One of Tasmania’s most prestigious race days has been dominated by locally bred gallopers. The Newmarket Hcp meeting held at Launceston on 22 November included three feature races, the $80,000 (Listed) Newmarket Hcp, the $60,000 3yo Cup and the $30,000 2yo Alfa Bowl.
This year’s Newmarket was won by the highly promising Life To The Full. It was Life To The Full’s third listed win, after his victories in the 2008 Balaclava Cup and the 2007 Hobart Guineas. Life To The Full, by Savoire Vivre, has also won races in Adelaide and was placed at Flemington during his last campaign. Life To The Full’s dam Sinnizor has just foaled a full brother to Life To The Full at Armidale Stud.
Tasmanian bred horses dominated the race with 2nd place getter Miewa’s Quest (West Quest) and With Decorum (Savoire Vivre) both bred in Tasmania. Tasmanian bred gallopers also dominated the other two major races on the day. Obstinado (Estambul – Shades Of Stubborn) won the $60,000 3yo Cup, while Royal Miswaki (Tough Speed – Royal Ruby) was a commanding winner of the $30,000 2yo Alfa Bowl.
Both horses are graduates of the annual Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, with Obstinado being sold by his breeders Alan Armitage for $35,000 in 2008, while Royal Ruby was a bargain buy from Armidale Stud’s 2009 draft, being knocked down for just $10,000. Armidale Stud has entered a full brother to Royal Miswaki in the 2010 Tasmanian sale, while Obstinado also has a half brother (Niello) entered for the 2010 sale. Most owners aim their horses at particular races on feature race days, and the annual Newmarket race day is no exception. In fact, Tasmanian bred gallopers also won three other races on the day, in addition to the feature races noted above - further evidence of the strength of the local breeding industry.
