Group 1 Turnbull S., Flemington
Race Summary:
The winning habit of Winx (Street Cry {IRE}) continued with another sparkling display, but as usual for her it wasn’t without a heart-stopping moment or two.
Back near last on the fence, rider Hugh Bowman was looking for a gap 300 metres from home and for a split second it looked ominous, but in a stride or three the race was over.
“Her champion qualities came out in the end,” regular rider Hugh Bowman said.
Stablemate Youngstar (High Chaparral {IRE}) returned an excellent trial for the G1 Caulfield Cup with her run for second and ditto the third placegetter Kings Will Dream (IRE) (Casamento {IRE}).
Pedigree Notes:
Winx’s dam Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar) won seven races, including two at Listed level and she has obviously proved a gem in the broodmare barn.
Winx aside, she is also the dam of the G3 Kindergarten S., winner El Divino (Snitzel) and is a half-sister to the Group performer Black Magic Maggie (NZ) (Westminter).
A relatively light pedigree, the family also includes the black type winner Arabian Magic (Al Maher {USA}).
Group 1 Spring Champion S., Randwick
Race Summary:
Maid of Heaven (Smart Missile) gave her trainer, jockey and sire their first Group 1 wins, over overpowering Aramayo (Poet's Voice {GB}) to claim the Spring Champion S.
Rachel King gave the Mark Newnham-trained Maid of Heaven a perfect ride, sitting her back in the field before producing her down the outside in the straight.
Aramayo looked the winner when he put paid to the favourite Thinkin' Big (High Chaparral {Ire}), who would finish third, at the 300m mark, but he could not withstand the late charge of Maid of Heaven, who created her own piece of history by becoming just the second filly to win the race.
It was a huge result for Arrowfield, who race the filly as well as Twin Hills who stand Smart Missile, who now has a Group 1 winner as well a sixth stakes winner.
Pedigree notes:
Maid of Heaven is out of the dual stakes-winning mare St Therese (Dehere {USA}), who has produced 12 foals, the best of them until now being Mirrasalo (Redoute's Choice) who was a Group 3 winner.
St Therese is a half-sister to multiple G1 winner Planet Ruler as well as Listed winner Aroma.
Maid of Heaven's own half-siblings Precious Moment (Charge Forward) and Little Flower (Redoute's Choice) have produced the stakes winners Precious Memories and Hussy By Choice.
Maid of Heaven was a $60,000 but at the 2017 Classic Sale. She has a younger half-brother by Dundeel (NZ), who sold for $150,000 as a yearling as well as a yearling colt by Panzer Division.
Group 1 Livamol Classic, Hastings
Race Summary:
As expected, there was plenty of pace on and Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel) settled at the back end of the field before regular rider Chris Johnson let her roll around the 700 metres from home.
The 4-year-old came wide into the straight and she hit the front half-way down the straight before coasting clear to score with plenty of authority.
Lizzie L’Amour finished strongly, but too late, and had to settle for second in her quest for a third top-flight title. The lightly-raced G1 New Zealand Derby Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}} came on for third.
Pedigree Notes:
Savvy Coup was bought out of Waikato Stud’s draft at Karaka for $65,000 in 2016 and his younger brother was claimed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club earlier this year for $500,000.
They are out of the unraced Pins mare Eudora (NZ) who is a sister to the Group 2 winner Legless Veuve (NZ) and the Group 3 winner Tootsie (NZ).
The third dam is the multiple winner and Group 3 performer Habania (NZ) (Habitat {GB}).
Group 2 Gilgai S., Flemington
Race Summary:
A booming finish from the back gave the Warwick Farm mare I Am Excited (Snitzel) the fifth win of her 15-start career.
She settled at the back of the field and she lengthened stride powerfully under rider Kerrin McEvoy to account for the lightly-raced Eduardo (Host {ARG}) and Bons Away (Bon Hoffa).
“She got a long way off them, but finished really hard,” McEvoy said.
Pedigree Notes :
I Am Excited is a half-sister to the G3 Frances Tressady S., winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook), who also won three Listed events.
Their mother is the General Nediym mare Lady Beckworth, who is a half-sister to the dam of the four-time Group 1 winner Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Frock) and the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel (Commands).
Group 2 Roman Consul S., Randwick
Race Summary:
A brilliant ride from Jason Collett has allowed Sesar (Sebring) to charge home and claim an upset win in the G2 Roman Consul S. at Randwick.
After being run of his feet early, Sesar tracked through along the rail on the bend and then set out after Sandbar (Snitzel), who had shot through to claim the early leaders and had looked the winner.
Collett had tracked him in the run and Sesar pounced to claim the biggest win of trainer Steven O'Dea's career. O'Dea had earlier won his first-ever Sydney metro race with Sesar's older brother Doubt Defying (Not a Single Doubt).
O'Dea said he felt the 1200m of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. would not suit Sesar and he would head towards the G3 Carbine Club S. via the Gothic S. at Caulfield in two weeks.
Pedigree Notes:
A $160,000 buy by Proven Thoroughbreds at the 2017 Easter Sales, Sesar is out of Sarthemare (Street Cry {Ire}), who won the Black Opal S at a 2-year-old. She has produced the prolific Macau winner Central Station as well as Saturday's Randwick winner Doubt Defying. Sesar is by far her best, having already won a Group 3 race as a 2-year-old. There is a younger half-sister by Dawn Approach (Ire) called Birdy.
The family harks back to a very successful American family, highlighted by the 4th dam, Fresh Pepper (USA), who was a black-type winner.
Group 2 Edward Manifold S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Darren Weir’s pre-race prediction was on the money when he tipped Amphritite (Sebring) as the best of his trio of runners,
She came down the centre of the track with an undeniable finish to beat Krone (Eurozone) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed (NZ) to give Weir the trifecta.
Immediate plans for the winner are unsure but the third placegetter, in her first start since transferring from Nick Bishara’s New Zealand stable, include a tilt at the G1 VRC Oaks.
Pedigree Notes :
Amphritite was a $50,000 buy at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for the Queensland-based syndication company Flying Start Syndications.
She is a daughter of the Redoute’s Choice mare Ocean Dream, who won two times, and she is a half-sister to the G1 Toorak H., winner Marble Halls (Nassipour {USA}) and the dam of the G1 Blue Diamond S., winner Sleek Chassis (Flying Spur).
Group 2 Blazer S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Invincibella (I Am Invincible) has claimed the third Group 2 success of her career, powering away to win the Blazer S. at Flemington.
Hugh Bowman sat the 5-year-old mare off the pace and produced her with a powerful finishing burst and she won running away by 2.5l, with Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) overcoming a chequered run to finish second with Mamzelle Tess (O'Lonhro) third.
The success adds to those in the G2 Sheraco S last month and in the G2 Dane Ripper S in the Brisbane winter. There are a variety of black-type mares races on her radar over the remainder of the Spring Carnival.
Pedigree Notes:
Invincibella was a $185,000 buy at the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale from the Sledmere Stud draft.
She is out of Abscond, an unraced half-sister to stakes-placed Light Up Manhattan and related to black-type winners The Hind and Oregon Star.
Invincibella's younger half-brother Secret Blaze (Sizzling {Aus}) is stakes-placed and he has a full sister who has just turned two.
Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, Hastings
Race Summary:
Everything panned out beautifully for Madison County (NZ) (Pins), who settled midfield on the outer and on the tail of the favourite Melt (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Rider Matthew Cameron came off her back at the top of the straight and they finished too well for the well-backed filly with King Louis (NZ) (Equiano) back in third.
“I was three wide with cover and followed Melt, the second best horse in the race, and he got the job done in the straight,” he said.
Pedigree Notes :
A $36,000 Karaka yearling, Madison County is from a potent Waikato Stud family, he is out of Red Delicious (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) who is a direct female descendant of the G1 Golden Slipper winner Courtza (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}).
She is the mother of the multiple Group 1 winner and champion stallion O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon {IRE}) and also the family of the G1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic winner Critic (NZ) (Centaine).
Group 3 The Bart Cummings H., Flemington
Race Summary:
Imported stayer Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) has booked his spot in the G1 Melbourne Cup with a hard-fought victory in the G3 The Bart Cummings at Flemington.
In an emotional success for trainer James Cummings, Avilius fought off the challenge of Jaameh (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) to prevail by a short half head and then had to withstand a protest from the runner-up before claiming the victory.
The race is named after Cummings' famous grandfather and he now has a horse with a huge chance in the Melbourne Cup.
Glyn Schofield sat Avilius well off the hot pace set by Harrison (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), and picked his way through the field, to be in a perfect position to challenge at the 300m mark.
He swept upon the lead and looked set for an easy success but Michael Walker on Jaameh shot through along the inside and the two staged a stirring battle over the final 200m, with Avilius getting his head down at the right time.
Yogi (NZ) (Raise the Flag {GB}) finished on well for third.
Pedigree notes:
Avilius is a full brother to G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano winner Saint Baudolino (Ire), while a half-brother Army Bulletin (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was a Listed winner in France. His dam Alessandria (GB) was a lightly raced Sunday Silence mare from the family of G1 Middle Park S. winner Lycius (USA).
Group 3 Angst Quality H., Randwick
Race Summary:
I Am Serious (Choisir) has added a valuable black-type win to her impressive race record, proving far too strong for her rivals in the G3 Harrolds Angst S. at Randwick.
Dropping back 400m for the 2000m of the G3 Kingston Town, I Am Serious produced a strong late surge to defeat Mandylion (Nicconi) with Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}) third.
The 5-year-old mare, who is prepared by Chris Waller, now has eight wins from 15 starts, with this being her first at black-type level.
Pedigree notes:
I Am Serious was a bargain at $30,000 at the Easter Sales in 2015 and has now won over $400,000. She is out of the mare But I'm Serious (Bianconi, who was stakes placed and has already produced multiple Hong Kong winner Santa Fe Sun as well as the handy Plot The Course. The second dam is the black-type winner All Angels.
But I'm Serious has a Declaration of War 2-year-old and is due to foal to Foxwedge this spring.
Group 3 Spring Spring H., Hastings
Race Summary:
The exciting Jamie Richards-trained Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) took his record to four wins from five starts here with an outstanding performance to make his mark at black type level.
He sat back off the pace and when rider Michael Coleman asked him for a serious effort he produced a devastating to win going away by three lengths.
“He’s going well and I couldn’t have been more impressed, he’s a very progressive horse,” Richards said.
Pedigree Notes :
Te Akau Shark was bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $230,000 out of Lyndhurst Park’s Ready to Run Sale draft.
The now 4-year-old is from the G2 Waikato Gold Cup winner Bak Da Chief (NZ) (Chief Bearheart {USA}).
She is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 Easter H., winner Ponderosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) and to the multiple black type winner and Group 1 placegetter Ecuador.
Listed Poseidon S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Wild Planet became just the second Australian stakes winner for his sire Animal Kingdom (USA) after a narrow win in the Listed Antler Luggage S. at Flemington.
The Team Hawkes-trained 3-year-old made it back-to-back wins and will likely be set for the G1 Australian Guineas in the autumn after overcoming a wide run to prevail in a tight finish from Ranier (Lonhro), who was desperately unlucky having only gained a clear run late in the race.
Khulaasa (Epaulette) was third in a race where the first nine horses across the line were separated by less than three lengths.
Pedigree Notes:
Wild Planet was a $280,000 buy at the 2017 Easter Sales. The dam Salutations (Redoute's Choice) is out of G2 winning mare Toast of the Coast (Rory's Jester), who herself was out of the G2 winner Solo Show (NZ) (Dahar {USA}). It is also the family of stakes-placed Pearl Congenial.
Wild Planet's half brother by Dundeel (NZ) sold for the same price he did at Easter this year, while there is another yearling filly by Dundeel.
Listed Maribyrnong Trial S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Unite And Conquer (Hinchinbrook) hit the ground running to get across to the fence and he was never in any danger of defeat.
He coasted along in front and surged clear 200 metres from home to comfortably account for Sun City (Zoustar) and Grand Scholar (Wandjina).
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse said Unite And Conquer produced a dominant display and would now be set for the G3 Maribyrnong Plate.
Pedigree Notes :
The colt was an $80,000 purchase for Waterhouse and Bott and Blueblood Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the only named foal of the three-time winner Maglissa (Magnus), whose dam Danglissa (Danzero) won the G1 Flight S.
It is also the family of Sweet Redemption (Snitzel), winner of the G3 Festival S., and the G3 Toy Show Quality H.
Listed Paris Lane S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Eckstein (I Am Invincible) made the trip from New South Wales a rewarding one when she triumphed in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy.
Trained by Kurt Goldman, the five-year-old settled off the pace and came with a well-timed run for a comfortable victory and the sixth of her career.
Spanner Head (Helmet) was up with the play all the way and he boxed on to take second money ahead of Plein Ciel, who came on from midfield.
Pedigree Notes :
Eckstein is out of the unraced Comrie (Choisir), who is out of a half-sister to the Listed winners Astute Angel (Godswalk {USA}) and Causeway Lass (Giant’s Causeway {IRE}.
Their mother is the triple Group 1 winner Snippets’ Lass (Bletchingly) and the pedigree also features the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Rothesay (Fastnet Rock).
Listed Super Impose Plate, Flemington
Race Summary:
Extra Brut (Domesday) has charged into contention for next month's G1 Victoria Derby with an impressive late surge to claim the Listed UCI S.
The 3-year-old was given a cold ride by John Allen, back and with cover and he unleashed late to down Sikorsky (Pierro), with the winner's stablemate Savoie (Ilovethiscity) third.
It is Extra Brut's third win from his fourth start, having stepped through from maiden to metro and now into Listed level with a hat-trick of wins.
Weir said afterwards that he was always confident Extra Brut was a horse who would stretch out to 2000m, but the 2500m of the Victoria Derby was somewhat of an unknown.
Pedigree Notes:
Extra Brut has proven an excellent buy for Spicer Thoroughbreds after costing just $100,000 at the 2017 Classic Sale.
He was the third foal of Dom Perion (Redoute's Choice) who was a city winning mare, who is related to a host of French and American black-type winners.
His older sister Fill the Flute (Statue of Liberty {USA}) was a winner over 1000m at Moonee Valley on Friday night, while there is a yearling full brother to Extra Brut.
Listed Kalgoorlie Cup, Kalgoorlie
Race Summary:
Inject The Venom (Hala Bek {Ire}) caused an upset in winning the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup. The 7-year-old, trained by Peter Fernie, collected the sixth and most important victory of his 36-start career, beating Gloryland (Good Journey {USA}) and First Affair (Saxon).
Pedigree Notes:
Inject The Venom becomes the first black-type winner for his sire Hala Bak (Ire). He was bred by co-owner Andrew Inglis from the mare Folly Lane.
Listed Birthday S., Kalgoorlie
Race Summary:
Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) has stretched her unbeaten run to eight with her first black-type success in the Listed Birthday S. at Belmont.
The Adam Durrant trained mare lived up to her short quote, beating Great Shot (Magnus) and Disposition (Reset).
Pedigree notes:
Enticing Star is a homebred by Bob Peters from the mare Favourite Star, who was a two-time winner in her six-star racing career. She has produced four named foals, including Forever Daimonds (Al Maher), who is a four-time winner. Favourite Star is a half-sister to Pinjarra Cup winner Star Encounter.
