Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Race-Day Recap
Arrowfield Stud’s in-form Dundeel (NZ) looks to have another promising one (his third stakes winner for this month) in the shape of Listed Anzac Day S. winner Epimeles.
Chris Waller and Damian Lane combined to win their first Listed VRC St Leger with Ahuriri (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) who looks to be a stayer of the future with her dominant performance.
The Andrew Forsman stable enjoyed a good day with an Otaki double including the feature contest - the Listed Anzac Mile with Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) - and a Listed third at Flemington.
Two from two for Epimeles
With his dominant performance in the Listed Anzac Day S., Epimeles (Dundeel {NZ}) made it two from two - doing a nice job up in class off his Sandown win over four others on March 27.
Ridden on both occasions by John Allen, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt had 1.75l on the Chris Waller-trained Narbold (Churchill {Ire}) who was picking up nicely late whilst the Andrew Forsman-trained Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) boxed on well for third.
The 28th stakes winner for Dundeel (and his third this month), Epimeles was bred by Evergreen Rich and sold for $130,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. A great grandson of the wonderful mare Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), is raced by a group led by Seymour Bloodstock and Mark Pilkington.
The stable’s racing manager Sam Griggs said improvement is expected from Epimeles - “we think he will be a proper 3-year-old,” he told the press... “you cannot be anything but excited by him.”
“It’s been in the back of our mind a race like the G1 JJ Atkins S. but we think we’ve got a spring 3-year-old and we’ve just got to work out the best way to approach that as we’re not in a hurry,” he said.
“He’s by Dundeel and we don’t expect him to be a 2-year-old. I think you find the majority of good 2-year-olds who train on at three come from this time of the year compared to the early ones.”
“He’s (Epimele) by Dundeel and we don’t expect him to be a 2-year-old. I think you find the majority of good 2-year-olds who train on at three come from this time of the year compared to the early ones.”
“He’s got all the traits of a good horse. Just on the way he handled coming out of his first run we were bullish but our confidence was a little dented by the gate but that’s overcome when you get a steer like that from Johnny Allen,” said Griggs.
Allen has plenty of time for Epimeles who he said "has got a really good attitude and plenty of ability - he is certainly a horse who can be targetted at nice races.”
“He was very professional today - he relaxed and was always travelling well and every time I put him under a bit of pressure he responded.”
Listed St Leger quinella for Almanzor
Taking the lead with 300 metres to go and racing clear, Ahuriri (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) put this feature staying contest beyond any doubt; outclassing and outstaying her rivals with her 2.25l victory.
Having her eighth start, the Chris Waller-trained filly had not been disgraced after drawing the outside gate of 16 in the G3 Adrian Knox S. on heavy going - picking up well late in that 2000-metre race.
Appreciating the step up to the St Leger’s 2800 metres, she was well rated by Damian Lane who had put good thought into his tactics.
“I was mindful that the two to beat would probably be first and second in the run and I did not want to give them too big off a head start,” he said.
“I was able to get into a great position only two or three lengths off the speed and when they steadied it helped me get into the race - and with her turn of foot she was just too good.”
“She is not very big, but she’s got a lot of heart which will take her a long way.”
“She (Ahuriri) is not very big, but she’s got a lot of heart which will take her a long way.” - Damian Lane
The stable’s Dermot O’Brien found it an easy watch - “she travelled and relaxed which is what you need in staying races to save energy. She was in a good position the whole way, was in her comfort zone and she quickened up and never looked in any doubt.”
Ahuriri (NZ) outclassed her rivals in the Listed St Leger at Flemington on Thursday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
O’Brien was happy to have Ahuriri racing on a good track after striking demanding going at Randwick - “it was very different between that ground and today!” he said.
Out of a half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), Ahuriri was part of a quinella for her Cambridge Stud-based sire with the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly Alma Rise (NZ) second whilst the Robbie Laing-trained Sambucus (Fiorente {Ire}) was the first male home; finishing a 3.5l third.
Winning Mojo
Returning to New Zealand after a stint in Melbourne, Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) - a winner at Moonee Valley in November - has been in great form for the Andrew Forsman stable, digging deep to win the Listed Anzac Mile at Otaki today.
Winning his maiden at Avondale on this same day last year, Mr Mojo Risin’ was up in class off a 1400-metre win on heavy going at Otaki a couple of weeks ago and he dug deep to enjoy his first success at stakes-level.
Mr Mojo Risin' (NZ) clears away in the Listed Anzac Mile at Otaki on Thursday | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
A homebred for Jomara Bloodstock, the 29th stakes winner for his retired sire is one of the six winners produced by the stakes-placed La Scala (NZ) (Bahhare {USA}), half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Final Destination (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Also able to claim the Group 1 winners Irish Fling (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Tyzone (Written Tycoon) amongst his relations, Mr Mojo Risin’ was ridden by Joe Doyle - getting clear along the rails half way down the straight and holding off a late challenge from Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) with 2.25l to the third placed Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
It was a good day for the stable with Forsman also having also cheered home Lady Pappygate (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) earlier in the day whilst the promising juvenile Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) finish third in the Listed Anzac Day S. at Flemington.
