G2 WA Derby, Ascot
Regal Power (Pierro) continues to do his part to improve the family, winning his first Group race and becoming the third member of the family to win this race.
Regal Power took up a position second-to-last and galloped along comfortably as the race favourite. With 500 metres left to go, Regal Power started making his move but still had a lot of work to do. The gelding continued to fly but looked like he may run out of ground before catching the leaders, who were still a few lengths ahead.
It wasn’t until the final 30 metres that Regal Power was even with the leaders and with a desperate last lunge, he was able to get his head in front of Cockney Crew (Maschino). Ping Me Another (Musket) was just another bob back in third with the rest of the field over two lengths behind them.
Pedigree Notes:
Regal Power is the second Derby winner from Listed winner Broadway Belle (Redoute’s Choice), with his full brother Action winning the Group 2 Western Australian Derby last year.
A five-time winner, Broadway Belle comes from a strong family as the daughter of Group 1 Oaks placed Antique (Metal Storm). The family has been well represented in the sales ring over the past few days with Antique’s granddaughter – and Western Australian Derby winner - Arcadia Dream seeing her Vancouver (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) yearling filly sell for $950,000 to Godolphin at Inglis Easter.
Broadway Belle’s own Vancouver yearling was passed in at the same sale while one other from the family was sold for $60,000 and looks to be headed back to Western Australia after being purchased by Boomer Bloodstock and ace Western Australian trainer Lindsey Smith.
Regal Power is one of three winners from three named foals from his dam. She also has a weanling filly by American Pharoah (USA) (Pioneer of the Nile {USA}). She was bred to Pierro (Lonhro) in 2018 for a full sibling to Action and Regal Power.
Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup, Riccarton
Race Summary:
Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) recorded his second stakes win in a week here after surviving a battle in the straight.
The gelding took up a position on the rail among the pack right behind Dee And Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) as the leader pulled a few lengths in front of the field.
As they entered the straight, Who Dares Wins took advantage of a gap to challenge for the lead in a hard-knock battle with Residential (NZ) (Pins). The pair battled for most of the straight but in the final 75 metres the gelding started to pull away to have nearly a length on Residential at the line.
After setting the pace, Dee and Gee held on for third over another front runner in Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit {USA}), who finished fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
Bought from Ardsley Stud for NZ$44,000 at Karaka, Who Dares Wins is the fifth foal from stakes producer Wee Tipple (NZ) (Centaine). Wee Tipple is the dam of five winners from six runners, with her first stakes horse being Group 3 placed Mae West (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}).
This is the family of Group 1 winner Linc The Leopard (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}) and Trap For Fools (Poet’s Voice {GB}) is among 11 stakes winners under Wee Tipple’s first three dams.
Wee Tipple had three foals after Who Dares Wins, with her final foal being a 2-year-old full sister to Who Dares Wins who was bought for NZ$85,000 at Karaka last year. The mare slipped to Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic {USA}) in 2018 and was bred back to the stallion for a 2019 foal.
Listed Warstep S., Riccarton
Race Summary:
Second last up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, Beyond The Fort (NZ) (Niagara) took a step down in class here, a move that paid off well for her connections.
Finding herself a comfortable spot on the rail in mid-pack after the break, Beyond The Fort galloped comfortably under Dylan Turner.
The filly moved through a hole around the turn and positioned herself perfectly against the outside rail from that point as most of the field ran down the centre of the track. In a spread out field among the leaders, Beyond the Fort cruised up the outside rail to take the lead in the final 50 metres, beating Mohaka (NZ) (Nadeem), who had a clear run up the centre of the track with Miss Valencia (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in third .
Pedigree Notes:
Beyond the Fort’s dam Stella Rossa (Testa Rossa) is also a half-sister to Singapore champion Prestissimo (Charge Forward) and from a sister to Group 1 winner Bohemiath (Umatilla {NZ}).
Second in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, Beyond the Fort is the first stakes winner for her dam, who has four winners from five to race. The mare’s final foal is Beyond the Fort’s year-younger full brother who remains unnamed.
Listed Finance Sprint, Hastings
Race Summary:
Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) earned her second stakes victory in her last three starts when taking on a competitive field.
A slow start forced the mare to break near the back of the field but it allowed her to settle mid-pack and get clear running room as they turned the corner, working her way to the outside of the field after finding a hole at the top of the straight.
She had a bit of work to do to catch the leaders but in the final 200 metres, she found another gear. She pulled away with 50 metres left as jockey Cameron Lammas geared down on her in an easy victory. Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was second when just edging out Cavallo Veloce (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) by a nose.
Pedigree Notes:
Passed in at Karaka as a yearling, Princess Kereru is from the Thorn Park (Spinning World) mare Fleur d’Amour (NZ), who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Thunder Lady (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Fleur d’Amour’s second dam is the dam of Group 1 winner Tully Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}), who is the granddam of Group 1 winner Levendi (Pierro), and Group 1 placed Fleur De’here, the dam of Blue Diamond third Zamzam (Redoute’s Choice).
Princess Kereru is the first live foal from her dam, whose only other foal to race was placed this season. The mare also has an unraced 3-year-old full brother to Princess Kereru named Mr Renaissance in training with Will Clarken in Australia. The mare had a Shocking (Street Cry {Ire}) colt in 2017 and wasn’t served in 2018 after that year’s foal died.
Listed Hawke's Bay Cup, Hastings
Race Summary:
It was a first stakes victory for Felaar (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) on Saturday when the 5-year-old came out ahead in a tight finish.
Wearing blinkers, Felaar was the half-way point of the field, running alone in the middle of the field as the leaders motored along. Leith Innes had the gelding circle the field as they entered the straight and the chase was on.
He pulled up to Igraine’s (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) flank with 200 metres to run but it wasn’t going to be easy to pass the mare. It took every remaining metre to draw even with her and came down to the bob of a head to determine the winner.
It was a four-way finish for third behind the two with Jacksstar (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) just a neck in front of the dead-heat finish of Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) for fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
Passed in at Karaka, Felaar is the second foal from winning mare Felt That (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}).
Felt That’s third dam is the dam of two-time Group 1 winner Riverdale (NZ) (Riverton {Fr}), the best horse on her page with eight stakes horses under her first three dams.
Felt That has three runners from three to race with Felaar’s younger full brother That Said a winner of two races. Four-year-old That Said was Felt That’s final foal.
Group 3 RN Irwin S., Morphettville
Race Summary:
Hard Empire (Hard Spun {USA}) was another horse to get a first stakes win on Saturday when taking out the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes.
Hard Empire rushed out of the gate but conceded the lead early on and settled in third a few lengths between the two leaders. With 300 metres to go it looked like it may be a two-way battle for the win – one Hard Empire wasn’t in – but that changed with 250 to go.
He took the lead over at the 100-metre mark when knocking off any rust he may have had from his spell to beat the field by two lengths with five horses battling within a length of each other for the placings behind him. Steel Frost (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) was the victor of that battle with I’m Wesley (I Am Invincible) close behind in third.
Pedigree Notes:
A $11,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase, Hard Empire is the first stakes winner from Last Quill (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who is a half-sister to the dam of Group 3 winner Power Trip (Hard Spun). The family has proven to be a classy stakes family with stakes horses under each of Last Quill’s first four dams.
Last Quill has two winners from two to race with those two combining for 15 victories and both being by Hard Spun.
The mare’s youngest foal is a yearling colt by Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), who is unnamed. She also has an unraced 2-year-old gelding named Not a Problem (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) in training with Archie Alexander.
Listed Auraria S., Morphettville
Race Summary:
Mirette (Unencumbered) had finished fourth in a Group race in her career but on Saturday she went even better when winning one.
The filly was only a few lengths from the lead at any point, sitting just behind the leaders. She needed running room as the field turned into the straight and finally found a hole with 100 metres left to run.
Once she had the opportunity the filly took over the lead and ran up the rail. Dreamed (Dream Ahead {USA}) and Sizzleme (Sizzling) had designs on the lead as well and were a few paths away further out to finish second and third respectively by less than a half-length overall behind the winner.
Pedigree Notes:
A $75,000 Magic Millions purchase, Mirette is the second winner from two to race from Lady Zabeel (NZ) (Zabeel). While Lady Zabeel’s second dam has produced a few stakes horses, her third dam is where the first major horse is with Group 1 winner Golden King (NZ) (Imposing).
Under her fourth dam, the page gets even stronger with New Zealand champion Zonda (NZ) (Zabeel) and Group 1 winners Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}) and Surprize Surprize (NZ) (Prized {USA}) both on the page.
Lady Zabeel has a yearling full sister to Mirette who sold as a weanling for $12,000 and she had an Exceed and Excel (Danehill {USA}) colt in 2018. The mare was covered by Choisir (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in 2018.
Listed Dequetteville S., Morphettville
Race Summary:
After coming so close to winning the Cinderella Stakes last month, Li’l Kontra (Krupt) broke through here.
Breaking quickly from the barriers, she was among the leaders from the beginning, with Maqsad only having a head in front of her. The filly didn’t seem eager to go past that rival in the 1050 metre race but at 250 metres finally focused on the task at hand.
In the final 100 metres she started pulling away to win with her ears pricked over Masqad (Not a Single Doubt) with Sunlight’s full-sister Sisstar (Zoustar) taking third in a tight photo over She Shao Fly (Epaulette).
Pedigree Notes:
Sold for $110,000 from Rosden Park at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, she is a full-sister to Group 2 placed Cashed.
The pair are from nine-time winner Li’l Cashy (Keltrice), who is a half-sister to Listed placed Cashkalani (Ashkalani {Ire}). Li’l Cashy is the dam of four winners from four to race with Li’l Kontra her sole stakes winner. Her four winners have combined for 17 wins between them with Cashed leading the charge at eight victories.
The mare has a yearling Shamus Award (Snitzel) colt, returned to that stallion for a 2018 colt and was served by Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) last season .
Listed Port Adelaide Guineas, Morphettville
Race Summary:
Classic Weiwei (Shamus Award) continued the McEvoy Mitchell luck when winning the Adelaide Guineas to provide them an interstate stakes double.
Classic Weiwei took his place in mid-pack while going at a comfortable gallop. Classic Weiwei was asked for a run with 400 metres to go and he slowly made progress around the turned but it wasn’t until he straightened that he clicked into gear.
Battling with Head Noises on the inside rail, it looked like they may be beaten by Star Status (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) coming down the middle of the track but he could only settle for third with Head Noises (Sebring) also getting in front of that runner for second.
Pedigree Notes:
A $230,000 Magic Millions purchase, Classic Weiwei gave sire Shamus Award (Snitzel) his first stakes victory on the same day his trainer provided Snitzel's son a first stakes win with Secret Blaze (Sizzling).
Classic Weiwei is from Benevolent (NZ) (Generous {Ire}), the dam of three stakes winners, including Group 1 winner Mourinho (Oratorio {Ire}) and Group 3 winner Molto Bene (Royal Academy {USA}).
The mare is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Prieur Way (Star Way) with her extended family including successful sire Storm Bird (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}).
The dam of six winners from seven to race, Benevolent has a 2018 colt by Sebring (More Than Ready {USA}) and she was served by So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) last season
Listed Redelva S., Morphettville
Race Summary:
Humma Humma (Denman) conceded the pacemaking duties in the race but she wasn’t going to concede the win, even when challenged by a horse bigger than her.
Humma Humma was second, sitting just behind Gotta Be Gold (Bernardini {USA}) who stole the lead from her early on in the running.
In a tight field, Humma Humma took over the lead with 250 metres to go but had to beat Behemoth (All Too Hard), who had run up the rail and was only a nose away from the filly.
Anjana (Sepoy) wasn’t as close as the fittingly named Behemoth to the victory but was in contention less than a length behind the winners to be a clear third. Gotta Be Gold did well to hold on for fourth by a length after sitting behind the early tempo.
Pedigree Notes:
An $80,00 purchase at Inglis Melbourne Premier, Humma Humma is from Humma Mumma (Bel Esprit), who was a four-time winner.
Humma Mumma is a half-sister to listed winning Vignette (Spectrum {Ire}) and from a family with 13 stakes horses under her first three dams.
She has two runners older than Humma Humma, including a two time winner and has a 2-year-old Hallowed Crown (Street Sense {USA}) named Hummalong. She had a Capitalist (Written Tycoon) filly last year and was served by Zoustar (Northern Meteor).
Listed Raconteur Stakes, Ascot
Race Summary:
A break in the new year proved to do Cup Night (Maschino) well with the 3-year-old gelding returning with a trial victory before winning three straight since his return in mid-March.
Cup Night took his place in fourth in the 1500 metre race but was eager to run with Patrick Carbery keeping a hold on his mount until they turned into the straight. He drew even with the leader with just 250 metres to go and looked like he’d pull away before Rebel Night (Universal Ruler) flew up to just miss with Shuwish (Ouqba {GB}) less than a length behind in third.
In a tightly run race, all seven horses in the field were within 2 ¼ lengths of the leader at the line.
Pedigree Notes:
The second foal from Walk In Beauty (Barely A Moment), the gelding is a five time winner as one of two runners for the mare.
Walk In Beauty’s first indication of blacktype on her page is through her Listed winning second dam but the most successful horses are under her fourth dam. The winners under there included Group 1 winners Allez Wonder (Redoute’s Choice) and Tivaci (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Walk In Beauty’s other foal of racing age is Cup Night’s year-older full-sister Infinite Beauty while her third foal is a Vital Equine (Ire) (Danetime {Ire}) colt born in 2018.
Listed Bel Esprit, Caulfield
Race Summary:
It was another stakes win this year for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) when Miss Leonidas made sure he had another weekend with a winner.
She took the lead straight from the barriers and while she didn’t pull too far ahead, she also didn’t let anyone get too close to her. The filly didn’t pull away like it looked like she would when they hit the 300 metre mark but she did just enough to stay in front at every call. I Am Someone (Onemorenomore) looked like he may have something to say about the victory in mid-straight but Miss Leonidas silenced him while Eduardo (Host {CHI}) returned to his Mr. Consistent ways here with a third place finish.
Pedigree Notes:
One of 11 named foals, Miss Leonidas is the first stakes winner for her dam Happy Play (Barathea {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Newport (Encosta de Lago).
This is also the family of German champion Sumayr (Ire) (Ela-Man-Mou {Ire}) and European champion Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse to Bend {Ire}) among others.
Happy Play has 11 runners with seen winners. Miss Leonidas is her final foal of racing age with the mare having a Kuroshio (Exceed And Excel) yearling filly and an Unencumbered (Testa Rosa) colt at foot. The mare was not bred last season.
Listed Galilee Series Final, Caulfied
Race Summary:
Secret Blaze (Sizzling) had been in the frame in multiple stakes races in his career and on Saturday was able to add a stakes victory to his record.
Secret Blaze settled himself on the rail just behind the leaders and galloped along comfortably. As the metres ticked away, Secret Blaze was moved off the rail to make sure he had room but found himself back in that position with 350 metres to go. A large hole beckoned the gelding and he quickly took command with a little over 300 metres left, slowly building his margin over Transact (Dundeel {NZ}) as they approached the line.
It wasn’t an overly flashy win but Secret Blaze beat Transact by two lengths with American In Paris (Americain {USA}) another 2 ½ lengths behind him to show the quality of his victory after his multiple stakes placings.
Pedigree Notes:
Secret Blaze gave his sire Sizzling (Snitzel) an important milestone on Saturday when becoming the stallion’s first stakes winner with the stallion registering five stakes horses up to this point in his first two crops.
Secret Blaze was a $90,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing in 2017 from Millford Thoroughbreds. The gelding is from the Galileo (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) mare Abscond, the dam of Group 2 winner Invincibella (I Am Invincible).
Abscond’s Listed winning granddam is the dam of Group 1 Adelaide Cup winner The Hind (McGinty) with eight stakes horses under Abscond’s first three dams.
Abscond had a colt by Extreme Choice (Not a Single Doubt) in 2018 and was bred to Spirit of Boom (Sequalo) that same year. Her youngest racing age foal is a 2-year-old full sister to Secret Blaze named Well Done You who is in training with Daniel Williams.
