Cover image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Race-Day Recap
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace notched back-to-back Group 1 weekends when they captured the Robert Sangster S. with Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Morphettville on Saturday, following up on the G1 Australasian Oaks victory of Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) last Saturday.
Annabel Neasham’s stable star Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) won his third G2 Hollindale S. in a row under James McDonald at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, taking his prizemoney past the $10-million mark.
Michael Dee captured the G2 Queen of the South S. (1600 metres) on the Ben and JD Hayes-trained 3-year-old filly Caste (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), the second of three stakes winners at Morphettville for the jockey.
Michael Dee steered Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Royal Merchant to victory in the G2 Tobin Bronze S., handing Merchant Navy his second stakes winner.
After Bjorn Baker’s Renaissance Woman (NZ) took out the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800 metres), Gerry Harvey’s homebred Essonne (NZ) landed the Listed Silk Stocking (1400 metres) for Richard Litt.
Marking an initial stakes winner for Aquis Farms’ The Mission, Queensland trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears fended off a host of inter-state raiders to win Saturday’s G3 Gold Coast Guineas at the Sunshine Coast with their 3-year-old gelding Yellow Brick.
Maher/Eustace form rolls into Sangster
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace notched back-to-back Group 1 weekends when they captured the Robert Sangster S. with Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Morphettville on Saturday, following up on the G1 Australasian Oaks victory of Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) last Saturday.
One of just two 3-year-olds fillies against a field of seasoned mares, Ruthless Dame was positioned wide by Allen entering the home straight, and came with a determined run to get the better of Another Award (Shamus Award) by 0.7l, with Godolphin’s Zapateo (Brazen Beau) 0.2l further back in third.
Having swerved the G2 Tobin Bronze S. on the same card, co-trainer Ciaron Maher’s decision to target Saturday’s feature race was more than justified.
Ruthless Dame (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Unbelievable, I did get asked the question a couple of times today, we could’ve run in the next race but she’s already Group 1-placed and we just thought she’d be able to have the last crack at them,” Maher said.
“We knew she was nice and fresh; the team have done a super job with her.”
The victory was also a notable one for John Allen, who is now only the second jockey ever to have won all four of South Australia’s current Group 1 events, following Steven Arnold.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming down here, this Morphettville track has been very special to me and it’s great to knock off the set of them,” Allen said.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming down here, this Morphettville track has been very special to me and it’s great to knock off the set of them.” - John Allen
As for possible targets for his latest Group 1 winner, Maher hinted that she may come back to Adelaide for the G1 The Goodwood in two weeks' time, or target Queensland instead.
Continuing an excellent year for her breeders Go Bloodstock, Ruthless Dame is out of the stakes-placed Keeper mare Ruthless Lady (NZ), and was purchased for NZ$90,000 by her trainers at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
She is now a 10th elite-level winner for Tavistock (NZ), a former resident of Cambridge Stud.
John Allen returns to scale after winning the G1 Robert Sangster S. with Ruthless Dame (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing SA
Zaaki scores third Hollindale
Annabel Neasham’s stable star Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) won his third G2 Hollindale S. in a row under James McDonald at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, taking his prizemoney past the $10-million mark.
Although sent off odds-on favourite, it wasn’t the simplest of his 15 career victories, though ultimately, he was dominant, scoring by 0.4l from Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}) with Zeyrek (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) back in third.
Zaaki (GB) bolts in to win his third G2 Hollindale S. | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
“It’s not often you see James four wide without cover,” Neasham said. “To be fair, the horse just wasn’t away quickly enough, which sometimes happens. But James knows him so well and the horse really showed that fight.
“The two horses behind him ran terrifically but, fortunately, he was still too good for them.
“He’s been a pin-up horse for me. He’s taken us to places we never thought possible, especially so early in my career. He was the first tried horse that I ever bought, and what he’s done for the stable is just unbelievable.”
“He’s (Zaaki) been a pin-up horse for me. He’s taken us to places we never thought possible... He was the first tried horse that I ever bought, and what he’s done for the stable is just unbelievable.” - Annabel Neasham
Dee’s day as he nets four at Morphettville
After capturing Race 2 aboard Ben and JD Hayes’ Conqueror (Fastnet Rock), Michael Dee captured three stakes races at Morphettville on Saturday. Getting underway in the Listed Without Fear S. (covered in the juvenile summary) aboard Matt Laurie’s Chilled (Shalaa {Ire}), he soon followed up in the G2 Queen of the South S. (1600 metres).
Caste as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Teaming up with the Hayes brothers again, he scored on 3-year-old filly Caste (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), producing her perfectly to take the lead with 50 metres to run. She finished 0.5l ahead of Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) with the field, 4l adrift, headed by Waltz On By (I Am Invincible).
“That was very impressive in what was a very hard race,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said. “She came from the rear of the field and just attacked the line over a mile.
“To win a Group 2 when she was so down in the weights, she was poorly weighted, it’s a very good effort.”
“She (Caste) came from the rear of the field and just attacked the line over a mile. To win a Group 2 when she was so down in the weights, she was poorly weighted, it’s a very good effort.” - Ben Hayes
Caste took the Listed H C Nitschke S. on her previous start and was a $90,000 buy for Lindsay Park at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. A resident of Cornerstone Stud, Sir Prancealot (Ire) stood last year for $8800 (inc GST), with a 2023 fee yet to be announced.
Merchant Navy notches second stakes winner
After missing out in the feature race, Dee continued on his stakes-winning streak in the G2 Tobin Bronze S., steering Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Royal Merchant (Merchant Navy) to a 0.3l victory over Peter Moody’s She Dances (Street Boss {USA}).
Finishing runner-up to Caste in the Nitschke S., it was a first stakes victory for Royal Merchant on Saturday. She now the most successful progeny of second-season sire Merchant Navy, who gained his first stakes winner earlier this season when 2-year-old Steel City - also trained by Maher/Eustace - won the G3 Magic Night S.
Merchant Navy | Standing at Kooringal Stud
Having completed his stakes treble, Dee reflected:
“It’s been a massive day… I’m lucky enough that I’m riding for good trainers and on the backs of good horses.
“We got to Moody’s horse comfortably, (she) proved to be a bit difficult to get past, but to my girl’s credit she wanted it.”
Michael Dee | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A $160,000 purchase by her trainers at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Royal Merchant is the only foal to race from the three-time winner Seventhchic (Seventh Reason).
Transferred from Coolmore Stud last month, Merchant Navy will stand the upcoming breeding season at the Lamont family’s Kooringal Stud for $13,200 (inc GST).
Reliable Man shines at the Sunshine Coast
Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man (GB) sired a stakes double at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. His stellar afternoon got underway when Bjorn Baker’s Renaissance Woman (NZ) took out the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800 metres).
Renaissance Woman (NZ) stretches out to win the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at the Sunshine Coast | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
A winner of the G3 Ethereal S. in the spring, the 3-year-old filly announced herself as a contender for the G1 Queensland Oaks, coming from behind to collar Chris Waller’s Super Chilled (Churchill {Ire}) by 0.2l.
“I’m really pleased with how that turned out,” winning jockey Josh Parr said. “She’s such a talented filly, and when they’re taking you into the race like that, you can go wherever you damn well please.
“I can’t wait until she reaches her full potential because I don’t think we’ve seen it just yet. So, there are exciting things to come with her.”
“She’s (Renaissance Woman) such a talented filly... I can’t wait until she reaches her full potential because I don’t think we’ve seen it just yet. So, there are exciting things to come with her.” - Josh Parr
Raced by Geoff Walsh, Renaissance Woman was secured by his brother-in-law Brian Nutt’s Attunga Stud at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where she cost NZ$250,000. She is out of Mrs Kennedy (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis (General Nediym).
Reliable Man was handed stakes winner number 21 shortly afterwards when Gerry Harvey’s homebred Essonne (NZ) landed the Listed Silk Stocking (1400 metres), her first attempt at black type.
Trained by Richard Litt, the 4-year-old mare came from the rear of the field and beat Renouf (Street Boss {USA}) by 0.5l, with Tycoon Evie (Written Tycoon) 0.5l back in third.
Essonne (NZ) comes over the top to win the Listed Silk Stocking at the Sunshine Coast | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Essonne is out of Riviere (Redoute's Choice), a half-sister to Group 2 winner First Command (Commands).
Reliable Man stands at Westbury Stud in 2023 for NZ$13,500 plus GST, and it was a great day for the stud, who also notched a smart juvenile stakes winner via Solidify (NZ), a son of Redwood (GB), which is covered in the juvenile summary.
Yellow Brick hands The Mission a first stakes winner
Queensland trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears fended off a host of inter-state raiders to win Saturday’s G3 Gold Coast Guineas at the Sunshine Coast with their 3-year-old gelding Yellow Brick (The Mission), who made it six wins from eight starts.
Runner-up on his last start in the R. Listed Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on January 19, Yellow Brick returned from a break and was a commanding winner, finishing 1.3l ahead of Annabel Neasham’s filly Lady Laguna (Overshare), whilst Soothsayer (Divine Prophet) was a further 0.4l back in third.
Yellow Brick storms home to take out the G3 Gold Coast Guineas at the Sunshine Coast | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Yellow Brick is out of four-time winner Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), and was a $20,000 purchase by his trainers and Paul Moroney Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
A son of Choisir, The Mission stands at Aquis Farms in 2023 for $8800 (inc GST), and celebrates his first stakes winner in Yellow Brick.
