Group 3 Hyperion S., Belmont
Race Summary:
Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) returned a winner in big style on Saturday when winning his 10th career race.
The five-year-old gelding broke well and sat just behind the leading Great Shot (Magnus) on the rail in the 1600 metre race with race favourite Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) just a few lengths behind him the tightly bunched field. With 450 metres left, jockey Lee Newman angled Gatting to the outside of Great Shot and he quickly pulled even with the leader.
It wasn’t until the 250 metre mark that he secured the lead with Galaxy Star hot in pursuit. But Gatting wasn’t going to give up the lead and stayed a length ahead of her throughout the straight to cross the line a little over 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the mare. Great Shot finished third with Mizlecki (Lope de Vega {Ire}) the only other horse to get within three lengths of Gatting when finishing fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
Gatting is the first foal from Stubborn (Lonhro), who was sold at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $200,000. The mare is a full sister to Group 3 winner Trim, the dam of Listed winning Manicure (Exceed And Excel) and a half-sister to the dam of Group 3 placed O’Tauto (O’Lonhro).
There are stake winners under each of his first four dams, including the Group 3 winning and Group 1 placed Faithful Thought (Water Mill).
Two of the three racing age foals by Stubborn are winners with her 2-year-old Obstination (Universal Ruler) making two starts for trainer Darren Mcauliffe. The mare had a Hinchinbrook filly in 2018 and was served by So You Think.
Listed Ipswich Cup, Ipswich
Race Summary:
Bergerac (Drumbeats) was given an economical run behind the leader by apprentice Michael Murphy and they were into the clear at the right time.
The 5-year-old took his chance without hesitation and dashed home for the ninth win of his 29-start career for trainer Steve Tregea.
The New Zealand visitor Sampson (Dubai Destination {USA}) boxed on well after making a mid-race move to get handy and Fighting Teo (Teofilo {Ire}) did well to run third after an interrupted passage.
Pedigree Notes :
Bergerac is a half-brother to the G3 Concorde H. winner Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice), who stands his first season at Waikato Stud in the spring.
Their dam Miss Argyle has also produced another Listed winner in Cheyenne Warrior (Not A Single Doubt) and is also a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Express Air (Piccolo {GB}).
Listed Eye Liner S., Ipswich
Race Summary:
Man Booker (Discorsi) had a tricky gate to contend with, but overcame the odds with a smart ride from Blake Shinn.
He was happy to let the gelding stride along three wide with cover and, after hitting the front halfway down the straight, was too strong.
Astoria (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) made good ground for second ahead of Chapter And Verse (Rothesay), who found the line strongly once clear.
Pedigree Notes:
Trainer Dan Morton bought Man Booker for $25,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Sale, a smart piece of business as the 6-year-old has now amassed more than $1 million in earnings.
He is out of the unraced Morine (Danetime), who starred at stud as she is also the dam of the multiple stakes winner Achernar Star (Gingerbread Man) and the black type placegetter Atacama Sky (Scandal Keeper {USA}).
Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic, Ipswich
Race Summary:
Ready To Prophet (Smart Missile) handed co-trainer Gai Waterhouse her first victory in the race named after her.
The 3-year-old turned in a commanding performance and raced close to the speed before bounding clear in the closing 150 metres.
Organza (Street Cry {Ire}) was caught in tight quarters in the big field and finished well to take the second money with Skate To Paris (Bradbury’s Luck) home for third.
Pedigree Notes :
A $40,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Ready To Prophet is a daughter of Ready To Live (USA) (More Than Ready), who was a black type winner in North America.
Ready To Live is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 Saratoga Woodward S. winner Itsmyluckyday (USA) (Lawyer Ron {USA}) and is from the family of the G1 French 2000 Guineas winner and sire Astronomer Royale (USA) (Danzig {USA}).
Listed Winter Cup, Rosehill
Race Summary:
It came down to the line but 10-year-old Destiny’s Kiss was able to get his head in front to win his second Winter Cup on Saturday.
Destiny’s Kiss (Power Of Destiny) split the field early on in the 2400 metre race when sitting a few paths off the fence, happy to bide his time as Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) flew past the field at the 1200 metre mark to take the lead. Sam Clipperton had to start riding his mount with 600 metres left and despite Clipperton’s best efforts Destiny’s Kiss still looked well beaten at the 300 metre mark.
It wasn’t until he was headed by High Bridge (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) that the gelding snapped into gear and started moving through the field with Mazaz (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) joining in on his inside and Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) also making a big move with 150 metres left.
It was a desperate photo finish between Destiny’s Kiss and Yogi with Destiny’s Kiss just winning the photo. Mazaz was only a neck behind them in third while High Bridge was less than a length behind them in fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
Passed in for $7,000 as a yearling, Destiny’s Kiss is the second foal from Listed placed A Fairy’s Kiss (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}). The mare is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Abidewithme (Redoute’s Choice) and a full sister to Listed winner and Group 1 placed Miss Scarlatti.
The trio is from Group 2 winning Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Omnicorp (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) and three other stakes winners. This is also the family of Singapore champion Always Certain (Not a Single Doubt).
Destiny’s Kiss is one of six winners from seven to race from his dam. The mare’s youngest of racing age is the 2-year-old unraced Star Witness filly Stellar Kiss in training with Joe Pride and she had a Rebel Raider colt last year. The mare was last served by So You Think on a December cover in 2018.
