Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Ron Finemore's impressive streak with his 2-year-olds continues with More Territories (Territories {Ire}) saluting on debut at Kensington on Wednesday.
Just a fortnight prior, owner and breeder Finemore celebrated a notable victory with his juvenile colt Roselyn's Star (Shalaa {Ire}), marking him as a formidable contender for upcoming black-type races.
Today's outcomes further validated this form, with Hezdarnhottoo (NZ), the winner of the colts division, finishing third to Roselyn Star in his debut race.
While the victory of Roselyn's Star was exciting, Wednesday's triumph by More Territories was particularly exhilarating as Finemore bred the filly from his stakes-placed mare, More Than Faith (More Than Ready {USA}), whom he also raced.
By Darley's former shuttle stallion, Territories (Ire), More Territories is the third winner from her dam, who traces back to the G2 Emancipation S. winner Faith Hill (Danehill).
Purchased for a hefty $360,000 at the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, More Than Faith was a relatively expensive acquisition for Finemore before finishing second in the G2 ATC Reginald Allen H., and he was keen to seek out the best matches when planning his breedings.
More Territories winning on debut | Image courtsy of Ashlea Brennan
With a breeding program involving up to 12 mares each season, Finemore emphasised his straightforward approach of breeding for racing success.
“I breed to race.
“I'm a Tesio fan. I always try to find the best Tesio rating as the cheapest fee”.
More Territories, conceived from a fee of just $11,000 (inc GST), stood out as the most economically bred horse in Wednesday's field, which included a $800,000 daughter of Zoustar. Trained by John O'Shea, who also trained her mother, More Territories defied the odds as a long-shot contender under the handling of Tyler Schiller.
Despite being positioned three-wide during the race, the filly showcased an impressive burst of speed, securing a comfortable victory ahead of talented fillies Nymphadora (Yes Yes Yes) and Pinito (Trapeze Artist).
Ron Finemore
In a post-race interview with Sky Thoroughbred Central, O’Shea outlined ambitious plans for the progressive filly, stating, “she might end up at Scone, I think that’s a track that will suit her over five-and-a-half (furlongs) there to try and get some black-type”.
The race he referred to, the Listed Woodlands S., has a history of producing top-tier sprinting females, including the likes of Libertini (I Am Invincible) and more recently, In Secret (I Am Invincible).
“She (More Territories) might end up at Scone, I think that’s a track that will suit her over five-and-a-half (furlongs) there and try and get some black-type”. - John O'Shea
Despite Territories no longer being available for shuttle to Australia, More Territories marked the eighth Australasian 2-year-old winner for the son of Invincible Spirit and his first juvenile winner in metropolitan Sydney.
