September 15, 2014Awasita Wins Again
Joe O’Neil’s Prime Thoroughbreds passed a milestone on Wednesday in posting their 600th win and followed very quickly with another courtesy of a two state metropolitan double for The Deestructor (Eagle Farm) and Awasita (Sandown).
Having his first start for John Thompson, having been previously with Kris Lees, The Deestructor was a deserving winner having placed at four of his previous five runs.
“Today’s two state metropolitan double was a great thrill for many people associated with Prime Thoroughbreds,” said Joe O’Neil.
“The Deestructor’s win at Eagle Farm was the 600th race won by a horse syndicated by me and it held special significance as his trainer John Thompson was the foreman for Bill Mitchell when I had my first winner on February 2, 1999 at Gosford.
“Our first winner Cautious Lover was partly owned by Con and Barbara Retsas who are still clients of ours today.”
Speedy mare Awasita posted a winning hat-trick in November and December last year for the Mark Kavanagh stable and bounced back to her best form to win at Sandown.
Having her second run back from a spell, Awasita led throughout to win the Benchmark 78 event over 1000 metres by a long neck, but had to survive a protest to keep the victory.
“Awasita scored a great win at Sandown and finished off a wonderful day for us. Our thanks go out to the many wonderful people who have supported us over the years and to the great athletes that have made these successes possible,” O’Neill continued.
“Horses like Bedi, Believe’N’Achieve, Calming, Crocker, Desk Top Lover, Greenmount Belle, Hidden Wonder, Holding, Horrocks, Lord Monty, Maha Chakri, Shine On Anna, Too Many Reds, Unchain My Heart, Under Command and Zero Drama to name a few have worn our colours with distinction.”
Bred and offered for sale by Newhaven Park at Magic Millions, Awasita was snapped up for $80,000 and runs for a syndicate of Prime Thoroughbreds owners for whom she won over $119,000 in winning four of 10 starts.
“Joe’s been with me a long time, way back when I started in Adelaide so it’s great to win another race for him. I hope there’s plenty more to come.” Kavanagh said.
Awasita is the third winner from three foals to race for Aemilee, a metropolitan winning half-sister by Grand Lodge (USA) to Group II winner Magic Albert.
Aemilee has a yearling colt by Commands and is due to foal this spring to Newhaven Park’s exciting young sire Delago Deluxe.
Prime Thoroughbreds will be hoping to achieve similar success with Awasita’s two year-old Domesday half-sister Maldicion, who they bought for $55,000 at the Perth Magic Millions and have also given to Mark Kavanagh.
She was a successful pinhook for Eliza Park International having been sold by Newhaven Park as a yearling at the Magic Millions National Sale for $10,000.