Windsor Park Stud co-bred and part-owns Valediction, who provided Gai Waterhouse with her first success at the Warrnambool carnival when he coasted clear to win the Brierly Steeplechase on Tuesday.
"Gai got a huge thrill out of that and she also won her first jumping race as a
trainer when this horse won a hurdle race," Windsor Park's Nelson Schick said.Passed in at Karaka in 2009, the half-brother by Zabeel to stud resident Falkirk began his career with Cambridge trainer Jakki Good and placed in four of his seven starts before crossing the Tasman.
Valediction has now won four flat races for Waterhouse, a hurdle and three steeplechases.
"He was a step away from being a Group horse," Schick said. "I've always loved the jumpers and we had Fox Hunt, who won a Grand National and the Wellington Steeplechase.
"This horse has always had the ability, but he's been a bit immature. He was pretty impressive on Tuesday and jumped faultlessly."
Schick will be on course at Warrnambool on Thursday when Valediction steps out as favourite in the Grand Annual Steeplechase.
"We've got our fingers crossed and Gai rang on Tuesday night and said to come over – it could be quite special," he said.
Valediction's win continued Windsor Park's run of Australian success with the farm enjoying a 50 per cent interest in Street Cry's in-form son Rageese.
A winner last season and runner-up in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes when trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Rageese was successful in his first appearance from Darren Weir's stable last month and on the weekend added the Listed Nitschke Stakes to his record.
"The Hawkes' are great trainers, but sometimes a change of environment really helps a colt," Schick said.
"He's a really good type and he'll go to Brisbane for the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke." – NZ Racing Desk.
