Racing: Shades of Princess Mellay

Blood Brotha, held by his strapper with jockey James McDonald and Mark (left) and Raymond Connors...
Blood Brotha, held by his strapper with jockey James McDonald and Mark (left) and Raymond Connors, the owners of the 6yr-old, after his win in the New Zealand Cup on Saturday. Photo by Tayler Strong.

Blood Brotha followed in the footsteps of his great granddam, Princess Mellay, by winning the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton on Saturday.

Blood Brotha was bred at White Robe Lodge, North Taieri, by brothers Brian and Hec Anderton and their wives, Lorraine and Pat. Brian trained Watallan to win the 1973 New Zealand Cup.

Blood Brotha is by White Robe sire Danzighill, from Laura Dee, by Personal Escort from Lal's Gift, by Noble Bijou from Princess Mellay (Mellay-Princess Ermine).

Princess Mellay won the New Zealand Cup in 1970 and 1971, the first horse to win successive New Zealand Cups since the race was run in 1883 and the first mare to win the race in foal. She was trained and bred by Hector Anderton sen and raced by his wife, Alice. Her sire, Mellay, stood at White Robe.

Danzighill, a son of Danehill, has served only a handful of mares the past two seasons.

Blood Brotha was passed in for $14,000 when offered as a 2yr-old at the 2007 South Island sale. The reserve was $15,000.

White Robe then recommended him to Mark and Raymond Connors, the Wanganui dairy farmers, who had success with other purchases from White Robe Lodge from the family of Blood Brotha. They did not need much convincing to buy the youngster.

They won the Great Northern Steeplechase in 1996 and 1998 with Our Jonty, a half-brother by Random Chance to Laura Dee, the dam of Blood Brotha.

Hypnotize, by Yamanin Vital from Auburn Rose, by Tawfiq from Tiara, a half-sister to Lal's Gift, was then making his name as a jumper for the father and son Connors. He won the Great Northern Steeplechase in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

King Johny, a half-brother by Seasoned Star to Our Jonty, won the 2005 Manawatu Classic for the same owners before he died of a heart attack after one start at 4.

Kevin Myers trained Our Jonty, who was ridden in his major wins by Raymond Connors.

Hypnotize was trained by his owners and they also prepare Blood Brotha.

The Connors have a 2yr-old half-brother by Gallant Guru to Blood Brotha, bought at the National Yearling Sale at Karaka. Laura Dee is due to foal to Gallant Guru.

Blood Brotha gave ace apprentice James McDonald his first 3200m win. He has had mixed fortunes this spring. He lost the ride on Sangster, who later won the VRC Derby.

Blood Brotha ran on strongly from back in the field to win by a neck from The Jungle Boy on a heavy track. There was a length and a-half to The Hand of Faith, who staged a gallant effort after racing keenly and assuming the lead 1000m out.

• Napatap, a $6000 purchase at the festival yearling sale last February, won the $45,000 Welcome Stakes. He was bought by trainer Paul Harris, who syndicated the colt among 10 owners.

Napatap credited his sire, Patapan, with his first winner. Napatap is from the first crop of Patapan, the winner of 16 races in Italy. The son of Stravinsky won six races as a 2yr-old.

Harris also saddled the runner-up, Gold Terror.

• Craig Williams rode four winners on his first day back from suspension at Sandown on Saturday, AAP reports.

His quartet of wins included the listed Summoned Stakes on Hi Belle, the listed Written Tycoon Stakes on Maximus Moonard, the group three Madeline Foundation Stakes on Under The Eiffel and the group two Sandown Guineas on So Swift. Williams won the Geelong Cup aboard Dunaden.

 

 

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