Group 2 Westbury Classic, Ellerslie
Race Summary:
Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) didn’t have all favours in the running, but it mattered not as the top mare got the job done.
She finished determinedly off an interrupted run under regular rider Michael Coleman to account for Sleeping Beauty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}).
She was ridden by James McDonald and came off a handy sit to hit the front 250m metres from home but had no answer to Volpe Veloce’s late lunge.
Pedigree Notes :
Purchased by co-trainer Graham Richardson for NZ$240,000 at Karaka, Volpe Veloce is out of the G3 Blue Diamond S. winner Bardego (Barathea {IRE}).
Five of her seven foals to race have been successful and also includes the Listed Black Opal S. winner Delago Bolt (Delago Brom) and is a daughter of the Listed performer Devil’s Gold (Bellotto {USA}).
Bardego was a talented race mare and won the G3 Blue Diamond Preview and the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S.
Group 3 Blue Diamond Fillies Preview, Caulfield
Race Summary:
Catch Me (I Am Invincible) has maintained the unbeaten start to her career, resuming with a tough and fast win in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield.
Catch Me, who won the G3 Gimcrack S. on debut back in September, endured a difficult run at her first-up assignment, having to travel wide before fighting hard under Kerrin McEvoy to defeat Jedastar (I Am Invincible) and Shih Tzou (Zoustar).
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained filly recorded a time of 57.28s for the 1000m journey. 0.09s of a second faster than I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible) ran in winning the colts and geldings division 40 minutes earlier.
She will progress to the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude on February 9, before her major autumn assignment the G1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond S. on February 23.
Pedigree Notes:
A $625,000 buy for Yulong Investments at the 2018 Easter Sale, Catch Me is the second foal from the unraced O'Reilly (NZ) mare Captivating Claire (NZ) whose first colt, named Valiant (I Am Invincible), sold for $1.6m in 2017. There is another yearling full-brother as well as a foal who is a filly.
Captivating Claire is out of stakes-placed Markisa (NZ), who is a three-quarter sister to Danewin and Commands. The third dam, Marquise (NZ), who produced G1 winner Shower of Roses, is out of none other than Eight Carat (GB), making her a half-sister to Octagonal.
Group 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy, Ellerslie
Race Summary:
A withering run from the tail saw King Louis (NZ) (Equiano {FR}) take top honours under a top ride from Jason Waddell.
The 3-year-old has customarily raced on the pace, but he dropped to the back of the field before Waddell weaved his magic and the gelding powered home to knock off the dead-heaters Cyber Attack (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Sword Of Osman (NZ) (Savabeel).
The latter was a warm favourite and travelled well in front before shortening stride in the closing 150 metres and veering out under pressure.
Pedigree Notes :
King Louis is out of the unraced Nimbletoes (Flying Spur), whose dam is a half-sister to the Listed French winner Angelina Carolina (USA) (Nureyev {USA}).
The family has made an impact in this part of the world through the G1 Winterbottom S. and multiple Group 2 winner Takedown (Stratum).
Group 3 Concorde H., Ellerslie
Race Summary:
A sharp rise in class and a wide gate wasn’t enough to halt the winning run of Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice), who sat outside the leader before scooting clear in the straight to beat the 4-year-old Ever Loyal (Sebring).
Ardrossan was undefeated as a 2-year-old in New Zealand before he relocated to Mick Price’s Caulfield stable, but he didn’t show his best and a heart issue resulted in his return home.
Original trainer Stephen Marsh was entrusted with the entire and he has Ardrossan back to his best and all concerned will now chase a Group 1 victory to raise his stallion profile.
Pedigree Notes :
Ardrossan was a $150,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling purchase and is a half-brother to the stakes winners Cheyenne Warrior (Not A Single Doubt) and Bergerac (Drumbeats).
They are out of Listed Gimcrack S. runner-up Miss Argyle (Iglesia), who is a sister to the Listed Doomben Slipper S. winner Diamondsondinside.
The family also features the presence of the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Express Air (Piccolo {GB}).
Listed Karaka Million 2YO, Ellerslie
Race Summary:
From a wide gate, Opie Bosson allowed Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) to settle back in the field and a genuine pace helped their chances.
He angled the filly wide at the top of the straight and she powered over the top of the field in a dazzling display.
The Jamie Richards-trained youngster proved far too strong for her stablemate Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) with yet another Te Akau runner Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) dead-heating for third with Appellant (NZ) (Showcasing {NZ}).
Pedigree Notes :
Purchased for NZ$380,000 at Karaka, Probabeel is a daughter of the winner and Group 3 performer Far Fetched (NZ) (Pins).
She is a three-quarter sister to the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Legless Veuve (NZ) and the G3 Mannerism S. winner Tootsie (NZ).
It is also the family of the former top Singapore performer Starman (NZ) (Centaine).
Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, Ellerslie
Race Summary:
Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) coasted along behind the pace and was presented at the perfect time by internationally-successful rider James McDonald.
Longshot The Real Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) had got to the front 300 metres from home, but she had no answer to the finishing run of the Lindsay Park-trained visitor.
The China Horse Club-raced pair of Madison County (NZ) and Queen Of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) both came from off the placings to fill the next two placings and Surely Sacred (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) also hit the line strongly for fifth.
Pedigree Notes :
Long Leaf is from an outstanding family with his dam Frustrating (Stravinsky) a daughter of the broodmare gem Parfore (Gold Brose).
She won once at a modest level, but has been a wonderful producer and earned her New Zealand Broodmare of the Year honours.
She is the dam of the Group 1 winners Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi {IRE} and Terravista (Captain Rio {GB}) and the Group 2 winner Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi (IRE}). Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and multiple stakes winner Our Lukas (NZ) (Generous {IRE}) are other members of her brood.
Listed Blue Diamond Colts & Geldings Preview, Caulfield
Race Summary:
I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible) has opened his career with a stakes win in the Listed Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (colts and geldings) at Caulfield.
An impressive recent trial winner, I Am Immortal showed plenty of speed for jockey Ben Melham, dominating the race from the front and easily holding Godolphin pair Microphone (Exceed and Excel) and Alburq (Rubick).
Trainer Anthony Freedman said post race that the intention was that the colt would continue on the path towards the G1 Blue Diamond S. next month but as with all 2-year-olds, he would be monitored closely.
Breeder Yarraman Park is a part owner in the colt who becomes the 40th individual stakes winner for its stallion I Am Invincible.
Pedigree Notes:
A $200,000 buy at last year's Inglis Easter Sale, I Am Immortal is out of Meliora (Ad Valorem {USA}), who was a dashing all-the-way winner of the G2 Angus Armanasco S. at Caulfield.
She has only had one of her foals make the track, the maiden Whymelo (I Am Invincible), while her yearling filly by Hinchinbrook sold for $600,000 at the recent Magic Millions Sale. She also has a foal at foot which is a full brother to I Am Immortal.
This colt's three quarter brother Whypeeo (I Am Invincible) is also a stakes-winner.
Listed Carrington S., Randwick
Race Summary:
Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) has ended one of Australian racing's most famous losing streaks, breaking through for his first win since March 2016 in the Listed Carrington S. at Randwick.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Tom Melbourne, resuming from a spell, finally found his right race, powering from just off the pace win running away from Flow (Street Cry {Ire}) and Tangled (Snitzel).
The 8-year-old's last win was in the Listed Albury Cup and all but one of his 30 starts since has been at stakes level for 12 placings, including 10 seconds.
Having finally broken through for an overdue victory, he will now be campaigned towards the inaugural All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16.
Pedigree Notes:
Tom Melbourne (Ire) is one of two stakes winners from the mare Roshanak (Ire) (Spinning World {USA}), the other being Arraaja (Iffraaj {GB}), who was a Listed winner in France.
Roshanak is a half-sister to G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), a family that also includes Japanese stakes winner Hyblon (Ire) (Machiavellian {USA}) as well as champion mare Islington (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}).
Listed John Dillon S., Caulfield
Race Summary:
Evergreen Rock 'n' Gold (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) has claimed his second stakes success, leading all the way to win the Listed John Dillon S. at Caulfield.
Making his own luck, Rock 'n' Gold set the pace and rate perfectly by Damian Lane, defeated the unlucky favourite Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) by two lengths with Chamois Road (Choisir) in third.
The 8-year-old has now won nine of his 53 starts and nearly $600,000 in prizemoney, with his previous best win coming in the Listed Kensington S. 12 months ago.
Pedigree Notes:
A $12,000 yearling buy, Rock n' Gold is a half-brother to another stakes winner in Antidotes (Golden Snake) as well as four other winners.
The dam, Goldberg (Geiger Counter {USA}), is now retired, with her last foal now a 3-year-old by Written Tycoon.
The second dam is the G1 winning Taj Eclipse (Taj Rossi), who also features in the pedigrees of G1 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner as well as Limerick, Noah From Goa and Forries Waltz.
Listed Sunshine Coast Cup, Sunshine Coast
Race Summary:
Balboa Rocks (Easy Rocking) has caused a massive boilover in the Listed Coastline BMW Sunshine Coast Cup, winning at odds of $101.
The 5-year-old, ridden by Michael Cahill, surged home down the outside to claim his ninth win in 29 starts and his first at stakes level.
Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago) endured an obstructed run in the straight before finishing on well for second, while Fit For Purpose (Show A Heart) finished third.
Balboa Rocks becomes the 11th stakes winner for his sire Easy Rocking, who stands at Wattle Brae Stud.
Pedigree Notes:
Balboa Rocks is raced by his breeders and is out of Alpha Girl (Clang). His full sister Pennino has been stakes placed.
The pedigree page doesn't have a lot of black type and you have to go back to the third dam's (Wilso) half-sister So Good to find the last stakes winner in the family. Further back there are a few more stakes horses including the fifth dam Wilful, who features in the pedigrees of Ginzano, Stella Artois and Aliyana Tilde.
Listed Timaru S., Riccarton
Race Summary:
He Kin Fly (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) sprang an upset when he capitalised on a dream run for the fifth and most important win of his career.
Rider Terry Moseley settled the gelding in the trail and when the gap appeared they drove through strongly to beat Tomm Jones (NZ) (King Of Roses) and Kiwi Ida (Squamosa).
The 6-year-old has been well-travelled and began his career with Murray Baker at Cambridge and unbeaten in two appearances before relocating to Caspar Fownes’ yard in Hong Kong. He won one race there as Big Flash before returning home to Neill Ridley’s care.
Pedigree Notes :
He Kin Fly is a son of the Listed Manawatu Breeders’ S. winner She Kin Fly (NZ) (Shinko King {IRE}), who was also Group 2 placed.
Stakes success is scarce in the first three generations but the fourth dam Raywood Lass (NZ) (Diplomatic Agent {USA}) won the G1 George Adams H.
Also in the family is Royal Creation (NZ) (Vice Regal {NZ}), the winner of eight races and a five-time runner-up at Group 1 level.
