Adam Mackrell searches far and wide in for breeding propositions for Berry-based Bell View Park Stud to on-sell at the leading broodmare sales each year and Wednesday’s Randwick winner Eugine’s Pick was a bargain buy from gavelhouse.com.
While looking through the New Zealand auction in April 2017, Mastercraftsman filly Eugene’s Pick caught Mackrell’s eye, being from the family of Group One winners Bonanova, Telesto and Fraternity, as well as a half-sister to six winners including the dam of current Group Three winner Five to Midnight.
“I didn’t mind her pedigree, so I asked an ex-staff member of mine, Eugene Casement who lives in New Zealand to go and have a look at her,” Mackrell reported to Breednet.
Casement came back with a positive report and Mackrell then bid online to purchase her for $3,400.
There was no real plan of bringing her into work as she was listed in the broodmare section on the site however after some further digging for information it was found that she was sound to race but was a real tough nut to crack during the breaking in and pre-training process.
“We decided to give her a chance on the track so Peter Ward and our staff put a lot of time and effort into educating her,” Mackrell said.
“Slowly but surely she came good mentally and we sent her to Robert and Luke Price to train.”
Now a multiple winner Eugene’s Pick ran third on debut at Kembla in May last year and then won at Kembla and Goulburn and placed on two occasions in just six starts earning over $80,000 in prizemoney.
“Robert and Luke did a great job with her and in her first race preparation she won impressively twice and was placed at Rosehill. She went out for a spell and came back a much more mature horse and won second up at Randwick on Wednesday,” Mackrell added.
“Given her breeding, the fact that she keeps improving physically and is now straight forward to train, we are quite excited about her and hope her best is yet to come.”
The latest gavelhouse.com Australia auction is online now and features nine racing propositions and three broodmares including two quality mares on account of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock.
Entries for the next New Zealand auction are due by 7pm Monday 25 February. For assistance listing email info@gavelhouse.com or phone +64226378127.
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