Group 2 Ted Van Heemst S., Ascot

Race Summary:

Sitting behind the leaders early on, Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) gave her connections a few tense moments when she left her best running until late in the race. The mare looked like she may be in trouble with 400 metres to go with jockey William Pike having to get to work as Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice) and Gatting (Hard Spun) battled for the lead ahead of her. But once the mare clicked into gear, she easily took control inside the final 100 metres to draw away from the pair.

Gatting was able to put a length on Perfect Jewel in the end with the pair finishing second and third respectively.

Pedigree Notes:

Bred by her owners, Galaxy Star’s victory gave her sire Redoute’s Choice a 1-3 finish in this race. The 6-year-old mare is one of two foals from Galaxy Queen (Jeune), who died while carrying a full sibling to this winner in 2013.

Galaxy Queen is a sister to Listed winner Star Encounter, who is also the dam of fellow Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes runner Star Exhibit (Statue Of Liberty) and Group 2 winner Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice). Galaxy Queen also a half-sister to Listed placed Favourite Star, the dam of Listed winner and Group 1 placed Enticing Star (Testa Rossa).

Group 2 Manuwatu Challenge S., Awapuni

Race Summary:

Given an ideal ride by Johnathan Parkes, Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto) was in an ideal spot to take over the lead from pace setting Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars), but he was in for a battle. Contessa Vanessa refused to yield to the eventual winner until they were well inside the last 200 metres with Shadows Cast able to easily pull away once he was past her.

The closing Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto) ran out of time when trying to steal second from Contessa Vanessa, finishing third behind the mare.

Pedigree Notes:

Passed in for NZ$6,000 when going through the ring at the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Yearling & Mixed Sale in 2014, he is the third and final foal from Ages Past. The mare produced two winners from three to race.

Group 3 Manuwatu Cup, Awapuni

Race Summary:

Rock On (NZ) (Road To Rock) let the race unfold in front of him when sitting at the back of the field under Robert Hannam. The pair steadily improved their position throughout the race but it wasn’t until swinging into the straight that Hannam asked his mount for his best work. Coming on the outside of the field, Rock On showed a big kick to collar Balham in the last 50 metres and take over the lead close to the line.

Balham (NZ) (Don Eduardo) was able to hold on for second over another fast closer in Overtheriver (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu).

Pedigree Notes:

A NZ$70,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling sale purchase by the Regal Farm partnership from Wellfield Lodge’s draft, Rock On is from Group 3 winner St Jessie (Jetball). Rock On is the dam’s only stakes winner but is one of five winners from eight to race from the mare. The Road To Rock/St Jessie cross has been a popular one with the mare sent to the stallion six times – including last year.

St Jessie is from a half-sister to Group 3 winner The Big Bopper (Zabeel). The family also includes Group 3 winner Montoya Star (High Chaparral) and Listed winner Hippopus (High Chaparral).

Listed Starstruck Classic, Ascot

Race Summary:

Pushing the leader quickly out of the barriers before being settled by jockey Glenn Smith, Fontainebleau (Alfred Nobel) spent much of the race settled third behind Lucky Roar (So Secret) as she bided her time. The mare was asked to start the chase 500 metres out but Lucky Roar wasn’t going to be easily caught. Fontainebleau had to work to steadily eat into the lead down the straight before collaring her rival inside the final 100 metres and pulling away from there.

Setting the pace from the beginning, Lucky Roar was a clear second with Showcase (Big Brown) putting a few lengths between herself and the rest of the field in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Fontainebleau is from the Listed placed Aunt Lydia (Serheed), who has four winners from four to race. The mare’s 2-year-old full brother to this winner was passed in for $55,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and is now named Uncle Dick. The mare also has a yearling full brother to Fontainebleau, a foal half-sister by Mahuta and was served by that stallion again in 2018.

From stakes winner Summer Silence, Aunt Lydia is the half-sister to the dam of Listed winner Falcon Crest (Musket) and is the granddaughter of Group 2 winner Surfside Lady (Pago Pago).

Listed Christmas Handicap, Morphettville

Race Summary:

In a dramatic running Princess Of Queens (Magnus) was inconvenienced by a loose Casino Wizard (Any Given Saturday), who dumped his rider out of the gate but that didn’t stop the mare. Dom Tourneur settled the mare in the back of the field before swinging her wide at the 400 metre mark to give her running room. Putting her troubles behind her, Princess Of Queens ran up the outside of the field in the last 300 metres to catch Mazurek (Beneteau) to win by a short margin.

In a tight pack behind the winners, Zalmona (Good Journey) found himself running next to the loose horse in the straight but was good enough to finish third.

Pedigree Notes:

Co-owned by her breeder, Princess of Queens the last foal from Tristabeel (Zabeel), whose seven foals to race are all winners. The cross with Magnus proved to work well for the mare with Group 3 winner Prince of Brooklyn and Group 3 placed Duke of Brunswick both full brothers to Princess of Queens.

Unplaced on the track herself, Tristabeel comes from an accomplished family as the granddaughter of Australian Horse of the Year, Research.