough to ignore