Larneuk Stud's impressive young stallion Ilovethiscity is off and rolling with his first winner, Moonlover fulfilling every owner/breeder's dream by saluting at debut at Moe on Anzac Day.
Not having
the easiest of runs from a wide gate, the Matt Laurie trained two-year-old
showed plenty of heart as well as natural ability - racing clear over the final
stages to salute by a soft two lengths with plenty in hand.
Much to the delight of Paul Wolff who not only bred Moonlover, but who was also managing part owner of Ilovethiscity.
"This is just fantastic!" he enthused, pleasantly surprised that Moonlover was able to make it to the track at two, happy to have given her time but the promising filly "just kept showing up."
Jockey Ryan Maloney was impressed by Moonlover's dominant victory, reporting that "I nursed her as long as I could in the run and she did the rest."
"There is still a lot of improvement in her and her owners are going to have a lot of fun with her."
Moonlover hails from the debut crop of Ilovethiscity, resident at Larneuk Stud, Euroa - whose Neville Murdoch was excited by the breakthrough win.
"We
have always had a lot of faith in Ilovethiscity. Not only is he a magnificent
type but he is passing on his considerable qualities to his offspring."
"Right from his first foal we were confident about his prospects as he stamps them with his own strength and style."
Also cheering on Moonlover was Ilovethiscity's trainer Grahame Begg who said that he was "delighted" to see a horse he held in such high esteem get off the mark.
"He has only had four runners and they have been showing ability," he said.
"Whilst Ilovethiscity won at two he really hit his form as a three-year-old, very much like most of the Magic Albert breed."
"It is a very positive sign that his progeny are beginning to hit their straps late into the two-year-old season and I am looking forward to seeing how they progress."
A brilliant winner of the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas as well as the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes and the Listed Spring Stakes, Ilovethiscity hails from the prolific family of proven high class stallions Grosvenor and Lonhro.
Part of a strong three stallion line-up at Larneuk Stud, Ilovethiscity's 2016 fee remains at $6600 (incl gst).
Also at the same fees as 2015 are Cluster ($6600) and O'Lonhro ($5500), two stallions who continue to please Murdoch.
"O'Lonhro is proving a reliable owner/breeder stallion who receives a good number of return visitors," he said, happy to see the record-breaking Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes winning son of Lonhro represented by a double last week.
Having just his third start and stepping up to 1400m for the first time, the Bruce Purcell trained Oscar Dee saluted by a soft 1 1/2 lengths at Pakenham whilst earlier on the same day the Larneuk bred Down A Long Road at just his second start charged home to salute over 1100m at Wangaratta.
Cluster meanwhile is letting down beautifully in preparation for his second season at stud and Murdoch has enjoyed watching Fastnet Rock's progression as a sire of sires with Hinchinbrook, Smart Missile, Stryker and Wanted all represented by stakes winners.
"Cluster is an outstanding type who impresses everyone who inspects him and we are really looking forward to welcoming his first foals this spring."
For further information on Ilovethiscity, O'Lonhro and Cluster contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706
