Amelia Park is prepping its biggest and most diverse draft of 20 yearlings for the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Sale.
Diverse is the buzzword with colts by Awesome Rock (Lot 55) and Playing God (Lot 205) the only locally-sired lots heading up from Vasse to the Swan Valley.
First to parade is Lot 3, a filly by Darley’s immediate stud success Too Darn Hot (GB) from Addie (Street Cry) who is a full-sister to G2 MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Sabatini. It’s the same cross as last week’s Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Arabian Summer.
Amelia Park also boosted its racing and breeding stocks last week when parting with €380,000 (AUD 621,000) for 3yo filly Sivka Burka (Siyouni) at the Arqana Sale in Deauville.
Sivka Burka (pictured) was knocked down to Louis Le Metayer (Astute Bloodstock) on behalf of Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh.
Multiple Champion Haras de Bonneval stallion Siyouni (Pivotal) is best-known out here as the sire of Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Le Metayer struck a goldmine for Walsh five years ago buying her dam Bumbasina (Ire) for 75,000gns (AUD 140,000) at the 2018 Tattersalls July Bloodstock Sale.
Le Metayer told ANZ Bloodstock News that all avenues are open for Sivka Burka following a 3yo season that yielded three wins topped by a Listed victory in the Prix Amandine (1400m) at Deauville in July. Trainer Fabrice Chappet then sent her to Germany for a Group 3 placing over 1400m at Dresden.
“She goes on firm ground, she’s on-pace and she’s tough so there are a couple of options. We can send her to Australia to race on next year where she would be Saturday class in Stakes races. Or we could race her here and then go to Frankel who does so well with those Pivotal-line mares.”
Still in France, Le Metayer confirmed Bumbasina has a southern-bred brother to Amelia’s Jewel on the ground and is back in foal to Siyouni. “Her colt at foot looks amazing and they’re on the way back to Australia. He will be weaned at Segenhoe Stud and will be going to the Gold Coast Magic Millions or Inglis Easter in 2025.
“I love him. He has the brain of his sister and he has an incredible temperament. He’s so chilled and that’s why we were confident to put him on a plane as a foal.”
Closer to home, Amelia’s Jewel is a fortnight into six week’s of R&R in the south-west following a tumultuous spring campaign in Melbourne and Sydney. After winning the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and G2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, it went pear-shaped with a virus-affected loss in the G1 Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield before another interstate target turned into a nightmare at Rosehill.
She went out favourite in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 4 but was lucky to stay on her feet during a crowded and chaotic renewal of the rich slot-race. Stewards reported she was severely checked and lost her rightful running at the 300m in an incident that required treatment for a nasty laceration to the near-fore fetlock.
Trainer Simon Miller revealed she has recovered well from that setback. “I kept her with me after that K.O. before going home to her own environment. We will get her back in form here before going East.”
Amelia’s Jewel will replicate this year’s autumn program in the Roma Cup and The Quokka at Ascot and, all going well, Miller and Walsh will then make Group 1 plans for Adelaide (Sangster Stakes & Goodwood Hcp) and/or Brisbane (Doomben 10,000 & Stradbroke Hcp).
