Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Flemington: G1 Champions Mile, $3,000,000, 1600m
Seen at his best back to 1600 metres off a close up G1 W.S Cox Plate fifth, Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) reaffirmed his liking for Flemington where he won the 2020 G1 Australian Guineas.
Recording his fourth success at Group 1 level, Alligator Blood increased his prizemoney tally to beyond $5.5 million - a good effort for a horse purchased by the Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate for $55,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bred by Gerry Harvey and prepared for the sale by his Baramul Stud, Alligator Blood has made a gutsy comeback from a kissing spine operation, earning a following in the process.
One of the 22 stakes winners (and one of the four Group 1 horses who have all won at the elite-level at least twice) for his Vinery Stud-based, four-time Group 1 winner, All Too Hard, Alligator Blood is out of the unraced Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) who sadly died young having had only four live foals, Alligator Blood the last of those.
Lake Superior is a daughter of the three-time Group 1-placed Kwilkwong (Red Ransom {USA}) whose son Cantonese (Redoute's Choice) won the Listed Christmas Cup. Kwilkwong's dam Tracy's Element (Last Tycoon {Ire}) earned the titles of South African Champion 2-Year-Old and South African Champion Older Mare with her four wins in Group 1 company.
And she did a great job at stud, her nine winners including the Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}) and the dual Listed winner Red Element (also by Red Ransom {USA}).
Alligator Blood is one of the 26 stakes winners and six Group 1 winners combining the close relations Flying Spur and Encosta De Lago - bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Rolls (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}) as well as a 4 X 4 cross of Last Tycoon (Ire).
G1 Champions Sprint, $3,000,000, 1200m
Recording her second Flemington feature win at big odds (the G1 Newmarket H. in March the first), Roch 'N' Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was tough to the line upsetting the favourite Nature Strip (Nicconi) who lost no fans with his usual gutsy performance.
Bred by part-owners the Little Avondale Trust and passed in for NZ$40,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, the attractive chestnut is one of the 24 stakes winners for her Little Avondale Stud-based sire and one of that Italian Group 3 winner's five Group 1 winners.
A granddaughter of Street Cry (Ire), Roch 'N' Horse is out of the unraced Rochfort (NZ) (Cecconi), half-sister to the G3 Wellington S. winner Weissmuller (NZ) (Handsome Ransom), the dual Listed winner Travolta (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) and the G1 VRC Oaks runner-up Harlow Gold (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Not returned to the New Zealand Stud Book since being served by Time Test (GB) two years ago, Rochfort has a yet to race 3-year-old filly by Tavistock (NZ) by the name of Priceless - a recent trial winner for the Robyn and Russell Rogers stable.
Hailing from the same family as the stakes winners Presently (Unbridled's Song {USA}), New Predator (New Approach {Ire}) and Serena Miss (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), Roch 'N' Horse carries crosses of the influential mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
G1 Champions S., $3,000,000, 2000m
The first horse since Belmura Lad (NZ) (Belmura {GB}) in 1980 and 1981 to win this race twice, Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) led his rivals a merry dance with this, his fourth success at the elite level.
And he created further history in doing so - the first Victorian Group 1 winner ridden and trained by a woman... throwing in the fact that he was also bred by a woman, Lanwades Stud's high-achieving Kirsten Rausling.
One of the 25 stakes winners and three Group 1 winners sired by the late multiple Group 1 winner Leroidesanimaux (Brz) who at one stage was touted to shuttle to Australia, Zaaki is out of the two-time winning Sadler's Wells (USA) mare Kesara (GB) whose other five winners include the stakes-placed, Singapore-based galloper Kirks Ryker (GB) (Selkirk {USA}) and the dam of the Listed winner Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}).
Kesara is a half-sister to the French two-time Listed winner Persona Grata (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) whose daughter Lovely Esteem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was Group 2-placed in Ireland in July. Zaaki's stakes-placed third dam, Minya (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}), is dam of the Italian dual Group 1 winner Altieri (GB) (Selkirk {USA}).
This is the prolific Marchetta (GB) (Marco {GB}) family which features further in Zaaki's pedigree via Borealis (GB), Turn-To (Ire) and Klairon (Fr) to whom he is line-bred 5 X 6. Also boasting a 3 X 4 Blushing Groom (Fr) cross, Zaaki was a 40,000gns (AU$70,400) yearling - purchased for the Annabel Neasham stable for 150,000gns (AU$253,600) at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
G2 Matriarch S., $300,000, 2000m
One of the standouts in the yard and racing right up to her looks, Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) was back into the winner's circle for the first time since her G3 Bill Ritchie H. success at Randwick in September last year.
A daughter of Waikato Stud stalwart Savabeel (and one of that G1 W.S Cox Plate winner's 127 stakes winners), Atishu is a NZ$260,000 graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale (Book 1) - sold by Waikato Stud to GO Racing.
Bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Nureyev (USA), Atishu is a well-named daughter of the two-time winning No Excuse Needed (GB) mare Posy (NZ), sister to the New Zealand Champion 3-Year-Old, Daffodil (NZ), whose three wins at Group 1 level include the AJC Oaks.
Fourth in today's G1 Champions Mile, the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) also hails from this family, one which has as its ancestress the high-class UK broodmare Felucca (GB) (Nearco {Ity}).
Posy has visited Savabeel at each of her last four years at stud with her most recently named foal being the recent maiden-winning 3-year-old Mazzolino (NZ) who was fifth at her most recent outing in Group 3 company in New Zealand.
G3 Queen's Cup, $300,000, 2600m
Impressive at his Australian debut, Soulcombe (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks set for a bright future on Australian soil.
Bred by Pursuit Of Success, the 106th stakes winner for his superstar Juddmonte-based sire, he is the third foal and first winner (the other two are placed) for the G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Ribbons (GB) (Manduro {Ger}).
His classy dam is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed, three-time winner Tribute Act (GB) (Exceed And Excel) whilst his grandam Sister Act (GB) (Marju {Ire}) is a full sister to the outstanding mare Soviet Song (Ire) whose many accolades include European Champion Older Horse.
Also able to count amongst his relations the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Soulcombe is bred on a 5 X 6 cross of Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) via her grandson Sadler's Wells (USA) and son Nureyev (USA).
Listed The Amanda Elliott, $175,000, 1400m
Game to the line, Magic Time (Hellbent) is the first stakes winner for her Yarraman Park Stud-based sire. Bred by Muir Woodside and passed in at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is raced by her vendors Milburn Creek. She is the first foal for the G3 SA Sires' Produce S. winner Time Awaits (Nicconi), granddaughter of the G2 WA Oaks winner Mystic Chantry (Chanteclair). Coming through for her is a filly by Zoustar and a colt by Dundeel (NZ) and she foaled a Maurice (Jpn) colt in mid-October.
Riccarton Park: G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, NZ$550,000, 1600m
Beaten just once in four starts, Pier (NZ) (Proisir) relished the step up to the mile to add this Classic to his G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas success.
A homebred for the Weatherley and Wright families, Pier is one of the nine stakes winners for his Rich Hill Stud-based, G3 Spring S.-winning sire, Proisir, a son of Choisir who was also represented by the third-placed Prowess (NZ).
Pier's dam is the metropolitan-placed, two-time winner La Vitesse (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who was represented by two winners last season - Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and La Velocita (NZ) (also by Proisir).
Served last spring by Contributer (Ire) having previously missed to Ribchester (Ire), La Vitesse is out of the dual Group winner Naturo (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) whose five foals to race have all been winners including the stakes-placed Orutan (NZ) (Pins) and O'Naturelle (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Boasting an interesting pedigree with his sire and dam bred on the same Danehill (USA)/Century cross, Pier can count amongst his relations the Group 1 gallopers Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), Electronic (NZ) (First Norman {USA}) and Sweet Idea (Snitzel).
Listed Metropolitan Trophy, NZ$100,000, 2500m
Doing a good job from a tricky gate, Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) is a deserved stakes winner on the back of consistent form. Bred by Simms Davison, she was sold by Westbury Stud for $60,000 to David Ellis at the 2010 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. The fourth stakes winner for her Mapperley Stud-based sire, she is the third stakes winner for her metropolitan-winning dam Bella Carolina (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) - also dam of the Listed winners Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Leedox (NZ) (Time Test {GB}). She was again served by Contributer (Ire) last spring.
Listed Pegasus S., NZ$80,000, 1000m
Charging past the leaders late Lincoln's Kruz (Kuroshio) continued his jockey Lisa Allpress' outstanding record in this race. Bred in Victoria by Bridsan Bloodstock, he made his way through the sales ring twice - as a $55,000 Inglis Premier Yearling (sold by Flinders Park Stud to Woburn Farm) and as a $150,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run 2-year-old (sold by Woburn Farm to Lisa Latta Racing). The fourth stakes winner for his now Irish (Compas Stallions)-based former Darley sire, he is out of the deceased Myskina (Xaar {GB}), a half-sister to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}).
Rosehill: G2 Hot Danish S., $500,000, 1400m
Doing a good job bouncing back into winning form at just her second run this time in, Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard) is now a three-time Group winner having, during the Queensland winter carnival, taken out the G1 JJ Atkins S. and the G2 Sires' Produce S.
Bred in Western Australia (where she kicked off her career, winning two of three including the R. Listed Pinjarra Magic Millions) by Mt Hallowell Stud, Sheeza Belter was purchased by Justin Warwick for $50,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
She is the sole stakes winner (from a debut crop of just 42 foals) for the former Spendthrift now Widden Victoria-based stallion Gold Standard, winner of the G2 Stan Fox S.
Her dam is the Mt Hallowell Stud-bred dual city winner Saxabelle (Saxon) whose three foals to race have all been winners including the multiple city winner Grand Design (Master Of Design).
Served last spring by Brave Smash (Jpn) having had the previous season off, Saxabelle has a More Than Ready (USA) 2-year-old by the name of Call Of Duty.
Line-bred to the relations Halo (USA) and Danehill (USA), Sheeza Belter can count amongst her relations the Group 3 winners Special Reward (Demerit) and Showy Chloe (Alfred Nobel {Ire}).
Ascot: G2 Lee Steere S., $250,000, 1400m
A case of deja vu for Massimo (Sessions) who held on in the most determined fashion to win the same race he won 12 months ago - becoming the first dual winner of this Group 3 contest since La Trice (Matrice) who was successful in the early 1970s.
The winner of 10 of his 35 starts, Massimo was bred by Oakland Park Stud and is one of the two stakes winners for their G2 The Shorts-winning sire, Sessions, a son of Lonhro.
He is the penultimate foal produced by the stakes-placed, dual city winner Highest (Marscay) who has also produced the metropolitan winners He's A Moral (Not A Single Doubt), Onya Head (Helmet) and Altitude (Danzero) who is in turn dam of the G1 Golden Rose S. winner Exosphere.
Highest is a daughter of the Listed winner Consular Belle (Can) (Pro Consul {Can}), also dam of the stakes winners Vibrant Virgo (Zabeleta {USA}) and Tell Me Straight (Is It True {USA}) and ancestress of stakes winners Impressing Matters (Viscount), War Room (War Chant {USA}), Genuine Girl (Is It True {USA}) and Destino (Bletchley Park {Ire}).
Bred on a 5 X 3 cross of Biscay (Star Kingdom {Ire}), Massimo is also line-bred to his own family, being a descendant of the influential Frizette (USA) (Hamburg {USA}) whose most famous descendant Mr Prospector (USA) features in Lonhro's pedigree.
Listed Fairetha S., $125,000, 1400m
Remaining undefeated after four starts, the promising Bustler (Playing God) was bred by Mungrup Stud and sold through the Ruby Racing and Breeding draft to Ridgeport Holdings for $130,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. The 10th stakes winner for his Darling View-based sire, he is the first foal for the three-time winner Cosmah Domination (Oratorio), half-sister to the stakes-placed Amelia Storm (Stormy's Son). Hailing from the family of the South African Champion 3-Year-Old filly Mythical Play (NZ) (Defensive Play {USA}), Cosmah Domination foaled a full sister to Bustler in September with her previous foal being a Maschino colt. Her 2-year-old, A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot {USA}), was placed at his Ascot debut last month.
Te Rapa: Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint, NZ$65,000, 1200m
Doing well up in class, the promising Malt Time (Adelaide {Ire}) was bred by Nearco Stud. The third stakes winner for his Coolmore Stud-based, G1 W.S Cox Plate-winning sire, she is one of only three foals for the G2 Travis S. winner Pimms Time (NZ) (Pins) who died young having also produced the Group 3-placed Aperitif (Bernardini {USA}). Malt Time's fourth dam is the star mare Emancipation (Bletchingly).
