Socks Highlights Armidale Big Double

Friday, 21 May 2010 01:14

Quality Tasmanian juvenile Socks sent his earnings soaring past $100,000 when he comprehensively beat his rivals in the Tasmanian Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Launceston tonight.

Despite covering extra ground throughout, Socks found plenty in the straight to hold out Magnetosphere and Clan Mcleod after skipping to the lead in the straight.

The George Blacker trained youngster, who was ridden to victory by Kelvin Sanderson, is yet to taste defeat in four starts.

"He's one of the best two-year-olds I've had," Blacker said. "I've liked the horse from day one and always had a good opinion of him."

Blacker said Socks would now head for a spell and he could be set for the Tasmanian Derby.

The exciting youngster, who cost just $15,000 from last year's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale at Launceston, is raced by Charlie and Wendy Langmaid.

Socks, by exciting young Swettenham Stud sire Keep the Faith, is yet another top quality galloper bred and sold by Armidale Stud.

The gelding is one of three winners produced by the stakes performed Mukaddamah mare Count the Kisses.

A winner of 1100 metres and a runner-up in the listed Cinderella Stakes, Count the Kisses is a half sister to the Blue Diamond Preview winner Ashkaleta.

Meanwhile, Armidale Stud graduates completed a big race double when talented four-year-old Stadacona thumped his rivals in the Tasmanian St Leger.

The John Blacker trained gelding romped home in the 2100 metre contest winning by five and a half lengths under star apprentice Jason Maskiell.

Stadacona cost connections just $12,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale and is yet another successful graduate of Armidale Stud.

By Mr. Prospector's sire son Telesto, Stadacona is a half brother to the Melbourne Cup Day stakes winner Oh Blue Angel.

Their dam Blue Recall, a winner of two races in Tasmania is a three quarter sister to the stakes performers Alcidon and Beethoven's Lady.

Blue Recall has done a tremendous job at stud with her nine foals produced all making it to the track - seven are winners.

As well as Oh Blue Angel and Stadacona, she is the dam of the smart five time winner Ithaca Canyon.

The Whishaw family's Armidale Stud, who bred and sold both Socks and Stadacona, has for many years been one of the leading thoroughbred nurseries in Tasmania.

Each year the property presents an outstanding draft of youngsters in the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.