Vinery Australia acquires major interest in Pluck

Pluck has bankrolled $725,440 from a 5-3-0-1 scorecard. A distant third in

his debut in the mud at Belmont Park June 10, the dark bay colt returned the

following month to take a six-furlong turf maiden at the same venue by 1 1/4

lengths. In the August 14 Continental Mile S., also on grass, Pluck finished in

a dead heat for second by a neck, but was later disqualified and placed fourth

after drifting in and impeding a rival. He made no mistake next time out in the

September 18 Summer S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine, booking his ticket to the Breeders'

Cup with a one-length victory.

The Todd Pletcher trainee produced a remarkable last-to-first victory

following a troubled trip in the Juvenile Turf. Pluck stumbled at the start and

appeared to lose all chance after being steadied to avoid a fallen rival

entering the first turn. He turned for home at the back of the pack, but rallied

to win going away by a length.

Pluck is out of the multiple Group 1-placed stakes winner Secret Heart (SAf)

(Fort Wood), who is a half-sister to the South African champion filly

Promisefrommyheart (Elliodor). Both were produced by the multiple Group 1-placed

Secret Pact (Bush Telegraph), a full sister to South African Horse of the Year

London News.

"It is great to be involved with such a quality international racehorse with

an exciting career ahead of him," Vinery Australia's General Manager Peter Orton

said in a press release. "Knowing the ability and preference the More Than Ready

stock have to turf, we jumped at the chance to, firstly, be involved with this

colt's racing career and, secondly, to secure ourselves a unique stallion

prospect, if all was to go well."