Another mare who has earned an upgrade – or rather, a return – to Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan is Dixie Chick (Star Witness), whose son Nashville Jack (Farnan) was an impressive Saturday winner at the start of this preparation, before rallying through a Heavy 10 track at Rosehill to come fourth in the Listed Rosebud two and a half weeks ago.
“She’s going back off of the strength of Nashville Jack,” Hodges said, sharing that the mare had visited Farnan on Tuesday afternoon after foaling a So You Think (NZ) filly in early August.
“The people who own him (Nashville Jack) thought highly enough of him to buy the half-brother by Snitzel at the Inglis Easter Sale this year, which I think was a very good buy. He was a lovely, lovely horse, and they didn’t overpay for him.”
Mulberry Racing, for whom Brad Widdup trains Nashville Jack, bought Dixie Chick’s son of Snitzel for $300,000 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Of the Farnan colt – who cost Mulberry and Widdup $225,000 at the previous year’s Easter sale – Hodges was certain he had reasonable excuses for his difficult runs in both the Rosebud and, earlier in the year, in the G3 Black Opal Stakes as a juvenile.
“His shoe came off (during the race) and went through the bottom of his foot,” Hodges explained. The colt still finished fifth by only just over two lengths to King Of Pop (Farnan). “They (the owners) were super impressed with the effort, considering what he did to himself in the running.”
Nashville Jack is due to trial on Thursday, with connections hopeful of a tilt at the G1 Golden Rose Stakes later this month. If we get to see the best of him this spring, Hodges may soon have another stakes winner to credit to Riversdale’s name.
Read the full article here: Matings Mix
Excerpt from article c/o TTR Aus/NZ
