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Macdonald's Polish To Be Reactive

Filly by Testa Rossa (ex Refit by Encosta de Lago)

Top class South Australian trainer, Leon Macdonald, achieved a personal high when Southern Speed won the 2011 Caulfield Cup.

Always looking forward Macdonald is now looking forward to getting this two-year-old filly by Testa Rossa into his stable as she has furnished into a lovely individual and after inspecting her recently he was impressed to see how much she had developed.

By Vinery based sire Testa Rossa, whose stock are winning plenty of races all over Australia at present. Currently at number 10 on the Leading Sires of Season 2012-13 list Testa Rossa's stock have shown what a great winner to runner ratio they have with 17 individual winners during the month. Amongst them was There's Only One (ex Aunty Hilda by Nassipour) winner of the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield and Jolie Blonde (ex Danoiserie by Danehill) who took out the competitive Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington (Feb 13). That same day at Mornington, Testa Rossa's juvenile daughter Twilight Royale (ex Royal Season by Royal Academy) won the Inglis Premier (1200m).

Testa Rossa's sire statistics currently show his progeny have won more than $46.4million world-wide with a winner to runner ratio of 71.3%

As of February 20th, Testa Rossa's progeny have earned more than $48.6million and from 669 starters, 476 are individual winners, a starter to winner ratio of 71.2%. Among those winners are 46 stakes winners and 43 stakes placegetters with Testafiable (ex Jamelden Echo by Prince Echo), Rostova (ex Space Talk by Anabaa) and Ortensia (ex Aerate's Pick by Picnicker) leading the way as winners of Group 1 races.

Leon estimates that the cost of training for a 5% share per month when the filly is in full work ranges from $150.00 to $175.00.

Not Enough?  This filly is Refit's second foal, the first is a chestnut colt by Purrealist now named Befitting and in the stable of Rick Hore-Lacy.

This filly is bred on the same cross as the stakes performing Rosa Delago (ex Tolago by Encosta de Lago) a winner of $100,030 and Teskara (ex Costa Karo by Encosta de Lago).

Horse Details

Sire:Testa Rossa
Dam:Refit
Sex:Filly
Foal Date:30th September
Pedigree: View detailed pedigree supplied by Bloodhound.net.au

Trainer Details

Leon Macdonald has held his professional license since 1972, initially after training on a part-time basis, his record built quickly to training full-time from 1975. From humble beginnings Leon has assembled an imposing record and last Spring he saddled up the Group 1 Caulfield Cup winner, Southern Speed.

The richest 2400 metre handicap in the world, and one of the hardest to win outside the Melbourne Cup, the four-year-old mare recorded a superb win for the stable.

Leon has been interested and involved with racing since he was a child, at which time his Uncle was a race horse trainer. Like most young men, Leon was encouraged by his parents to pursue a "formal career" and went to work in the corporate world for the South Australian State Electricity Commission until he was 32 years old.

It was a gradual transition to training full time for Leon as he initially prepared his three to four thoroughbreds from his Uncle's stable tending to them morning and night whilst holding down his day job. Three years later he retired from his corporate career to exchange it for a full time commitment to a life doing what he loved best, working with the magnificent thoroughbred.

Right from his earliest days as a trainer, Leon Macdonald's horses have held imposing records – the first filly he brought to Melbourne, Scarlet Rhythm, was runner-up to Rose Of Kingston in the Group 2 VRC Bloodhorse Breeders Plate.

While other horses that help bring his talents to notice were Taminor and French Cotton both were youngsters with plenty of ability, and, Leon brought that out in them. Since then his stable has never been without some above average gallopers.

Our Bright Halo, Follow The Ride, Umrum, two Group 1 VATC Toorak Handicaps and raced successfully for seven consecutive seasons, Gold Guru winner of the Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas, Group 1 STC Ranvet Stakes and the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby.

In 2008, Leon trained Rebel Raider to win the Group 1 VRC Derby and in doing so he gave Clare Lindop a history making ride.

On top of Rebel Raider, Macdonald has saddled up winners in the ilk of Dilly Dally (Group 1 AJC TJ Smith Stakes), Regal Kiss (Group 3 SAJC R.N. Irwin Stakes), Make A Scene (Ballarat Cup), Eagle Rhythm (Cranbourne and Bairnsdale Cups), Kattavia (Cranbourne Cup), Shaye Spice (Moonee Valley Horse Of The Year 2002–03).

Now with the Caulfield Cup, added to the list, Macdonald has since added a another win to Southern Speed's race record, two, Group 1 runner's up cheques in the Australian Cup, behind Manighar, and the C F Orr Stakes, behind Black Caviar. Macdonald is now looking to set the older and stronger, Southern Speed (by Southern Image) for another outstanding campaign in Victoria this Spring.

Leon is always looking to the future with many unraced two-year-olds being put through their paces at the back end of the 2011-12 season, as, they head towards their classic season in 2012-13 which is about to unfold, August 1st.

*Prices quoted are inclusive of GST.
The TTSC holds an ASIC issued
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