Bright future for Bleecker Street

Saturday, 24 February 2024 | Impressive Racing’s new racing model is taking shape for Darren McAuliffe and saddling Ascot winner Bleecker Street was a timely result leading into the Perth Magic Millions Sale.

Aided by a rails run, Bleecker Street delivered a city first for an Impressive Racing syndicate in the Studco Hcp (1200m) on Wednesday.  It followed a fresh win over 1100m at Bunbury on Australia Day (Photo / Western Racepix) and a good second when stepping up in grade and distance to 1400m at Belmont a fortnight ago.

“We’ve been breeding and racing them for the last ten to twelve years but now we’re going to be more active buying yearlings,” D.Mac said on Wednesday.

“We will pick and choose our battles at the sales and being frugal will keep my business partner Kevin Berry happy when I’m bidding.”

They bred Bleecker Street using Geisel Park sire Manhattan Rain over Fo’ Shizzle who was runner-up in the 2015 Belmont Oaks.  Her first foal Cold Shizzle (Awesome Rock) is a stablemate and he’s won 7 races and over $430,000 in the Impressive Racing colours leading into this Sunday’s LR Pinjarra Classic (1300m).

Fo’ Shizzle is a 12 year-old mare by Universal Ruler who was a black-type sprinter and prolific winner-getter for Impressive Racing.  She delivered a Manhattan Rain filly for Elvira Park owner David Moore in October.

“He’s really come on since that win at Bunbury,” McAuliffe said as Clint Johnson-Porter returned to scale on Bleecker Street.  “He prefers training on top of the ground and came here today off a limited prep to be sharper for the shorter trip.

“He let down like he’s going places.  It was a perfect ride by CJP and we will go back to 1400m next time.”

Johnson-Porter was banking he wouldn’t be boxed in and it worked out seamlessly in the straight.  “The leader (Norich) rolled off the fence and he had the class to take advantage.  He’s all heart and got the job done even though it was a bit short.”

Impressive Racing bought a Gingerbread Man colt (Lot 210) for $42,500 and an I’m All the Talk filly (Lot 218) for $25,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale on Friday.

Geisel Park had 9 lots average $67,222 with top price of $150,000 paid by trainer Lindsey Smith for the Yes Yes Yes colt (Lot 147) who is related to G1 Railway Stakes winner Bustler.