Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, Trentham
Race Results:
Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) received an economical passage behind the leading pack on the fence and the breaks went her way at the right time.
She was in the party at the top of the straight to make winning use of an inside run and she proved too strong for Beyond The Fort (NZ) (Niagara). Her effort was full of merit after winning both of her lead-up runs.
The longshot Star Karen (Camelot {GB}) made a lot of ground from the tail to take third with Clementina (NZ) (Savabeel) next best.
Pedigree Notes :
A NZ$40,000 Karaka buy out of The Oaks Stud’s draft, Sentimental Miss is a half-sister to six winners.
Her dam Nostalgic (Quest For Fame {GB}) is a sister to the G1 George Main S. and G1 Champagne S. winner Dracula. It is also the family of the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Complacent (Authorized {Ire}) and Lucky Unicorn (Redoute’s Choice), sire of the G1 Auckland Cup winner Rock Diva (NZ).
Group 2 Wellington Guineas, Trentham
Race Summary:
In a speedy beginning of the race, Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) was content to take her position at the rear of the field early on in the race. Though she was settled into her condition, the filly was more than ready to move up in position when jockey Robert Hannam asked for more and quickly moved up to just behind the leaders as they turned into the straight.
The grey filly was widest of all in a five-horse battle for the lead at the 200 metre mark and slowly the race was left to just three contenders for the win. Though she was slightly behind the lead only 50 metres out, Emily Margaret was able to inch in front right on the wire to beat Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War {USA}) by a nose with Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {IRE}) just over a quarter of a length behind with Cavallo Veloce (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) also close behind in fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ$55,000 purchase at Karaka in 2017, Emily Margaret is from Group 3 winner Seven Schillings (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ)}).
Seven Schillings is a full sister to Listed winner Eight Schillings (NZ) and from a half-sister to Group 1 placed Kajema (NZ) (O’Reilly). This is also the family of Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner Avedon (NZ) (Famous Star {GB}).
Seven Schillings has three winners from four runners with Emily Margaret her first stakes winner. She has a 2-year-old unnamed Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic {GB}) filly, a yearling Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park) colt who sold for NZ$190,000 earlier this year, and a 2018 Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) filly.
She was served by Charm Spirit (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {IRE}) in 2018.
Group 3 Cuddle S., Trentham
Race Results:
It was a first stakes victory in her second stakes start for race favourite Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) on Saturday.
Jockey Matthew Cameron was happy to let the rest of the field go ahead of the filly, who was keen early on. She settled as the field took their positions and soon started passing horses, going to the middle of the track as the field turned into the home straight.
She still had work to do to catch the leader but she was up for the challenge, pinning her ears and flying down the centre of the track. She grabbed the lead inside the final 200 metres then pulled away by 2 ½ lengths over Jessiegee (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}).
Another piece of drama took place behind the leaders with Tinkalicious (NZ) (Nadeem) just holding on for third over Igraine (GER) (Galileo {IRE}).
Pedigree Notes:
A second generation homebred for Joan Egan, Concert Hall is the first named foal from Classic Legacy (NZ) (Carnegie {IRE}).
A four-time winner, Classic Legacy is from the Listed placed Super Sound (NZ) (Sound Reason {CAN}) and a half-sister to Lyn’s Legacy (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}). Super Sound is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Lee’s Bid (Tawfiq), who is also the dam of Group 1 winning Arena (Danehill {USA}).
Classic Lady wasn’t served for two years after Concert Hall was born and has a yearling unnamed colt by Makfi (GB) (Dubawi {IRE}) and foaled a Vadamos (FR) (Monsun {GER}) filly on 27 October. She wasn’t served this past breeding season.
Listed Lightning Handicap, Trentham
Race Summary:
It was a thrilling finish to get the crowd warmed up in the race before the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham with five horses within a length and a half of winning at the line.
Six-year-old mare Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) took her place just behind the leading pair of Ferrando (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous) and Passing Shot (NZ) (Swiss Ace). At the 450 metre mark, the mare was switched to the outside by Ryan Elliot to give her clear running room as the straight opened up in front of them.
The mare slowly ate into the margin between her and the leaders and was nearly out of time when she took the lead in the final 50 metres of the race. Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) was also a fast closer to finish second with Ferrando finishing just ahead of Passing Shot.
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ$60,000 2-year-old at Karaka, Volks Lightning is the first foal and first stakes winner from Next Century (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and most accomplished horse under her first two dams.
However, under her Group 2 Queen Mary winning third dam Pushy (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}) are 14 other stakes winners and six other stakes horses.
Next Century has four winners from four to race with her youngest on the track being the 3-year-old Voyage Star (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}). The mare didn’t have foals in 2016 or 2017 but produced a Shamexpress (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) filly in September of 2018. She wasn’t served this past season.
Listed New Zealand St Leger, Trentham
Race Results:
Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}) didn’t let his age stop him on Saturday when winning his 11th race in 64 starts.
Going off as the race favourite, the gelding was in midpack during the early running of the 2600 metre race. With a slow pace, Johnathan Parkes saw an opportunity with about 1400 metres left to run and sent Sampson to the lead.
The race was all over from that point with Parkes looking confident in his mount, looking over his shoulder throughout the run down the straight. In the end, Sampson won by 8 ¼ lengths and became the oldest St Leger winner in the world.
The race for second was a closer affair with Lucetta (NZ) (Savabeel) finishing second in front of Soleseifei (NZ) (Shocking) by three-quarters of a length.
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ $20,000 purchase in 2011 at Karaka, the gelding is a half-brother to Listed winning Miss Upstart (Snippetson) and five other winners. His dam Magic Star (Danzero) was unplaced during her racing career but has a 100 per cent winner to runner rate with her seven runners winning a combined 26 races between them.
The mare’s fourth dam is the Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Maltmaid (Malt Denis) and a half-sister to Group winning Make Mine Magic (Canadian Silver {USA}).
Magic Star’s youngest living foal is the 2-year-old Iffraaj filly Faye Presto (NZ), who is in training with Grahame Begg in Australia.
The All-Star Mile, Flemington
Race Summary:
Mystic Journey (Needs Further) continues to represent Tasmania on the highest stage, this time winning the inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile.
Mystic Journey took a spot on the outside of the field in midpack as Hawkshot (Fiorente {Ire}) set the pace. The position gave her the perfect position to have clear running room as the field hit the straight and she took full advantage of it. At the 300-metre mark it looked like the battle of the mares with Mystic Journey running up the outside and Alizee (Sepoy) weaving through the pack to fight for the lead with 200 metres left to run.
As Mystic Journey pulled away with 75 metres to go, an old fan favourite made his move for the placings. In the end, as Mystic Journey and jockey Anthony Darmanin enjoyed their time safely in front, Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) passed stablemate Alizee for second with another fan favourite in Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) finished close behind Alizee for fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
Purchased for $11,000 at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Mystic Journey is the first Group winner for both her sire and her dam.
Her dam White Gold (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) comes from a strong extended family with Group 1 winner Habibti (Ire) (Habitat {USA}) and bluehen broodmare Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {IRE}) under White Gold’s fourth dam.
White Gold is the granddam of Listed winner Mystical Pursuit (Needs Further) and three winners from four to race including the All-Star Mile winner. The mare has a 2-year-old full sister to Mystic Journey named Emerald Crown and foaled a Fighting Sun (Northern Meteor) filly in 2018. She was served by Fiorente after foaling that filly.
Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S., Flemington
Race Results:
The 2-year-olds made for such a close finish at Flemington that ultimately the judges couldn’t tell them apart. In the end, they declared both Flit (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) and Ready Set Sail (More Than Ready {USA}) winners of the race with both fillies breaking their maidens with the victory.
Both fillies came from near the back of the field when running down the straight with Flit only having Ready Set Sail and one other beat until the 400 metre mark. Inching toward the lead, Flit took command just inside the 200 metre mark and looked like she was in for smooth sailing. But before she could enjoy her victory, Ready Set Sail was on her tail at the 100 metre mark and flying with every stride.
It took until the line for Ready Set Sail to draw even with her, with nothing separating the fillies at the wire and three lengths separating them from the third place Talented (Snitzel).
Pedigree Notes:
Both winners are home-breds for their respective owners from top sires.
Flit is from the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) runner-up Glissade (Redoute’s Choice), who is also the dam of Group 3 placed Flow (Street Cry {IRE}). Glissade is out of Group 3 winner Steflara (Zabeel), who in turn is from Group 3 winner Blue Storm (Bluebird). Glissade has produced three winners from three to race with Flit breaking her maiden with this victory.
Glissade produced a Street Boss (USA) (Street Cry) filly in 2018 and was bred back to Frosted (USA) (Tapit {USA}) last season.
Ready Set Sail is another maiden breaker with this victory, becoming the fourth winner from four foals to race for Jolie Brise (Fastnet Rock) and her first stakes winner. From Group 3 winning Vestey (Last Tycoon {IRE}), she is a half-sister to Listed winning Rutherford Eagle (Favorite Trick {USA}).
She had a full-brother to Ready Set Sail in 2018 and was served by Zoustar.
Listed VRC March S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Widgee Turf (Turffontein) found himself on the winning end of a race for the first time since last June when he beat Hellova Street (Helike {USA}) here.
Widgee Turf took his place mid-pack in a spread-out field led by Temps Voleur (Time Thief), looking comfortable in his spot until he pulled out at the 400 metre mark. The gelding took some time to catch the leaders but when he did, he went right on by the battling duo of Hellova Street and Streets Of Avalon (Magnus).
Streets Of Avalon had to settle for a close third behind Hellova Street with Haripour (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) in fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
His dam Greyhound (Kala Dancer {GB}) is a half-sister to two stakes horses with her dam also producing seven winners from 10 runners. Her granddam is the Listed winner and Group 1 placed Winged Keel (Royal Yacht {GB}), who is the only stakes winner other than Widgee Turf under Greyhound’s first four dams.
The first stakes winner Greyhound, he is also the final of four foals she has had. A 100 per cent producer with three winners from three to race, Greyhound again visited Turffontein in 2018 after not having a foal since 2013.
