Black-Type Results

Group 1 VRC Lightning S., Flemington

Race Summary:

Already a Group 1 winner, In Her Time (Time Thief) added even more value to her future broodmare career here.

The mare settled in midpack on the inside of the pack but didn’t sit far off the leaders while running down the straight at Flemington. At the 400 metre mark she put her hat in the ring for the leading position, challenging Sunlight (Zoustar) for the lead and taking it from the 200 metres.

A late run from the back of the pack by Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {IRE}) looked to be a threat in the final 100 metres but the line came just in time with the mare finishing in front by a narrow margin with Sunlight less than a half length behind in third.

Pedigree Notes:

In Her Time is from two-time winner Hell It’s Hot (Zeditave), who has five winners from six to race. The mare’s only stakes winner, In Her Time was passed in at the Inglis Classic in 2014 with a $40,000 reserve, a feat repeated this year when Hell It’s Hot’s Artie Schiller filly went through the last ring and passed in at $150,000.

Hell It’s Hot is a half-sister to three stakes winners and the dam of one other with her dam producing 100 per cent winners from 13 to race.

Hell It’s Hot had an Under the Louvre (Excellent Art) filly in 2018 and was served by Impending (Lonhro) this past breeding season.

Group 2 Apollo S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Thirty was the magic number for world champion Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) on Saturday in her seasonal return, setting a race record.

The mare took her customary place near the back of the field and motored along in a relaxed style until Hugh Bowman gave her the cue to run. Once she switched into gear, victory assured with the mare pulling away from the field in the final 200 metres to comfortably win her 30th consecutive race.

Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) was second, finishing behind the mare for the 10th time in his career with Winx’s trainer Chris Waller also training third place finisher Egg Tart (Sebring).

Pedigree Notes:

Winx is the second foal from Listed winning Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), whose first foal is Miss Atom Bomb (Encosta de Lago), the dam of Talindert fourth Nuclear Blitz (Sepoy).

Vegas Showgirl is also the dam of Group 3 winning two-year-old El Divino (Snitzel) and the unraced Boulder City (Snitzel), who entered stud this year.

Vegas Showgirl is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Black Magic Maggie (Westminster) and from the family of Group 1 winning El Khobar (Gabador)

Vegas Showgirl has a 2-year-old filly by Snitzel named Courchevel in training with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, a yearling filly named Covent Garden (Exceed and Excel), and is in foal to Japanese superstar Deep Impact (JPN) (Sunday Silence [USA}).

Group 2 Light Fingers S., Randwick

Race Summary:

It was a winning return for Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) at Randwick on Saturday.

The filly put herself at the front of the pack behind the leaders but still looked to have plenty of work to do at the 300 metre mark with the duelling leaders still lengths in front of the field. It wasn’t until the 150 mark that Nakeeta Jane switched into gear and started chasing the leading Madam Rouge (Zoustar) in earnest.

She took the lead from that mare inside the final 25 metres to win the race with Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) on Nakeeta Jane’s heels in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Nakeeta Jane is the tenth Group winner for her sire and 15th stakes winner overall. The mare is one of five winners from five to race for Group 2 placed Lustre Lady (Flying Spur) and the only stakes winner.

Lustre Lady is a granddaughter of Group 1 The Oaks winner Jet Ski Lady (USA) (Vaguely Noble {IRE}), who is also the granddam of Listed winner Legal Approach (GB) (Zafonic {USA}).

Nakeeta Jane is the only Lustre Lady not to go through the sales ring as a yearling with the filly having a 2018 half-brother by Pierro (Lonhro). Her dam was mated to So You Think in 2018 to produce a full sibling to Nakeeta Jane.

Group 2 Avondale Guineas, Ellerslie

Race Summary:

Surely Sacred (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop {NZ}) returned to his winning ways on Saturday when winning his second Group 2 in five starts at Ellerslie.

Settling near the back of the midfield pack one off the rail, the gelding travelled comfortably in the 2100 metre race under Vinnie Colgan. With a three horse leading pack a few lengths ahead of the field at the 600 metre mark, Colgan asked his mount to move closer and received an immediate response.

Turning into the straight, he was nearly even with the leaders. While he veered a bit as he tried to take over the lead, it didn’t seem to affect his run much. In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock), who he had passed in the final 300 metres for the lead, wasn’t willing to give up without a fight and came back at the gelding to give him a challenge in the last 50 metres to lose by a slim margin. Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) was in the clear behind the pair to finish third while race favourite Cutadeel (Dundeel {NZ}) didn’t fire and finished 13th.

Pedigree Notes:

Bought by Raffles Racing for NZ$160,000 as a yearling at Karaka, Surely Sacred is the second-to-last foal from five-time winner Not Sure (NZ) (Masterclass), who is the dam of five winners from eight to race.

Not Sure’s second foal is Group 2 winner Betwixt (NZ) (O’Reilly), who in turn produced Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel). Not Sure herself is from listed winner Icelette (Icelandic), who is also the dam of Group 1 winner Taupo Retreat (Centaine).

Not Sure had one foal after Surely Sacred, a full sister to the gelding named Of Two Minds, who is in training with Tony Pike.

Group 2 Avondale Cup, Ellerslie

Race Summary:

It was a tight finish but in the end Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) came out the winner of the photo in the last stakes of the day in New Zealand.

The mare watched most of the race from the back of the field, but with 700 metes left, she made a big move to pass most of the field and place herself nearly even with the leaders. With 400 metres left and her path in the centre of the track clear, Glory Days made her run and had the lead with 200 to go. The rest of the field were lengths behind her except for Blue Breeze (NZ) (Bullbars), who stuck with her and nearly nabbed her at the line in a tight photo.

In the end, Glory Days was able to keep her victory with Blue Breeze second by the narrowest of margins and Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) third.

Pedigree Notes:

Glory Days is the second foal from Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}), who has two winners from four to run. Bilancia is a half-sister to Listed winner Kasumi (NZ) (Shinko King) and to listed placed Tariama (NZ) (Manntari).

This is also the family of Group 2 winner The Right Money (Magic Of Money) and Group 3 winners Ourforeignminister (Dubai Destination) and Bell Academy (Royal Academy).

Glory Days hasn’t been through a sales ring but her 3-year-old half-sister sold for NZ$60,000 to Bruce Perry Bloodstock and has since been named Never Not Verve (NZ) (Shocking) and placed in two starts. Her yearling half-brother didn’t meet his NZ$10,000 reserve during his time in the ring and the mare has a yearling filly by Shocking who hasn’t yet been to a sale.

Group 3 CS Hayes S., Flemington

Race Summary:

The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) had done all there was to do in Tasmania with four straight victories and on Saturday, he proved he was just as good on the mainland at Flemington.

The gelding was eager in his running and never totally relaxed when sitting on the outside in midpack. By the 300 metre mark, he was ready when asked to pick it up and started to chase down Age of Chivalry (NZ) (He's Remarkable {NZ}). At the 100 metre mark, he had a slight advantage on that rival with his head in front, a margin that wouldn’t change much by the end of the race

The finish for third was just as close for the win with O’Tauto (O’Lonhro) edging out Godolphin’s Ranier (Lonhro) for third.

Pedigree Notes:

The Inevitable’s dam Gift Bouquet (King’s High) was already a stakes producer before the gelding came along as the dam of Group 3 winning Blahnik (Jeune), Listed winner Elysees (Statue Of Liberty) and Listed placed Petman (Lonhro).

Her four stakes horses are four of her 11 winners from 14 to race with Petman winning the most races for the mare at 10.

Gift Bouquet herself is a Listed winner and the best runner under her first two dams with Group 2 winner Ksar Royal (Ksar) under her third dam. The Inevitable is the mare’s final foal.

Group 3 Vanity S., Flemington

Race Summary:

The winner of her first four starts this season before finding some trouble at the spring carnival, Amphitrite (Sebring) returned a winner after a spell.

The filly sat in midpack of the strung out field, dropping off the pace and finding a spot on the rail. With 400 metres to go, the filly found a hole and went for it, pulling even with the leaders at the 200 metre mark and taking the lead with 100 metres left. At 50 metres, it was all over with Amphitrite having a comfortable three quarter length lead.

Verry Ellegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) made a huge closing run to nab Fundamentalist (Not a Single Doubt) for second by a head.

Pedigree Notes:

Bought for $50,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, Amphitrite is the third foal and first stakes winner for Ocean Dream (Redoute’s Choice). Ocean Dream is the dam of three winners from three to race and was a two-time winner herself.

She is a half sister to Group 1 winner Marble Halls (Nassipour) and the dam of Group 1 Blue Diamond winner Sleek Chassis (Flying Spur).

Ocean Dream has a 2-year-old by Akeed Mofeed named Ocean Cruise and a yearling colt by the stallion as well. After missing to him in 2017, she returned to his court in 2018.

Group 3 Southern Cross S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Eckstein (I Am Invincible) continued I Am Invincible’s streak of having a stakes winner every weekend at Randwick on Saturday.

Returning from a layoff, the mare was ready to start her campaign. Breaking well, she settled second-to-last but as the field entered the turn looked ready to run any time jockey Sam Clipperton gave her the cue. At the 400 metre mark, it was that time and the mare switched into another gear as she joined the pack trying to chase down Dothraki (Mossman).

It took nearly the whole straight with the mare getting her head in front in the final few metres with race-favourite Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly) close behind in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Sold for $165,000 to Australian Bloodstock as a yearling at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Eckstein is the third foal from Comrie (Choisir). Comrie has three winners from four to race with that non-winner being her 2-year-old Speedycom (Debedee), who has run once.

Comrie’s second dam is three-time Group 1 winner Canny Lass (Bletchingly), who is the dam of two stakes winners and the granddam of four others.

Comrie had a filly foal by Sooboog (Snitzel) in 2018 and was covered by Hellbent (I Am Invincible) in 2018 for a three-quarter sibling to Eckstein.

Group 3 Triscay S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Patience paid off for the connections of 5-year-old Alassio (Foxwedge), who was making her stakes debut in her ninth career start and second start in a week.

Alassio started well to sit in second behind the leading All Over Bosanova (Court Command), biding her time as the leader opened up multiple lengths on the field. By the 400 metre mark, the gap had been closed but Alassio still had some work to do to get the lead. As All Over Bosanova faded in the final 300 metres, Manicure (Exceed And Excel) was also eying the lead and the pair passed the leader at the 200 metre mark.

Alassio had the advantage and was going to fight hard to keep it, fighting off the closing Manicure to hang on by a head at the wire. Behind the pair, I Am Excited (Snitzel) was working to keep her own placing, staying just ahead of two others at the line to finish third.

Pedigree Notes:

Alassio is the fifth foal from Listed winner Cinque (Red Ransom {USA}). Sold for $50,000 to Gai Waterhouse Racing at the Inglis Easter Sale, she is one of two winners from four to race for her dam.

Cinque is the granddam of Group 2 placed Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}) and is the only stakes winner from her dam. Her second dam is also the dam of Carduel (USA) (Buckpasser PUSA}), who has proven to be a prolific broodmare with champion Lailani (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}) and Group 1 placed Naheef (IRE) (Marju{IRE}), Ley Hunter (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) and Faithful Son (USA) (Zilzal {USA}) descending from her branch of the family tree.

Listed Talindert S., Flemington

Race Summary:

Foiled by I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible) last out, 2-year-old Microphone (Exceed And Excel) was able to get his first stakes victory here.

Microphone raced in third behind fellow Godolphin runner Lanigera (Denman) and at the 300 metre mark made his move to slide up the rail and take the lead from his stablemate. In the last 200 metres, he shook off any would-be challengers to win by over a length. Talented (Snitzel) made a big run to finish second with Foxwedge’s Charleise in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Godolphin homebred Microphone becomes the third 2-year-old stakes winner of the season for his sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill {USA}).

He is from Listed winner Sung (Anabaa {USA}), who has produced three winners from four to race including the five-time winner Lieder (Street Cry {IRE}). The mare is a full sister to 2002-2003 Champion Sprinter Yell and a half-sister to Shouts (Strategic), the dam of Group 1 winner Holler (Commands).

Also the dam of a yearling colt by Teofilo, Sung was sold at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $70,000 to Boomer Bloodstock.

Listed Birthday Cup, Morphettville

Race Summary:

It was a third straight victory and first stakes victory for Wasabi Bob (Rebel Raider) on Saturday.

Wasabi Bob settled about a length behind the leader, running comfortably behind Silent Warrior (Fastnet Rock) as that gelding set the pace. Wasabi Bob steadily closed the gap from the 800 metre mark until he took over the lead at 300 metres. He wasn’t overly eager to totally leave that rival behind but finally started pulling away in the final 100 metres.

But as he started to pull away from the tiring pacesetter, he was confronted with Excessabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), who pushed him but was never able to get within about half a length of the winner. Excessabeel finished a clear second with Royal Rumble (New Approach {IRE}) behind in third.

Pedigree Notes:

Wasabi Bob is the first foal from the placed mare Miss Sachmo (Secret Savings {USA}),who hails from the extended family of Group 1 winner Rosananti (IRE) (Blushing Groom {FR}).

None of the mare’s foals have been through the sales ring and she has been mated to Rebel Raider every year she’s been bred. She has a 2-year-old filly named Barbaraider and a yearling colt by the stallion still to hit the track and she was bred to him again in 2018.

Listed Southland Guineas, Ellerslie

Race Summary:

The third time was the charm on Saturday as Weaponry (NZ) (Declaration of War {USA}) contested his third consecutive Guineas and took home the winner’s prize.

Breaking out of the widest barrier, Weaponry pushed to the front of the field soon after the break to sit just off the pace as Fire Show (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and Air Max (NZ) (Nadeem) battled it out up front. It wasn’t long before that duo was joined by the rest of the pack and Weaponry took over a relaxed lead while the other jockeys hustled their mounts to stay with him.

Dylan Turner gave the gelding a few reminders in the straight to keep his attention but he never looked in any real danger of losing. After attempting to stick with the winner at the top of the straight, Upscale (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) finished second and Air Max third.

Pedigree Notes:

A NZ$140,000 buy from the Curraghmore draft by David Ellis at Karaka, Weaponry is from the winning Felix The Cat (USA) mare Cat Shmea.

Cat Shmea has proven to be an outstanding broodmare with three of her six foal to race winning or placing in Group races. Her first foal was Group 1 winning Velocitea (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), who went on to produce Listed placed Linehills (Redoute’s Choice). The mare followed that up with Group 2 placed Maastricht (Mastercraftsman) in 2011, who went on to produce Group 3 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible). Weaponry was the mare’s final foal.