Group 1 Winterbottom S., Ascot
Race Summary:
Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible) broke through for a much-deserved Group 1 victory in the G1 Winterbottom S. at Ascot, charging home from last.
Ridden by former Western Australian Damien Oliver, Voodoo Lad spotted the leaders a huge start at the 800m but Oliver produced a perfect ride, tracking second favourite Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) in the run and then powering over the top of her late to win by 0.75l, with Malaguerra (Magnus) a neck back in third.
It was Oliver's 115th Group 1 victory but his first in Perth since 2009 and was made all the more special by the presence of his mother Pat in the Ascot crowd.
It was Weir's 36th Group 1 winner and his sixth of this season so far as he continued his remarkable run. Voodoo Lad, who is from the first crop of I Am Invincible, becomes the Yarraman Park stallion's seventh individual Group 1 winner, having twice run second at the elite level before.
Pedigree Notes:
Bred by the late Noel Leckie, Voodoo Lad was sold at the 2013 Inglis Scone Sale to Segenhoe for just $36,000.
He is out of O'Fortuna (Gilded Time {USA}), who has had four winners to the track including seven-time winner Husson's Fortune and five-time winner Café Forquet.
Her dam, Sabrina Fair, is a sister to the legendary Schillaci as well as Listed winner Bialia. Their dam, Biscarina, was a black-type 2-year-old winner out of the 1974 Blue Diamond S. winner Forina.
Group 3 George Moore S., Doomben
Race Summary:
I’m A Rippa (Love Conquers All) made short work of his rivals in this with the 5-year-old turning in another commanding performance.
He had pace to burn in the early stages and was again willing in the straight and coasted clear to score with authority.
I’m A Rippa was out on his own at the post with Most Important (I Am Invincible) second best and Victorem (I Am Invincible) taking third money.
Pedigree Notes :
I’m A Rippa has proved a marvellous money-spinner and off a purchase price of $55,000 at the Magic Millions March Sale he has now earned more than $1 million.
The 5-year-old is a son of Derippa (Seidnazar) who won on two occasions and her dam Rippa Royale (Grand Lodge {USA}) was successful twice.
The best performer out of this family in the first three generations is the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner St Rory (Rory’s Jester).
Group 3 Eagle Technology S., Ellerslie
Race Summary:
Love Affair (NZ) (Savabeel) was the class act in the race and so it proved with the Andrew Forsman and Murray Baker-trained mare prevailing.
She was given a good run close to the action by Matthew Cameron and when presented she showed her quality with her defeat of Meeska Mooska (NZ) (El Hermano {NZ}).
Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) showed improved form to fight on for third ahead of Elusive Treasure (Northern Meteor).
Pedigree Notes :
Love Affair’s dam Romancing (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) didn’t race and she is a sister to the Listed winner Salsa.
She is also a half-sister to the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Somepin Anypin (NZ) (Pins) an the Listed Meynink S. winner Rule Of Engagement (NZ) (Danasainga).
Another notable name on the pedigree page is the G1 Goodwood H. winner Sylvaner (NZ) (Centaine).
Group 3 Festival S., Rosehill
Race Summary:
Chris Waller’s My Nordic Hero (Algonquin) (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) bounced back to his best form here with a gritty display.
Jockey Hugh Bowman had the grey travelling comfortably midfield and the lightly-raced 7-year-old answered positively when popped the question in the run home.
He proved too strong for a gallant Goodfella (Snitzel), who was forced to race over extra ground and the Victorian visitor Chamois Road (Choisir) was third.
Pedigree Notes :
My Nordic Hero is a half-brother to four winners including the Listed performer Alvarita (GB) (Selkirk {USA}) and their dam is the two-time G1 Newmarket S. winner Alborada (GB) (Alzao {USA}).
She is a sister to the G1 Dusseldorf Deutschland Preis winner Albanova and the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Aussie Rules (USA) (Danehill {UAS}) and the G1 Prix Royal Oaks winner Allegretto (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}).
Listed Starlight S., Rosehill
Race Summary:
A game Invincible Star (I Am Invincible) bounced back to her best when she produced a tenacious front-running display.
She made the running and was under siege in the final 200 metres but hung tough to see it through.
Badajoz (Commands) mounted a strong challenge closer to the fence, but had to settle for second with My Favourite (Haradasun) making ground wider on the track for third.
Pedigree Notes :
Invincible Star’s mother Romany Flyer (Catbird) has a 100 per cent record with all four of her foals to race having been successful.
She is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Viking Hero (Elvstroem) while their dam Gypsy Dollar (Zabeel {NZ}) is a half-sister to the G1 AJC Derby winner Innocent King (Tolomeo {IRE}).
The G1 Flight S. winner Unearthly (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) is also a member of the family.
Listed ATC Cup, Rosehill
Race Summary:
The ruling favourite Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel) was in trouble a long way out and wasn’t persevered with and it was stablemate Exoteric (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who carried the day.
In a small field, he raced in the trial and when he was popped into the clear by James McDonald he proved too strong.
Our Century (IRE) (Montjeu {IRE}) boxed on for second ahead of Red Excitement (Excites), who made the running.
Pedigree Notes :
Exoteric is one of five winners produced by Short Dance (USA) (Hennessy {USA}), who was a Listed winner in England and placed at Group 3 level.
She is a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Windsor Forest S. winner Lolly For Dolly (IRE) (Oratorio {IRE}), who also posted a further three Group 3 successes.
Listed Cotterell Mode S., Doomben
Race Summary:
Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom) had little trouble justifying her favouritism for trainer Tony Gollan and rider Jim Byrne.
She bided her time behind the pace before asserting her authority in the last 250 metres and produced a performance that augurs well for her summer campaign.
Jami Lady (Spirit Of Boom) made all the running and she kicked on strongly for second with Churning (Lonhro) following up a previous win with a strong effort for third.
Pedigree Notes :
A $210,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast buy, Outback Barbie is a daughter of the five-time winner Pure Purrfection and she is a half-sister to the Listed winner Global Warming (Agnes World {USA}).
They are out of She’s Purring (Flying Spur), who was a more than handy mare and won four races including the Listed PJ Bell H.
She is a daughter of Ringside Lady (NZ) (Clay Hero), successful in the Listed Crockett S. with the G3 Rubiton S. winner Mind You Head (Mujahid {USA}) also in the pedigree.
Listed Wanganui Cup, Wanganui
Race Summary:
Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) continued her winning habit when she came from the back of the field for the first Listed success of her career.
The 6-year-old is trained by part-owner Bill Thurlow and he has yet to make a decision on her immediate future, but more feature summer staying races will be at the top of his wish list.
Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) enjoyed a good run in the trail and he stuck on grimly for second ahead of Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}).
Pedigree Notes :
The winner is out of Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}) and she is a half-sister to the Listed Canterbury Belle S. winner Katsumi (NZ) (Shinko King {IRE}).
Featured in the family is the G2 Western Australian Guineas winner The Right Money (Magic Of Money), the G3 Grand Prix S. winner Bel Academy (Royal Academy {USA}) and the G3 Marton Metric Mile winner Ourforeignminister (Dubai Destination {USA}).
Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial S., Ellerslie
Race Summary:
Espresso Martini (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) was given a dream run in the trail by Leith Innes and the filly capitalised in the straight.
She pinned her ears back in the final 200 metres to add black type to her record in just her fourth appearance for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
The front-runner Jip Jip Rock (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) kicked on strongly to finish second and Factor Me In (The Factor {USA}) ran on late for third.
Pedigree Notes :
The value of Espresso Martini, a NZ$150,000 Karaka purchase, has soared with this stakes success as she is a daughter of the G1 Levin Classic winner Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper).
The dam is herself a half-sister to the wonderful mare Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {IRE}) , who was a two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year and the winner of seven Group 1 titles.
It is also the family of the G2 Pago Pago S. and handy sire Yachtie (Broad Reach).
