Francesco Guardi becomes Frankel’s 104th stakes winner
Francesco Guardi (Ire) proved far too strong for his rivals in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup and in the process provided Juddmonte Farms’ unbeaten Champion, Frankel (GB) with his 104th stakes and 11th in Australia.
Trained by Chris Waller, the gelding came into the race having been narrowly beaten by Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) in the G3 Bart Cummings, but was able to reverse the form with the mare, beating her by 3.8l.
Waller withdrew the Irish-bred gelding, who is a 5-year-old by Australian time, from the Melbourne Cup entries along the nomination phase but hopes his turn will come next year.
Frankel (GB) | Standing at Juddmonte Farms
“We thought he was a year away but I think in 12 months' time it might be a different story,” Waller said.
“Winning races like today is one thing, the Melbourne Cup is a whole new level. We'll regroup after today (Saturday) and have a good throw at the stumps next year.”
It was a good day at Moonee Valley for Frankel, with his daughter My Whisper, bouncing back to form in the G3 Tesio S.
Amelia’s Jewel remains unbeaten
Perth’s star juvenile filly Ameila’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) opened her Classic account on Saturday with a hard-fought win in the Listed Belgravia S. at Ascot.
The daughter of Siyouni (Fr) had to work harder after being squeezed back, but her class prevailed and she dived for her the line, beating Man Crush (Manhattan Rain) by 0.2l.
Amelia's Jewel remains unbeaten with a hard-fought win in the Listed Belgravia S. at Ascot | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
A winner of all three of her starts, Amelia’s Jewel - who is trained by Simon Miller and raced by Peter Walsh - burst onto the scene when she won the Listed Supremacy S. on March 5 and would go on to win her next two starts in the G3 Gimcrack S. and G2 Karrakatta Plate.
Promise Of Success takes The Invitation
The John O’Shea-trained Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was too strong for her rivals in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick on Saturday.
It has been a tough beginning to the spring for O’Shea, with Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}) unable to accept for the G1 Metropolitan H. when he was mistakenly treated in the week before the race, while Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was a race morning scratching from The Everest due to lameness.
The day got off to a shaky start for the trainer when Domingo (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) fell in the opening race at Kembla Grange, but O’Shea was happy to see Promise Of Success get her head in front.
“She has always been a talent,” O'Shea said. “It was a great quality of race, some really talented Group 1 mares there so she has put her hand up and announced herself as one of the best mares around.
“When she gets to Randwick on good ground from a wide draw, that is tailor made for her.”
Santos sires first winner
Aquis Farm-based first-season sire Santos was handed his first winner courtesy of Ulanova’s (NZ) victory at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Trained by Stephen Marsh, the 2-year-old defeated Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) by 0.5l, while Balance Of Power (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) was another 2.3l behind in third.
Santos - a son of I Am Invincible - stands at Aquis Farm for a fee of $6600 (inc GST).
Four winners for Snitzel
Arrowfield Stud’s multiple Champion Sire Snitzel enjoyed a good day at the races, headed by Wee Nessy’s victory in the Listed William Crockett S. at Moonee Valley.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
In New Zealand, the stallion was represented by an impressive 2-year-old winner in the shape of Rhetorical (NZ), who was adding a second to his record at Riccarton. Meanwhile, the stallion’s son Proper Rouge saluted the judge at Doomben and another of his sons, Lehndorff, proved too good for his rivals at Kembla Grange.
Snitzel stands for a fee of $220,000 (inc GST).
Dundeel enjoys good day
Dundeel (NZ) - who stands alongside Snitzel at Arrowfield Stud - also enjoyed a good day, chalking up three winners.
Dundeel (NZ) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
The son of High Chaparral’s (Ire) daughter Deel Street landed a race at Kembla Grange, while Drive A Deel saluted at Doomben and he was also represented by a winner in Singapore.
Dundeel is standing for a fourth consecutive season for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST).
Treble for Pierro
Coolmore Stud resident Pierro chalked up a memorable three-timer on Saturday.
The stallion’s three winners were provided by Semeco, who took out a contest at Moe, while San Pierre and Cyclone, landed their respective contests at Casino and in Singapore respectively.
Pierro | Standing at Coolmore
Pierro is covering his 10th book of mares at Coolmore and his fee has been set at $99,000 (inc GST).
Three for Star Witness
Widden Stud’s consistent sire Star Witness sired three winners on Saturday and the trio was headed by 3-year-old gelding Cold Case, who took out a race at Morphettville.
Star Witness | Standing at Widden Victoria
The stallion’s son Expert Witness landed a race at Fannie Bay, while in New Zealand, his 4-year-old daughter Over To You took out a contest at Riccarton.
Star Witness stands at Widden Victoria for a fee of $14,300 (inc GST).
Le Don De Vie out of Melbourne Cup
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) will not be among Monday's fourth acceptances for the G1 Melbourne Cup after failing the Racing Victoria vetting process.
“(It) obviously comes as a surprise to everyone because he's never had a lame day in his life or missed any work,” part-owner Ozzie Kheir told Racing.com. “We were only updated a couple of days ago on how well he is going by the (Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace) stable.
“Although we totally understand and accept the process RV have in place for the Melbourne Cup runners, it is still disappointing when you think you had a 100 per cent sound horse only yesterday and now unable to compete in his grand final.
“The RV vetting process and communication is much better than the way it was handled during the Marmelo withdrawal of the Melbourne Cup (2019), so credit to all involved there. I am fully supportive of continued improvement and communication to find the right balance.
“No one ever wants to run a horse that has high risk of breaking down, so the stable will do its own independent vetting and assess what risk he has if he was to continue racing in the autumn, or if rehabilitation and an extended time off is required.
“The horse's safety will always be paramount.”
Vale Harry White
Four-time G1 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Harry White has died after a lengthy illness, it was announced on Saturday.
The 78-year-old died on G1 Cox Plate eve, a race he won on Rubiton in 1987.
White shares the Melbourne Cup record of four winners with Bobbie Lewis having won the race aboard Think Big (Sobig) (1974-75), Arwon (Aritzo {NZ}) (1978) and Hyperno (Rangong {GB}) (1979).
In a career spanning 35 years, White also won the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership in 1967/68, 1973/74, 1978/79 and 1980/81.
Victorian Jockeys' Association Executive Officer Matt Hyland paid tribute to White not only as a champion jockey but also as a compassionate man.
Harry White | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“Harry White defined all the qualities of a champion jockey and his inclusion in Racing's Hall of Fame in 2003 was testament to this,” Hyland said.
“While his achievements in the saddle will be revered forever, it was out of the saddle and during his years in retirement that Harry again showed he was a man of truly beautiful qualities.
“He was a caring, compassionate, thoughtful, humble and a generous man who was consistently and quietly supportive of many jockeys who had fallen on challenging times. Harry will be deeply missed but his legacy will be remembered forever as a truly iconic figure in Australian horse racing.”
