Black-Type Results

Group 1 Epsom Handicap, Randwick

Race Summary:

Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) wound back the clock to claim his fourth Group 1 with a narrow victory in the G1 TAB Epsom Hcp at Randwick.

The 8-year-old, who has been a grand campaigner for Godolphin since his arrival in Australia in 2014, surged late under Hugh Bowman to defeat D'Argento (So You Think {NZ}) in a photo finish with Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) finishing hard for third.

There had been questions whether Hartnell, who won Group 1 races from 1400m-2400m was light of former days after a couple of sub-par runs.

But while D'Argento looked the likely winner when he shot clear at the 300m mark, Bowman got to work on Hartnell, bringing him home strongly to complete an emotional success for trainer James Cummings. Hartnell also set a new track record of 1:32.73.

Pedigree Notes:

Hartnell was bred by Darley and began his career with Mark Johnston in the UK, winning five races, including a Group 3 event, before coming to Australia.

Out of the twice winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire (GB), he is a half brother to Listed winner and Group 1 placed Roz (Teofilo {Ire}). Debonnaire's dam Ultra Finesse (Rahy {USA}) is a half-sister to Suave Dancer (USA), who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as well as the French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes.

Group 1 The Metropolitan, Randwick

Race Summary:

Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) had turned in two solid lead-up runs before the step up to 2400 metres brought out the best in him.

The dour 7-year-old finished the race off strongly to get the better of his barn mate Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock) to have his trainer Chris Waller confirming plans for a crack at the G1 Melbourne Cup.

“Two miles will suit him and the first Tuesday in November is looking good,” trainer Chris Waller said.

Pedigree Notes:

Patrick Erin’s mother Mega Babe (NZ) (Personal Escort {USA}) has the perfect record at stud with all six of her foals to race having won and also includes his brother Gallant Boy, who has won eight and is a stakes performer.

The dam only raced once but is a daughter of the three-time winner Red Diamond (Faith Guest {IRE}), who is a daughter of Red Sash (NZ) (Bellborough {IRE}) and she won 18 races.

The G3 Fayette Park Stud S., winner Victoire (NZ) (Paris Opera) is the main name in the pedigree.

Group 1 Flight S., Randwick

Race Summary :

Oohood (I Am Invincible) gained a belated and deserved victory when she prevailed in a tight finish to open her winning account.

Rider Tim Clark settled her in midfield and the filly unwound strongly in the run home to edge Fiesta (I Am Invincible), who had led 200 metres from home.

“It was a bit messy and there wasn’t a lot of tempo, but we had the last shot at them,” Clark said. “All credit to Tony and the team; they’ve done a terrific job.”

Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) came from last for third ahead of the favourite Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}), who was brave after failing to relax during the running.

Pedigree Notes :

Oohood is raced by his breeder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum after her dam Bella Sunday (Sunday Silence {USA}) was purchased by his bloodstock manager Tim Stakemire for $110,000 at the 2013 Inglis Sydney Easter Broodmare Sale.

All eight of her foals to race are now winners and also includes the black type performer Breakfast In Bed (Hussonet {USA}).

Bella Sunday is a half-sister to the stakes winner and leading sire Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) with their dam Singles Bar (Rory’s Jester) a half-sister to the champion stallion Snippets (Canny Lad).

Group 2 Hill S., Randwick

Race Summary :

Ace High (High Chaparral {IRE}) is back in business and victory was predictable following two sound efforts this season.

A dual Group 1 winner last season, he appreciated the step up to a middle distance and a stronger pace after Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) increased the tempo when he went to the front 1000 metres from home.

Ace High travelled well in behind the pace and he let down strongly in the closing 150 metres to account for It’s Somewhat (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}).

Pedigree Notes:

He is out of the unraced Come Sunday (Redoute’s Choice) who is a half-sister to the black type winners Day Of Rest (Starcraft {NZ}), That’s A Good idea (Flying Spur) and Kneeling (Encosta de Lago).

Come Sunday is a daughter of the stakes winner and Group 1 performer Lady’s Delight (SAF) (Local Talent {SAF}).

Ace High was a $130,000 buy at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and was signed for by his trainer Paul Payne on behalf of Summertime Thoroughbreds.

Group 2 Premiere S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) caused another upset, charging home along the rail to win the G2 Santos Coffee Premiere S. and smash the Randwick track record in the process.

Santa Ana Lane, who is bound for The TAB Everest in two weeks' time, stopped the clock at 1:07.45, 0.58s faster than the fastest 1200m time run at Randwick.

It was a brilliantly efficient ride from Ben Melham, who dropped the 6-year-old back to the rear of the field, well off the hot pace set by Redzel (Snitzel).

It was clear at the top of the straight that Redzel and Invincible Star (I Am Invincible) had gone too hard and In Her Time (Time Thief) tracked up along them and charged to the front to look the likely winner at the 200m mark.

But Santa Ana Lane along the inside and his stablemate Shoals (Fastnet Rock) began to close the gap and The Goodwood and Stradbroke H. winner got the bob on the line, with Shoals second and In Her Time close-up in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Santa Ana Lane was a $80,000 buy at the Melbourne Premier Sale by Flemington Bloodstock from the Rosemont Stud draft.

The family has plenty black type with his dam Fast Fleet a half-sister to Stakeswinners Blimey O'Reilly (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) and Flag Officer (Excites), and a three-quarter sister to Stakes-placed Strategy. Further back, the third dam is Far Flying (USA), a Listed winner in her own right who produced American Stakes-winners Dalhart and Rose Francis.

Group 3 Breeders' Plate, Randwick

Race Summary:

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have executed a perfect raid on the early 2-year-old riches with Dubious (Not a Single Doubt) winning the Arrowfield Breeders' Plate at Randwick.

Maher and Eustace set Dubious for the opening 2-year-old feature of the season, sending him through the traditional lead-up trials on his way to his Randwick debut.

Not everything went to plan as Dubious shifted a plate pre-race but he overcame that setback to run down the early leader Covert Ops (I Am Invincible) late over the 1000m with Krameric (Rubick) back in third.

The time of 56.45s was over half a second faster than the fillies ran in the Gimcrack S. earlier on the day and represented a race record.

Pedigree notes:

Ciaron Maher and Aquis Farm's combined to buy Dubious for $350,000 at this year's Magic Millions.

He is from the imported mare Suspicieuse (Fr), who was stakes-placed in France and is a half-sister to Stakes-winner Sediciosa (Ire). The family also includes the champion Japanese 3-year-old Neo Universe (Sunday Silence (USA)). Suspicieuse raced in both France and Australia having been sold at the 2013 Arqana December Sales for €55,500.

Group 3 Gimcrack S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Catch me (I Am Invincible) has run the fastest-ever G3 Keeneland Gimcrack S. recording an authoritative win in the opening Sydney 2-year-old race of the season.

Drawn wide, Catchme drifted back in the field but came with a strong burst at the top of the straight to power past Diddles (Snitzel), who had sat on the pace and kicked clear, with Mayaaseh (Exceed and Excel) third after getting back and running home.

Catchme clocked 56.99s over the 1000m, easily eclipsing the ten-year old race record on a day where the strong tail wind down the home straight is expected to produce quick times.

Pedigree notes:

Catchme was a $625,000 buy for Yulong Investments at the 2018 Easter Sales. She is the second foal from the unraced O'Reilly (NZ) mare Captivating Claire (NZ) whose first colt, named Valiant (I Am Invincible), sold for $1.6m in 2017. There is another yearling full-brother as well as a foal who is a filly.

It is one of Australasian racing's most famous families as Captivating Claire is out of stakes-placed Markisa (NZ), who is a three-quarter sister to Danewin and Commands. The third dam, Marquise (NZ), who produced G1 winner Shower of Roses, is out of none other than Eight Carat (GB), making her a half-sister to Octagonal.

Listed Dulcify 3YO Quality Handicap, Randwick

Race Summary:

In a pulsating finish, Mickey Blue Eyes (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) kept his unbeaten record for the season with a slender victory.

The colt broke his maiden at Bendigo earlier this month and he bridged the gap to stakes company in fine style for trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

Mickey Blue Eyes wound up powerfully for rider Regan Bayliss to nail the favourite Gem Son (Your Song) right on the line with Purple Sector (NZ) (Pins) boxing on for third.

Pedigree Notes:

Mickey Blue Eyes is a son of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Bella Carolina and was purchased by Peter Devitt for $350,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The dam is out of Wyndam Special (NZ) (Centaine), who won the Listed Red Roses S., a race that also features on the CV of her grandmother Nouvelle Star (Luskin Star).

It is the family of the Group 1 performers Star Of Nouvelle (Star Watch) and Double Reef (NZ) (Last Tycoon {IRE}).

Listed R.M. Ansett Classic, Mornington

Race Summary:

Haripour (Ire) (Sharmardal {USA}) continued his progression through the staying ranks, claiming his first black-type win in the Listed R.M Ansett Classic at Mornington.

The 5-year-old import made it five wins from 13 starts and four from seven since arriving in Australia after overwhelming Harrison (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) late to win by three-quarters of a length.

Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) completed a clean sweep for the imported stayers by finishing five-and-three-quarter lengths away in third.

Pedigree notes:

Haripour, who is owned by Yu Long Investments, joins his siblings Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), Haziyna (Ire) (Hailing {USA}) and Hazarafa (Ire) (Daylami {Ire]) as a stakes-winner.

Out of the Aga Khan-bred mare Hazariya (Ire) {Xaar {GB}), he was bought for 70,000 euros at the 2017 Goffs Champions Sale.