Victory casts doubt on stud plans

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Kitchwin Hills haven’t had to wait long for a return on their investment with Ellicazoom (Testa Rossa). It’s been a quick turnaround for the Hunter Valley nursery following the mare’s success for them in the G3 Cockram S., at Caulfield.

They secured the 5-year-old for $420,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Perth Winter Mixed Sale and in her first appearance for them, she made a rousing return to action on Saturday for new trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

Ellicazoom was a $420,000 yearling purchase

Her performance has also given Kitchwin cause to rethink their original plan for Ellicazoom. “She holds a booking to Snitzel. In my experience, she’s the perfect mare for him,” Mick Malone said.

“She holds a booking to Snitzel. In my experience, she’s the perfect mare for him,” - Mick Malone.

“But we’re going to have to sit down and have a talk with David Hayes. I’m not sure what we’re going to do now. It might be a bit hard to send her off to stud after a performance like that.

“It was great to get a Group 3 win. It’s made her an even more valuable mare.”

Dabernig said their initial confidence in Ellicazoom took a blow when she came up with a horror gate. “It’s great to get a Group 3 for Kitchwin Hills, but I must admit when the barrier draws came out and she drew wide I thought it would be difficult.

“I must admit when the barrier draws came out and she drew wide I thought it would be difficult.” – Tom Dabernig.

“We had watched replays and we decided to put blinkers on and she had arrived here in great order. Mares are well catered for in the spring so there’s a lot of options. A race like the How Now would be suitable and hopefully we can get another couple of wins with her.”

Ellicazoom settled back in the running, but once jockey Regan Bayliss got her into clear air at the top of the straight she let down strongly.

“It was a terrific feeling. She’s been ultra-consistent throughout her career and been up against some good mares,” he said.

“It was a terrific feeling. She’s been ultra-consistent throughout her career and been up against some good mares.” – Regan Bayliss.

“She has come up nicely and she’s got some great form around good horses so a Group 3 win is vital for her breeding career and I’m sure that’s not all for her in the spring.”

Ellicazoom returns after winning the Group 3 Cockram Stakes with jockey Regan Bayliss

Formerly trained by Neville Parnham, Ellicazoom was the Listed winner of the Queen S., at Ascot and a multiple Group 2 placegetter before her sale and transfer to the Lindsay Park operation.

She is a daughter of Ellicorsam (Fimiston), who won the G1 Swettenham S., and twice at Group 2 level. All four of her foals to race have been successful and includes El Doute (Redoute’s Choice), who is standing his first season at stud in New Zealand at Leithfield Lodge.

Ellicazoom's relations include stallion El Doute who is currently standing his first season at stud