By Peter Wharton
Latrobe horsewoman Melissa Maine, who has been a vendor at the Tasmanian Harness Yearling Sale for the last five years, is adamant that her 2023 draft is the best one she’s ever presented.
The manager of Faithful Park Stud will parade three yearlings at Carrick on Sunday, March 12.
Melissa believes the Lather Up gelding from the Rocknroll Hanover mare Huiffier (Lot 19) is the pick of her consignment.
“He’s a beautiful athlete with a lovely head. He’s a real standout,” she said.
On the score of breeding, he lacks nothing. He’s by the former world mile record holder and $1.7million earner Lather Up (1:46), and one of his first crop, from the lightly raced Huiffier, a half-sister to the dual Inter Dominion champion, Miracle Mile winner and dual Horse of the Year Beautide, Death And Taxes and Ashkalini, dam of the seven-time Group winner Ignatius (1:48.6).
Lot 7 is a strongly built gelding by the former 3YO Colt of the Year and emerging young sire Vincent out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Bettor Be Aware, a daughter of the Bandbox, Princess of Pace and Belmont victor Marlee Jayne.
Bettor Be Aware ranks as a half-sister to the outstanding racemare Lourdes (1:51.4) and the classic-winning juveniles Make A Memory, Dare We Dream and Colsta.
Completing the Faithful Park lineup is Lot 13, a well-conformed filly from the second crop of the NZ 3YO and 4YO of the Year Ultimate Machete. She’s out of the Christian Cullen mare Illawong Sister Styx, winner of the Argent Classic and runner-up in the Victoria Oaks, and a member of the same family as King Of Swing, Mach Dan and Bettor Twist.
The three youngsters are all eligible for Vicbred and the Breeders Crown.
