Pike's triumphant Railway return

4 min read
Star jockey William Pike made a triumphant return home from three months in Melbourne at Ascot on Saturday, to claim an amazing hat-trick on Inspirational Girl (Reliable Man {GB}) in the $1 million G1 Railway S.

Pike, known as the Wizard, was at his magical best ducking and weaving his way through runners before storming past Too Close The Sun (Carlton House {USA}) and win by a comfortable 1.75l.

Uni Time (Universal Ruler) thundered home to from the back end of the capacity 16-horse field to claim the minor end of the trifecta, with Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) turning in another honest performance to run fourth.

Pike only came out of two weeks home quarantine at midnight on Saturday morning.

He had to forfeit the Group 1-winning ride on Arcadia Queen (Pierro), ridden by Luke Currie, in the G1 Mackinnon S. at Flemington on November 7 to be available to ride Inspirational Girl.

Pike joins Jimmy Miller, Hint (1929), Coette (1930) and Comparador (1931), as the only other jockey to win a hat-trick in WA’s most prestigious race.

Pike claimed his first win in the Railway on Elite Belle (Canny Lad) in 2014.

He sits equal with Frank Treen, Beau Temps (1951), Maniana (1954), Tudor Mak (1966) and Kilrickle (1970), on four wins, as the jockey to have scored the most wins in the Railway.

Pike’s four Railway winners Elite Belle (2014), Galaxy Star (Fastnet Rock) (2018), Regal Power (Pierro) (2019) and Inspirational Girl, have been for leading WA owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters.

The Peters won their first Railway with Old Comrade (Old Spice) in 2001.

Pike rode two Group 1 winners in Melbourne on Arcadia Queen in the Caulfield S. and Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) in the Caulfield Guineas.

William Pike aboard Ole Kirk

Girl on the ball

“I was very lucky that she (Inspirational Girl) was really on the ball today,” Pike said.

“She jumped really keen which was good as she had been a bit sluggish out of the gates recently. I had to jostle a bit to hold my spot so I didn’t get washed backwards.

“I was going to head out on her at the bend but the run didn’t eventuate. And lucky for me there was run up ahead.

“I was going to head out on her at the bend but the run didn’t eventuate. And lucky for me there was run up ahead." - William Pike

Pike returned to a hero’s applause from a massive crowd gathered along the parade fence to cheer him back to scale.

They broke out into a chant of “Pikey! Pikey!”

“The quarantine was okay because I was at home and I had my cows and animals to keep me company,” Pike said.

“Some days I didn’t do anything but watch Netflix or others I would just poke about.”

Peters paid NZ$190,000 for Inspirational Girl at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale but the 5-year-old mare has been a work in progress, having only 11 starts for nine wins and two placings.

First winner

Pike’s first winner back at Ascot was on a close relation to Inspirational Girl called Midnight Blue (So You Think {NZ}) in the Better Your Bet H.

Midnight Blue is from Midnight Special (Zabeel {NZ}) a sister to the dam of Inspirational Girl, Be Inspired.

“It is important to have William on all of our horses,” Bob Peters said.

“We target this carnival every year and we have a lot of rides for him. It was important to me to buy this mare as we have her sister and it is such a great New Zealand family.

“Midnight Special has produced two stakes winners and now this mare has won a Group 1. The family is building and Inspirational Girl feels like part of our family.

“I bought Midnight Special (three wins) just to breed with because she did not have good legs. Her pedigree was just so outstanding I wanted her blood.

Reliable Man (GB), sire of Inspirational Girl | Standing at Westbury Stud

"I have also been using Reliable Man as a stallion so it all came together for me. Inspirational Girl is one of the taller ones for Reliable Man. She took time to develop because she was very immature. I knew she had ability so I just looked after her.”

Peters owned Midnight Blue’s half-sister Neverland (Big Brown {USA}), who won a Listed Challenge S. and awarded the family a Perth Cup quinella, finishing second to Star Exhibit in the 2016 edition.

Versatile Irish Flame overcomes tough passage to land Cup

4 min read
Irish Flame (NZ) possesses all the acknowledged traits of his sire Zed (NZ) with the ability to both sprint and stay and perform on all manner of tracks, but it was the tenacious side of his nature that shone brightest in his Listed Ballarat Cup victory.

The Brett Scott-trained Irish Flame was never closer than three wide off the fence and still had the temerity to repel all-comers under pressure in the straight to triumph in Saturday’s Sportsbet-sponsored featured.

It was a sterling performance from the 6-year-old, who was formerly trained in New Zealand by Scott’s great mate John Wheeler, with whom he chalked up numerous prestige jumping wins during his decorated career in the saddle.

A fall at Yarra Glen in October 2010 ended Scott’s days in the saddle and he turned to training two years later. In 2015, he trained his first black-type winner when Coronation Shallan (Strategic) was successful in the G3 Tesio S. on Cox Plate Day.

It was during his time with Wheeler that Irish Flame stamped himself as a unique son of the Grangewilliam Stud-based Zed (NZ).

“Johnny Wheeler had him in New Zealand right from a yearling and he’s the only Zed to win a 2-year-old race.

“He was a handy horse and ran in the (New Zealand) Derby, but he probably wasn’t good enough,” Scott said.

“He was a handy horse and ran in the (New Zealand) Derby, but he probably wasn’t good enough.” – Brett Scott

Irish Flame was successful in the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic at his second appearance and went on to win a further five races under the guidance of multiple Group 1-winning trainer Wheeler, who in 2010 was inducted into the New Zealand Hall Of Fame.

The connections of the gelding sent him to Scott’s Mornington stable earlier this year and their decision has been handsomely rewarded.

Irish Flame opened his Victorian career with four placings from his first five appearances before he won at Moonee Valley in October and then gave his owners a major thrill by claiming an undercard handicap at Flemington on VRC Oaks Day.

“Since he’s been in Melbourne every race has been good and he’s improved with every run. He’s just a very good, tough stayer. It’s a great result for the stable,” said Scott, who trains at Mornington.

Irish Flame (NZ) (blue and brown silks)

Withdrawal creates opportunity

Irish Flame was originally stuck on the ballot for the Ballarat Cup, but the withdrawal of Power Scheme (Fiorente {Ire}) gave him his opportunity and he made the most of it.

It was never going to be plain sailing from the outside gate and so it proved with rider Michael Walker unable to get closer than three off the fence.

The pace quickened 600 metres from home when Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) went to the front and Irish Flame chased gallantly and got the front in the run home and stayed on determinedly.

“He had a wide gate and he didn’t get any favours in the run. There was a good, solid tempo but he was three wide without cover for pretty much the whole trip,” Scott said.

“There was a good, solid tempo but he was three wide without cover for pretty much the whole trip.” – Brett Scott

“He came off the bridle just before the corner and I thought we might have been in a bit of trouble, but gee, he hung tough.”

Irish Flame is a son of the Thunder Gulch (USA) mare Fleur De L’Orient (NZ), a daughter of Fleur De Chine (NZ) (Centaine), who also won an editionmof the Taranaki 2YO Classic.

Fleur De L’Orient is a sister to the G1 SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder, who is the grandam of the recently retired G1 Australian Derby winner Levendi (Pierro).

Brett Scott with Irish Flame (NZ)

The favourite and home track hope Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) got well back in the running and she burst through late to finish runner-up with Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) ducking to the inside late to finish third.

There was also plenty of merit in the effort of the topweight Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) to come from well back in the field to run fourth.

Archedemus takes Gong honours for Team Hawkes

3 min read
Team Hawkes were given the task of getting Archedemus (Lope De Vega {Ire}) back into the winner's stall and on Saturday they managed to get the 7-year-old to take out the $1 million The Gong.

Archedemus scored his first win since May last year as he produced a gutsy performance to race on the speed and fight off his rivals to score the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange for Team Hawkes.

The 7-year-old gelding settled just off Positive Peace (Stratum) in the lead and kicked past her at the top of the straight under Jay Ford and was challenged by Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) all the way to the line but fought hard to hold on and win by 0.2l.

It was just the fourth start Archedemus had since joining the Hawkes' stable in the middle of the year after losing his form and he had finished third in the Listed Weekend Hussler H. and second in the Listed Ladies Day Cup, and Michael Hawkes believes he is well and truly back to his best.

“He (Ross Williams, owner) asked if we could take this horse and resurrect it, and I said let us do our job and we will be right,’’ Hawkes said. “He’s well and truly back to form this bloke.

“I have to give Jay (Ford) credit. The plan was to go forward and I just said 'I hope he jumps and let him roll forward and do the rest.'

“He’s the kind of horse you’ve got to go that half length quicker than and get his mental attitude right.

“Probably halfway out I was a bit worried they were going too quick. It was a very tenacious and gutsy effort and all credit to Jay and the horse.”

"It was a very tenacious and gutsy effort and all credit to Jay (Ford) and the horse.” - Michael Hawkes

Hawkes said it was too early to make any confirmed plans as to where Archedemus will step out next but he said the G2 Villiers S. at Randwick next month could be an option.

“His run first-up in Melbourne was really good and coming back from Melbourne to Sydney his run was okay, probably the wet track really affected him,’’ he said.

“He just took off from there, his run last start at Hawkesbury was very good and was just found wanting the last little bit. He got going late again after the line.

“(The Villiers) is probably an option for him now, it depends on how he pulls up. He may be looking for a spell but we have a lot to look forward to in the autumn with him.

“It’s only our first crack and even though he is a 7-year-old he is only starting to turn the corner.”

Jay Ford

Archedemus started his career with Gwenda Markwell and won seven of his first nine starts, including last year’s G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup and Listed Member’s H. in Brisbane before his form tapered off and he was unable to find the winner’s stall until Saturday.

By former shuttle sire Lope De Vega (Ire), Archedemus is the first stakes winner and second stakes horse for Carolyn’s Star (Peintre Celebre {USA}), who is a half-sister to Group 1-placed Set Up (Spinning World).

Carolyn’s Star’s grandam is G1 South Australian Derby winner Mapperley Heights (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) who produced multiple stakes horses but never a stakes winner though two of her runners came close.

Carolyn’s Star is the dam of five winners from seven to race and foaled a colt by Pride Of Dubai, while she was served by So You Think (NZ) this year.

Sargent makes winning point for stallion

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

John Sargent is an admirer of the progeny of Bull Point and so much so that he travelled to Tasmania to secure another one for his Sydney stable with the result of that trip delivering a satisfying result on Saturday.

The expatriate New Zealand trainer sent his son of the Fastnet Rock stallion to Ballarat to make his debut and it proved a masterstroke with Readily Availabull landing the Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic on debut.

Sargent had been impressed by a Bull Point youngster in his yard named Encountabull, who placed last season in the Inglis Nursery and was a winner earlier this spring, and that gelding motivated him to attend the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

Readily Availabull as a yearling

“I went down there and bought this horse, he was a good-looking little black colt and I had Encountabull and was looking for another one,” Sargent said.

“He fitted the bill and I paid $25,000 for him and would have gone to a lot more. I had phoned Matthew Sandblom when I saw the horse and said would you take a share because I had no other owners.

“He fitted the bill and I paid $25,000 for him and would have gone to a lot more.” – John Sargent

“He said he would take a leg, I kept a leg and sold the rest so it’s a great result. Matthew has put a lot of money into the game and Bull Point is starting to do very well. This will give him another boost with the sales coming up.”

Bull Point won four races, including the G3 Bill Ritchie H. and twice placed at Group 1 level, before his retirement to Sandblom’s Kingstar Farm.

Readily Availabull settled just beyond midfield and cut loose in the straight when asked to sprint by rider Michael Dee to down Prince Amongst Men (Winning Rupert) and Rambeau (Brazen Beau).

“He’s a lovely horse and has been very professional, although he missed the start a bit today. We’ll get him home and have a week in the paddock and then get him ready for the Magic Millions race at Wyong and on to the Gold Coast in January,” Sargent said.

“He’s not a big, strong colt, but he has got a big stride and a lovely nature.”

Readily Availabull, who was offered for sale by Armidale Stud, is a son of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Readily and a family that features the G2 Chantilly Prix du Gros-Chene winner Finsbury Square (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the G2 Premio Emilio Turati winner Nordhal (GB) (Halling {USA}).

Visitor blows rivals away with golden performance

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Tradewind (Trust In A Gust) completed a notable trans-Tasman double when he made a successful hit and run visit from South Australia to Ballarat.

The lightly-tried 3-year-old was making his fourth race day appearance for trainer Ryan Balfour and finished well nearest to the fence to land Saturday’s Magnum Equine VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade.

The colt is a son of Bikini Dancer (NZ) (Bernardini {USA}) and she is out stakes winner Post Thyme (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), a sister to the dam of Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) who won the Listed Fasttrack Insurance S. at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Tradewind was unwanted in the market, but defied his lack of support by proving too good under Jye McNeil for Sirleo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) and Super Yulong (Excelebration {Ire}). Hot favourite Shelby Cobra (Toronado {Ire}) was a flop and beat only one runner home.

“We had so much respect for Shelby Cobra, and he obviously wasn’t at his best, but we’ve always thought a lot of this bloke. I knew he’d be competitive and the trip away would be the making of him,” trainer Ryan Balfour said.

“I knew he’d be competitive and the trip away would be the making of him.” – Ryan Balfour

“You could see at the top of the straight that he was bolting and just needed a run and it was a perfectly patient ride by Jye and the horse dug deep to win.

“He’ll come and assess things, but most likely have a rest and we’ve always had the autumn in mind for him.”

Bred by Jen Fitzpatrick, Tradewind was an $18,000 purchase out of Rushton Park’s draft at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

“We bought him on type and had some key people in the background helping me like Brad Thomas from X Factor Pedigrees and Pinhook Bloodstock. Credit to the breeder Jen, who stayed in the horse,” Balfour said. “It’s been great and you don’t need to spend big money.”

Trade Wind as a yearling

Balfour believed Tradewind will continue to develop and is looking forward to next year with him.

“He’s got a world of improvement in him and is still quite leggy. He’s still a colt and his attitude is very good.”

Eye-catching performance

In the opening event on the card, Riding The Wave (Malibu Moon {USA}) opened his Australian account in dazzling fashion when he roared from well back in the field to win over 1100 metres in the Ritchie’s IGA H.

He was successful in four of his 13 starts in New Zealand before his sale with former trainer Nigel Tiley and his wife Lee remaining in the ownership.

“He was well-sourced by Brad Spicer and he’s a beautiful horse. He’s got such a big stride and he is going places,” trainer Lindsey Smith said.

Riding The Wave was bought out of Manx Park’s draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by former Group 1-winning rider Tiley for $50,000. He is a son of Rolling Sea (USA) (Sefapiano {USA}).

She was a talented mare who won 12 races in North America, including two at Group 2 level, and has produced four winners. She is from the family of the dual Group 1 winner and sire Observatory (USA).

Ridden by apprentice Will Price, Riding The Wave lengthened stride impressively in the closing 200 metres to account for Mistake (Turffontein) and a performance that has Smith considering a black type January target for the 5-year-old.

“He’ll reach the top grade, no doubt. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the G3 Standish H. if he can win a couple more,” he said.

Speedy Sisstar adds to rich purse

2 min read

Written by Georgie Dennis

Sisstar (Zoustar), the sister to star mare Sunlight, added another lucrative cheque to her CV as she used her on-speed racing pattern to take out the $150,000 Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic at Ballarat on Saturday.

The 4-year-old mare jumped from an inside barrier with Damian Lane in the saddle and went straight forward with Hard Landing (All Too Hard) leading on her outside.

She managed to kick away on the bend though and held off favourite The Astrologist (Zoustar) to win by 0.4l.

The victory brought the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly’s record to four wins from 14 starts with total career earnings of $375,500 and Calvin McEvoy credited the filly’s determination for getting the win.

"Unfortunately she didn't grow into the size that Sunlight was, she's quite a petite little filly,” he said. “But she's got a lot of guts and an awkward racing style which can bring her undone sometimes.

“She relaxed beautifully out there for Damian and she was in for the fight which was fantastic.

“She relaxed beautifully out there for Damian (Lane) and she was in for the fight which was fantastic." - Calvin McEvoy

"I actually thought that she'd lead a bit easier than that because she has been overracing, but she just came back under him beautifully. It was great to see what horses can do when they relax mid-race.

"Well done to the owners. They've been extremely patient. She's always lived in the shadow of Sunlight but she's done a fantastic job and is already a Group 3 winner and worth a lot of money.

"I'd just like to thank the Adelaide team. She's very difficult to train. She spends most of her time back in South Australia and travels over to race, so the team has done a great job over there. Tony will be claiming this one, I think."

Sisstar as a yearling

Sisstar is the second black-type winner from the multiple stakes-winning mare Solar Charged (Charge Forward), joining Sunlight while Sheikha (Sebring) is stakes placed.

Solar Charged is a half-sister to Listed winner Causeway Queen (Giant's Causeway {USA}) and stakes-placed Brave Soul (More Than Ready {USA}), with their grandam Aretha (Sir Dapper) a Listed winner, who produced the stakes winner Sir Linford (Last Tycoon {Ire}).

Solar Charged has a 2-year-old brother to Sisstar named Dio and foaled a colt brother to her this year while she returned to the Widden Stud-based stallion this season.

Sisstar cost $600,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Watch Me Dance claims prestigious double

4 min read

Written by Robert Edwards

Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) left no doubt she is the best 3 year-old in the State, when she emulated multiple Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro) to brilliantly add Saturday’s WA Guineas to her triumph in last week’s WA Champion Fillies' S.

Arcadia Queen won the prestigious double two years ago, before claiming her first Group 1 in the Kingston Town Classic against the older horses a fortnight later.

Jockey Shaun McGruddy made full advantage of Watch Me Dance’s number one gate to have her cruising on the rail stalking the leader Em Tee Aye (I’m All The Talk).

Jockey Jarrad Noske gave a heady front-running ride to have Em Tee Aye coasting along in the lead.

Noske skipped away to a 2l break on straightening, but punters could see the edge might not be enough to hold out Watch Me Dance, who was winding up for her customary powerhouse finish.

Em Tee Aye refused to surrender the lead and the pair locked down for a duel inside the final 100 metres, before Watch Me Dance edged ahead to win by a neck on the line.

Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) came home with a strong burst to finished 0.5l behind in third place, with Western Empire (Iffraaj {GB}), the first emergency, being the other eye-catcher dashing home into fourth place from 15th position on the turn.

For long-time trainer and jockey combination Steve Wolfe and Shaun McGruddy it was their biggest win in an association that has stretched out to almost two decades.

Watch Me Dance caught Wolfe’s eye at the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Sale.

Wolfe took the risk of paying $34,000 for the filly, who was by first season sire I’m All The Talk. He paid a considerable sum of $34,000 and the first foal of of Coventry To Rio (Oratorio).

Breeder Jan Williamson kept a share in the filly and Wolfe syndicated the other shares to his wife Maureen and to the wives and daughters of loyal stable clients and to a handful of first-time owners.

Watch Me Dance as a yearling

Never had so much fun

“They (owners) have never had so much fun,” Wolfe said.

“Some of them had never been interested in racing but they certainly are having a great time. These women followed their husbands or parents and others it is their first time and they are having a ball.

“Some of them had never been interested in racing but they certainly are having a great time." - Steve Wolfe

“We were behind the eight-ball with her but we were given permission to use the Albany racetrack, which has helped a lot.

“We knew though we had her right for this race. I said to Shaun on Wednesday 'I think this filly is too well!'

“That was how well she was doing after winning on a Heavy 8 at Ascot only four days earlier. She is an exceptionally tough filly. To win this race with Shaun is very special too.”

McGruddy has ridden throughout her 11-start career, including her luckless second in the G2 Karrakatta Plate win in the G3 WA Sires' Produce S. at 2-years-old and in the Champion Fillies and WA Guineas.

“Barriers helped having drawn four in the Champion Fillies and one here,” McGruddy said.

“This is a race I have ran a lot of places in and it is good to get the monkey off my back. I knew I had a tough filly so I was not too worried about backing her up."

Hear Me Sing as a yearling

Wolfe returned to the Magic Millions Perth sale last February to buy Watch Me Dance’s full brother, named Hear Me Sing.

He was spelled after an encouraging debut second over 1100 metres at Ascot on November 7, to be reserved for next February’s $250,000 Magic Millions Classic at Pinjarra.

Black type results: Ballarat & Pukekohe

6 min read

Ballarat, Listed Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, $500,000, 2000m

Race summary

In form gelding Irish Flame (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) brought up his third win in a row with a tough performance here.

Ridden by Michael Walker, the gelding jumped from a wide barrier and was forced to settled three-wide with no cover. He peeled out around the bend and managed to battle past the leaders before holding off a late challenge by Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) to win by 0.1l.

Bitterly unlucky after settling back in the field and having to weave her way through horses in the straight, Affair To Remember managed to score second while Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) snuck through on the rail for third.

Pedigree notes

Irish Flame is the seventh foal to race out of Fleur De L’Orient (NZ) (Thunder Gulch {USA}), who is also responsible for stakes placegetter Langridge Street (NZ) (Elvstroem).

Fleur De L’Orient is out of dual stakes winner Fleur De Chine (NZ) (Centaine), making her a brother to G1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder (NZ) and a half-sister to Lipari (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of G1 Australian Derby winner Levendi (Pierro).

Irish Flame is one of 13 stakes winners for Zed (NZ), who is also the sire of star mare Verry Elleegant (NZ).

Pukekohe, G2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., NZ$100,000, 1400m

Race summary

Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) hadn’t raced since March, but three lead-up trials had the mare in forward condition and she raced accordingly.

The Peter and Dawn Williams-trained mare was taken straight to the front by rider Opie Bosson and she was determined in the straight to see off all challenges.

Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) produced a career-best effort to take second with Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) fighting on doggedly for third.

Pedigree notes

Bred by Linda Huddy, Media Sensation is one of nine individual Group 1 winners for I Am Invincible and joined that elite band courtesy of her victory as a 3-year-old in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

She was offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Lime Country Thoroughbreds and purchased for NZ$425,000 by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer.

Media Sensation is a daughter of Different To (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) who is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Dorabella (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) and the multiple black-type winner Crusoe (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

Another New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner on the pedigree page is Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper).

Pukekohe, G3 Franklin Auctions Counties Cup, NZ$100,000, 2100m

Race summary

In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) won this race last year and turned his form around to produce a successful defence of his title.

The Jamie Richards-trained 5-year-old failed to beat a runner home at his most recent appearance in the Listed Karaka Classic, but the step up to a middle distance brought about the necessary improvement.

Rider Opie Bosson had him travelling sweetly in second spot before hitting the front 200 metres from home and they held off the late run of stablemate Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) and Grand Bouquet (NZ) (Savabeel) got home from the back for third.

Pedigree notes

Bred by Caradale, In A Twinkling is a son of Coolmore’s champion sire Fastnet Rock who has sired Group 1 winners all around the racing globe, including Avantage, Sherwood Forest, Atlante, Rock ‘N' Pop, Age Of Fire and Albany Reunion in New Zealand.

In A Twinkling was a NZ$250,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy for Te Akau’s David Ellis and is out of the G3 Auraria S. winner Moment In Time (Archway {USA}).

Under the second dam is the G2 Sandown Cup winner Conbituate Lady (Habituate {Ire}) and the G3 Belmont Sprint H. winner San Salvador (Anyone Home).

Pukekohe, Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO S., NZ$50,000, 1100m

Race summary

Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) completed a magical week for trainer Glen Harvey when she stormed into Karaka Million contention with a dashing victory.

It was Harvey’s first black-type success and came off the NZ$230,000 sale of a Reliable Man (GB) gelding, bought by his parents Bruce and Maureen for NZ$5100 as a yearling, under his Roysyn Stables banner at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Brix settled in the trail and once angled into the clear she powered home to down Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) with Cool Change (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) closing late to cut the favourite Beldarra (Hinchinbrook) out of third.

Pedigree notes

This result credited Novara Park’s Sweynesse with a third stakes winner at black-type level following the success last season of first-crop representative Bonita Aurelia (NZ) in the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic, and Brix in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO S.

Brix was purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft by Harvey for NZ$45,000 and is out of the winning Postponed (USA) mare Somethymesoon (NZ), also runner-up in the G3 Eulogy S.

The dam is a sister to Post Thyme (NZ), who was successful on five occasions, including two at Listed level, and she also finished fourth in an edition of the G2 Eight Carat Classic.

Pukekohe, Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl, NZ$50,000, 1100m

Race summary

Levante (NZ) (Proisir) had only been beaten once in four of her five starts last season and that came when she lost 5l at the start of the G2 Wellington Guineas and still finished second.

The 4-year-old was making her first appearance since that defeat and she was again slowly away to settle at the tail of the field. She was last on the turn before unleashing a devastating sprint to earn favouritism at NZ$3 for January’s G1 Railway S.

Summer Passage (Snitzel) hit the front 200 metres off the post, but couldn’t withstand the winner’s finish and Its Destinys Child (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) took third off Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace).

Pedigree notes

Levante is the fourth stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud-based sire Proisir, who has also produced the Group 3 winners Riodini (NZ), Aimee’s Jewel (NZ) and Vitesse Bo (NZ).

His latest success story is a half-sister to the multiple winners and stakes performers Miss Isle (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}) and Doyenne (NZ) (Kilimanjaro {GB}).

Their dam is Island Doy (GB) (Doyoun {Ire}) and she is a half-sister to the G3 Courier Mail Classic winner Cryptavia (Gold Brose). There is a strong international theme to the pedigree, which features the G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner and sire Bering (GB) and the G2 King Edward VII S. winner and sire Balakheri (Ire).

Black type results: Ascot

4 min read

G1 Kirin Railway S., $1,000,000, 1600m

Race summary

Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) justified her favouritism as she rocketed home to take out her first Group 1 here for Grant and Alana Williams and Bob Peters.

The 5-year-old mare settled back in the field under William Pike and worked her way through the field in the home straight before hitting the front with 200 metres to go and running on to win by 1.75l.

Too Close The Sun (Carlton House {USA}) held on for second, while Uni Time (Universal Time) was another 0.2l away in third.

Pedigree notes

Purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock for NZ$190,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale, the mare is out of placed Zabeel (NZ) mare Be Inspired, making him a half-brother to Listed winner Ruettiger (Duporth).

Be Inspired is herself a daughter of three time-winning Done That (NZ) (Centaine) and she is a sister to Group 3 winner Rainbow Styling (NZ), while she is also a half-sister to Zingaling (Redoute’s Choice).

Done That herself is a grandam of Group 2 winner Demonetization (All Too Hard) and Listed winner Neverland (Big Brown).

Be Inspired’s only filly since Inspirational Girl is a 3-year-old by Hinchinbrook who was purchased by Chris Waller Racing and Brae Sokolski for $300,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and she is now called Brookspire and is unraced.

Inspirational Girl is the third Group 1 winner for Westbury Stud shuttler Reliable Man (GB), who is also responsible for G1 VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound (NZ) and G1 New Zealand Oaks scorer Miss Sentimental (NZ).

G2 Sky Racing WA Guineas, $500,000, 1600m

Race summary

Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) added a third stakes win to her CV as she put up a gallant fight all the way down the straight to nab the victory.

The 3-year-old filly raced in second behind Em Tee Aye (I’m All The Talk) and when he kicked away at the top of the straight, Watch Me Dance kept coming and managed to get past in the final 50 metres to win by 0.35l.

Em Tee Aye held on for second while Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) was 0.6l away in third.

Pedigree notes

Watch Me Dance was bred by Mungrup Stud and was purchased by Commercial Bloodstock Services for $34,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

She is the first winner for Coventry To Rio (Oratorio), who is out of a half-sister to the G3 Up And Coming S. winner West End (Zephyr Bay).

Watch Me Dance’s 2-year-old sister Hear Me Sing has already placed while she has a yearling half-brother by A Lot (USA) and a foal half-sister by Playing God.

Watch Me Dance is the only stakes winner for Darling View Thoroughbreds' second-season sire I’m All The Talk, who is responsible for eight winners so far.

Listed TAB Touch Placid Ark S., $100,000, 1200m

Race summary

Chantorque (War Chant {USA}) brought up her fourth win from five starts, and first at stakes level, with a strong performance here.

The 3-year-old filly settled just off the speed and peeled out in the straight before rocketing past Charlton Eddie (Shooting To Win) to win by 1.25l.

Charlton Eddie held on for second while Mystical View (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was another 0.5l away in third.

Pedigree notes

Homebred filly Chantorque is the third winner from three to race out of winning Redoute’s Choice mare Contortion, who was purchased as a yearling by Woodlands Stud for $500,000 at the Inglis Austrlian Easter Yearling Sale.

Contortion herself is a daughter of G2 Wakeful S. runner-up It’s Who Deanie (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), while she is also related to Haunui Farm's shuttle stallion Belardo (Ire).

Chantorque becomes the 44th individual stakes winner for Yarradale Stud resident War Chant (USA).

Listed Crown Perth Jungle Mist Classic, $100,000, 1200m

Race summary

Miss Frost (Frost Giant {USA}) broke through at her 13th start to secure her first stakes win as she stormed home to take out the feature for fillies and mares.

The 5-year-old settled behind the speed and peeled out to the middle of the track around the bend before rocketing past fading favourite Flower Of War (War Chant {USA}) to win by 0.5l.

Why Choose Her (Choisir) gave good chase but couldn’t get past Miss Frost and held on for second while Tycoon Storm (Written Tycoon) ran on late to finish another 0.75l away in third.

Pedigree notes

Miss Frost is one of three winners from five to race out of Listed WATC Gimcrack S. placegetter Mega Me (Danewin), who herself is the daughter of Group 3 winner Party Time (Bletchingly).

Party Time is also responsible for dual Group 3 placegetter Flash Bash (Vettori {Ire}) as well as six other winners.

Miss Frost becomes the 17th stakes winner for former American sire Frost Giant (USA).

Foal Showcase

1 min read

To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to olivia@tdnausnz.com.au

Snitzel x Secret Trail (filly) at Widden Stud

Sebring Sun x Lily Bear (colt) at Glenthorne Park

Trapeze Artist x Discerned (colt) at Widden Stud

Trapeze Artist x Mica Be The One (filly) at Widden Stud

Written By x Amthaal (filly) at Widden Stud

Daily News Wrap

6 min read

Powerful prospect

Power Scheme (Fiorente {Ire}) has been in excellent form this preparation and he can add the Listed Bet365 Kilmore Cup to his tally on Sunday.

The Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained 4-year-old has won two of his last four starts and last time out was a close second in the G3 Eclipse S.

Power Scheme

Black Sail (NZ) (Savabeel) won at his most recent appearance and will drop 4.5kg on that run while Delectation Girl (GB) (Delegator {GB}) was fifth when resuming in the G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club S. and has twice won second-up.

Pancho (Dissident) and Holbein (Pierro) are both racing well and wouldn’t need to show much improvement to be in the finish and a last-start failure aside, Mrs Beckham (Toronado {Ire}) has been going sound in her races.

Ideal going

Skiddaw (Hinchinbrook) found conditions ideal at Ballarat and duly added the fourth win of his career.

The 4-year-old was quickly into stride from a wide barrier to sit in second spot and, after taking control early in the run home, stayed on strongly for a comfortable victory in the Suez McKellar Mile.

“He’s a horse that’s better on the former tracks. He had a tricky gate, but flew out to get a good spot and it’s quite hard to make ground from the back,” stable representative Mark Chevalier said.

Meeting rescheduled

With temperatures at Swan Hill forecast to reach 41 degrees on Sunday, Racing Victoria notified that the meeting has been rescheduled to next Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology advised that temperatures will peak between 1-4pm on Sunday and the decision to move the meeting to Wednesday was made by Racing Victoria in consultation with the Club.

The program from Sunday’s abandoned meeting will remain unchanged. However, all horses will need to re-nominate, but with those who were a final acceptor on Sunday being given preference in the ballot.

Back in business

Talented mare Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) backed up an eye-catching performance at the Ellerslie trials earlier this month with a comprehensive front-running effort to take out the G2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.

Media Sensation (orange silks)

“We have been quite happy with her and had done a good bit of work with her on the beach,” co-trainer Dawn Williams said. “She had a really good break over the winter and we didn’t rush her back.

“The time she spent at the beach has really brought her on and she did look good heading to the start today. We targeted this race first-up and now she has that under her belt we will have a look toward what is next for her.”

One of the missions that the Williams’ have in mind for their charge is the G1 Sistema Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Top honour to Ghaiyyath

Godolphin’s four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been crowned the Cartier Horse of the Year and has also been acknowledged as the Cartier Older Horse.

The 5-year-old is the third Cartier Horse of the Year for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation following Daylami (Ire) in 1999 and Fantastic Light (USA) in 2001.

Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, was named Cartier 3-year-old Colt

Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the Cartier 3-year-old Filly and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s 6-year-old Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was awarded the Cartier Sprinter. For the third consecutive year, one of the most popular horses in training, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was named Cartier Stayer.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Van Gogh (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) was named Cartier 2-year-old Colt of 2020 and the Cartier 2-year-old Filly fell to Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}). Trainer John Gosden OBE was the recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2020.

Second Counties Cup

Enigmatic stayer In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) was on his best behaviour as he secured his second G3 Franklin Auctions Counties Cup with a gritty effort on Saturday.

The Jamie Richards-trained 5-year-old can be a headstrong character at times and has tested Richards' patience on numerous occasions.

“We had been expecting him to run well and turn his form around as his work this week had been very good,” Richards said. “He is a bit of a hard horse to get a line on as you have to take him on trust a little bit. On top of the ground and up in trip this time, he was very good.”

Memorable week

The celebrations continued at Pukekohe Park on Saturday for Glen Harvey following a top result on Wednesday at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale.

Brix (NZ) (green silks)

The Cambridge trainer produced his first black-type winner when Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) triumphed in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance S. to join stablemate Miss Ipenema (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) in the Karaka Million.

Harvey had made a splash at the Ready to Run Sale when he sold son of Reliable Man (GB) under his Roysyn Stables banner for NZ$230,000. The gelding was purchased last year by his parents Bruce and Maureen for NZ$5100 off gavelhouse.com.

Perfect record

Exciting filly Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel) kept her unbeaten record intact when successful at Awapuni on Saturday to confirm she is on target for loftier assignments.

Bred by part-owner Tony Rider of Milan Park, the Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained 3-year-old had won the Listed El Roca Sir Colon Meads Trophy on debut and comfortably.

Shezzacatch will now be prepared for next month’s G3 Eulogy S. with the G1 Levin Classic in January her main goal.

Mehmas fee up

Record-breaking first-season sire Mehmas (Ire) will see a fee increase to €25,000 (AU$47,000) at Tally Ho Stud in 2021. The son of Acclamation (GB) stood for €7500 (AUS$14,120) this year.

The standardbearer of the Tally Ho roster, however, remains Kodiac (GB), who is available in 2021 for €65,000 (AU$122,350), the same fee at which he has stood the past two years.

Cotai Glory (GB) and Galileo Gold (GB) both have their first runners next year and will stand for €5000 (AU$9400), the same fee as Vadamos (Fr), Kessaar (Ire) and Inns Of Court (Ire).

Gestut Roettgen roster

Group 1 winners Reliable Man (GB) and Protectionist (Ger) will each be available at Gestut Roettgen in 2021 for €6500 (AU$12,235).

Reliable Man returns to Roettgen after two years in France and has left 22 stakes winners, headed by the Southern Hemisphere Group 1 winners Miami Bound (NZ) and Miss Sentimental (NZ).

Reliable Man (GB)

G1 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is the sire of two stakes-placed horses from his first crop of 2-year-olds this year, headed by the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin third and Winterkonigin Trial second Amazing Grace (Ger).

Multiple Group winner Millowitsch (Ger) (Sehrezad {Ire}) stands his second season for €1111 (AU$2000).

Looking Ahead - November 22

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Today, we are concentrating all our efforts on the Kilmore meeting where we are expecting a filly to make an impact first time out and two races later like the chances of her stablemate going one better on a debut second. Lastly, we are tipping further success for a 3-year-old who looks to have a bright staying future.

Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, Kingsgate Village 3YO, $35,000, 1100m

Ardala (Teofilo {Ire}) is on debut and from the stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace who have the happy knack of enjoying success with their first-starters and that may well be the case again here. The filly has drawn perfectly and jockey Ben Allen should be able to give her a cosy run.

Ardala as a yearling

A $72,000 purchase for Maher out of Devon Park Stud’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale draft, Ardala is the first foal of Ready To Fight (More Than Ready {USA}), who was a sprint winner and black-type placegetter. She is a half-sister to the G3 Rewards S. winner Red Bomber (Red Ransom {USA}) and the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}) and the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).

Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 3, 2.45pm AEDT, Carlton Draught Plate, $35,000, 1600m

Maher and Eustace also look to have a strong winning chance here with Lorente (Fiorente {Ire}), who impressed the first time we saw him. He finished runner-up on this course over 1450 metres and found the line strongly enough to suggest he can go one better over a mile.

Fiorente (Ire), sire of Lorente | Standing at Sun Stud

Lorente is a son of Lonhruge (Lonhro), a four-time winner who boasts a strong international pedigree. She is out of a sister to the French black-type winner Nalani (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and a half-sister to the G2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay S. winner Affidavit (USA) (Affirmed {USA}). The G2 Prix de Sandringham winner and G1 Keeneland Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup runner-up Maiden Tower (GB) (Groom Dancer {USA}) also appears on the page.

Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 4, 3.25pm AEDT, Hanson Cleaning Services H., $35,000, 2000m

Exalted Crown (Hallowed Crown) has emerged as a decent staying prospect and placed in his first three starts before the 3-year-old stepped up to a middle distance at Cranbourne earlier this month. He made the most of the opportunity with a decisive victory and promises to add to his record in this.

Hallowed Crown, sire of Exalted Crown | Standing at Twin Hills Stud

Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Exalted Crown’s dam Northroza (Northern Meteor) was successful on three occasions. She is out of a half-sister to the two-time Group 2 winner and dual G1 Caulfield Cup placegetter Grey Song (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) and to the G3 Jansz S. winner Tonz More Fun (More Than Ready {USA}).

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

NSW Race Results

Kembla Grange (Metropolitan)

Gosford (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

Sportsbet-Ballarat (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

QLD Race Results

Aquis Park Gold Coast (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

WA Race Results

Ascot (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

NT Race Results

Darwin (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

NZ Race Results

Pukekohe

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS First Season Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ First Season Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

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