Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
G1 James Squire Queensland Oaks, $600,000, 2200m
Race summary
Duais (Shamus Award) gifted trainer Edward Cummings his first Group 1 victory when saluting here in fine fashion.
The flashy filly settled back in the field nearest to last under Champion hoop Hugh Bowman and spotted the lead more than 8l when turning for home.
Bowman opted to push out towards the middle of the straight to find clear air and ultimately presented through a gap occupied by eventual second and third placegetters Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Signora Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse), who both fought on bravely despite being beaten 2.5l and 2.7l respectively.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Splendiferous (Pride Of Dubai) was doing her best work late to finish further back in fourth under Nash Rawiller.
Pedigree notes
Duais is the fifth foal out of 1000 metre winner Meerlust (Johannesburg {USA}), making her a half-sister to G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince).
Meerlust herself hails from an extended family littered with black type, including Champion sire Encosta De Lago and Flying Spur. The latter sired six individual Group 1 winners.
Young Newgate Farm stallion and dual Group 1-winning sprinter Russian Revolution also features alongside the likes of Group 1-winning sire Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) on Meerlust’s third damline.
Meerlust’s most recent progeny is an unraced sibling to Duais by the name of Amity Girl. She was served by Vinery Stud stallion All Too Hard last season after missing to Holy Roman Emperor in 2019.
Duais is the second Oaks winner this season for Rosemont Stud stallion Shamus Award, who himself is responsible for G1 Australasian Oaks winner Media Award and seven more individual stakes winners. He will stand for a service fee of $33,000 (inc GST) this upcoming breeding season on the back of his progeny’s strong showings of late.
G2 Ascot Green Moreton Cup, $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) made it consecutive stakes wins when saluting here.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding settled four back on the fence after jumping evenly into stride.
Star hoop Glen Boss ultimately found himself stuck behind a wall of horses on straightening aboard the 5-year-old.
However, Boss didn’t panic and was presented with a rails run with 300 metres to go. He then levelled-up alongside eventual third placegetter Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) inside the final furlong and shot clear to a commanding 2.3l romp.
The Kris Lees-trained Zaniah (Zoustar) worked home best of the rest to finish second under Andrew Mallyon.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Baller was a $160,000 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Anthony Cummings Racing via the draft of Baramul Stud.
He is the fifth of seven foals out of 900 metre winner Fuwa (Encosta De Lago), who herself hails from the second damline of four-time Group 1 winner Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}).
His ill-fated sire High Chaparral (Ire) has sired four individual stakes winners this season, including G3 Bendigo Cup winner Princess Jenni (NZ).
He is responsible for dual Cox Plate winner, So You Think (NZ) and six-time Group 1 winner Dundeel (NZ), who are both forging careers at Coolmore and Arrowfield Stud respectively.
Listed Nova 106.9 Queensland Day S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Setanta (Fastnet Rock) prevailed in a thrilling blanket finish to take out the last event on the program.
The Tony Gollan-trained colt held a rails position just off midfield under leading local hoop Ryan Maloney before presenting down the middle of the straight to avoid inside interference.
Once getting out into clear air the 3-year-old spotted the leaders more than 5l and despite being set a task he dug deep to score on the final stride.
Runner-up Mass Destruction (Spirit Of Boom) was another doing his best work late and ultimately nosed out a brave Tramonto (Wandjina) who himself stuck to the task despite looking under immense pressure over the concluding stages.
Rocketing By (So You Think {NZ}) rocketed home under Nash Rawiller to finish only 0.3l behind Setanta in fourth.
Pedigree notes
A $2.3 million 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Aquis Farm via the draft of Segenhoe Stud, Setanta is the final foal out of G3 Sweet Embrace S. winner and dual Group 1 third placegetter Legally Bay (Snippets). Making him a sibling to dual hemisphere Group 1-winning sprinter and current Coolmore Stud stallion Merchant Navy.
Setanta is also a sibling to G2 Roman Consul S. winner and G1 Coolmore Stud S. runner-up Jolie Bay who herself is the dam of G2 Caulfield Sprint H. runner-up God Of Thunder (More Than Ready {USA}).
He is also a sibling to the dam of Listed winner and recent $1 million Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale purchase Hindaam (NZ) (Savabeel), who was part of the Shadwell Dispersal.
Setanta’s dam Legally Bay is a half-sister to G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice) and the dam of this season's G3 Kindergarten S. winner Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}).
Setanta’s victory here gifted Coolmore Stud stallion Fastnet Rock his 20th individual stakes winner this season. The star sire will stand his 13th season at stud this year at a service fee of $165,000 (inc GST). He is responsible for three individual Group 1 winners this season, including G1 VRC Oaks heroine Personal.
Listed Nuturf Spear Chief H., $125,000, 1500m
Race summary
Charleise (Foxwedge) defied jumping from the far outside, barrier 13, and a tough three-wide run in transit to notch up her first stakes success here.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare was taken back from the draw by Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Jye McNeil and was one of the first runners off the bit.
However, the 4-year-old continued to lengthen under McNeil and was able to make up more than 5l over the concluding 300 metres to run down eventual runner-up Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) who looked home for all money.
Luvoir (Deep Field) was gifted a lovely run in transit and was only narrowly beaten into third after working into the race over the concluding stages, while Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) battled home to finish further back in fourth.
Pedigree notes
Charleise is the second foal out of dual winner Adio (Lonhro), who herself hails from the extended family of G2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Happy Giggle (Rory's Jester) and G3 Blue Diamond Prelude third placegetter Behind (General Nediym).
Adio currently has a weanling filly by Aquis Farm stallion Divine Prophet on the ground while in foal to Eureka Stud stallion Spirit Of Boom.
Charleise is her sire Foxwedge’s fourth individual stakes winner this season, he is also responsible for this year’s G1 Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox. Foxwedge will stand at Woodside Park again this season for an unchanged service fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
Listed Grinders Coffee Lightning H., $125,000, 1000m
Race summary
Usmanov (Choisir) saluted in convincing fashion under talented, young hoop Baylee Nothdurft.
The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained galloper broke evenly from the machine and was scrubbed up by Nothdurft to take up the running.
From there he dictated the tempo before trucking up into the straight under light riding before letting down and holding out a bold Boomtown Lass (Spirit Of Boom), who had settled in the box seat under Glen Boss.
Third placegetter Doctor Zous (Zoustar) camped midfield in the run and battled home gamely into third after scoring a lovely run in transit.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, Usmanov was a $350,000 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Aquis, Blue Sky Bloodstock and Toby Edmonds via the draft of Segenhoe Stud.
He is the first and best-performed foal to date out of 1200 metre winner Mining Tycoon (Redoute’s Choice), who herself is out of a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre {USA}).
Mining Tycoon’s most recent progeny to go through the sales ring is an unraced colt by Lonhro who was knocked down to China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock for $460,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She currently has a weanling colt by Rubick on the ground while in foal to Arrowfield Stud stallion Dundeel (NZ).
Usmanov is former Coolmore Stud stallion Choisir’s second individual stakes winner this season. Choisir was pensioned last year at the age of 21 after 17 years of service which resulted in nine individual Group 1 winners including star sprinter Starspangledbanner.
Listed Authentic Security The Phoenix S., $125,000, 1500m
Race summary
Volcanic Rock (Hinchinbrook) saluted in typical Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott fashion by rolling forward and taking luck out of the equation.
The lightly raced juvenile broke clean into stride under leading hoop Craig Williams and quickly relaxed after finding the box seat.
Williams continued to stalk the speed before peeling to the leaders outside on straightening, and from there his mount lengthened when asked to extend.
The Robert and Luke Price-trained Verbek (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) loomed as the likely danger in the straight but was safely held by Volcanic Rock despite rider Nash Rawiller’s best efforts.
Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), the half-brother of star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was most impressive in defeat, working home into third after settling last and being produced the widest of all runners at the top of the straight.
Pedigree notes
A $240,000 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock via the draft of Bell River Thoroughbreds, Volcanic Rock is the eighth and most recent foal out of G3 Silver Shadow S. third placegetter Heat Of The Fire (Strategic), thus making him a half-brother to G3 Kindergarten S. winner and three-time Group 2 placegetter Furnaces (Exceed And Excel).
He is also a half-brother to the dam of Listed Valley Pearl S. winner and G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies and Mares) runner-up Scorched Earth (Nicconi).
Heat Of The Fire herself hails from the second damline of dual Group 3 winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Pariah, who himself now stands at Arrowfield Stud for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
She is currently in foal to Coolmore Stud shuttle stallion Churchill (Ire) after missing to Darley’s freshman sire Astern in 2019.
Volcanic Rock is the third individual stakes winner this season by the ill-fated Hinchinbrook, who himself is responsible for four individual Group 1 winners, including high-rating Hong Kong sprinter Beat The Clock.
