Another Godolphin cracker
Godolphin produced its fifth juvenile winner of the season when Pin Sec (Lonhro) triumphed on debut at Randwick.
She found the line strongly to account for the Lindsay Park-trained Hafawaa (Redoute’s Choice) by a short half head.
Among Godolphin's other recent 2-year-old winners are Tassort (Brazen Beau) and the G1 Golden Slipper favourite Athiri (Lonhro).
“She jumped well and probably could have been closer, but I brought her back to get her into a rhythm,” Pin Sec’s rider Adam Hyeronimus said.
“The topweight (Bacchus) bumped me a little, but she's a little sweetheart and nothing bothers her.
“I was able to get her back into her rhythm and she did the rest.”
Godolphin representative Darren Beadman said Pin Sec was a filly with a lot of improvement to come.
“It was very pleasing. She overcame difficulties a couple of times,” he said. “She's a lovely, scopey filly.
“She copped a few bumps, but there and there are bigger things in her future.”
Pin Sec is the second foal from Commands (Danehill {USA}) mare Moderate, winner of the Listed VRC Lexus Hybrid Plate. Moderate was covered by Street Boss (USA) (Street Cry {USA}) this season.
Soldier ready for Queensland war
Native Soldier (Sepoy) will head to the rich Magic Millions day at the top of his game.
The Darren Weir-trained multiple Group winner put away his older rivals in the Listed Ladbrokes Christmas S. with ease at Caulfield on Boxing Day and is now ready for Queensland.
“He’s got a few good assets, he makes his own luck and he’s a colt so down the track they want to make him a sire and he’s got the right temperament,” successful jockey Craig Williams said.
Native Soldier sat outside the leader and when Williams asked him for an effort he bounded clear.
“That was a very good gallop and he was strong to the line,” Weir said.
“He’s on track for the Magic Millions 3-year-old race, he looks like he’s right on target,” Weir said.
“He was in perfect order and he raced accordingly. The Gold Coast suits on-pace horses as well.”
Enigmatic galloper on top behaviour
So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) has so often failed to deliver in his career, but at Caulfield he was in the right mood to show what he is capable of.
The Group 1 performer put his best foot forward to claim the Listed Lord S. in the hands of Luke Nolan for trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
“He was always travelling well and needed an ounce of luck and I didn’t want to expose him too soon,” Nolan said.
“He showed a bit of character and didn’t shirk his task, it’s nice to ride a winner on Boxing Day.”
Ben Hayes said So Si Bon was a different horse since undergoing surgery.
“That’s the best he’s looked in the coat since he was gelded and he loved the 1700 metres.”
One and only chance
High-priced yearling Just Zerene (Zoustar) will get her only chance to qualify for next month's Magic Millions 2YO Classic in the G3 B J McLachlan Plate.
She missed a start at Eagle Farm last Saturday when she was controversially the second emergency for a two-year-old handicap because of restricted field sizes.
Trainer Tony McEvoy has made it clear this Saturday's race will be Just Zerene's one and only attempt to make the Magic Millions field.
“If she doesn't win or get enough money to make the field she will head straight to Sydney where we will concentrate on the Golden Slipper,” he said.
“She has had a jump-out at Eagle Farm and gone okay.”
Just Zerene was an $800,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is from Farasha (NZ) (Jeune {GB}).
She is out of the Listed Crockett S. winner Asawir (Last Tycoon {IRE}), a half-sister to the champion stallion Canny Lad (Bletchingly).
Outstanding Railway trial
Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has put up a compelling argument for inclusion in the G1 Sistema Railway field on New Year’s Day.
The 5-year-old turned in a smart front-running performance to win the Listed Hallmark Stud H. at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
“We’ll get her home and see how she does and then make a decision later in the week,” trainer Tony Pike said.
“She’s a very good mare when she gets her own way in front and she was brave with 60kg on a heavy track.
“She drops a lot of weight in the Railway and it’s a Group 1 so we’ll probably have a go.”
Indecision is a valuable future broodmare prospect as she is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Viadanna (NZ) (Towkay).
It was a memorable race result for Little Avondale stallion Per Incanto (USA) who sired the trifecta as Santa Monica and Rocanto followed home Indecision.
Mission successfully completed
A surprise call from Cambridge Stud Chief Executive Henry Plumptre set in motion a plan that was perfectly executed at Ellerslie by Pretty To Sea (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
“Henry gave me a call and asked if I’d like to train her,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.
“She’d gone off the boil in Australia and I’ve been very patient with her and we were all very confident. It’s just been about keeping her happy.”
Pretty To Sea was initially prepared by Ciaron Maher, she was a winner and a G3 Adrian Knox S. placegetter before losing form.
In the silks of owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, jockey Leith Innes had Pretty To Sea in a good rhythm and when asked the question in the straight the mare dashed away.
A NZ$150,000 Karaka yearling offered by Waikato Stud, Pretty To Sea hails from the family of the two-time Group 1 winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {IRE}).
Great galloper remembered
Memories of the multiple Group 1 winner Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways {GB}) were rekindled at Awapuni on Wednesday.
The former top Australasian performer carried the colours of Wanganui horseman Chris Turner and they were back in the winners’ circle after the Celk Developments H. following the resuming victory of Francescana (NZ) (Pins).
Veandercross attracted a cult following in New Zealand and Australia and he won eight Group 1 events and was also runner-up in both the G1 Melbourne Cup and the G1 Caulfield Cup.
The 5-year-old had two trials to fit her for the assignment and the Turner-trained mare proved too good in the hands of apprentice Jasmine Fawcett.
Francescana is out of the Woodman (USA) mare Monashees, who is from the family of the Group 1 performer are sire Fast ‘n’ Famous (Redoute’s Choice).
Black type beckons
Gifted mare Back In A Flash (MZ) (Ekraar {USA}) looks a black type winner in waiting.
The lightly-raced 4-year-old won for the fourth time from five appearances when she came off a four-month spell to win the Auckland Co-Op Taxis H.
Back In A Flash settled at the tail of the field and came with a strong finish down the outside to account for Viktor Vegas (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
“That was brilliant and she’s going to improve lengths with that,” said Gavin Opie, who trains in partnership with his father Keith.
“Hopefully, we’ll be back here again for some nice fillies and mares’ races.”
Back In A Flash is a half-sister to three winners and is from the family of the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Adelaide Cup winner Lomondy (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}).
