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Globetrotting UK sprinter Jungle Cat may have a stud future in Australia after the classy son of Iffraaj made a super start to his spring campaign at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Godolphin-owned 7YO made his Australian debut with an impressive win in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, his second G1 success after he won the Alquoz Sprint at Meydan in Dubai in March.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said the underlying reason to set Jungle Cat for an Australian campaign was to enhance his appeal as a shuttle sire."That was the aim to bring him here," Appleby said.
"He is by Iffraaj and a quick ground horse. I thought you blokes over here might like him.”He is one of eight winners from the US-bred stakeswinner Mike’s Wildcat, also the dam of G3-placed Texas Wildcatter (Monarchos).
Mike’s Wildcat is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Heza Hot Cat (Hennessy).Iffraaj, a son of (Zafonic, stands at Haunui Farm in New Zealand. The successful shuttler has sired 61 stakes winners including nine G1 winners.
They include his NZ-bred products Jon Snow, Gingernuts and Turn Me Loose while his UK-bred son Ribchester began shuttle service in Australia this spring.• THE connections of top class colt Written By will not contemplate a stud deal for the son of Written Tycoon until he completes his spring campaign.
Raced by former champion trainer Neville Begg and his family and trained by his son Grahame Begg, Written By made a successful return to racing with a pleasing first-up win over 1000m at Caulfield on September 22.Grahame Begg immediately fielded questions about stud offers for Written By, who won the G1 Blue Diamond last season and was beaten only once in five starts as a 2YO when fourth in the Golden Slipper.
“After the autumn we said to those interested in him, and there were a lot, that nothing would be considered until after the spring,” Begg said.Begg said the colt will now head to the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 17 before the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Begg revealed the colt had weighed in 35kg heavier than when he ran in the Golden Slipper, suggesting he is open to plenty of improvement."It's always in the back of your mind that they don't come back," Begg said.
"We gave this horse a very good break to let him rejuvenate. Over the years so many people have made the mistake of bringing them back too early, chasing the early riches of the spring.“It’s always exciting in the spring, getting back the horses that showed good ability in the autumn and he’s one of them.”
Written By was bred by Neville Begg from the Tobougg mare Yau Chin, a mare he bought for $3000 at the Scone Yearling Sale.He retained Written By after he failed to meet his reserve as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale.