Group 1 Golden Rose S., Rosehill Gardens
Race Summary:
The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) has stamped himself as Australia's best 3-year-old with a brilliant surging run to claim the G1 Golden Rose S.
Already a Group 1 winner, The Autumn Sun sent his value as a potential stallion into the stratosphere after settling last and charging over the top of his rivals to edge out his Chris Waller stablemate Zousain (Zoustar) in the shadows of the post.
Graff (Star Witness) tried to match it with The Autumn Sun late but was ran over the top of and finished third, with Sandbar (Snitzel), the best of the on-pacers in fourth.
The victory was considered even more meritorious as both jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Waller believed the colt will be better suited over further.
The race panned out well enough for him with Danawi (Exceed and Excel) taking up the early running from Santos (I Am Invincible).
Zousain got a good trail in along the fence, while Graff and Lean Mean Machine (Zousain) sat well back and The Autumn Sun a clear last.
Zousain, given a perfect ride by James McDonald, got off the rail and challenged Sandbar at the 250m, kicking well clear of Graff, with the Autumn Sun still working his way to the outside but three lengths off the lead.
With Graff unable to reel Zousain in, the race looked his for the keeping, but The Autumn Sun launched late to claim the win.
Pedigree Notes:
The Autumn Sun is the result of the long-standing Arrowfield Stud/Aga Khan Studs partnership. He is the second foal out of the unraced Galileo (Ire) mare Azmiyna (Ire). She is a half-sister European star and four-time Group 1 winner Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) as well as Group 2 winner Arazan (Ire).
Hermitage Thoroughbreds bought The Autumn Sun for $700,000 at the 2017 Easter Sales, while his younger sister by Snitzel was sold for $1.3 million to Waller Racing at this year's Easter Sales. Azmiyna has a yearling colt to Not a Single Doubt and is due to foal to Snitzel.
Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Travel obviously agrees with Jungle Cat (IRE) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the internationally-successful sprinter has now made his mark in Australia.
The last-start G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner in Dubai kept the locals at bay with to land the feature event on the card for Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby.
“It was always our plan to come here after the AL Quoz,” Appleby said. “It’s great for Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin.”
Jungle Cat travelled in a handy spot and was too strong for the front-runner Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {IRE}) in the run home.
Pedigree Notes:
Jungle Cat is out of the stakes-winning mare Mike’s Wildcat (USA) (Forest Wildcat {USA}) who has a smart record at stud with eight of her foals to race having won and he is by far the star of the show.
The mare is of a sprinting bias and won twice as a juvenile, including success in the Listed Astoria S., at Belmont.
The family also boasts the presence of a former champion mare of Peru in Ardanza (USA) (Slew Machine {USA}) and the Ecuadorian Horse of the Year, Madrileno (PER) (Apprentice {USA}).
Group 1 Windsor Park Plate, Hastings
Race Summary:
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) took her collection of elite titles to three when she coasted clear to win the feature event.
Trained by Jamie Richards, she was given the perfect ride by Shafiq Rusof in the trail and when he popped her out at the top of the straight it was game over.
The mare surged clear and won in hollow fashion from last season’s G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Savvy Coup (NZ).
“It’s a terrific result, she was very impressive again. Shafiq (Rusof) gave her a lovely ride and she had trained on beautifully – just outstanding.”
Pedigree Notes:
Melody Belle was bred by Marie Leicester and she went through Haunui Farm’s draft at Karaka where she was knocked down to Te Akau chief David Ellis.
She is a daughter of Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB} who is from one of the best-performed families in the New Zealand Stud Book.
Two of the feature names among numerous stakes winners are the G1 Golden Slipper-winning duo of Dance Hero and (Danzero) and Belle Du Jour (Dehere {USA}).
Group 2 JHB Syndications Golden Pendant, Rosehill
Race Summary:
Shumookh (Dream Ahead {USA}) prevailed in a thrilling finish to claim the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill.
Having set the pace all the way, Shumookh and Champagne Cuddles (Not a Single Doubt) fought out the finish right to the line, with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained mare getting her nose down at the right time on the line with Princess Posh (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) third.
The win was the first at stakes-level for the Emirates Park bred and owned 4-year-old, who had been previously placed in both Group 1 and Group 2 races.
Pedigree Notes:
Shumookh is the sixth foal from the three-time Group 1 winning mare Shamekha and the first to win at stakes level. It's an Emirates Park family through and through, going back to Shamekha's dam Lifetime Story, who was a half-sister to multiple Group 2 winner and stallion Brave Warrior.
All of the five previous progeny of Shamekha have been winners, while the younger half-sister Shuwaamekh is also with Waterhouse and Bott.
Group 2 Shannon S., Rosehill
Race Summary:
Noire (Foxwedge) added some very valuable black type to her resume with a strong finish to claim the G2 Shannon S.
Narrowly beaten in the G2 Sheraco S. at her most recent start, Noire had no such dramas this time, with Tommy Berry sitting her last, bringing her to the outside and finishing over the top of Kingsguard (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) with Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) finishing third having failed to match the sprint of her winning stablemate.
Pedigree Notes:
Noire, a $135,000 buy at the 2015 Easter Yearling Sales by Star Thoroughbreds from the Highgrove Stud draft, becomes the first stakeswinner for her dam Valadon (Woodman {USA}), who has had Global Dream, Valoura and Maraatib all place at stakes level without winning.
It's a family that already includes Timbourina, Media, Cardinal Virtue, Muraaqeb and Tashbeeh.
Valadon's final foal by Fastnet Rock sold as a yearling for $245,000 earlier this year, while the half-brother by Redoute's Choice (Publicist) ran third on debut at Riccarton on Saturday.
Group 3 Gloaming S., Rosehill
Race Summary:
Thinkin' Big (High Chaparral {Ire}) announced himself as a genuine contender for the major 3-year-old staying races with an all-the-way success in the G3 360DMG Gloaming S.
Having his first start since late July, Thinkin' Big didn’t want for fitness, being worked hard on the pace by Irukandji (Dundeel {NZ}) before kicking clear down the running and holding off last start G2 Stan Fox S. winner Tarka (All Too Hard) by 2.5l, with Irukandji in third.
The colt, who is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, will now be aimed towards the G1 Spring Champion S. at Randwick as well as the G1 Victoria Derby in November at Flemington.
Pedigree Notes:
Thinkin' Big was bred and is raced by Peter Dunn of Dodmark Thoroughbreds. Out of Queensland Oaks placed mare Nothin Leica Cat (NZ) (Tale of the Cat (USA), he is a full brother to dual black-type winner Stampede.
Nothin Leica Cat's dam Nothin' Leica Ripa is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner I am a Ripper.
Thinkin' Big' has two younger siblings by So You Think, including a 2-year-old colt called Just Thinkin'. Nothin Leica Cat is due to foal to American Pharoah (USA) this spring.
Group 3 JRA Trophy Handicap, Rosehill
Race Summary:
Miss Admiration (Sebring) broke through for just her second victory and her first at stakes level after finishing too strongly for her rivals in the G3 JRA Trophy.
Placed in both an ATC and a Schweppes Oaks as a filly, she claimed the biggest win of her career with a strong finishing run along the rail under Jay Ford to defeat Shalmanser (Teofilo {Ire}) with Sin To Win (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}) working home for third.
Miss Admiration, trained by Mick Price, is likely to stay in Sydney to contest The G1 Metropolitan next week.
Pedigree Notes:
Miss Admiration, a $210,000 buy by Yulong Investments at the 2016 Easter Sales, is from stake-placed Admiring (Street Cry {Ire}), who was part of a strong Western Australian staying family, which includes Admiring's half-sister, the black-type winner Empire Dancer, as well as her dam Ballet Girl.
Admiring's had two foals before Miss Admiration, Keepitup (War Chant {USA}), who was a winner in Singapore, and Kirini (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), who was a $520,000 yearling purchase and won three races before being recently sold as broodmare to Blue Gum Farm.
Of the younger siblings, the 3-year-old by Zoustar was sold to New Zealand for $120,000 at the 2017 Melbourne Premier Sale, while there is also a yearling by Deep Field.
Group 3 Foundation Cup, Caulfield
Race Summary :
Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) booked his passage into the G1 Caulfield Cup with victory in a thrilling finish.
Slow to move, he settled toward the back of the field before improving wide and he came with a sustained finish to down Rising Red (NZ) (Redwood {GB)) in a notable quinella for the Westbury Stud stallion.
“I thought he had got beaten on the line so it was a terrific run,” trainer Darren Weir said. “I reckon we’ll go to the Caulfield S., and then back up into the Cup.”
Pedigree Notes:
Night’s Watch is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Glory Run who was a minor winner and is a daughter of Penny Gem (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), who won the G1 Captain Cook S., and the G2 Counties Cup.
She is a three-quarter sister to the G3 Sky High S., winner Entirely Platinum and a half-sister to the stakes winner Fairygen (Viscount).
They all represent the family of the G1 Railway H., winner Alynda (Nassau) and the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., and G1 William Reid S., winner Turffontein (Johannesburg {USA}).
Group 3 Ladbrokes Odds Boost S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Gold Coast visitor Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) got her spring campaign away to a flying start with success in the closing event on the card and her third from her last four starts.
The Toby Edmonds-trained 4-year-old settled in the middle of the field and under jockey Ryan Maloney she finished too well for her fellow mares to take her record to seven wins from 15 appearances.
“Toby has been a great supporter of mine and it’s great to repay him,” Maloney said. “He’s a very good trainer with a loyal band of owners and staff and I can’t thank him enough.”
Pedigree Notes:
Winter Bride’s dam enjoyed a successful career on the track and won no fewer than 10 races, the highlight a victory in the G2 Emancipation S.
She has done a solid job at stud with all three of her foals to race having been successful and she is from the family of the dual black type winner and Group performer Blazing Sword (Marscay).
Group 3 Gold Trail S., Hastings
Race Summary:
Last season’s champion juvenile Avantage (Fastnet Rock) returned in a blaze of glory with a determined effort to hold out the talented Xpression (Showcasing {GB}).
Asavant raced in the trail and took control under rider Danielle Johnson 200 metres from before repelling the challenge of the runner-up.
“She’s got tons of improvement in her, she’s got lengths to come yet,” Johnson said.
Pedigree Notes:
Bred by Willy and Karen Calder, Avantage (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) was bought out of The Oaks Stud’s draft at Karaka by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $210,000.
She is a daughter of Asavant (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who was a stakes winner, who is out of the G3 White Robe Lodge H., winner Pins ‘N’ Needles (NZ) (Pins).
Listed: Tokyo City Cup, Morphettville
Race Summary:
Moss 'n' Dale (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) proved too classy for his rivals in the Listed Tokyo City Cup at Morphettville.
Already a stakes-winner, the 6-year-old was expected to be the one to beat in the race and he finished strongly under apprentice Jack Martin to defeat Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) with Danon Liberty (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in third.
Pedigree Notes:
Moss 'N' Dale is the only stakeswinner in Australia for Te Runga Stud's Castledale. Bluegrass Bloodstock combined with Te Runga's Wayne Larsen to breed Moss 'N' Dale from their mare Hot 'N' Moss. He is the only foal from Hot 'N' Moss to make it to the track.
Listed WH Wylie Handicap, Morphettville
Race Summary:
Holy Blade (I Am Invincible) fought off a wall of horses to claim his first black-type success in the Listed WH Wylie Hcp.
Well-ridden by Harry Coffey, Holy Blade slipped through along the inside of runner in the straight to defeat Casino Wizard (Any Given Saturday {USA}) with Carlingford (Magnus) running third.
Holy Blade is trained by Darren Weir and owned by Yu Long Investments.
Pedigree Notes:
Holy Blade was a $180,000 buy at the 2016 Classic Sale. He is out of Amphritite (Statoblest {Ire}), who was a black-type winner and has produced seven foals to the track, all of who have been winners. She has a 3-year-old yet named by Magic Albert, a colt by Sizzling who was sent to China and is set to foal to Spirit of Boom.
Also in the family is Perth Cup winner Luna Tudor, who produced G1 winner Allez Wonder as well as Pretty Pins.
Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes, Riccarton
Race Summary:
A game front-running performance from Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) lowered the colours of the favourite Wekaforce (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
The Kevin and Pam Hughes-trained filly made the running and she wouldn’t be denied in the straight, answering every call from rider Jasmine Fawcett to give the 25-year-old her first black type success.
The winner was placed in her first two starts and is now undefeated in her last two appearances.
Pedigree Notes:
Emily Margaret is out of Seven Schillings (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who won the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic and ran second in the G1 Diamond S.
It is the family of the former top-class performer Avedon (NZ) (Famous Star {USA}), who was a three-time winner at the top level.
Emily Margaret was bought by part-owner Roger Findlay for $55,000 out of Trelawney Stud’s Select Yearling Sale draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Sale at Karaka last year.
Listed Jim Moloney S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Tasmanian visitor Mystic Journey (Needs Further) put a luckless previous run behind her when she produced a gallant performance to down a competitive line-up of fillies.
“She was very unlucky at Moonee Valley, a certainty beaten,” rider Anthony Darmanin said. “I’m very happy to repay Adam for sticking with me.”
The Adam Trinder-prepared filly overcame a wide run to get the better of Spanish Whisper (NZ) (Lope De Vega {FR}), who was also forced to cover extra ground.
Pedigree Notes:
A bargain $11,000 buy at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Mystic Journey is out of White Gold (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}), who won two minor events and her pedigree is a deep one.
Her fourth dam is L’Anno D’Oro (IRE) (Habitat {USA}) and she is a sister to the former top English sprinter Habibti and therefore the legendary Eight Carat family.
Mystic Journey’s background further includes the triple Group 1 winner Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {IRE}).
