Breeding theory working for White Robe 14/3/14

Tradition runs deep at White Robe Lodge and the successful Mosgiel nursery is on track for a notable Group One double based on an older style breeding approach.

Include (NZ)  (Gallant Guru)

 Stud graduate Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) raced away with the Auckland Cup last week and Include (NZ)   (Gallant Guru) looms as a leading chance in Saturday's Wellfield New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.

"When I first started in this game years ago it was always said to send a mare to a stallion three times," stud manager Wayne Stewart said.

"It's interesting that Who Shot Thebarman is the third by Yamanin Vital out of the mare and Include is the third of the Gallant Gurus out of her dam."

Stewart and wife Karen race Include, who is prepared by his father-in-law Brian Anderton, who trains in partnership with son Shane.

 "We bought her mother (She's Snubbed) off Waikato Stud at a May Sale at Karaka and Karen deliberately wanted her to go to Gallant Guru," Stewart said. "She felt the bloodlines would match up really well."

The first foal by the White Robe stallion was the dual winner Immortal Glory, the second was unraced and Include has won five of her seven starts, including the Dunedin and Southland Guineas at Listed level.

"She missed a race at Motukarara when they cancelled the Rating 85 race, but as it turned out it didn't matter as they abandoned the race meeting because of all the flooding," Stewart said.

"We took her to the races last Saturday and Chris Johnson rode her in a nice exhibition gallop. She's ready to go and the only unknown is that she hasn't raced beyond a mile, but she is definitely bred to run it."

A half-sister to the Listed winner and Group one performer Sharp Princess (NZ) (Pins), Include's grand-dam is a sister to the Gr.1 VRC Oaks winner Slight Chance (NZ) (Centaine).

The vastly-experienced Anderton senior also has confidence in Include's ability to cope with 2400 metres. "We'll be a bit wiser after Saturday, but she is a lovely, relaxed filly and I think she'll be fine," he said. - Paul Vettise, NZ Racing Desk.