Choisir's Malkovich Goes Coast to Coast in Hawkesbury Rush

The triumphant Quakka team of Josh Parr, Bjorn Baker and Darby Racing were back in the winner’s circle when teaming up to capture Saturday’s Listed Hawkesbury Rush (1100m) with the 5yo Choisir gelding Malkovich.

Making his first appearance in twenty-two weeks and carrying equal topweight, Malkovich led at every call to defeat the 4yo Deep Field mare A Very Fine Red by a half-length with the 5yo Snitzel gelding Andermatt three-quarters of a length back in third.

Second in the race last year and the winner of the Listed VRC Bob Hoysted Stakes at Flemington twelve months ago, Malkovich advances his record to eight wins, eight seconds, and a third from 27 starts with earnings of $845,505.

Like the Quokka winner Overpass, Bjorn Baker said Malkovich benefited from being gelded.

“Another great ride by Josh Parr for the magic team, Baker enthused.

“The common denominator has been new geldings. It was not so much a temperament thing, he was getting too big and strong. He came back lighter and more athletic.

“It is hard to be confident coming to these races first-up. Josh just got beaten in this race last year on a heavy track and he deserved another stakes win.

“We will have a good think about where we go from here. He has longevity now so we can be patient. I will have a talk with the team at Darby and see where we go to. The dam of Malkovich had another stakes-winner a couple of weeks ago (Olentia in the Group III Carr Stakes), so she just keeps delivering.”

Malkovich was an $85,000 pinhook by Woodpark Stud from the Ascot Park draft at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He then made $240,000 to the bid of Darby Bloodstock at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale.

Malkovich is one of seven winners from as many to race for the Anabaa mare Mabkhara, who continues to hit the heights in the sales ring and on the track.

Mabkhara is a breeder’s dream. She had ten consecutive foals highlighted by Malkovich, Group III winner and near $1,000,000 earner Wandabaa (Wandjina), and Group III winning Zoustar filly Olentia.

Her stakes-placed Sebring filly Seewhatshebrings made $450,000 at the 2021 National Broodmare Sale, and Wandabaa sold for $800,000 on Inglis Digital, having been purchased by Australian Bloodstock for $36,000 as a yearling.

Australian Bloodstock/Kris Lees Racing/Yes Bloodstock went to $575,000 for Mabkhara’s yearling filly by Deep Field consigned by Tyreel Stud to the 2022 Magic Millions and has been named Mary Ellen.

Darby Racing/Deburgh Equine shelled out $140,000 for Mabkhara’s Capitalist colt consigned by Attunga Stud to the 2023 Magic Millions.

Mabkhara earned a visit to I Am Invincible last spring.