Listed Andrew Ramsden S., Flemington
Race Summary:
Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has booked his spot in this year's G1 Melbourne Cup with a thrilling victory in the Listed Andrew Ramsden S.
The imported 5-year-old gelding staged a stirring dual with Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) over the final 200m of the 2800m event and claimed not only his first stakes win, but a ballot free entry into Australia's most famous race in November.
The two emerging stayers were separated by the smallest possible margin on the line, with Eastender (Tickets) losing no fans with his effort to finish third, some 2.25l further adrift.
It was Steel Prince's fifth win in succession this campaign for Anthony Freedman and his eighth win from 18 starts.
Pedigree Notes:
Steel Prince is the first Australian stakes-winner for his sire Nathaniel, better known as the sire of champion mare Enable (GB).
He is out of French stakes-winning mare Steel Princess (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) who has also produced Sarah Lynx (Ire) (Montjeu {GB}) a winner of the G1 Woodbine International as well as the stakes-winner Sugar Boy (Authorized {Ire}) and two other winners.
Steel Princess is one of two stakes winners from Champaka (Ire) (Caerleon {USA}).
Listed Straight Six Handicap, Flemington
Race Summary:
Order Of Command (Squamosa) provided trainer Danny O’Brien with a Flemington double when winning a tough battle to cross the line first.
Order Of Command took cover behind the leaders in the 1200 metre race down the Flemington straight running just behind Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock). At the 350 metre mark, the gelding was angled to the inside of the field so he’d have clear running room and raced up beside the leading Milwaukee, who gave him a battle. It wasn’t until the 100 metre mark that he was able to draw even with the leader before inching away to win by three-quarters of a length under Damien Oliver.
Sirius Suspect (Wanted), who had raced keenly for the lead early on rounded out the top three with race favourite Haunted (Lonhro) disappointing when ninth.
Pedigree Notes:
The second named foal from three-time winner Commanding Angel (Commands), Order Of Command is also her first stakes winner and one of two winners by the mare.
He is the only stakes winner under his first three dams but this third dam is the dam of Group 2 winner Love Of Mary (Zeditave) and the granddam of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago) with Group 1 placed Equator (Northern Meteor) also from one of her daughters.
Commanding Angel’s first live foal is two-time winner Angels Crown (King of Roses) with the mare having an unnamed full sister to that mare in 2010. After not being served for three years and missing one other, the mare foaled Order Of Command in 2014.
She has a 2-year-old full brother to the gelding named Order Of Fury also in training with Danny O’Brien and foaled a full sister to him in 2018. She wasn’t served last season.
Listed Auckland Futurity S., Ellerslie
Race Summary:
Rhaegar (Pluck {USA}) and Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) combined to deliver a black-type quinella for the dominant Cambridge training partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
Settling in midfield positions of sixth and eighth respectively, the pair ran the 1400 metres out strongly in stylish auditions for their three-year-old seasons.
Rhaegar took the lead from Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) halfway up the straight, then responded gamely to Long Jack’s challenge to win by a long head. Jennifer Eccles was another long neck away in third, with the rest of the field more than two lengths adrift.
Pedigree Notes:
Rhaegar is the fifth stakes winner for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Pluck (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), who stands for $6,600 at Vinery Stud.
Bred by Ramsey Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, Rhaegar is the first winner from two foals to race out of Grand Lady (Grandera {Ire}).
Remarkably, Grand Lady is one of nine winners from nine foals to race for the stakes-winning mare Boisterous Lady (Rivotious). That group is headed by the G1 Australian Oaks winner Rena’s Lady (Arena), the G2 Moonee Valley Cup winner Vatuvei (Reset) and G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Raise (Arena).
Rhaegar was sold for $17,000 as a weanling at the 2017 Turangga Farm Unreserved Dispersal, then was a $60,000 yearling purchase at Karaka. His four-year-old half-sister Gratuitous (Big Brown {USA}), who has five placings to her name to date, was sold for just $4,750 during this year’s Inglis Digital March Monthly Sale.
