Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) was away smartly and was given a trouble free run by Kerrin McEvoy before they pounced 200 metres from home.
The 4-year-old was strong to the line to post his first win Group 1 victory and first at 1400 metres for Team Godolphin.
Tyzone (Written Tycoon) got home strongly for second for trainer Toby Edmonds and Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega) was third to provide Tony Pike with some joy after stablemate The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) lost his chance with a slow getaway.
Pedigree Notes :
Trekking is the only winner produced by the Redoute’s Choice mare Outdoor, who is a daughter of the multiple Group 1 winner and former champion filly Serenade Rose (Stravinsky {USA}).
It is an international family that includes the two-time G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II winner Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}), the dual G2 Santa Anita Gabriel H. winner Brave Act (GB) (Persian Bold {Ire}) and the G3 Leopardstown Ballycorus S. winner Leitir Mor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
Group 1 Queensland Derby, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Mr Quickie gave sire Shamus Award his first Group 1 winner in a big way on Saturday when winning the Queensland Derby to also become the stallion’s third stakes winner.
The race favourite broke slowly in the 2400 metre race but quickly made up the ground when racing up the rail to settle in midfield under John Allen. The gelding looked comfortable in his position as Trusty Lad (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) set the pace a few lengths in front of the field.
With 600 metre left to run, Mr. Quickie gave up his position on the rail to look for clearer running room. That proved to be a tough challenge with a wall of horses in front of him as they turned into the straight. He angled through a small gap he found and was soon in the lead.
Once he had the lead, he wasn’t giving it up with Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) trying to gain on him but finishing second by three quarters of a length, 1 ¼ lengths in front of Aliferous (Hinchinbrook).
The race was marred by the fatal breakdown of Lord Arthur (Camelot {NZ}) with jockey Corey Brown taken to the hospital.
Pedigree Notes:
Bought for $115,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Dalziel Racing, Mr Quickie is from the winning General Nediym mare Special Favour, who is a daughter of Group 2 winner My Tusker (NZ) (Volksraad).
Special Favour’s dam is also a half-sister to the Group 2 placed Platinum Passion (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of Listed winning Tribal Wisdom (Makfi {GB}). Special Favour’s third dam is five-time Group 1 winner Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), who also produced champion full siblings Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and Bubble (NZ) with her other daughters producing a further two Group 1 winners.
Mr Quickie is the first foal from his dam. Her 2-year-old daughter Recognize (Zoustar) has raced once and she has a 2017 colt by Nostradamus who sold for NZ$125,000 at Karaka earlier this year. She was served by Sacred Falls (NZ) in 2018.
Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
The handsome Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) ran right up to his looks when he came from a midfield spot with an undeniable finish in the straight.
The colt was too good for the previously unbeaten Kubrick (Shooting To Win), who did well to take second after covering extra ground in midfield.
Reloaded (Snitzel) was doing good work late for third ahead of Shadow Hero (Pierro) who was another to hit the line strongly from back in the field.
Pedigree Notes :
Prince Fawaz was purchased by trainer Anthony Cummings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $220,000.
He is a son of Lady Paget (Testa Rossa), who enjoyed modest success on the track with a couple of minor wins and she is a half-sister to the G1 Chipping Norton S. winner Casino Prince (Flying Spur).
They are out of Lady Capel (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who also produced the G3 Tramway H. winner Tagus (Encosta de Lago) and the Listed winners Lord Of the Land (Timber Country {USA}) and Metallurgical (Redoute’s Choice).
Group 2 Brisbane Cup, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Sixties Groove (Ire) (Sixties Icon {GB}) had hit the board in his last three starts – finishing behind Kenedna (Not a Single Doubt) in his last two runs – but took advantage of her absence today.
In the back of the pack as the field turned for home in the 2400 metre race, he angled his way to the middle of the track in the straight as Sopressa (So You Think {NZ}) struck the lead then started to pull away. Sixties Groove was stuck behind Grey Lion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for a few metres but as that runner started to chase after the leader, room opened for Sixties Groove to make his move.
It turned into a battle between the Irish-breds as Sixties Groove headed Grey Lion while Sopressa faded on the rail to leave the victory to the duellers. Sixties Groove got the best of him in the final 100 metres and was able to pull away from Grey Lion with a photo for third.
Sixties Groove’s stablemate Big Duke (Raven’s Pass {USA}) rounded out the Irish-bred top three when just edging out Sin To Win (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}) by a head for third.
Pedigree Notes:
Sixties Groove is the first foal from unraced Gift Dancer (GB) (Imperial Dancer {GB}), who is a half-sister to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Samitar (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Samitar is the dam of Group 3 winner Danon Chaser (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) with Group 3 winner Nijoom Dubai (GB) (Noverre {USA}) also among Gift Dancer’s siblings.
Their second dam is also the granddam of Group 2 winner Shaweel (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Listed winner Orvar (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) with European champion Golden Opinion (USA) (Slew O’ Gold {USA}) under their third dam. This is also the family of Group 1 winning Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo), the daughter of Listed placed Aleagueoftheirown (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Gift Dancer’s other winner from three to race is the 4-year-old Smiling Eliza (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar), a five time winner. She also has an unraced colt 3-year-old by Zoffany (Ire) and a 2-year-old filly by Footstepsinthesand (GB).
Group 2 Queensland Guineas, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
It was a third stakes victory on the Eagle Farm card for James McDonald on Saturday with race favourite Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the Guineas.
Kolding was near the back of the field with four horses beat as he galloped outside of fellow New Zealand-bred Seabrook (Hinchinbrook) three paths off the fence in the 1600 metre race. The gelding still had most of the field in front of him as they entered the straight but started picking them off quickly.
McDonald made sure his mount had clear running room and within 100 metres he was just a few lengths behind the leaders and closing fast with 300 metres still to run. It took Kolding until the final 100 metre to get the lead from Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince) but once he had it, he pulled away to win by half a length.
Fillies filled out the top four spots behind the winner with Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro) third and the winner’s early running mate Seabrook finishing fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ$170,000 purchase at Karaka, Kolding is a half-brother to two other stakes winners. His unplaced dam Magic Star (Danzero) produced Listed winner Miss Upstart (Snippetson) as her first foal and Group 2 winner Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}) as her second.
The trio join Group 2 winner Make Mine Magic (Canadian Silver {Can}) as the only stakes winners under Kolding’s first three dams, though there is also a Listed placed runner as well. His fifth dam is Group 1 winner Maltmaid (Malt Denis), who also produced a stakes winner and the dams of three others.
All seven of Magic Star’s foals three and older have raced and won with her final foal, 2-year-old Faye Presto (Iffraaj {GB}), unraced but in training with Grahame Begg.
Group 2 Dane Ripper S., Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Invincibella (I Am Invincible) returned to her winning ways in fine fashion on Saturday when winning her second straight Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes to give James McDonald an early double on the card.
The 5-year-old mare tracked the leading Prompt Response (Beneteau), racing just on her heels. As the field entered the straight, McDonald swung her to the outside of the leader but there was still work to do. Invincibella steadily gained on her but it took 200 metres to wrangle the lead away from Prompt Response, who refused to go down without a fight.
In the final 100 metres, Invincibella was leading but she had to hold off her own challenger with Platinum Angel (Snitzel) making a late run to just lose by a neck. It was a close battle behind them with Prompt Response just fending off Invincibella’s stablemate Noire (Foxwedge).
Pedigree Notes:
Purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $185,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Invincibella is the first foal from unraced Galileo mare Abscond. A half-sister to Group 1 Victoria Derby third Light Up Manhattan (Manhattan Rain) Abscond’s granddam is a Listed winner and the dam of Group 1 winner The Hind (NZ) (Mr. Mcginty {NZ}) and Listed winner Oregon Star (NZ) (Oregon {USA}).
Two of Abscond’s three runners are stakes winners with her 3-year-old Secret Blaze (Sizzling) winning a Listed stakes. Her 4-year-old Star Witness daughter Temolie was placed on the track and sold last month for $130,000 to Edinburgh Park at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Abscond has an unraced 2-year-old full sister to Secret Blaze named Well Done You in training with Daniel Williams and had an Extreme Choice colt in 2018. She was served by Spirit Of Boom last season.
Listed Daybreak Lover Plate, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Signore Fox (Exceed And Excel) added to his already impressive pedigree in fine style on Saturday when recording his first stakes victory.
The 3-year-old colt was full of running in the 1200 metre race and eagerly moved up to mid-pack under James McDonald a few hundred metres in. McDonald positioned his mount behind race favourite Plague Stone (Lonhro) as they navigated the turn before angling him into clear running at the 400 metre mark.
Under a hand ride, Signore Fox showed a big turn of foot to fly past the field without any challengers attempting to take him on. In the final 100 metres, he was in front and happily extended his lead with McDonald glancing back to check his margin before sitting quietly on his mount near the line.
Malahide (Shamus Award) finished second, 1 ½ lengths behind Signore Fox when beating Ready To Prophet (Smart Missile) home by a neck. While Signore Fox’s victory was a decisive one, the margin was deceiving with seven of the nine horses in the field finishing less than three lengths behind him, rounded off by Plague Stone.
Pedigree Notes:
A $300,000 purchase by Snowden Racing from the Coolmore draft at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Signore Fox is from accomplished U.S. - bred Sharp Susan (Touch Gold {USA}) who three stakes in her native country including a Grade 2 and was placed in three others.
The mare is from an accomplished family with her half-brother Spring At Last (USA) (Silver Deputy {USA}) and half-sister Sharp Lisa (USA) (Dixieland Band {USA}) both winning Grade 1 races. Sharp Lisa is also the dam of Australian Group 1 winner Foundry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and European Group 3 winner Housesofparliament (Galileo {Ire}).
Overall, there are six Group 1 winners under Signore Fox’s first three dams, including his South African Horse of the Year half-sister Oh Susanna (Street Cry {Ire}). Sharp Susan is the dam of four winners from four to race with Indiano Jones (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}) also Grade 2 placed.
Sharp Susan’s youngest Australian foal is the unraced Fastnet Rock 2-year-old Fast Susan. Sharp Susan was exported to Ireland the year Fast Susan was born and foaled a Galileo filly from her first mating in the country last year.
Listed Wayne Wilson Plate, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Vinland (Sebring) had to dig deep in the closing stages of the race but it paid off when he won a close finish for his first stakes victory.
Near the rear of the field early on in the 1600 metre race, Vinland’s jockey Barend Vorster sat calmly on the gelding as his mount galloped comfortably when wide off the fence.
As they turned into the straight, Vinland was in the perfect spot to make a run for it with no one in his path but Vorster had to convince his mount it was time to click into gear. With 200 metres left, he didn’t seem eager to pass Duca Valentinois (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who he’d entered the straight beside, even drifting closer to the rival at one stage. He finally started inching up for the lead in the final 250 metres and shoved his nose in front with under 50 metres left to go.
It was a close finish with Vinland only slightly building on his lead to win by a short head with race co-favourite Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) close behind the pair in third. The rest of the field finished over 2 lengths behind the winner with co-favourite Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wold {GB}) finishing 11th.
Pedigree Notes:
A $340,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Vinland is the third foal from Group 2 placed Viking Turf Belle (Elusive Quality {USA}). The accomplished racemare is also a half-sister to the Group 2 placed dam of Group 2 winner Mella Maria (Star Witness) and the dam of Listed winning Valliano (Equiano {Fr}).
Two of Viking Turf Belle’s three foals to race are winners with Vinland the first stakes winner. The mare has an unraced 2-year-old Brazen Beau filly named Ragnar’s Bride and had a Manhattan Rain colt last year before visiting Zoustar.
Listed Hinkler Handicap, Eagle Farm
Race Summary:
Victorem gave I Am Invincible a double on the Eagle Farm card and led home a quinella for the stallion with an impressive showing in the Hinkler Handicap.
Victorem had only one horse beat early in the 1200 metre race when comfortably galloping stride-for-stride with Tactical Advantage (Bel Esprit) with only Split Lip (Your Song) beat. Ben Looker kept the gelding closer to the inside of the track throughout the run, a move that paid off in the straight. They started weaving through the field with 300 metres left before finding a hole that gave them the perfect run at the leading Whypeeo (I Am Invincible).
Victorem had to angle to the outside of Whypeeo and Divine Dice (Casino Prince) but kept his momentum when flying past them to win by 1 ¼ lengths. Whypeeo stayed on for second while Divine Dice was relegated to fourth thanks to a late finishing Split Lip. Race favourite Noble Boy (Bon Hoffa) finished sixth by a little under 2 ½ lengths.
Pedigree Notes:
Passed in as a weanling, Victorem went back through the ring as a 2-year-old in training at Magic Millions and was purchased by trainer Jenny Graham for $65,000.
The gelding is the first foal from four-time winner Playful Miss (Foreplay) and the only stakes winner in his first three generations. Group 1 winner Ball Park (NZ) (Ahonoora {GB}) is found under his fourth dam along with Group 2 winner Danabaa (Anabaa).
Playful Miss has an unraced 2-year-old named Dodging Frypans (Mahisara) also in training with Jenny Graham, a yearling filly by Denman, and a weanling filly by Territories. She returned to I Am Invincible in 2018 for a full sibling to Victorem.
Listed June S., Randwick
Race Summary:
Deprive (Denman) became another new stakes winner for Godolphin on Saturday with a victory at Randwick.
Deprive was among the back markers straight from the gate in the 1100 metre race, however jockey Rachel King wasn’t too concerned about their position. There was a brief moment of worry for his connections in the straight when they had to search for a way to the front with a group of horses blocking their path but a hole opening at the 200 metre mark proved to be just what Deprive needed to contest for the lead. He had his head in front inside the final 100 metres and it was smooth sailing from there. The gelding won his second straight race by half a length over Bon Amis (Bon Hoffa) with Brook Magic (Hinchinbrook) a length behind the winner in third.
Pedigree Notes:
The gelding is the second foal from Defrock (Canny Lad), who is a full sister to Group 3 winner Blackball. Their dam is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Hosannah (Octagonal), who is the dam of Group 2 winning Altar (Commands) with Group 2 winning Holy Roller (Sanction) under Defrock’s third dam.
Deprive is the first stakes winner for his dam, though her first foal won six races with those being her only two foals of racing age. The mare was sold for $22,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and the foal she was carrying is the unraced 3-year-old Leave Your Hat On (Helmet).
Her 2-year-old filly named Don’t Question Me (Foxwedge) is in training with John Salanitri. The mare had a Star Witness colt in 2017 that sold to Yu Long Investments for $400,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this year and she foaled a full brother to Don’t Question Me last year. She visited freshman sire Hellbent in 2018.
Listed Beaufine S., Belmont
Race Summary:
The filly Market Ruler (Universal Ruler) proved superior to her older opposition and she displayed admirable fighting qualities to do so.
She jumped well for jockey Chris Parnham, but couldn’t cross and was posted three wide throughout in a six horse field.
It didn’t matter to the 3-year-old, who coasted clear in the run home to account for Electric Light (Vital Equine {Ire}) and Rock Magic (Redoute’s Choice).
Pedigree Notes:
Market Ruler is a half-sister to three winners, including Gold Broker (Strada) , who was successful in the Listed Melvista S.
Their dam Market Wrap (Pricelessly {USA}) won three times and further back in the pedigree is the presence of the two-time G1 Captain Cook S. winner Shuka (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {Ire}) and the G1 Karrakatta Plate winner Alabama Whirly (Bold Rancher).
