Written by Paul Vettise
The new-look Sydney spring carnival has become the future focus for a dual Group 1 winner for the powerful China Horse Club.
The sale of their star 3-year-old Madison County (NZ) (Pins) to Hong Kong interests has fallen through and the inaugural running of a $7.5 million spring age group feature has now grabbed their longer-term attention.
“The Golden Eagle in early November is solely for 4-year-olds over 1500 metres so that is now very quickly to the forefront for us,” the Club’s bloodstock and racing manager Michael Wallace said.
The Cambridge-based horseman remains philosophical about the non-sale of Madison County.
“The Golden Eagle in early November is solely for 4-year-olds over 1500 metres so that is now very quickly to the forefront for us.” – Michael Wallace.
A seven figure sum had been agreed upon, but the money wasn’t forthcoming and the gelding will now head to Australia for an autumn campaign with current trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
China Horse Club representative, Michael Wallace
“At the end of the day there was nothing we could do about it,” Wallace said.
“It was all out of our control and I don’t worry about things that I can’t control. It might be a blessing.”
“It was all out of our control and I don’t worry about things that I can’t control. It might be a blessing.” – Michael Wallace.
In the meantime, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Madison County will head to Sydney for the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1600 metres on March 9. His performance there will determine the direction of the rest of his preparation.
“I’ve had a meeting with Murray and the horse will go over next week,” Wallace said.
Madison County winning the G1 Levin Classic
“He’ll go to the Guineas and if he races up to expectations then there are plenty of options to follow. We’re heading in a one race direction at this stage.”
“We’re conscious of leaving petrol in the tank with him as a 4-year-old.” – Michael Wallace.
Madison County also holds nominations for a number of Group 1 carnival features.
“The way we have to view it is that he’s had a good, long season. We’re conscious of leaving petrol in the tank with him as a 4-year-old,” Wallace said.
Madison County is a prime example of the China Horse Club operating at all ends of the market and was bought out of Waikato Stud’s Select Yearling Sale draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2017 for NZ$36,000.
He is a true blue product of the champion Matamata nursery with his fourth dam Courtza (Centaine), the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner, the dam of the Chittick family’s star stallion O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon {Ire}).
Madison County as a yearling
Group 1 glory
This season, Madison County has won the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, the G1 Levin Classic and the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas to take his career earnings to just shy of NZ$600,000.
He hasn’t raced since he came from the back of the field to finish third in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie on January 26.
A start against the older horses in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa didn’t eventuate due to the acceptance of the offer from Hong Kong.
