Godolphin claims another major carnival prize

Written by

Paul Vettise

3 min read

Saeed Bin Suroor is edging closer to realising his Australian dream of scooping the Melbourne pool of Group 1 features.

The Newmarket trainer has been chasing the gems of the spring carnival for close on two decades and, apart from the shock G1 Caulfield Cup victory of All The Good (IRE) (Dieses {GB}) 10 years ago, he’s come up frustratingly short.

This time around, Bin Suroor has found the line easier to cross with Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {IRE}) kick-starting the charge with victory in the G1 Caulfield S., as he bids to dethrone Winx (Street Cry {IRE}) of her Cox Plate crown next weekend.

Water-tight solution

And on Saturday, he produced Best Solution (IRE) (Kodiac {GB}), who found all the answers for owner Sheikh Mohammed to down Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) in a driving finish in the G1 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup.

The willing 5-year-old overcame a torrid run with a performance that puts him right to the forefront of G1 Melbourne Cup discussions.

Determined effort

Best Solution had to work hard early to be with the pace and race in the leading quartet. When The Taj Mahal (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) was set alight from midfield by James McDonald to go to the front 600 metres from home, Cosgrave made his move.

He urged the 5-year-old to the front on the turn and the top weight held the strongest of gallops under his top weight of 57.5kg to repel the challenge of Homesman, who was in receipt of four and a-half kilos.

Best Solution

The Cliffsofmoher (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) came on gamely for third ahead of Duretto (GB) (Manduro {GER}) and The Taj Mahal wilted to be the next home.

“We had a bad draw and a bad trip. I went early and he came to be beaten, but he was too tough.” – Pat Cosgrave.

“I can’t believe it, all credit to the horse,” Cosgrave said. “We had a bad draw and a bad trip. I went early and he came to be beaten, but he was too tough.

“I had to work hard to get up there and I was five deep on the first bend. I thought I had used too much petrol to get there.

“Caulfield is a great place and to have two big winners here is dreamland. It’s just crazy and shows anything is possible.”

Breakthrough wins for trio of stallions

4 min read

Time for War, Better Than Ready and Whittington all had their first 2-year-old winners on Saturday with Time To Reign, The Odyssey and Button Pusher recording impressive wins at Randwick, Doomben and the Gold Coast respectively.

Time To Reign, by ill-fated Kitchwin Hills stallion Time for War, lived up to his pedigree page with a strong on-pace effort on the soft track in Sydney.

The half-brother to 2017 Golden Slipper S. winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) handled his debut well in the Forum Group Kirkham Plate and despite hanging out a bit late, had 2.3l to spare on Bivouac (Exceed and Excel) with the $1.8 million filly Evening Slippers (Snitzel) third.

Trainer Gary Portelli, who also prepared She Will Reign, was suitably impressed with the debut and is already thinking about next year's Golden Slipper with the colt.

"He's very green, but he looked strong through the line, he's only going to improve." - Gary Portelli on Time To Reign's debut

"I was feeling the pressure today. You've got a potential stallion on your hands, a half brother to a Golden Slipper winner that can gallop, you don't like to see them get beaten their first start," Portelli said after the race.

"He's very green, but he looked strong through the line, he's only going to improve."

Jockey Rachael King confirmed post race that Time To Reign had a very good look around down the straight and she struggled to keep him on a straight line.

Time To Reign as a yearling

With that in mind, Portelli is confident in the colt's prospects going forward this campaign and next.

"He's never galloped away from home. You have to understand these horses aren’t humans. He wouldn’t know where the winning post is. He's kicked 200m from home, and he doesn't know where to go," he said.

"There's plenty of upside for this bloke, we were talking about heading to Melbourne for the Maribyrnong Plate, but it depends on how he comes through the run."

"I reckon he's going to be a good horse next preparation, he's got plenty of leg under him. He still hasn't filled out yet."

Portelli said the experience of having raced on a soft track could also prove important later in his 2-year-old season.

"We always know come Slipper time that there is a big potential for the rain that time of year. If we can get him qualified for a Slipper, my God, look out!"

It's an especially important success for Darby Racing, who bought Time To Reign for $325,000 at this year's Magic Millions Sale. Darby Racing also bought and syndicated Time For War, who stood for two seasons at Kitchwin Hills before his premature death in December 2016.

"If we can get him qualified for a Slipper, my God, look out!" - Gary Portelli

They also raced She Will Reign, who they famously won the world's richest 2-year-old race with having paid just $20,000 for her at the 2016 Inglis Classic Sale

Ready, Set, Go

At Doomben, Lyndhurst farm Stud's Better Than Ready secured his first-ever winner when The Odyssey put on a professional display to win the St Rita's College by QTIS 2YO Hcp by 3.25l.

Having his second start, The Odyssey turned the tables on short-price favourite Guntantes (Rothesay), with the well-supported Okeechobee (Sebring) third.

It was a special success for trainer Kelly Schweida, who prepared Better Than Ready during his career.

The Odyssey was a $30,000 buy for Schweida at the 2018 Magic Millions Sale. He is out of the Snitzel mare Jessica's Hope, whose dam was half-sister to Irish Listed winner Judicial.

Whittington on the Button

At the Gold Coast, Button Pusher marked the first win for Grandview Stud's Whittington, powering to a 3.75L win in a 2YO maiden.

Button Pusher was third on debut to Courseshewill (Unencumbered) at Doomben and took substantial improvement second time out for trainer Brad Witt.

Whittington

In Adelaide, Sebrakate (Sebring) is headed to the Magic Millions after notching a narrow win over her two stablemates in the Laughing Jack Wines 2-year-old Plate.

Having caused an upset win on debut, Sebrakate started a short-priced favourite this time around but needed until the stride in the 1000m event to defeat Emconi Star (Equiano {Fr}) and Power Scheme (Fiorente {Ire}).

Lindsay Park also won the 2YO race at Bendigo, with the Aquis Farm owned Espinola (Bel Esprit) prevailing.

Sprint glory for Team Eduardo

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

A Cranbourne couple stepped onto the big stage at Caulfield where they executed a sprinting plan to perfection with a rising short course star.

Trainer Sarah Zschoke and jockey Brian Park combined with the lightly-raced Eduardo (Host {CHI} to take top honours in Saturday’s G2 McCafe Caulfield Sprint.

Zschoke operates a small stable while Park has limited opportunities on feature days, but with their talented 5-year-old they showed they belonged.

“It’s so wonderful and we knew the horse was up to it – he’s a super horse.” Sarah Zschoke.

“I can’t believe it, but I can believe it. It’s so wonderful and we knew the horse was up to it – he’s a super horse,” Zschoke said.

“I like the way he switched off and we’ve always thought he was up to it. He just does things so naturally.”

To say Eduardo has come a long way in a short time in an understatement. The chestnut was a debut winner at Moe during the winter and was put aside after he claimed a Benchmark 64 race on the Sandown-Hillside track.

Another level

The gelding finished second in an open dash at Caulfield when he resumed and was again runner-up in the G2 Gilgai S., at Flemington before going to another level on Saturday.

Zschoke currently has a team of half a dozen in work and Eduardo is a perfect advertisement for her conditioning skills.

“It would be really wonderful if we could get a few more in the team,” she said.

Sarah Zschoke and jockey Brian Park celebrating the win of Eduardo

Eduardo jumped well from a wide gate, but was forced to cover extra ground before he strode to the front 200 metres from home and he wasn’t to be denied. She Knows (Denman) was a solid second ahead of Bons Away (Bon Hoffa), who made ground near the fence.

“There was a good pace, but I got stuck three wide and then came around them.” – Brian Park.

“There was a good pace, butI got stuck three wide and then came around them,” Park said. “He put himself there early and when I pressed the button in the straight he went and got the job done.”

The runner-up’s trainer Danny Williams was delighted with his 4-year-old’s performance to get home strongly from the back of the field.

“She’s a very courageous mare who puts in every time,” he said. “She keeps lifting the bar and she’ll be better at Flemington for the set weights and penalties for fillies and mares over 1100 metres.”

Cup start still in mix for colt

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Just over two decades ago Gai Waterhouse went close to winning the G1 Melbourne Cup with a 3-year-old. She produced Nothin’ Leica Dane (Danehill {USA}) to finish runner-up behind Doriemus (NZ) (Norman Pentaquad {USA}) in 1995 after he had won the G1 VRC Derby three days previously.

Waterhouse, who now trains with Adrian Bott, is pondering returning to an old trick with the aptly-named Thinkin’ Big (High Chaparral {IRE}), who won Saturday’s G3 Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic and a race also claimed by Nothin’ Leica Dane.

“We’ll sleep on it and in a few days make up our minds.” - Gai Waterhouse.

“We’ll sleep on it and in a few days make up our minds,” she said. “We’ll see how he comes out of this.

“He’ll stay all day and on his dam’s side is Nothin’ Leica Dane, but this guy is better looking,” Waterhouse said.

Now a four-time winner, Thinkin’ Big ran third in the G1 Spring Champion S., on a wet Randwick track off the back of his G3 Gloaming S., success to book his passage to Melbourne.

He was ridden again by Tim Clark, who let the horse stride to the front before he started to quicken the tempo 500 metres from home.

Never in any doubt

They were clear halfway down the straight and Thinkin’ Big held a relentless gallop to distance his opposition.

“Winners are grinners and this is such a talented colt. He’s a beautiful horse with a turn of foot,” Waterhouse said.

Winners are grinners for Gai Waterhouse and connections

Clark said he was grateful for the stable’s loyalty and had a smooth ride to victory.

“Obviously, it’s great Gai stuck by me and put me on in Melbourne.” – Tim Clark.

“Obviously, it’s great Gai stuck by me and put me on in Melbourne. She could have easily got one of the jockeys that rides for here down here.

“He’s a lovely horse and easy to do anything with. He’s push button to ride and he handled Caulfield really well.

“I said to Gai and the owners before the race that attitude is one of his greatest attributes.”

Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) raced on his own in fourth spot for much of the way and he got to the line well enough to stay on a Derby path while Sikorsky (Pierro), who chased the leader, boxed on to take third off Visao (High Chaparral {IRE}).

Oaks Verry much on filly's radar

3 min read

By Bren O'Brien

With the pedigree to be an Oaks winner, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) passed the first test of her stamina this spring with a hard-fought but impressive win in the G3 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal S. at Caulfield.

The race is named after a champion New Zealand staying mare and while this filly has a long way to go to match the deeds of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner, it seemed an appropriate way for Verry Elleegant to notch her first win in Australia.

Having just her second start for Darren Weir, and her first past 1600m, she did plenty wrong early in the race, but thanks to a strong ride from John Allen, was too powerful late on to defeat Aristia (Lonhro) with Sizzlme (Sizzling) third.

Weir was full of praise for Allen after the win, saying he had done a superb job of settling the filly back along the rail after she threatened to over-race.

"He persevered and then he got her head down and got her into a beautiful rhythm and then he let it all unfold in front of him waiting for the gaps." - Darren Weir on John Allen's ride

"She made it hard for him for the first 800, she had her head in his face. It's very difficult for a jockey when horses are overracing like that. He persevered and then he got her head down and got her into a beautiful rhythm and then he let it all unfold in front of him waiting for the gaps," Weir said.

"More importantly, he gave her clear air late and she just builds and builds and builds."

The challenge now for the trainer is where to take her next. The G1 Kennedy Oaks is still 19 days away, and Weir feels she may need another run going into the race.

Verry Elleegant after her win in the G3 Ethereal S.

"Do we go to the Wakeful or the Moonee Valley race next week or do we hope and pray that we've got her fit enough and go straight to the VRC Oaks off that?" Weir said.

"Anyway, it's a nice problem to have."

"I think that (2500m) is a question you don't know until you run over the trip, I would say yes (she'll stay) but sometimes it's not as simple as that I don't reckon."

"Do we go to the Wakeful or the Moonee Valley race next week or do we hope and pray that we've got her fit enough and go straight to the VRC Oaks off that?" - Darren Weir

Verry Elleegant is from a strong staying family with her full brother Verry Flash being set for major staying races in New Zealand. Her dam was a winner up to 2100m, and she is from the family of Cranbourne Cup winner Starmon and further back, the likes of Commands and Danewin.

Weir said that with the filly still learning her trade, he believes she may be a more effective stayer next preparation.

"If she doesn't win this Oaks, there are plenty of other Oaks to look at in the autumn," he said.

Several of Weir's bigger clients bought into Verry Ellegant last month as well as Jomara Bloodstock, while the original owners, including former trainer Nick Bishara, kept 25 per cent of her.

The win was Weir's seventh of the Caulfield Cup carnival, equalling Lee Freedman's 24-year old record.

Connections of Verry Elleegant celebrating her win in the G3 Ethereal S.

Shumookh to follow Mum to Group 1

3 min read

Shumookh (Dream Ahead {USA}) will likely be given the opportunity to join her dam Shamekha as a Group 1 winner with co-trainer Gai Waterhouse indicating the mare would head to the Myer Classic at Flemington following her win in Saturday's Schweppes G2 Tristarc S. at Caulfield.

Shumookh dominated from the front in the Tristarc, adding a second Group 2 win for the regally-bred 4-year-old after her success in the G2 Golden Pendant S. last month.

She was beaten at her first trip to the 1600m in the Group 3 Angst S. last time out, while her other attempt beyond the 1400m resulted in a fading fifth in the G2 Phar Lap S.

But Waterhouse is confident that she can measure up in the feature mile at Flemington in two weeks' time and she is hoping that the mare's owner, His Excellency Nasser Lootah and his son Hussain, feel the same way.

"I'm just praying the boss lets us run her in the Myer, because I've always been confident she’ll run the mile. I trained her Mum,." - Gai Waterhouse

"I'm just praying the boss lets us run her in the Myer, because I've always been confident she’ll run the mile. I trained her Mum," she said.

Shamekha was a three-time Group 1 winner, including over the 1500m of the Coolmore Classic for Waterhouse and Emirates Park.

Dr Shalabh Sahu, who is the managing director of Emirates Park, said that Waterhouse's success with Shamekha was key to the decision to send Shumookh to her and Adrian Bott.

Waterhouse praised Tim Clark for the ride on the Shumookh, allowing her to roll along in front without being tested.

"Tim does the miles, he comes to the track very regularly. He's very much part of Adrian and I's team," Waterhouse said. "She was coming back in trip and we knew if she was back in the field, it would make it harder for her."

Clark said it was as much the pace, rather than the distance of the Angst which saw her beaten last time out.

"It’s good to see her bounce back. She just got softened up a bit last start at the mile at Randwick and it was only the last little bit she got gobbled up," he said.

"Tim does the miles, he comes to the track very regularly. He's very much part of Adrian and I's team." - Gai Waterhouse

With that in mind, he ensured she stayed in her comfort zone on Saturday and she never looked like getting beaten, finishing 1.75l clear of the in-form sprinter-miler mare of the spring, Invincibella (I Am Invincible).

"She was rock hard fit today and she really improved nicely underneath me from the 600m and made sure they had to chase me around the bend to get me. She ran through the line strongly," he said.

"Once she got a couple of cheap ones down the side, it was always going to be hard to run her down."

Should she win the Myer Classic, she would be the first Australian Group 1 winner for her sire Dream Ahead (USA), who stands at Aquis in the Hunter Valley.

Saturday's success was the seventh Australian stakes win for the progeny of Dream Ahead.

Dream Ahead standing at Aquis Park

The Daily Wrap

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6 min read

Cup winning jockey suspended

G1 Caulfield Cup winning jockey Pat Cosgrave has been suspended for 11 meetings on a careless riding charge arising from the $5 million race.

Cosgrave pleaded guilty to the charge that he allowed the eventual winner Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) to shift in near the 1800-metre mark, tightening Japanese runner Sole Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

He will begin the suspension immediately, meaning he can return to riding on October 31, in time to fulfill commitments in Dubai on November 3 before returning to Melbourne to again partner Best Solution in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Ryusei Sakai aboard Sole Impact was also suspended for causing interference and was also suspended for 11 meetings.

Jordan Childs was suspended for seven meetings for allowing Khulaasa (Epaulette) to shift ground in the opening event at Caufield. He was already set to serve an earlier suspension and now returns the day before he rides Written By (Written Tycoon) in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

At Randwick, apprentice Jean Van Overmiere was suspended until November 5 after weighing in heavy on Top Striker (High Chapparal {Ire}), who was beaten a nose in the ClubsNSW Handicap.

G1 aims for Diplomatico

Team Hawkes will target exciting colt Diplomatico (Snitzel) at the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington after his impressive win at just his third start in the Listed Southern Cross Group Brian Crowley S. at Randwick.

Diplomatico, who was a $1.7m yearling buy for a syndicate of high-profile Hong Kong-based owners, showed a superior turn of foot to win one of the features of the day and Michael Hawkes said afterwards that they were keen to make him into a stallion prospect.

“There’s a lot of high-profile Hong Kong owners in the horse,” Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said.

“That’s what we do. We make colts and we’ve just hopefully made another one.”

Mix-up traps Weir, McLean

Racing Victoria stewards scratched Trap For Fools (Poet's Voice {GB}) from the G3 Coongy Handicap at Caulfield after he was wrongly stabled with Darren Weir rather than with trainer Jarrod McLean.

Chief steward Robert Cram found Trap For Fools had been at Weir's Warrnambool stables at the time of entry for the race and not at McLean's official stables at Yangery.

Cram took action under local rule 27A which stipulates a horse must be stabled where it is trained unless permission is given by the stewards. He scratched the horse at 2:15pm before adjourned an inquiry into the mix-up.

McLean is Weir's Warrnambool foreman, but also maintains several horses under his own name.

Tenacious filly takes opener

Zizzis (Sizzling) showed the gritty side of her nature with victory in the opening event, the QMS Media Plate, on Caulfield Cup day.

Rider Craig Williams pushed forward from an awkward gate to lead and the 3-year-old responded gallantly under pressure to beat Khulaasa (Epaulette) in a driving finish.

“It’s a great way to start off and credit to Patrick Payne and his team,” Williams said.

“It was her first time up to 1400 metres and they were quite confident.”

Zizzis was a $120,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast purchase for Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds.

“Her first two runs back were pretty good, she got caught on the wrong side of the track at Flemington and she had nowhere to go at Moonee Valley,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve won a race on Caulfield Cup day so it’s great. She’ll run next at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.”

Zizzis is trained by Patrick Payne, who missed the race after traffic problems, and has now won three of her six starts.

Money talks at Rotorua

Expensive yearling Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) has kept her Classic hopes alive.

On Saturday, the gifted filly downed last season’s Listed Karaka Million placegetter Bocce (Foxwedge) at Rotorua where she came from the tail of a small field to win the Faulkner Drainage 1215m.

“We’re going to try and get to a mile with her, that’s why we’re riding her back,” co-trainer Peter Williams said.

“At this stage, she’s still a chance for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. The field is falling away a wee bit and I wanted to bring her here to see how she handled going left-handed.”

Winning rider Michael Coleman said the 3-year-old showed her versatility and was never troubled in the running.

“We had to go back from a tricky draw and she hit the line hard,” he said.

Media Sensation is out of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Different To and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Dorabella (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) and the Group 1 performer Crusoe (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

It is also the family of the two-time Australian black type winner Kudakulari (NZ) (Savabeel).

Media Sensation is owned by long-time racing partners Ger Beemsterboer and Sarah Green, who bought her out of Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ draft at Karaka for $425,000.

Beemsterber and Green have had a long and successful association with the Williams’ stable, most notably with the Group 1 winner Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock).

Stakes winner in waiting

Bill Pomare fancies the chances of Donna Anne Billy (NZ) (Tavistock {IRE}) emulating her dam Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King {IRE}) by earning black type.

The Rotorua trainer and club committee member celebrated further success with the mare on his home track on Saturday in the TW Moore H., when she posted her sixth career success.

“Her mother won a stakes race and ran third in one, but she had bad feet,” Pomare said.

“This mare has got good feet and I can see her winning a stakes race over 2000 metres.”

Donna Anne Billy was sent to the front by apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy and after they skipped clear on the turn it was game over and the cruised home by a widening margin.

“She’s showing the speed the family’s got and when she gets to the front she switches off and relaxes,” Pomare said.

The pedigree includes Flying Free (NZ) (Heroicity), who won nine races including the Listed Rotorua S., for Pomare.

Looking Ahead - October 21

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.

On Sunday, we head to Otaki to check out a promising filly resuming and a consistent performer back on the ground, while at Cranbourne a half-brother to Sizzling looks to make amends for his wayward debut.

Otaki Race 3, NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race, $22,500, 1600m, 2.30pm NZDT, 12.30pm AEDT

Cead Mile Failte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) makes her first appearance for the season and on the evidence of what she showed during her first preparation she will be a mare to follow. Two placings preceded her defeat of older horses over a trip at Awapuni before a break.

Trained by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, the 4-year-old is a daughter of Shamrox (NZ) (Pyrus {USA}) and she was a handy mare who won on four occasions and earned black type. She is a grand-daughter of the Group 3 winner Syrian Sea (NZ) (Vice Regal) and the family of the top-flight winners Sweet Idea (Snitzel), Electronic (NZ) (First Norman {USA}) and Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}).

Cranbourne Race 1, TAB Multiplier #YO Maiden Plate, $26,000, 1300m, 12:40pm AEDT

Still Invincible (I Am Invincible), the half brother to Sizzling, has his second start here in a lower-class race than he contested first-up when well-supported but well beaten at Moonee Valley last time, where he did a lot wrong. Clearly has talent on his big trial before his debut and the application of a tongue tie should help correct his manners from last time.

He cost $900,000 as a yearling at the 2017 Magic Millions. As well as being a sibling to a Group 1 winner, he's out of a stakes-placed mare Admirelle, who herself is out of a Listed winner (Laudemio). Remarkably, he is only the third most expensive colt out of Admirelle. His older sibling by Snitzel went for $2.2 million in 2015, while a syndicate of high-profile owners paid $1.6m for a Snitzel colt this year.

Still Invincible

Otaki Race 8, Sunrans Spa H $25,000 1400m 5.30pm NZDT, 3:30pm AEDT

Part-owner and trainer Mike Breslin has been patient with Ozil (Denman), who has won two of his seven starts and finished fourth in last season’s Listed Wanganui Guineas. He was unplaced in his first 4-year-old appearance, but that was on a rain-affected track and he is more effective on top of the ground.

Ozil was a $38,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase and is out of Queen Of Quilts (Viscount) whose half-brother Pinwheel (Lonhro) won two editions of the G2 Warwick S. Black type winner Meidung (Bernardini {USA) also features in the pedigree and she is the dam of the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Banish (Lonhro).

Ozil as a yearling

Black-Type Results

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Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Caulfield

Race Summary:

International raider Best Solution (IRE) (Kodiac {GB}) defied his topweight and a wide early run to give Godolphin and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor a second victory in the spring carnival feature.

Jumping from a wide gate, the 5-year-old had to work overtime under Pat Cosgrave to get on the pace.

Best Solution was in front at the top of the straight and he showed outstanding reserves of stamina and a will to win to get home at the expense of Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}).

The Cliffsofmoher (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) was next home ahead of Duretto (GB) (Manduro (GER}) and The Taj Mahal (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) in an all European-bred finish.

Bin Suroor first won the Caulfield Cup with the 50-1 chance All The Good (IRE) (Diesis {GB}) a decade ago.

Pedigree notes :

Out of the Kingmambo (USA) mare Al Andaylla (USA), who failed to place in her racing days, Best Solution was a 90,000 guineas Tatts October Yearling Sale purchase and signed for by John Ferguson.

He is the only winner for the mare, who is a grand-daughter of the G3 Doncaster Park Hill S., winner Eva Luna (USA) (Alleged {USA}) and she’s been a treasure in the breeding barn.

She is the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and the Group 2 winners Sea Moon (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) and Moon Search (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}).

Group 2 Caulfield Sprint Handicap, Caulfield

Race Summary:

Eduardo (Host {CHI}) didn’t enjoy the easiest of runs, but it mattered not to the exciting 5-year-old.

He got posted three wide from a tricky gate before he improved near the turn and hit the front 200 metres out. Rider Brian Park then asked for the supreme effort and the bold chestnut responded in style.

At just his fifth start, Eduardo never looked like shirking his task and he was too good for She Knows and Bons Away.

Pedigree notes :

Eduardo’s mother Blushing (Fantastic Light {USA}) was unraced and she’s doing a tidy job at stud with all three of her foals to race having been successful.

The third dam is the G3 Lightning H., winner Peggy Ann (NZ) (Bletchingly) and she is a daughter of Avon Angel (NZ) (Avon Valley {GB}), who won the G1 Rosemount Wines Classic and was a multiple Group 2 winner.

Group 2 Tristarc S., Caulfield

Race Summary:

Shumookh (Dream Ahead {USA}) continued her excellent campaign with her second Group 2 win in mares' company in a month as she led all the way to win the Schweppes Tristarc S. at Caulfield.

Given a perfectly rated ride by Tim Clark, Shumookh jumped to the front and never looked like being headed, powering to a 1.75-length win over Invincibella (I Am Invincible), with Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) third.

The 4-year-old mare is now a winner of three of her nine starts, two of them at G2 level after her win in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill.

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse is likely to step Shumookh up in distance and class to the G1 Myer Classic at Flemington on VRC Derby Day.

Pedigree Notes:

Shumookh is the sixth foal from the three-time Group 1 winning mare Shamekha and the only one to win at stakes level. It's an Emirates Park family through and through, going back to Shamekha's dam Lifetime Story, who was a half-sister to multiple Group 2 winner and stallion Brave Warrior.

All of the five previous foals of Shamekha have been winners, while the younger half-sister Shuwaamekh is also with Waterhouse and Bott.

Group 3 Ladbrokes Classic, Caulfield

Race Summary:

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Thinkin’ Big turned the race into a procession with a dominant front-running performance.

He was beautifully-rated by jockey Tim Clark and after kicking clear into the straight his rivals were chasing a memory with the colt having a wide margin on runner-up Chapada (High Chaparral {IRE}).

Thinkin’ Big handed Waterhouse her third victory in the event, having won in 1995 with Nothin’ Leica Dane (Danehill {USA}) and in 2002 with Platinum Scissors (Danehill).

Pedigree notes:

A brother to the G3 Chairman’s H., winner Stampede, Thinkin’ Big is out of Nothin’ Leica Cat (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), who was a winner and finished runner-up in the G1 Queensland Oaks.

She is out of a half-sister to the G2 Champagne S., winner I Am A Ripper (Mukaddamah {USA}) and to the dam of the G3 Blue Diamond S., winner Murphy’s Blu Boy (Blu Tsunami {USA}).

Group 3 Nivision S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Godolphin celebrated the 150th stakes winner for Darley stallion Exceed And Excel, with Resin's win in the Group 3 ICD Property Nivison at Randwick.

The lightly-raced 4-year-old mare made it five wins from nine starts with a dominant performance as she relished the soft conditions to beat stablemate Almanzora (Lonhro) with Eckstein (I Am Invincible) third.

James Cummings and his team hold a strong opinion of Resin, who was worked nicely through her classes to now be a black-type winner.

Pedigree notes:

Resin is one of only three named foals from the Group 1 winning mare Beaded, and the only one to have joined her dam as a black-type winner. Her older half brother Bezel (Street Cry {Ire}) is a five-time winner, while there is a 2-year-old full brother to Resin called Lesage, as well as a yearling colt by Medaglia D'Oro, who was the last from the mare, who died last year.

Beaded's half-sister Rarefied was a Group 3 winner, while their dam, Subtle was a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Undue as well as Listed winner Absurd.

Group 3 Ethereal S., Caulfield

Race Summary:

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) continued her path toward the G1 Kennedy Oaks with a hard-fought victory in the New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal S. at Caulfield.

The filly, having just her second start for Darren Weir, showed her staying credentials over the 2000m trip for the first time, coming from off the pace to overpower Aristia (Lonhro) in the final stages and win by 0.5L with Sizzleme (Sizzling) a further 1.5l back in third.

It is the third win of her five-start career and more importantly for her future breeding prospects, her first stakes-win. However, given the way she won this race, it looks unlikely to be her last.

She started her career with Nick Bishara at Ardmore in New Zealand, having her first three starts there before being sold and sent to Australia last month.

Pedigree notes:

Verry Elleegant becomes Grangewilliam Stud's stallion Zed's second stakes-winner in Australia.

She was bred by Dan Goodwin out of the mare Opulence (Danroad), who has already produced the handy horses Black Lace (Towkay) and Verry Flash (Zed {NZ}). A colt by Haradasun sold for $10,000 at the yearling sales earlier this year, while a foal by Zed arrived earlier this month.

Further back, the fourth dam is the excellent producer Cotehele House, the dam of Danewin and Commands, who is also Zed's third dam and was out of the great Eight Carat.

Group 3 Moonga S., Caulfield

Race Summary:

Sircconi (Nicconi) made amends for an unlucky defeat seven days' ago to easily win the G3 Ladbrokes Moonga S. at Caulfield.

Sircconi had finished an unlucky third in the Listed Weekend Hussler S. last week, his final start for trainer Peter Morgan, but bounced back in his first for John Sadler, with Linda Meech giving the 4-year-old a perfect ride for a 1.75l to win over Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) with Perast (Snitzel) third.

Sircconi has only had three wins in his 16-start career but two of them have been at Group level, with Saturday's success adding to his win in the G2 VRC Sires' Produce S in 2017.

Pedigree notes:

Nicconi was a $80,000 pick-up for Peter Morgan at the 2016 Classic Sale having been sold as weanling for $25,000 as a weanling 12 months earlier.

He is out of On Credit (NZ) (Viking Ruler) who has also produced the winning filly Tap 'n' Go (Drumbeats). It is a strong New Zealand black-type family featuring his third dam, The Dimple (NZ), who produced Irish Chance, The Cheek and The Grin, who is the dam of The Jewel and Star Affair.

On Credit has a 2YO Eurozone filly, a yearling Domesday filly and a Capitalist filly born in August.

Group 3 Coongy Handicap, Caulfield

Race Summary:

Imports Mask Of Time (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) couldn’t be separated at the end of a dramatic G3 Ladbrokes Coongy Cup at Caulfield.

In a thrilling finish, Mask of Time looked beaten in the final stages by Best Of Days, but dug deep to stick his nose down on the line and dead heat with the favourite, who would have won the race if he'd run straight in the final stages.

Kerrin McEvoy on Mask of Time then took his case to the stewards' room with a protest, but that was dismissed and the result stood.

It is Mask Of Time's first win for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace since arriving in Australia a little over 12 months ago, and his third in a 20-start career.

Best Of Days, who was a Group 2 winner in England, has now won two of his five starts for James Cummings since arriving on Australia in April.

Pedigree notes:

Best of Days is the first foal from Baisse (GB). His second dam Best Side (Ire) (King’s Best (USA) was also a listed performer who produced G3 winner Azmeel (GB), also by Azamour. While black-type performers Grand Ducal (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Hurricane Floyd (Ire) (Pennekamp {USA}) also feature on the pedigree page.

Mask Of Time is out of the Galileo mare Mission Secrete (Ire), who is a three-quarter sister to black-type winner Mer de Corail, from the family of Miss France, Alsace Lorraine and Beach Bunny.

Group 3 Barneswood Farm S., Ashburton

Race Summary:

Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) galloped her way to favouritism for the G1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas with a convincing victory.

The gifted filly settled off the speed before she followed Fire Show (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) into the race. Under rider Sam Collett, she ambled to the front 250 metres from home and stayed on strongly.

The previously unbeaten Our Flying Ace (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) ran on gamely to cut Fire Show out of second money.

Pedigree Notes:

The winner is closely-related to Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}), who crossed the Tasman a few years back to add to trainer Liam Birchley’s winning tally in the Karaka Million.

Xpression’s third dam is the black type winner Midnight Madame (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) and she produced the G1 Doomben Cup winner Perlin (NZ) (Carnegie {IRE}) and the Listed Galilee Series Final winner Almodovar (NZ) (Pins).

Group 3 Sweynesse S., Rotorua

Race Summary:

A fresh Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) returned in a blaze of glory under rider Jake Bayliss.

The Team Rogerson-trained mare, who was placed in the G1 Railway S., last season, bounded to the front and she kicked off the bend.

Volks Lightning was tiring in the closing stages, but the 6-year-old just had enough in reserve to see of the late lunge of Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and the favourite Julius (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) did well for third after missing the start.

Pedigree notes :

A $60,000 Karaka purchase out of Windsor Park Stud’s consignment, Volks Lightning is a son of the unbraced Stravinsky (USA) mare Next Century (NZ) and boasts a strong international flavour to her pedigree.

It includes the imported G2 Zipping Classic winner Au Revoir (IRE) (Singspiel {IRE}), the G3 Princess Margaret S., winner Bluebook (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) and the G3 Nell Gwyn S., winner Myself (GB) (Nashwan {USA}).

Black-Type Results cont.

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Listed Brian Crowley S., Randwick

Race Summary:

Diplomatico (Snitzel) took a step towards justifying his $1.7m price tag with his first black-type win at just his third start in the Listed Southern Cross Group Brian Crowley S. at Randwick.

Ridden by Koby Jennings for Team Hawkes, Diplomatico came with a strong late run to defeat Legend of Condor (Not A Single Doubt) with The Tenor (Your Song) gaining third in the stewards room on protest.

Diplomatico, who is owned by Hong Kong interests, including trainer John Moore, looks to have considerable upside after his second win.

Pedigree notes:

Diplomatico becomes Snitzel's 84th stakes winner and his fifth for the season.

As mentioned, he was a $1.7m buy at the 2017 Easter Sale. He is out of the mare Top Cuban (Anabaa {USA}) who has already produced the Group 3 winner Havana (Starcraft) as well as the $1.5 million filly Elitzaam (Redoute's Choice).

There are two colts, a yearling and a 2-year-old, who are full brothers to Eltizaam and Top Cuban is due to foal to Snitzel this spring,

The family has a very strong black type background in Canada and the USA, including horses like Slew City Slew and City Dance.

Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup, Randwick

Race Summary:

Chris Waller's import Exoteric (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) captured his first black-type win, proving the superior stayer in the Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup at Randwick.

The 6-year-old appreciated the brutal tempo of the race set by Big Blue (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), and when it came down to a three-way battle between them and Social Element (NZ) (Savabeel), he found late to score a one-length win.

It comes off the back of his win in the Port Macquarie Cup last start and he has now won eight races in 27 starts and over $340,000 in prizemoney.

Pedigree Notes:

Exoteric is the third stakes-winner for Champ Elysees in Australia, following on from Harlem (GB) and Plot Twist (Ire)

He is also the first black-type winner from the dam, Short Dance (USA), who has also produced the winners Plover (GB) and Fray (GB) and was a 12-length winner in a Listed race herself.

Exoteric was bought by Chris Waller Racing for 180,000 euros at the 2016 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.

Listed Gothic S., Caulfield

Race Summary:

A dramatic race went the way of Ranier (Lonhro), who was a deserved winner after running into dead ends when runner-up in the Listed Antler Luggage S., last time out.

The 3-year-old covered extra ground in midfield under Hugh Bowman, but was willing in the straight run down the pacemaker and previously unbeaten Yulong January (King Of Prussia).

Bricktop (Snitzel) dislodged jockey Jamie Mott at barrier rise and the loose horse proved a nuisance throughout, but fortunately no more than that.

Pedigree Notes :

Ranier is a son of the G3 Darley Crown and multiple Listed winner Kanzan (Commands), who is a half-sister to three winners including the Group performer Giresun (Domesday).

The G1 Randwick Guineas winner and G1 Rosehill Guineas runner-up Inference (So You Think {NZ}) is a major name on the pedigree page.

Listed Alinghi S, Caulfield

Race Summary:

From Within (Not A Single Doubt) is in the hottest form of her life and she has now stretched her winning sequence to four for trainer Toby Edmonds.

“She's a credit to herself,” Edmonds said. “I'm really excited. I'm a bit emotional because it was a big call to bring her down this week and thanks to the guys who let me do it.

“She's had a bit of hype on her so to come out of class three grade and win that race, it's a great effort.”

Pedigree notes :

A sister to the Listed St Albans., winner Cruden Bay, From Within was a $360,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is out of the Anabaa (USA) mare Zimaretto.

The dam is a three-quarter sister to Deep Finesse (GB) (Reprimand {GB} ), who won the G3 Prix du Bois. It is also the family of the multiple South African Group 2 winner Espumanti (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and the German Group 3 winner Premier Cuvee (GB) (Formidable {USA}) .

Listed Jakkalberry Classic, Rotorua

Race Summary:

A tidy ride by Rosie Myers paved the way for Peso (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) to produce a career-best performance.

She had him travelling comfortably on the fence and didn’t need asking twice when a rails run presented itself on the turn and he finished off strongly to beat Woodsman (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}).

“There’s some nice races around for him, but we won’t be getting carried away,” trainer Paul Nelson said.

Pedigree Notes :

Peso is a stoutly-bred son of All Magic (NZ) (Victory Dance {IRE}), who has produced one other winner No Quota (NZ) (Kingfisher Mill).

Zamazaan (FR) (Ezbury {FR}), who was such a source of staying success in Australasia, features in the family as does the G1 Century H., winner The Bart (USA) (Le Fabuleux {FR}).

NSW Race Results

Randwick (Metropolitan)

Newcastle (Provincial)

Wagga Wagga (Country)

Narromine (Country)