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Handy Weekend in Australia for Van Nistelrooy 5 Jun 2007
Pit Lane (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) got his sire off the mark in Australia at Mornington on Sunday with a commanding victory in the colts and geldings two-year-old event over 1213m.

Coming wide on the turn, Pit Lane hit the lead at the 100m mark and stretched out to a six length victory over his rivals under the urgings of jockey Luke Nolen for the stable of Peter Moody and by all accounts, it was an impressive effort in testing conditions.

“He was a bit unlucky in his first start where he finished second but he bolted in on Sunday,” said Peter Moody. “We’ll look to line him up in the City in about three weeks time and will go from there,” he said. “He’s a handy type and I think he’ll improve through the grades nicely,” he said.
Bred by Judi Wanless, the colt is raced in partnership with her husband Ron and is one of numerous horses the Wanless’ have in work throughout Australia.

The Trelawney/Wanless/Moody connection has seen some outstanding success in the past including the win of Amalfi (NZ) (Carnegie) in the Group One VRC Derby. Amalfi was a $110,000 purchase by the Wanless’ from Trelawney Stud’s 2000 Premier Draft while in more recent times, that same combination produced Moonloushe (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) - a $50,000 purchase by the Wanless’ from Trelawney’s 2005 yearling draft.

With the win of Pit Lane on Sunday, it was Saturday racing at Kembla Grange in New South Wales started the ball rolling for Van Nistelrooy when Dooley Jones (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) placed second in the Oasis Australia 2YO Maiden over 1400m.

Stepping out for the second time from the Noel Mayfield-Smith stable, the colt finished on strongly from the rear of the eleven horse field, running to within a neck of racewinner Aninsperation (Aus) (Anabaa). Purchased from Trelawney Stud’s 2006 Premier Draft for $75,000, Dooley Jones is owned by Jim Simpson, the same man that owns Van Nistelrooy’s first southern hemisphere winner, Vanny Fair (NZ).