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  • Jockey
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The First Link (NZ) 2017

Trainer: Acacia O'Brien / Matamata

Training Location: Matamata

Race info

  • Flat Rating: 60
  • Steeple Rating: 0
  • Hurdle Rating: 0
  • Current Gear:
    • Approved Plates
    • Ear Covers Pre-Race
    • Lugging Bit

Horse Details

6YO Bay Gelding

  • Owner: Mrs T L Elliott, Mrs D C Hart & Mrs A M O'Brien
  • Breeder: Mrs A M & D Gartshore
  • Sire: EL HERMANO (NZ) 2005
  • Dam: THE LINK (NZ) 2007
  • Foaling: 15 Oct 2017

Current Nominations

Current Fields

Performance stats

Recent starts
Form
  • 90300
1st up
  • 7-0-2
2nd up
  • 3-1-1
Fresh 30
  • 4-0-1
Fresh 90
  • 3-0-1

Sectionals

 
TRK
Time
First 400m
Last 800m
Last 600m
Last 400m
Last 200m
10-12
28 Oct 23
WESTBURY STUD 2200
2200m
S5
2.20.29
0.25.25
0.48.49
0.36.18
0.24.89
0.12.81
12-14
18 Oct 23
GARTSHORE INTERIOR FIT-OUTS 1600
1600m
S6
1.38.47
0.27.14
0.48.17
0.36.25
0.24.45
0.12.43
3-10
17 Sep 23
BIDFOOD MILE
1600m
S5
1.37.88
0.25.94
0.48.37
0.36.33
0.23.87
0.12.12
10-11
19 Aug 23
PSP 2000
2000m
H10
2.18.60
0.27.90
0.57.15
0.42.63
0.28.76
0.15.44
9-12
29 Jul 23
TAUMARUNUI RSA GOLD CUP
2200m
H8
2.22.95
0.29.12
0.52.11
0.38.86
0.25.63
0.13.12
1-9
20 Jul 23
STEPHENSON TRANSPORT HANDICAP
1650m
H10
1.46.17
0.26.18
0.51.80
0.38.86
0.25.71
0.13.18
7-10
1 Jul 23
KING OF COMEDY @ NOVARA PARK HANDICAP
1400m
H10
1.30.86
0.26.18
0.51.25
0.39.10
0.26.96
0.13.38
6-13
13 May 23
ROTORUA CLUB 1400
1400m
H10
1.32.60
0.27.20
0.53.27
0.41.13
0.27.79
0.14.41
6-13
25 Apr 23
AVONDALE SUNDAY MARKETS 65 1400
1400m
S6
1.27.65
0.26.90
0.47.55
0.34.68
0.22.49
0.11.79
12-15
8 Oct 22
FAIRVIEW MOTORS MATAMATA 1400
1400m
S5
1.25.33
0.26.06
0.47.80
0.36.22
0.24.07
0.12.39
12-14
18 Sep 22
VODAFONE WARRIORS 1400
1400m
S6
1.26.51
0.26.53
0.48.85
0.35.85
0.23.55
0.11.90
9-14
13 Aug 22
ILINE CLIENTS 1600
1600m
H10
1.44.65
0.27.49
0.51.90
0.39.08
0.26.30
0.13.00
2-14
30 Jul 22
WOODS CONTRACTING 1400
1400m
H10
1.29.31
0.24.84
0.52.55
0.39.38
0.25.84
0.13.10
3-14
25 Jun 22
RHYS MISCHEFSKI, BAYLEYS WHAKATANE HANDICAP
1400m
H10
1.35.75
0.27.12
0.55.86
0.42.58
0.28.22
0.14.02
2-14
8 Jun 22
FAIRVIEW MOTORS MATAMATA 1400
1400m
H10
1.29.00
0.26.78
0.51.58
0.38.60
0.26.07
0.13.25
8-14
13 May 22
STABLE BOOKS 1400
1400m
S5
1.25.66
0.26.29
0.47.84
0.35.87
0.23.75
0.12.35
10-10
10 Dec 21
DOBSONS REFRIGERATION & ELECTRICAL 1600
1600m
G3
1.38.48
0.24.20
0.49.23
0.37.43
0.25.78
0.13.27
1-11
24 Nov 21
SARA BROWNE EVES 1400
1400m
S5
1.25.07
0.25.34
0.47.76
0.35.52
0.22.75
0.11.77
2-8
30 Oct 21
LEE STRINGER POWERS REALTY MAIDEN
1300m
H10
1.22.96
0.26.52
0.50.09
0.37.73
0.25.00
0.12.36
U-7
6 Sep 21
MDN 4YO&UP CATCHWEIGHT 950 - HEAT 11
950m
SYN
-
-
-
-
-
-
U-9
3 Sep 20
MDN 3YO CATCHWEIGHT 840 - HEAT 13
840m
S5
-
-
-
-
-
-

Career stats

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In-depth racing review

10-12 28 Oct 23 2200m  WESTBURY STUD 2200 View video › $40,000
COUN  Soft5 Rating 65 Benchmark* Wrkd,2nd 1600,easd 150,lost plte, 2.20.29, 600m - 0.36.18 Lynsey Satherley $600
  • 2.18.93, Flat
  • 9.2L
  • Bar: 12
  • SP: $28.30
  • Rtg: 61 (-1)
  • Wgt: 58.0
  • Car: 58.0
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Roc Dancer, 56.0
  • 2: Double Take (AUS), 55.5
  • NOSE:1 1/4 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Steadied passing the 150m. Lost the right hind plate during the running.
12-14 18 Oct 23 1600m  GARTSHORE INTERIOR FIT-OUTS 1600 View video › $18,500
BOPL  Soft6 Rating 65 Benchmark* Slw,11th otr to cnr,never in hunt, 1.38.47, 600m - 0.36.25 Lynsey Satherley $0
  • 1.37.40, Flat
  • 6.8L
  • Bar: 11
  • SP: $11.10
  • Rtg: 62 (-1)
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: I'm Lulu, 57.0
  • 2: Complicate, 54.0
  • HEAD:LONG HEAD
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Began awkwardly losing ground
3-10 17 Sep 23 1600m  BIDFOOD MILE View video › $40,000
WAIK  Soft5 Rating 65 Benchmark* Bmp,10th,wdr 400,big finish wide, 1.37.88, 600m - 0.36.33 Lynsey Satherley $3,600
  • 1.37.57, Flat
  • 2.0L
  • Bar: 10
  • SP: $34.20
  • Rtg: 62
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 54.5
  • 1: Strathtay, 59.0
  • 2: Conway O'Ceirin, 59.0
  • 1 LEN:1 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race on, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Contacted leaving the barriers.
10-11 19 Aug 23 2000m  PSP 2000 View video › $35,000
TARA  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Dipd,4bk inr,out 500,never emerged, 2.18.60, 600m - 0.42.63 Bridget Grylls $525
  • 2.15.84, Flat
  • 15.8L
  • Bar: 3
  • SP: $14.50
  • Rtg: 63 (-1)
  • Wgt: 59.0
  • Car: 59.0
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Husk, 58.0
  • 2: King Khan, 58.5
  • 2 1/2 LEN:3/4 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit, Blinkers (1st time)
  • Stipe Comment: Clipped heel and blundered when crowded after start
9-12 29 Jul 23 2200m  TAUMARUNUI RSA GOLD CUP View video › $50,000
WAIK  Heavy8 Rating 88 HCP Clear last,imp wd,closer cn,no fin, 2.22.95, 600m - 0.38.86 Ashvin Goindasamy $750
  • 2.21.70, Flat
  • 7.8L
  • Bar: 12
  • SP: $35.20
  • Rtg: 63
  • Wgt: 54.0
  • Car: 54.0
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Enchanted Elle, 51.0
  • 2: Poser, 55.5
  • 1 1/4 LEN:1 1/2 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
1-9 20 Jul 23 1650m  STEPHENSON TRANSPORT HANDICAP View video › $14,000
HAWK  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Slow,dist 8th,imp 3w,chl,game efrt, 1.46.17, 600m - 0.38.86 Lemmy Douglas $7,840
  • 1.46.17, Flat
  • .4L
  • Bar: 9
  • SP: $7.00
  • Rtg: 59 (+4)
  • Wgt: 57.5
  • Car: 55.0
  • LWD: 55.5
  • 2: Ironwood, 52.5
  • 3: Gohugo, 59.0
  • LONG NECK:1/2 HEAD
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Hampered after start losing ground
7-10 1 Jul 23 1400m  KING OF COMEDY @ NOVARA PARK HANDICAP View video › $30,000
HAWK  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Crw,easd,5th otr,out,no danger, 1.30.86, 600m - 0.39.10 Kate Hercock $450
  • 1.29.70, Flat
  • 7.0L
  • Bar: 4
  • SP: $7.50
  • Rtg: 60 (-1)
  • Wgt: 57.5
  • Car: 57.5
  • LWD: 55.5
  • 1: Haka Boogie, 56.0
  • 2: Splodge, 58.0
  • 3 1/2 LEN:NOSE
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Hoof Pads (Front) (1st time), Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Crowded shortly after the start having to be steadied.
6-13 13 May 23 1400m  ROTORUA CLUB 1400 View video › $30,000
ROTO  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Slow,13th otr,imp wd cn,ran on, 1.32.60, 600m - 0.41.13 Cameron Lammas $450
  • 1.31.65, Flat
  • 6.3L
  • Bar: 6
  • SP: $5.10
  • Rtg: 61 (-1)
  • Wgt: 58.0
  • Car: 58.0
  • LWD: 54.5
  • 1: Nigella Lane, 57.0
  • 2: MacFire, 59.0
  • 2 3/4 LEN:1 1/4 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Slow to begin. Steadied when placed in restricted room approaching the 100m.
6-13 25 Apr 23 1400m  AVONDALE SUNDAY MARKETS 65 1400 View video › $14,000
AVON  Soft6 Rating 65 Benchmark* 8th ot,back 400,out,nice work late, 1.27.65, 600m - 0.34.68 Cameron Lammas $280
  • 1.27.15, Flat
  • 3.4L
  • Bar: 3
  • SP: $6.40
  • Rtg: 62 (-1)
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Lady Koval (AUS), 55.5
  • 2: Billy Bunter, 57.5
  • LONG NECK:3/4 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: When questioned regarding the performance rider reported he was satisfied with the gelding’s fresh up effort and expected it would derive benefit from today’s race.
12-15 8 Oct 22 1400m  FAIRVIEW MOTORS MATAMATA 1400 View video › $40,000
MATA  Soft5 Rating 65 Benchmark* Easd bk,settled last,never in hunt, 1.25.33, 600m - 0.36.22 Jasmine Fawcett $0
  • 1.24.35, Flat
  • 5.7L
  • Bar: 12
  • SP: $18.30
  • Rtg: 63 (-1)
  • Wgt: 59.0
  • Car: 59.0
  • LWD: 54.5
  • 1: Pennsylvania, 56.0
  • 2: Hot Salsa, 56.0
  • 3/4 LEN:NECK
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Slow to begin
12-14 18 Sep 22 1400m  VODAFONE WARRIORS 1400 View video › $30,000
WAIK  Soft6 Rating 75 Benchmark* Slow,13th inr,wdr cn,out,no dash, 1.26.51, 600m - 0.35.85 Darren Danis $0
  • 1.25.88, Flat
  • 3.9L
  • Bar: 13
  • SP: $15.50
  • Rtg: 64 (-1)
  • Wgt: 54.5
  • Car: 54.5
  • LWD: 54.5
  • 1: Macushla, 55.0
  • 2: Supreme Khan, 59.0
  • NOSE:3/4 LEN
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
9-14 13 Aug 22 1600m  iLINE CLIENTS 1600 View video › $30,000
BOPL  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* 12th otr to cn,out,no finish, 1.44.65, 600m - 0.39.08 Kate Hercock $450
  • 1.43.38, Flat
  • 7.3L
  • Bar: 3
  • SP: $5.50
  • Rtg: 65 (-1)
  • Wgt: 60.0
  • Car: 60.0
  • LWD: 55.0
  • 1: Little Joe, 60.0
  • 2: Leicalot, 52.5
  • 4 1/4 LEN:1/2 HEAD
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race, Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Hampered near 1300m then over raced
2-14 30 Jul 22 1400m  WOODS CONTRACTING 1400 View video › $30,000
WAIK  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Easd,13th otr,wd cn,big fin,close, 1.29.31, 600m - 0.39.38 Kate Hercock $5,550
  • 1.29.26, Flat
  • .2L
  • Bar: 14
  • SP: $8.10
  • Rtg: 63 (+2)
  • Wgt: 59.0
  • Car: 59.0
  • LWD: 55.0
  • 1: Macushla, 54.0
  • 3: Sonofabutcher, 57.0
  • LONG HEAD:NECK
  • Gear carried: Ear Covers Pre-Race (1st time), Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
3-14 25 Jun 22 1400m  RHYS MISCHEFSKI, BAYLEYS WHAKATANE HANDICAP View video › $30,000
BOPL  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* 10th wide,up wide cn,game finish, 1.35.75, 600m - 0.42.58 Jasmine Fawcett $2,700
  • 1.34.34, Flat
  • 7.7L
  • Bar: 11
  • SP: $3.50
  • Rtg: 63
  • Wgt: 59.0
  • Car: 59.0
  • LWD: 55.0
  • 1: Deebee Zapower, 58.5
  • 2: Anna Grace, 58.0
  • SHORT NECK:7 1/2 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
2-14 8 Jun 22 1400m  FAIRVIEW MOTORS MATAMATA 1400 View video › $12,000
MATA  Heavy10 Rating 65 Benchmark* Slow,clr last,clsr 600,imp,big fin, 1.29.00, 600m - 0.38.60 Jasmine Fawcett $2,160
  • 1.28.63, Flat
  • 2.3L
  • Bar: 9
  • SP: $15.60
  • Rtg: 61 (+2)
  • Wgt: 58.0
  • Car: 58.0
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Millefiori, 57.0
  • 3: Aurora Dolce, 56.0
  • 2 1/4 LEN:7 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit, Nose Band (1st time)
  • Stipe Comment: Began awkwardly then crowded shortly after the start. Tailed off in the early stages.
8-14 13 May 22 1400m  STABLE BOOKS 1400 View video › $12,000
MATA  Soft5 Rating 65 Benchmark* Dist 12th to cn,out,no danger, 1.25.66, 600m - 0.35.87 Jasmine Fawcett $240
  • 1.24.46, Flat
  • 8.6L
  • Bar: 9
  • SP: $19.00
  • Rtg: 62 (-1)
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Orange Pearl, 59.0
  • 2: Powerful Moss, 54.0
  • 1/2 LEN:2 1/2 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Crowded shortly after the start losing ground.
10-10 10 Dec 21 1600m  DOBSONS REFRIGERATION & ELECTRICAL 1600 View video › $30,000
BOPL  Good3 Rating 65 Benchmark* Wrkd wd,2nd otr 1000 to cnr,faded, 1.38.48, 600m - 0.37.43 Ryan Elliot $450
  • 1.35.85, Flat
  • 16.4L
  • Bar: 12
  • SP: $6.40
  • Rtg: 63 (-1)
  • Wgt: 59.0
  • Car: 59.0
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Apostrophe, 57.0
  • 2: Motuman, 53.0
  • 3 LEN:1 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
1-11 24 Nov 21 1400m  SARA BROWNE EVES 1400 View video › $12,000
BOPL  Soft5 MDN 3bk inr,tite,thru 200,strong finish, 1.25.07, 600m - 0.35.52 Craig Grylls $6,720
  • 1.25.07, Flat
  • .3L
  • Bar: 7
  • SP: $5.00
  • Rtg: 52 (+11)
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 55.0
  • 2: Aperitif, 55.5
  • 3: Annexception (AUS), 56.5
  • NECK:1/2 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
2-8 30 Oct 21 1300m  LEE STRINGER POWERS REALTY MAIDEN View video › $15,000
BOPL  Heavy10 MDN Slow,3bk inr,out,rushed late,misd, 1.22.96, 600m - 0.37.73 Jasmine Fawcett $2,700
  • 1.22.92, Flat
  • .2L
  • Bar: 4
  • SP: $31.10
  • Rtg: 45 (+7)
  • Wgt: 58.5
  • Car: 58.5
  • LWD: 54.0
  • 1: Odinpower, 56.5
  • 3: Tu Meke Potae, 55.5
  • LONG HEAD:NOSE
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
  • Stipe Comment: Jumped away awkwardly. Over-raced when being restrained for a distance passing the 1100m. Held up near the 400m continuing to have difficulty obtaining clear running until shifting ground back to the inside passing the 200m.
U-7 6 Sep 21 950m  MDN 4YO&UP Catchweight 950 - Heat 11 View video › $0
CSYN  Synthetic MDN 4YO&UP Darren Danis $0
  • 0.55.09, Flat
  • Bar: 6
  • SP: $0.00
  • Rtg: 45
  • Wgt: 0.0
  • Car: 0.0
  • LWD: 0.0
  • 1: Securitas, 0.0
  • 2: Rich Girl, 0.0
  • 1 3/4 LEN:SHORT HEAD
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit
U-9 3 Sep 20 840m  MDN 3YO Catchweight 840 - Heat 13 View video › $0
EBOP  Soft5 MDN 3YO Darren Danis $0
  • 0.48.70, Flat
  • Bar: 4
  • SP: $0.00
  • Rtg: 
  • Wgt: 0.0
  • Car: 0.0
  • LWD: 0.0
  • 1: Ocean Cruizer, 0.0
  • 2: Stella Eclipse, 0.0
  • NOSE:1 1/2 LEN
  • Gear carried: Approved Plates, Lugging Bit

Craig Grylls

  • Age: 33
  • Location: Waikato
  • Current Premiership Place Flat: 9
  • Rides since last win: 9

Current Declarations ›

With Horse

  • Starts 1
  • Wins 1
  • Place 0
  • S/R 1.0

With Trainer

  • Starts 19
  • Wins 3
  • Place 3
  • S/R 6.3

This Going (Soft)

  • Starts 2951
  • Wins 278
  • Place 559
  • S/R 10.6

On Course (Tauranga)

  • Starts 683
  • Wins 87
  • Place 127
  • S/R 7.9

Jockey Performance Stats

Recent rides
  • 32078
  All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney
Career 11600 1137 1078 1072 1073 1036 6204 $26,275,040
G & L 1013 87 74 82 95 72 603 $10,854,245
2023/24 270 27 32 29 31 21 130 $1,215,440
2022/23 861 117 102 91 84 72 395 $3,770,005
2021/22 726 92 77 62 65 74 356 $3,003,715
2020/21 802 83 95 85 60 71 408 $2,676,756
2019/20 504 54 54 42 67 48 239 $1,232,200
2018/19 386 51 42 33 35 50 175 $1,559,983
2017/18 5 0 3 0 1 0 1 $23,860
2016/17 573 64 62 43 63 47 294 $1,466,098
2015/16 608 58 49 52 63 55 331 $1,066,645
2014/15 688 72 54 81 57 50 374 $1,440,670
2013/14 735 78 59 67 76 67 388 $1,638,060
2012/13 554 54 51 52 44 56 297 $691,870
2011/12 747 62 55 68 62 63 437 $906,488
2010/11 835 56 75 75 67 77 485 $948,149
2009/10 821 72 70 53 56 83 487 $1,297,021
2008/09 792 63 56 63 84 63 463 $1,291,975
2007/08 680 52 63 75 61 57 372 $1,028,435
2006/07 655 57 45 72 53 52 376 $688,711
2005/06 358 25 34 29 44 30 196 $328,962

Brian McKeagg

  • Location: Tauranga
  • Horses in Training: 0

With Jockey (Craig Grylls)

  • Starts 19
  • Wins 3
  • Place 3
  • S/R 6.3

This Going (Soft)

  • Starts 307
  • Wins 15
  • Place 41
  • S/R 20.5

On Course (Tauranga)

  • Starts 378
  • Wins 20
  • Place 59
  • S/R 18.9
Starts Since Last Win 10

Trainer Performance Stats

Recent starts
  • 9009X
  All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney
Career 1337 78 82 103 110 131 833 $1,050,763
G & L 40 0 2 1 2 3 32 $67,500
2022/23 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 $730
2021/22 10 1 3 1 0 0 5 $21,300
2020/21 9 1 0 0 0 1 7 $7,270
2019/20 15 1 2 1 2 0 9 $12,250
2018/19 10 0 0 0 1 0 9 $500
2017/18 31 2 1 5 2 2 19 $45,735
2016/17 70 9 5 8 3 2 43 $95,285
2015/16 60 2 4 8 12 5 29 $36,350
2014/15 53 2 2 4 8 4 33 $26,235
2013/14 56 2 3 5 4 10 32 $22,775
2012/13 26 1 3 1 3 1 17 $12,050
2011/12 38 0 2 1 1 6 28 $7,725
2010/11 57 1 2 4 3 7 40 $20,675
2009/10 65 6 2 5 3 2 47 $43,613
2008/09 145 5 7 6 6 14 107 $128,463
2007/08 116 8 9 5 11 17 66 $152,143
2006/07 87 2 7 7 9 7 55 $72,800
2005/06 128 8 7 7 15 19 72 $82,650
2004/05 97 7 6 8 1 14 61 $78,740
2003/04 63 6 8 8 8 5 28 $80,475
2002/03 45 3 4 5 3 5 25 $28,762
2001/02 22 3 0 3 1 2 13 $22,912
2000/01 21 1 2 0 2 2 14 $7,575
1999/00 23 0 1 2 2 3 15 $3,350
1998/99 20 3 2 4 4 0 7 $23,350
1997/98 10 0 0 1 1 0 8 $650
1996/97 20 0 0 2 2 1 15 $1,300
1995/96 9 0 0 0 1 1 7 $250
1994/95 14 3 0 2 2 0 7 $12,250
1993/94 7 1 0 0 0 1 5 $2,600
1989/90 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 $0
1988/89 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 $0
View The First Link (NZ) 2017's full breeding profile ›