Black-Type Results

Group 1 Levin Turf Classic, Trentham

Race Summary:

Off an eight week break, Madison County (NZ) (Pins) again proved he is the best 3-year-old in New Zealand when winning the Group 1 Fusion Electrical Levin Classic.

Matthew Cameron had to work hard early on to get Madison County to slow his pace in mid-pack and after a few hundred metres the gelding had settled into a comfortable rhythm. As the field entered the stretch there were a few desperate moments when Cameron was trying to find his mount running room but once a hole was found it was over.

Madison County took the lead and while he had Hypnos (NZ)(Reliable Man) and Vernanme (NZ)(O’Reilly) battling at his flank, there was no doubt he was the winner with a victory in his second consecutive Group 1 race.

After much deliberation, the finish between Hypnos and Vernanme was declared a deadheat with More Wonder (Mossman) finishing fourth.

Pedigree Notes:

Quickly proving to be a bargain purchase, China Horse Club bought Madison County for $36,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is one of two runners from the unraced Red Delicious (NZ)(No Excuse Needed), who also has a second winner in Our Pinnacle, a full brother to Madison County.

Red Delicious herself looks like a big bargain now, purchased in 2017 for $1,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale as a full sister to Group 3 winner and Group 2 placed Take the Rap. Red Delicious’ fourth dam is Golden Slipper winner Courtza (Pompeii Court), who is also the dam of New Zealand Horse of the Year O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) and if you go further back in the pedigree you also find Group 1 winner Our Pompeii (Pompeii Court) and champion Ocean Park (Thorn Park).

Group 3 Trentham S., Trentham

Race Summary:

Consensus (NZ)(Postponed) controlled the Group 3 Trentham Stakes from the barrier, leading all the way and never letting anyone get their nose in front. While she had a few challengers in the stretch, she made easy work of them and drew away to win by open lengths at the line.

In the race behind her, Hank Moody (NZ)(Savabeel) was able to run up the rail and take second from Chance to Dance (IRE)(Teofilo) in a much more competitive battle than the one for the victory.

Pedigree Notes:

While Consensus is the lone stakes winner from her dam Kate Cross (NZ)(Cape Cross), that mare has proven to be quite a producer in her own right with four winners from five to race with 21 combined victories between them.

Consensus’ fourth dam is Australian champion Surround (Sovereign Edition), who produced the dams of Group 3 winners Za Magic (Magic Albert) and Tantalic (Rhythm). Kate Cross has a yearling Showcasing filly named Kate Velour and foaled an Iffraaj colt in 2018.

Group 3 Anniversary S., Trentham

Race Summary:

Supera (Savabeel) spent most of the race near the back of the field while Ugo Foscolo (Zacinto) opened up lengths on the field but when it was time to get to get serious in the straight, she wasted no time going after the leader and slipping by him on the rail. In the last 200 metres the question wasn’t if she’d win but by how much she’d win by as she continued to build her lead.

She wasn’t the only horse to make an eye-catching run with Wyndspelle (Iffraaj) running down the middle of the track late to eat into Supera’s lead in the closing stages, though she wasn’t going to catch the leader. It was close for third with Camino Rocoso (Shocking) edging out Dolcetto (Per Incanto).

Pedigree Notes:

Supera is one of two stakes winners from the unraced Van Nistelrooy mare Sopra Tutto, who is also the dam of Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Eleonora (Makfi). Sopra Tutto has four winners from five runners.

Supera’s granddam is the Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm), who produced four stakes winners including Listed winner Seraphim (Rip Van Winkle) from seven to race with the class continuing with Supera’s third dam, Group 3 winner Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram).

Sopra Tutto had a Makfi (GB) filly in 2017 and after missing to Iffraaj in 2017 was bred to Snitzel in 2018.

Listed Chester Manifold S., Flemington

Race Summary:

Manolo Blahniq (NZ)(Jimmy Choux) was comfortable to sit behind the leading group from the time they broke from the barriers, giving himself the added challenge of going wide around the turn. That proved to be a smart move for jockey Darren Dunn however, with the horse given clear running room in the stretch to wear down the leaders.

At the 100 metre mark, the gelding finally switched into another gear and was able to nail Holbien (Pierro) right before the line while that rival was engaged in a battle with Takedown (Stratum).

Manolo Blahniq was a clear winner of the race with the bigger question coming between second and third with Holbein earning the spot over Takedown by the narrowest of margins.

Pedigree Notes:

Manolo Blahniq is from listed winner Floramour (More Than Ready), who is the only stakes winner other than her son under Manolo Blahniq’s first three dams. Under Manolo Blahniq’s fifth dam is Group 1 winning full brothers Magic Of Sydney (Danehill) and Daney Boy (Danehill), whose dam Eloquent Edition (Sovereign Edition) is a Listed placed runner.

Floramour has a 2-year-old full brother to this stakes winner named Arzani in training at Lindsay Park and a yearling colt by Sacred Falls.