Group 1 VRC Oaks, Flemington
Race Summary:
Aristia (Lonhro) has become the 36th filly to win the G1 Kennedy Oaks and the G2 Wakeful S. in the same week with success in the Flemington Classic.
Given a beautiful ride by Damien Lane, Aristia came from just off the pace and overpowered the leader Greysful Glamour (Stratum) to win by three-quarters of a length, with outsider Miner's Miss (Rebel Raider) finishing another three-quarters of a length in third.
It was a race dominated by those on or near the pace, with Aristia's two anticipated rivals Amphitrite (Sebring) (15th) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) (7th) failing to flatter.
Aristia was a maiden before her success in the Wakeful S. on Saturday and she is now a Group 1 and Group 2 winner.
It is the fourth Group 1 winner for her trainers Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra and 14th for her jockey Damian Lane.
Pedigree Notes:
Aristia was bought for $80,000 at the 2017 Easter Yearling Sale by her owners First Light Racing.
Bred by Vinery partner Greg Perry, she is out of Group 2 winner Nakaaya (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who has produced two foals to race, both of which have been winners. Nakaaya has a 2YO filly by I Am Invincible as well as a yearling colt by Written Tycoon and a recently arrived Flying Artie filly.
Nakaaya is from the family of black-type winner Silver Flyer, Sir Amadi, Royal Purler, Mishani Warrior and Calorific.
Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate, Flemington
Race Summary:
A pair of regally-bred fillies went toe to toe and it was Vinicunca (I Am Invincible) who came out on top with a hard-fought victory at the expense of Art Collection (Fastnet Rock).
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the winner had impressed in a couple of jump-outs and dug deepest to win on debut.
The runner-up’s effort was full of merit and the favourite Chicago Bull (Exceed And Excel) made the running and boxed on well enough for his placing.
Pedigree Notes :
Vinicunca was a $600,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is out of the winning Flying Spur mare Xandretta.
The dam is a half-sister to the G1 Champagne S., winner Carry On Cutie (More Than Ready {USA}) and to the dam of The Mission (Choisir), who also won a Champagne, and his half-sister and Group performer Smart Amelia (Smart Missile).
Group 3 Red Roses S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Promising filly Bleu Roche (Fastnet Rock) has broken through for a black-type win at just her fourth start winning the G3 World Horse Racing Roses S. at Flemington.
Bleu Roche only made her debut two months ago at Sale, but after two unlucky runs, proved the fastest filly at Flemington, holding to beat Causeway Girl (Shamus Award) and Meryl (Epaulette) in a blanket finish.
Tim Clark took the ride and held his nerve as Bleu Roche was under siege from her rivals late in the race.
It is just the fourth Group success of her young trainer Matt Laurie's career.
Pedigree Notes:
Laurie paid $230,000 for Bleu Roche at the 2017 Inglis Classic after the promise her three-quarter brother Scudtime (Smart Missile {Aus}) showed before things went awry.
She is the second winner from American mare Esprit De Bleu, who is a half-sister to Listed winner Rockin The Bleu’s (Rockport Harbor {USA}) and stakes-placed Bleu Moon Magic (Zanjero {USA})
Esprit De Bleu was purchased for $47,500 by Glastonbury Farm from Newgate Farm at the 2016 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale having been sold two years earlier for $140,000 when in foal with Scudtime.
Listed Absolut S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Veteran sprinter Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) ended a lengthy barren spell when he came with an undeniable finish under a cool Craig Williams ride.
The 8-year-old, who hadn’t won for 21 months, cut loose down the outside fence for the eighth victory of his long career.
Kaepernick (Exceed And Excel) was in front close to home but had to be content with second ahead of I’ll Have A Bit (Smart Missile) and Faatinah (Nicconi) was next to cross the line.
Pedigree Notes:
Thermal Current is out of the stakes-placed Soaressa (Twining {USA}), who a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready {USA}) and to the Listed winners Assertive Eagle (Danewin) and Impressive Eagle (Rubiton).
It is an international pedigree that features the presence of the G1 Doncaster Trophy S., winner Seattle Rhyme (USA) (Seattle Dancer {USA}) and the stakes-winning siblings Snowqualmie Boy (Montjeu {IRE}) and Snowqualmie Girl.
Listed TCL TV S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Danny O’Brien looks to have an excellent staying prospect in the 3-year-old Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}).
A previous maiden winner over 2300 metres, he came with a determined finish under Damien Oliver to deny Junipal (Reset), who had ambled to the lead looked all over the winner.
Tavidance (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Waka (Domesday) were the next pair home and also augured well for their futures as both were making just their third race day appearances.
Pedigree Notes :
Vow And Declare is a half-brother to the Listed Galilee Series Final; winner Lycurgus (Star Witness with their mother Geblitzt (Testa Rossa).
She won five races and finished runner-up in the G1 Champagne S. and is a half-sister to the G3 Newmarket H., winner Walking Or Dancing (Falvelon).
It is also the family of the G1 Epsom H., winner Hauraki (Reset) and the G1 South Australian Derby winner Kidnapped (Viscount).
Listed Ladies DayCup, Hawkesbury
Race Summary:
Pecans (Skilled) has collected another piece of Hawkesbury black-type with a hard-fought victory in the Listed Lander Toyota Ladies Day Cup over 1400m.
A winner of the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown in the autumn, Pecans was first-up on Thursday and was given the perfect ride by Jason Collett, wearing down Burning Passion (Northern Meteor) in the final few strides to score by a short neck, with early leader Fabrizio (High Chaparral {Ire}) finishing third.
Trainer Joe Pride will aim her at Group events in Sydney over the summer after her sixth win, and third at stakes level, in 16 starts.
Pedigree Notes:
Pecans is the only stakes winner by her sire. She was bred and raced by Darley until last year when she was sold for $50,000 at the Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale.
She is out of the Listed winner Walnut, who has produced the black-type winner Secession as well as six other winners. Walnut is a half-sister to the dam of stakes-winner Finishing Card.
