Group 1 Underwood S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) has claimed his first Group 1 success, with a determined performance to win the G1 Hyland Race Colours Underwood S. at Caulfield.
The 5-year-old import vaulted himself to the top of the ballot order for the Caulfield Cup with the hard-fought win, seeing off Tosen Basil (Jpn) (Harbinger {Jpn}) in a strong battle over the final 100m to prevail. Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) stormed home late to grab third.
It is Homesman's second win in Australia, having won at the same track earlier this season, while it was just the second Group 1 win for the import's trainer Liam Howley, who took over at Macedon Lodge last year.
Both the first and second horses are likely to head to the Caulfield S. in two weeks' before backing up in the G1 Caulfield Cup.
Pedigree Notes:
Homesman is the 19th Group 1 for his sire War Front, but his first in Australia. He was a Group 3 winner and G1 placed overseas before arriving in Australia in August 2017.
Homesman is out of My Annette (USA) (Red Ransom {USA}), who produced dual Listed winner and twice Group 1 placed U S Ranger (USA) (Danzig) as well as
She herself is a three-quarters sister to top sire Dynaformer, which is also the family of Hong Kong champion stayer Lines Of Battle/Helene Super Star (USA).
Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, Caulfield
Race Summary:
Smart Melody (Smart Missile) took her unbeaten run to five with a strong on-pace performance to claim the G3 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.
Jockey Brenton Avdulla camped Kris Lees' filly close to the speed set by Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and put it to that filly rounding the home turn, surging clear in what was a winning move.
Thrillster (Staspangledbanner) tracked wide and charged late to finish within a length of the winner, while Lees' other filly, the G1 winner El Dorado Dreaming (Ilovethiscity) worked home really well late to finish third.
All three placegetters are likely to go on to contest the G1 Thousand Guineas on October 13.
Pedigree Notes:
Out of the black type winner Sweetest Melody (Encosta de Lago), Smart Melody is raced by Gooree Stud and is the first winner for her dam, who also has a 2-year-old colt by Sebring and is set to foal to Choisir this spring.
She hails from the family of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner and successful sire Swiss Ace (Secret Savings {USA}) as well as stakes-winner Sir Success (Success Express {USA}).
Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Caulfield
Race Summary:
Native Solder (Sepoy) tuned up for a shot at the G1 Caulfield Guineas with a powerful all-the-way win in the Ladbrokes G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on Sunday.
Ben Allen rated Native Soldier superbly, and the colt gave a huge kick down the straight to defeat Tavisan (Tavistock {NZ}), with Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) the best of the backmarkers, coming home well for third.
It is Native Soldier's second Group 3 win at Caulfield in the space of a month having won the G3 McNeil S. on September 1. In between, he was beaten down the straight in the G2 Danehill S.
Trainer Darren Weir will send Native Soldier to the Caulfield Guineas in two weeks where he will clash with stablemate Leonardo Da Hinchi (Hinchinbrook) as well as G1 Golden Rose S winner The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice).
Pedigree Notes:
Native Soldier’s dam Belong To Many was a Group 2 winner during her racing days and she’s now doing a good job as a broodmare with her daughter Majestic Lass (Redoute’s Choice) also a multiple winner for her.
Native Soldier, a $160,000 yearling buy, was her third foal to the track. She also has two fillies by I Am Invincible, a 2YO and a yearling, while she is due in foal to that sire again.
The main name on the pedigree page is Sword (Switch In Time {IRE}), who won 12 races, including the G1 Goodwood H. He is a half-brother to this colt's second dam.
Listed Testa Rossa S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) collected his first stakes success and made it five wins from his first 13 starts with an impressive victory in the Listed Spicer Thoroughbreds Testa Rossa S. at Caulfield.
The Godolphin 4-year-old overcame some trouble in the straight and saw off the late challenge of Kemono (Jpn) (Kinshasa No Kiseki), with Heart Of A Lion (Lion Heart {USA}) running home from the back of the field for third.
It is Trekking's third win of this campaign having won races at Rosehill and Randwick earlier in the spring,
Pedigree Notes:
Trekking is the first foal from Outdoor, the regally bred Darley mare by Redoute's Choice out of multiple Oaks winning mare Serenade Rose. Serenade Rose only had three foals and the other filly was exported to the UK, meaning Outdoor is the only one of her progeny who are breeding in Australia.
Outdoor has an as-yet unraced 3-year-old called Paraglide (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and a 2-year-old called Jetski (Lonhro). She is due to foal to Street Boss (USA) this spring.
