Brisbane, June 27 – The day started well for Yarraman Park on Saturday with a double for horses sold by the Mitchell family run farm in the first two events at the featured Sunshine Coast meeting in Queensland.
Improving stayer Eedeeal took out the Class Three event over 2150 metres for the Gerald Ryan stable, posting his first win since transferring to the Murwillumbah satellite stable of the popular Rosehill trainer.
A $550,000 purchase for Rob McAnulty from the Yarraman draft at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Eedeeal (pictured as a yearling) has been a slow maturing type, but may well prove his worth over the longer trips now that he’s broken the ice.
Eedeaal is by Encosta de Lago from Tycoon Tess, a half-sister by Last Tycoon (IRE) to top class South African trained stayer Delta Form from Group One VRC Oaks winner Arborea.
Following hot on the heels of Eedeeal to the winner’s circle was former Gai Waterhouse trained Catbird four year-old Armstrong Jones, who scored his first win for Eagle Farm based conditioner David Murphy when taking out the $50,000 restricted event over 1600 metres.
A $360,000 purchase for Waterhouse from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Armstrong Jones has won four races and placed six times from 16 starts earning close to $100,000 in prizemoney.
Bred and offered for sale by Yarraman Park, Armstrong Jones was the most expensive yearling by Catbird sold in 2006 and is from the stakes-placed Zoffany (USA) mare Annalea, a full sister to Cantinela, the dam of smart Melbourne stakes-winner Cocinero.
