Masterly was the master of his own fate when he took control of the Swan Draught Hcp (1400m) and defied running down at Belmont last Wednesday.
Now in his second prep, the Neville Parnham-trained 3yo is making commendable headway following a breakthrough win on March 5. He doubled up at Belmont while leading home a quinella for Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler from Classic Impact. The runner-up was never far away on the fence but was never going to overhaul Masterly.
“He’s racing well and was rated nicely in front by Chanel (Cooper),” Parnham said. “He had a bit of weight (60kg) and we elected to go with the 3kg claim. Chanel won on Sky Duke (Playing God) for us last month and she’s progressing as well as getting stronger with her whip action.”
Cooper agreed it was a straightforward victory. “I got him comfortable after we jumped in front and he did the rest. I thought he might be running out of steam at the 100m but he kept kicking.”
Masterly (3g Universal Ruler – Juice by Bertolini) was bred and sold by Tony Patrizi who owns Greenfields Lodge in Capel. He’s enjoying a very successful year as an owner, breeder and vendor with winners like Gingerbread Girl (Gingerbread Man), Jaz Session (Sessions), So Nataya (So You Think), Kay Tee Why (Nicconi), Later Alligator (Playing God), Gingerquest (Gingerbread Man), Hostile Talk (War Chant), Sensessional (Sessions), Investmentstrategy (Playing God), Rocket Juice (Bondi) and Man Crush (Manhattan Rain).
Patrizi had purchased Juice for $32,000 from Gilgai Farm at the 2018 Inglis Great Southern Sale. She was a Group 1 winner of the 2010 NZ Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha and her other foals include Rocket Juice (Bondi) and the dam of Man Crush (Manhattan Rain) who won the latest renewal of the LR Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.
Her final foal is a yearling full-sister to Man Crush that made $65,000 to the bid of Parnham Racing Stables at this year’s Perth Magic Millions. Greenfields Lodge topped Day 1 vendors for turnover at the Swan Valley Sale with 10 lots totalling $1,102,500 at a 100% clearance rate. Top of the dial was the Written By – No Looking Back colt (Lot 99) that was knocked down to Wally Daly for $260,000.
