The latest weekend of racing in Victoria provided further evidence of the affinity Sledmere Stud enjoys with the leading New Zealand thoroughbred nursery Little Avondale Stud and the Per Incanto breed.
Firstly, the hugely progressive 3-year-old Evaporate (NZ) recorded his third win in a row when carrying 60kg to victory in a 1600m contest at Moonee Valley. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding scored by three lengths — or close enough to it — for the second time running and has surfaced as a major Group 1 Caulfield Guineas candidate for his connections which include Little Avondale principal, Sam Williams.
Beforehand, however, Evaporate (NZ) has a Group 2 event over the same course and distance as Saturday’s victory on his schedule, co trainer Ben Hayes confirming: “In three weeks’ time there’s the Stutt Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m), that would be the ideal race to head towards and that’s a traditional lead-up to a Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).” Hayes added in part, “…we’ve just got to get him there and he’ll be a nice chance.”
Within 24 hours of Evaporate’s Moonee Valley win, another Per Incanto 3-year-old in the form of Rue de Royale (NZ) scored a slashing maiden victory at Bendigo. Taken straight to the front by Johnny Allen after jumping from barrier one, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy trained colt gave nothing else a chance and was never to be headed in an impressive two-and-a-half lengths success.
A very prominent 2-year-old of last season placed second in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Rue de Royale (NZ) took his earnings to $696,000 after nine race starts — with a very lucrative series of events waiting ahead in his Classic season.
Both Evaporate (NZ) and Rue de Royale (NZ) were bred by Little Avondale Stud and sold by Sledmere Stud on their behalf as yearlings. Evaporate (NZ) was a member of our 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, fetching $330,000. Rue de Royale (NZ) was offered by our sales team at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft and changed hands for $180,000.
Evaporate (NZ) and Rue de Royale (NZ) are following a very similar path to Little Brose, another son of Per Incanto sold by Sledmere Stud as a yearling. Bred by long-term farm client and good friend David Wallace, Little Brose won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes in his 2-year-old season and is now with David Hayes in Hong Kong where he is about to commence his first full season in the leading HKJC sprinting ranks.
Needless to say, we can’t wait for the next instalments in the respective spring campaign of graduates Evaporate (NZ) and Rue de Royale (NZ), as well as the performances of Little Brose in the new Hong Kong racing season which got underway on Sunday.
FOOTNOTE: The Sledmere Stud draft heading to the 2025 Magic Milllions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will include a daughter of Per Incanto produced by Queen of Kandy. The filly hails from the very sharp lineage of Momentaire (AJC Widden Stakes-LR) developed by the Cobcroft family.