Redwood’s versatility has been well-emphasised this season with the Westbury Stud stallion siring quality winners over all distances.
Multiple Group 1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart has led the charge and ably complemented by the Group 2 Auckland Cup hero Platinum Invador, Hong Kong star Tuchel, progressive Queensland performer Antino and stakes-winning juvenile Solidify.
Redwood has sired stakes winners in the 2022/23 season from 1200 to 3200 metres and added to his stellar innings at Trentham on Saturday when the Gerry Harvey-bred Suliman claimed a Prestige jumps victory in the Wellington Hurdle over 3400 metres.
Trained by Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal, the nine-year-old raced close to the pace and had to show his agility to get out of trouble to steer clear of fallen runners.
Rider Hamish McNeill kicked him to a clear lead two flights from home and they crossed the line with five and a-half lengths to spare.
“Suliman was very good and showed some pretty nifty footwork to avoid both falls,” McDougal said.
“When everything fell he got a bit lost as he had his ears pricked, but he got the job done in the end.”
Suliman is the last foal Harvey bred out of the unraced Red Ransom mare Red Mariete, a half-sister to the Group 3 Waikato Guineas winner Blimey O’Reilly who was also successful in Hong Kong as Upside Of Anger.
Another half-sister Fast Fleet produced the five-time Group 1-winning sprinter Santa Ana Lane.
Suliman was originally purchased out of Westbury’s 2015 draft at Karaka by trainer Graham Richardson for $50,000 and won five races for the Matamata trainer.
He subsequently joined Nelson and McDougal in 2021 and that year was successful in the Taumarunui Gold Cup before switching roles and has won four of his six starts over the smaller fences.