The Kiwis made an early impression at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, with the Liam Howley-trained Opening Address carrying Windsor Park Stud’s silks to victory in the Listed TAB Trophy (1800m). 

Bred by Ben Kwok, Opening Address was foaled at the Cambridge farm and was offered through their 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was bought by Howley, in partnership with bloodstock agents Andrew Williams and Bevan Smith, for $160,000. 

“He was a magnificent foal,” Windsor Park Stud General Manager Steve Till said. “He was a very well-made individual and by yearling sale time he was very robust. The mare is a very strongly made mare and he copped a good amount of that. He was a lovely individual, a medium-sized horse with a great attitude.” 

Both Kwok and Windsor Park opted to buy back into Opening Address, which has proven to be a master stroke, with the now gelding showing plenty talent on the track. 

The son of So You Think was victorious at his second start before placing at Sale over 1740m, and was then runner-up to Red Aces in the Gr.2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley last month. 

Initially set to tackle last Saturday’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m), Howley opted to bypass the Classic in favour of the TAB Trophy, and his decision paid off for his connections. 

“He is a very smart horse and all credit to Liam Howley,” Till said.  

“We had him nominated for the Derby and he ran a really good race in his last start in a three-year-old stakes race at The Valley. Liam felt a few days after the race that the horse was still green and learning his craft, and the Derby might be a step too far at this early stage of his career.  

“He picked this race out for him, and he has executed it.” 

While thrilled to see Windsor Park’s colours to the fore on Melbourne Cup Day, Till was more rapt for breeder Ben Kwok, who has formed a strong relationship with the Cambridge farm. 

“That was a massive win for Ben Kwok, who bred him,” Till said.  

“He is a champion guy, a great supporter of the industry, particularly with us. He shares in the ownership of our stallion Profondo as well. He has got a large broodmare band here in New Zealand and he supports quite a number of trainers here as well. He loves New Zealand and the horses.” 

Till said Kwok now has a valuable broodmare on his hands following Opening Address’s win. 

“Royal Welcome, the mother, is an imported Kingman mare that Ben bought,” Till said. “She has got a lovely European family behind her, and he has now got a very valuable mare in his significant portfolio of mares here at Windsor Park. We could not have a better partner in the bloodstock that we share together. 

“We just tested her (Royal Welcome) in-foal to (resident stallion) Paddington, so that is going to be a lot to look forward to.” 

Opening Address is also a sentimental favourite for Windsor Park, with his sire So You Think having been co-bred by farm marketing manager Michael Moran, foaled and raised at the farm, and sold through their New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft. 

“To have that connection as well is awesome,” Till said. 

“He (Opening Address) has lived up to his very good genetics and he looks a very smart horse in the making for us.” 

Buoyed by the win, Till is looking forward to offering Opening Address’s Circus Maximus half-brother on behalf of Kwok at Karaka in January. 

“The Circus Maximus half-brother is on track for the yearling sales,” Till said. “He is a very similar individual in terms of type. He is going to attract a lot of attention.”