A combined $100,000 outlaid on two mares at the 2018 and 2019 Magic Millions National Sale was money well-spent by WA breeder Ian Riley.
Buying under the Woodbridge Thoroughbreds banner, Riley paid $47,500 for Hussy Five Oh (Husson) on the Gold Coast in 2018 when she was carrying talented Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Eight (Pride Of Dubai).
Riley’s sole buy at the Gold Coast Sale in 2019 was California Dane mare Calianco for $52,500. She had won three short-course sprints at Morphettville for Finniss Equine owner-trainer Wayne Francis and her profile has enjoyed a revival this year with successful foals Richanco and Talkanco.
Richanco (Rich Enuff) won at Pinjarra (2) and Bunbury before going down narrowly to Regal Statue (Nicconi) at Ascot on Eurythmic Stakes Day. He is trained by Pearce Racing for a Woodbridge syndicate and so is his 2yo half-sister Talkanco who made an eye-catching debut at Ascot on Saturday.
Ian Riley leads the Talkanco celebrations next to Chris Parnham at Ascot on Saturday. Photo / Western Racepix
Talkanco (I’m All The Talk) was a mile off the speed behind free-wheeling Blow Me Kisses (Zousain) before reeling them in with a powerful finish that signalled a black-type future.
“She showed speed in her trials but stepped slowly today and settled well back,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said after her victory in the Magic Millions Plate (1100m). “There’s was pressure in front so sitting off that pace probably helped in the end.”
Talkanco will now be set for the $100,000 Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on November 23.
Winning jockey Chris Parnham reported Talkanco did it easily scoring by a couple of panels over last-start winner Strideaway (Alabama Express). “She jumped fairly but couldn’t muster so I took a trail with some cover. She produced a tremendous turn of foot in the straight and we got there too early because she started looking around once in front.”
Calianco had done Riley another good turn in September when she foaled a colt from the first crop of Mogumber Stud sire Marine One (Capitalist).
Meanwhile, Lucky Eight’s prizemoney pool reached the equivalent of AUD1.44 million last month following a Sha Tin victory in the Chinese Recreation Club Cup (1200m) for trainer Ricky Yiu and the UNO Eight Syndicate.
Riley retained his Magnus – Hussy Five Oh half-sister Magnalee in a syndicate with Amelia Park’s Peter Walsh. The 4yo mare is an Ascot winner for trainer David Harrison and his Bridge Patrol Stable is also home to Magnalee’s unraced 3yo full-sister Riveting Rosie.
Hussy Five Oh’s final foal at Woodbridge Thoroughbreds in Henley Brook is a yearling filly by Rommel.
