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Bruce Wallace Enthusiastic about Progeny of Van Nistelrooy 8 Sep 2006
Bruce Wallace has four two-year-olds in his stable by Group Two-winning two-year-old Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) with an even split of colts and fillies. As the trainer of one of last season’s leading two-year-olds in Royal Pericles (NZ) (Stravinksy), he has already formed a high opinion of the Van Nistelrooy’s.

“They all have great temperaments and handle the stable environment well. I’m extremely impressed with them,” said Bruce. “As yearlings, I obviously liked them as types to have purchased four – they remind me a bit of the Stravinsky’s actually. I expect my lot to be ready to start trialing at the beginning of October and I would be disappointed if they don’t make serious racehorses,” he said.

“The two colts that I have aren’t owned in New Zealand so I’m not sure if they will race here or not but the two fillies I have will be racing here and I certainly don’t mind that. The filly out of Tristaad has particularly impressed me, she wasn’t a big filly when I purchased her at the sales and she was one of the last to be broken in but, she has certainly grown into a very nice style of filly and she’s not small anymore!” he said.

“I certainly wouldn’t hesitate purchasing more horses by Van Nistelrooy this year,” said Bruce.

Van Nistelrooy will have his first starter in the first two-year-old race of the season at Wanganui tomorrow. Trained by the successful Rogerson-Autridge combination, the filly, named Bella Renza, came up trumps two weeks ago at the Taupo trials and it is hoped she can get Van Nistelrooy off to a great start.

“People tend to think that to get two-year-olds ready for these early races, you really have to wind them up,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “What is pleasing to hear about the progeny of Van Nistelrooy is that, the ones that have shown a natural tendency to be early types, have just done it all themselves and have come to the fore without a lot of pressure,” he said.

“What happens tomorrow who knows? But, to have one of his progeny lining up is certainly very pleasing for Trelawney and our partners in the horse and from the reports we are getting, we are looking forward to seeing more Van Nistelrooy’s stepping out over the next couple of months,” he said.