G2 Expressway Stakes, Rosehill
Race Summary:
Alizee (Sepoy) was facing a small but tough field of males here but made easy work of the group that included Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {IRE}).
The mare took her place at the back of the field, letting Dothraki (Mossman) set the pace up front. At the 400 metre mark, the mare was pulled to the outside by Blake Shinn and she easily passed the field to take over the lead inside the final 150 metres with Shinn letting her cruise to the victory.
Le Romain (Hard Spun) was the best of the rest of the field when finishing second while Dothraki held on for third.
Pedigree Notes:
Alizee comes from a deep family that starts with her dam Essaouira (Exceed and Excel). Essaouira’s second foal is the Group 3-placed Mogador (Lonhro) and her third is Group 1 Golden Rose winner Astern (Medaglia d’Oro). All five of the mare’s foals to race are winners with only her oldest and youngest missing stakes victories.
Essaouira is from Group 2 winner Alizes (NZ) (Rory’s Jester), whose dam is Group 1 winner La Baraka (Euclase) and granddam is five-time Group 1 winner Triscay (Marscay). Also included in this deem family are Group 1 winners Demerger (Saithor) and Defier (Dehere {USA}) among other Group performing horses.
Essaouira has a yearling filly by Astern’s sire Medaglia d’Oro, a weanling colt by that stallion, and she was bred back to Sepoy to produce a full sibling to Alizee.
G3 Canonbury Stakes , Rosehill
Race Summary:
McLaren (Exceed And Excel) repaid his connections' faith in him ten-fold when winning the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes in his debut.
Running against five others, McLaren broke well and was soon after Exceed The Stars (Star Witness) with jockey James McDonald asking his horse to steady. It was a challenge for the jockey but McLaren finally did what was asked before taking the lead from that rival with 300 metres to go.
McLaren opened lengths on the field with 200 metres left, but Spring Loaded (Redoute’s Choice) made a late run to close the gap to less than a length when finishing second with Deep Chill (Wandjina) just edging Exceed The Stars for third.
Pedigree Notes:
McLaren was a $380,000 purchase from Magic Millions by the China Horse Club/Newgate Farm/WinStar Farm partnership and sent to the Peter and Paul Snowden team.
He is the fourth foal to race from four-time winner Serenada (Encosta De Lago), who is also the dam of Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate second Cao Cao. That mare is a half-sister to the Group 2 winners First Command (Commands) and Oneworld (Danehill Dancer) in addition to two other stakes placed horses.
This is also the immediate family of Vinery Stud’s young sire Headwater (Exceed And Excel) and his dam, the Group 1 winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky).
Serenada has a yearling filly and foal colt by Snitzel and was bred back to that stallion this year.
G3 Widden Stakes , Rosehill
Race Summary:
Breaking last, Amercement (Lonhro) gave herself a big challenge when spotting the field a length early on.
The filly seemed to be comfortable in that back spot however, with only her stablemate beat until the field hit the 300 metre mark. From there, jockey Brenton Avdulla sent her up the inside of the field and they started to pick off horses.
Finding a hole between Giselle Anne (Snitzel) and Blazing Miss (Sizzling) in the final 100 metres and taking over the lead, she still had a fight on her hands with Rotator (Not A Single Doubt) making a big run up the outside and Blazing Miss not letting her by easily.
In the end, her tardy break from the barrier didn’t hurt her with Amercement finishing just in front of Rotator with Blazing Miss only a neck behind in third.
Pedigree Notes:
Amercement is the second winner for Group 2-placed Forfeiture (Commands), whose first foal is the winning Street Cry Mare Penalty. After her first two foals, she was sent through the ring at Magic Millions where Kingstar Farm bought her for $50,000.
This is the extended family of Group 1 winners Secret Agenda (Not a Single Doubt) and Kementari (Lonhro) and UAE Champion Sterling City (Nadeem).
Forfeiture was bred to Flying Artie in 2017 and had a filly in December of 2018.
G3 Chairman’s Stakes , Caulfield
Race Summary:
In a day that saw multiple impressive 2-year-old victories, Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) wasn’t going to be left out in her debut.
The big filly broke in last and rode the rail as she found her stride. With 200 metres to go, Loving Gabby found a hole and by the 100 metre mark was showing off the talent that had built her hype before the race.
She led home a quinella for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace with Bella Rosa (Snitzel) in second while Godolphin added another stakes placing to their year with Lanigera (Denman) in third.
Pedigree Notes:
Loving Gaby is the 22nd individual 2-year-old stakes winner and 12th 2-year-old Group stakes winner by I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit).
The filly is the first foal from Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), who was second in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes. The mare is a half-sister to Velocitea (Volksraad {GB}), who is the dam of Listed placed Limehills (Redoute’s Choice). This is also the extended family of Group 1 winning Volksraad gelding Orange County.
Loving Gaby was sold for $500,000 to Phoenix Thoroughbreds at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Her dam had a Sebring filly in 2018 and was served by I Am Invincible last season.
G3 Ladbrokes Manfred Stakes , Caulfield
Race Summary:
After a pair of thirds in the previous two stakes on the card, Tin Hat (Helmet) ended Godolphin’s losing streak when staying undefeated since his gelding operation.
He immediately took the lead from the barriers and opened up multiple lengths on the field under Damien Lane. From there it was a game of catch me if you can.
The gelding was never in any danger of losing and won comfortably. The real race going on behind him as Halvorsen (Magnus) was able to nose out Poised To Strike (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) for second in a late run.
Pedigree Notes:
Tin Hat is from the winning Lonhro mare Syncopated, who was sold for $4,000 the year after Tin Hat was born while carrying her Albrecht yearling colt. Tin Hat is the second foal from the mare, whose first is a full sister that only raced once.
The mare is a three-quarter sister to Listed winner and Group 1 placed Warm Love (Octagonal) and comes from the extended family of Group 1 winners Domino (Grosvenor), Clearly Innocent (Not A Single Doubt), and Sale of Century (Prized).
G3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic , New Plymouth
Race Summary:
Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) had to work for her second career stakes victory but she showed how gritty she is when fighting back to win this contest.
Dueling with two rivals on the lead from the time they broke from the barriers, she broke away from them in the last 200 metres but that reprieve didn’t last long. Hasstobegood (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) looked like she was about to fly past but that switched Miss Federer into another gear when headed and pulled away in the last 100 metres. Last Sight (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) .
Trainer Andrew Carston bypassed a run in the Karaka Millions 2YO Classic last week with the filly in an effort to regroup after finishing last in her previous start. It was a move that paid off with the filly winning three of her last four starts.
Pedigree Notes:
Miss Federer was a NZ$10,000 purchase by Andrew Carston at Karaka and is one of two stakes horses for her dam Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo).
Halobelle’s first foal is the Swiss Ace filly Starlight Angel (NZ), who was second in a Listed race. Her 5-year-old second foal Baba Yaga (NZ)(Nom du Jeu) is unraced and Miss Federer is her third foal. The mare had a Proisir filly in 2017 and didn’t have a foal in 2018.
A four-time winner herself, Halobelle is a half-sister to two Group winners and her dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky), who produced Group 2 winner Headwater (Exceed and Excel).
G3 White Robe Lodge, Wingatui
Race Summary:
Eight-year-old Gallant Boy (NZ) (Gallant Guru) wasn’t going to let a little age stop him from winning his first career stakes race on Saturday.
Gallant Boy enjoyed watching the race unfold in front of him with just two horses beat until the 450 metre mark when he cruised up the rail under Terry Moseley. Luck was on the gelding’s side with the tiring leader leaving him another hole on the rail inside 300 metres and the gelding raced to the battle for the lead.
It wasn’t all easy sailing from there with Boots ‘N’ All (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) not willing to give up the fight easily. The pair fought to the line with Boots ‘N’ All having the advantage until the final 20 metres when Gallant Boy was able to get his head in front for a tight finish.
Accidental Offside (NZ) (No Excuses Needed {GB}) was able to hold off a challenge from Kolonel Kev (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) to finish third behind the duelling pair.
Pedigree Notes:
Gallant Boy’s dam Mega Babe (NZ) (Personal Escort) is the dam of six winners from six named foals. Gallant Boy is her second stakes winner with the mare also producing Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap victor Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and her second foal being the Group 3 placed Beijing Boy (NZ) (Yamanin Vital).
Mega Babe’s final foal was the 2012 filly Erin’s Babe (Raise The Flag {GB}), who won last season.
Mega Babe was the first stakes producer in three generations with her third dam Red Sash (Bellborough) producing one stakes placed horse in Sash’s Son (Honan).
G3 Platinum Homes Taranaki Cup , New Plymouth
Race Summary:
Concensus (NZ) (Postponed) took her number of career wins to the double digits when winning her tenth career race here.
The mare settled just behind the leaders and bided her time in the 1800 metre contest under Christ Johnson. When they hit the 400 metre mark, it was her cue to run and she started to chase down the leading Shadow Fox (NZ) (Keeninsky).
Consensus had a fight on her hands to get past that gelding in the closing stages but managed to get the lead in the final 50 metres. The line came just in time for the mare, with Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) making an impressive late run to get a close second and relegate Shadow Fox to third.
Pedigree Notes:
Group 1 winning Consensus is the second foal from Kate Cross (NZ) (Cape Cross), who has four winners from five to race. The mare’s first foal is the 10-time winner Little Red Devil, a full brother to Consensus while Kate Cross also has a 5-year-old full brother to the mare named Jake The Muss who was fourth in a Group 2.
Kate Cross’ dam is a half-sister to the dam of Group 2 South Australian Derby runner-up Silver Baron (Defensive Play) while her third dam is Australian champion Surround (Sovereign Edition).
Kate Cross has a 3-year-old full sister to Consensus who is not yet named, a yearling Showcasing (GB) filly named Kate Velour and foaled a colt by Iffraaj in 2018.
Listed Polytrack W.J. Adams , Caulfield
Race Summary:
Bons Away (Bon Hoffa)grabbed his spot on the rail as soon as the barriers opened and used it to his advantage when moving up to track the leading Written By (Written Tycoon).
Bons Away looked like he may be stuck as the field hit the 300 mark, following closely behind Written By with no running room. But at the 200 metre mark, Written By slightly drifted out and that was all Bons Away needed to slide up the rail and head the leader inside the final 100 metres.
By the 50 metre mark Bons Away had the lead and wasn’t going to give it back with Written By fighting on beside him. Behind the battling pair Encryption (Lonhro) showed a late surge to grab third in another stakes placing on the day for Godolphin.
Pedigree Notes:
Bons Away is the third foal from the the placed mare Villa Abani (Mossman), who was purchased at the Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale in 2012 for $2,000 while carrying the gelding. All four of her foals to race are winners of at least two starts but Bons Away is her only Stakes winner.
The mare’s dam is a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express) while this is also the family of Golden Slipper third Bring Me The Maid (Sebring) and Singapore Horse of the Year Stepitup (Hussonet).
Villa Abani has an unraced 2-year-old filly named Bons Abroad (Bon Hoffa), a weanling Helmet colt, and she was bred to Bon Aurum (Bon Hoffa) in 2018.
Listed Scenic Blast , Perth
Race Summary:
It was a fast and furious finish to finish the stakes action in the day when Mr Motown (Oratorio) won a close photo to upset the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes.
Mr Motown spent most of the race in running on the outside in midpack as Belter (Denman) set the pace just ahead of favourite Misty Metal (Oratorio), who faded in the straight. Mr Motown had his work cut out for him in the final 200 metres, with a group of horses to pass still to pass but he steadily made ground on the group to put himself in the lead in the final 50 metres.
His biggest challenge was a late race battle with the fast closing First Among Equals (Exceed And Excel) that saw the victory come down to a headbob. While First Among Equals had his nose in front a stride before the wire, luck was on Mr Motown’s side when his nose came down as they hit the line. Gee Boss (Street Boss) was able to redeem an off-race last start by finishing third.
Pedigree Notes:
The 7-year-old gelding is a $120,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling graduate from the five-time winning mare Steely Gaze (Metal Storm {FR}). The mare has produced four winners from four to race with Mr Motown the best of her runners.
From the family of Group 2 Western Australian Guineas winner Moccasin Bend (Eternity Range), the mare’s final foal is an unraced 2-year-old colt by Scandal Keeper (USA) (Danzig) who was bought at last year’s Perth Winter Yearling Sale for $5,000.
Listed Mediaworks Dunedin Guineas , Wingatui
Race Summary:
The winner of the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas in his last start, Air Max (NZ) (Nadeem) added another Guineas victory to his resume on Saturday.
Running midpack during the early stages of the 1500 metre race, Air Max looked in trouble as the field entered the straight. Jockey Terry Moseley had to angle the gelding through the field to find a hole to give him running room.
Once they were clear, they quickly caught the leading Highly Unlikely (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) who was also passed by the fast-closing Upscale (NZ) (Tavistock{NZ}) to finish third.
Pedigree Notes:
Passed in for $20,000 as a yearling, Air Max is from the winning Steel Stilettos, whose first foal was the two-time Listed winner Boots ‘n’ All (NZ) (Perfectly Ready). She has three foals of racing age with all three winning at least two races in their careers.
Air Max comes from the extended family of Group 1 winners Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice) and Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) .
Listed Dunedin Gold Cup , Wingatui
Race Summary:
Orepuki Lad (NZ) (Raise the Flag {GB}) was happy to take the lead from the start in the 2400 metre race and though he had company at different points never looked in danger of losing the race.
Thought That (NZ) (King’s Chapel) tried to challenge the gelding in the far turn but the race was already wrapped up. When Leah Hemi asked Orepuki Lad to lengthen his stride, he was gone and raced down the straight with his ears pricked.
Hemi had to ask her mount to focus a few times as they neared the wire but they were never in any danger with the bigger battle coming for the third spot with Aboli (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) finishing second and Shakti (NZ) (Dueled) just edging out Pamir (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB})
Pedigree Notes:
Orepuki Lad is the only named foal from The Star Gazer (NZ) (The Gladiator), who has a year older full sister and a two year younger full sister, both of whom were never named.
The Star Gazer is a half-sister to Listed placed King Prawn (NZ) (King’s Chapel). Her extended family includes Group 1 New Zealand Stakes winner Gaze (NZ) (Cape Cross) and Mauritus Horse Of The Year Ready To Attack (More Than Ready) .
The mare had her first foal in three years in 2018 when she foaled a filly by The King (NZ) (O’Reilly).
Listed Fastrack Insurance Oaks Prelude , New Plymouth
Race Summary:
A brave run by Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) and jockey Cameron Lammas mid-race proved to be the winning move in this contest.
As the field jostled for position early on, Elate found a position in mid-pack but it didn’t take long before she headed straight to the front and took over.
As soon as Elate took over the lead, the race was over. Elate had a challenger in Misha’s Star as the field went into the turn but Elate shrugged her off by the time the field turned into the straight. The field tried to catch her in the final 200 metres but it was in vain with Clementina (NZ) (Savabeel) winning a three horse race for second with Jakkalbomb (NZ) (Jakkalberry) third.
Pedigree Notes:
Elate is the second mare from the unraced High Joy (NZ) (High Chaparral), whose first foal is the winning Commands daughter Diamondsandbubbles.
High Joy’s dam is the Group 1 placed Endless Joy (Centaine), who is also the dam of Listed winning Emperor Bonaparte (Montjeu) and granddam of Group 2-placed Slimline (Castledale). Elate’s third dam is the dam of Australian Horse of the Year Bonecrusher (Pag-Asa).
High Joy had an Ocean Park (NZ) filly named High Emocean in 2016 that was sold to John Foote and Darren Weir for NZ$80,000 last year and her 2017 Darci Braham (NZ) colt brought NZ$150,000 from WK Choy at Karaka earlier this week.
