The good times continue to roll at Mount Hallowell Stud with the career best victory of “gentle giant” Temporise at Ascot on Saturday, registering win number 10 for the Craig Thompson owned breeding operation since September 2014.
There is no doubt that the association with leading city trainer Simon Miller has played a big part in the resurgence, with Miller training six of the ten winners to date.
Temporise made it a hat trick of wins under a “peach of a ride” from Joe Azzopardi with the impeccably bred four year old running to a rating of around 85 and again showing that once he finds his rhythm, bowling along in front he becomes a heart breaker to his opposition.
Miller has been able to manage some issues with Temporise similar to that of Longma the entire with the stallions pedigree who stunned race goers with his win at Ascot on December 20, trouncing subsequent dual Stakes winner Dawn Approach in the process.
He’s two following Ascot placings were full of merit and punters should have him in the black book when he returns during the Belmont Park season.
But the “Talk of the Town” has to be Hazzabeel. This son of Zabeel with the presence only reserved for the very best horses is creating his own story on the Mount Hallowell Stud honour roll.
A $180,000 purchase from New Zealand, Hazzabeel commenced his career with Gai Waterhouse before transferring to WA and eventually ending up with Miller.
All resources were exhausted in trying to keep Hazzabeel an entire but unfortunately for the stud his testosterone levels ran too high through his body and the decision to geld was made in early December.
The transformation has been there for all to see and the future is all blue sky with big Hazza.
With eleven two year olds on the roster (only two to race) and a promising band of 11 yearlings (thus far) the future for the stud looks very promising.
The brood mare band is led by former star race mare Hallowell Belle who has a foal at foot by Fastnet Rock. Unfortunately she slipped to Sebring last year which was a major setback for the stud.
The investment Thompson has made and continues to uphold in Mount Hallowell Stud is testament to his belief in the product and his unwavering commitment is finally starting to reap rewards.
The start to 2014 was not all bad either. In fact his star stayer The Offer cut a swathe through the Sydney staying races winning the Manion Cup, Chairman’s Handicap before blitzing the Sydney Cup field.
After holding early favoritism for the 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup, The Offer didn’t handle the hard tracks in Melbourne before succumbing to an injury which still has him paddock bound.
But former French import Pornichet who won the Group 3 Sandown Stakes in November is tuning up nicely after two trials and an exhibition gallop and will be ready to rumble, first up in the Group 3 Liverpool Cup at Warwick Farm on February 28.
Now here are some other horses to follow for OzRace fans.
Promising three year old Lunar Eclipse has matured into a cracking type and is due to trial on February 23.
Two year olds Sizzling Sam, Jingtang, Annies Luck and Qingdao have all shown plenty in their short careers and are exciting everyone at the stud.
Watch out for Tom Almighty and the well-bred Halusa to have good campaigns when they resume.
by Marty Young
