Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas, Sunshine Coast
Race Summary:
Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince) was posted three wide throughout, but she travelled comfortably throughout and cantered to the front 300 metres from home.
Rider Michael Hellyer was sitting quietly and when he asked the filly for another effort she responded immediately and surged clear for an easy win.
Junipal (Reset) made ground to finish second ahead of Zavance (Mossman) and Shijin (Poet’s Voice {GB}) ran fourth.
Pedigree Notes :
The winner is a son of Meerlust (Johannesburg {USA}), who won a minor sprint before knee injuries forced her retirement.
Her third dam is Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}, a top-class racemare and better broodmare who left 14 winners, including L’Enjoleur (Buckpasser {USA}), who won a G1 Futurity S.
Both Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur are direct descendants of Fanfreluche and she also features in the family of another Group 1 producer in Holy Roman Emperor (Ire).
Group 3 Strickland S, Belmont
Race Summary:
Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) was the commanding favourite and she gave her supporters a scare before scoring by the slenderest of margins.
Rider William Pike was happy to sit at the back of the small field and angled wide on the turn to have the mare in clear air.
She took an eternity to wind up before claiming Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) in the final stride with Cappo d’Oro (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) next best.
Pedigree Notes:
Galaxy Star is a daughter of Galaxy Queen (Jeune {GB}), who was successful five times up to 2200 metres.
She is a sister to the Listed winner Star Encounter, who has produced the two-time G2 Perth Cup winner Star Exhibit (Statue Of Liberty {USA}) and Galaxy Star’s three-quarter sister Royal Star, who won the G2 Western Australian Guineas.
It is also the family of the G2 Wakeful S. winner Timbourina (Timber Country {USA}), the G2 Magic Night S. winner Media (Gilded Time {USA}) and the G2 Shannon S. winner Noire (Foxwedge).
Listed Caloundra Cup, Sunshine Coast
Race Summary:
Igraine (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) relished the rain-affected going and settled midfield before rider Robbie Fradd eased her around the field before the bend.
The Robert Priscott-trained mare was clear 300 metres from home and she stayed on strongly to open her carnival account after minor placings at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
Sopressa (So You Think {NZ}) fought on tenaciously for second after making the running and Travistee (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) took third.
Pedigree Notes :
Igraine is a daughter of Iota (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who won the G1 Preis der Diana before embarking on a successful stud career.
She is also the dam of the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern winner Ito (Ger) (Adlerflug (Ger}) and Igraine’s stakes performed brother Iniciar (Ger).
Iota is a half-sister to the G3 Grand Prix Premiere winner Illo (Ger) (Tertullian {USA}) and the black type winner Ionnina (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}).
Listed Glasshouse Handicap, Sunshine Coast
Race Summary:
River Racer (Hidden Dragon) got her favoured rain-affected ground and took full advantage to open her black type account.
She settled at the back of the field and produced a relentless finish under Matthew McGillivray for the fifth and by far the most important win of her career.
Niccanova (Nicconi) found the line well for second and the judge couldn’t split Chapter and Verse (Rothesay) and Platinum Angel (Snitzel) for third.
Pedigree Notes :
River Racer has proved a bargain buy as she was purchased for just $12,000 at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.
She is a daughter of Royal Yangtze (Royal Academy {USA}), who has produced five winners and is out of the G3 Birthday Cup winner Our Yangtze River (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
The pedigree also features the dual Group 1 winner Riverina Charm (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and the G1 TJ Smith S. winner Benfica (Lonhro).
Listed Civic S., Rosehill
Race Summary:
The James Cummings-trained Gaulois (Street Cry {Ire}) was given time to settle before rider Rachel King urged him forward across the top.
The 4-year-old picked up ground eagerly and rounded off in style with a strong finish to carry him to the first black type victory of his career.
Firsthand (Star Witness) performed well in blinkers for the first time and kicked on gamely after sitting on the leader’s quarters and New Tipperary (High Chaparral {Ire}) took third in his first run since a break.
Pedigree Notes :
Gaulois is a half-brother to this season’s G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner La Tene (Helmet) and their dam Celts (Lonhro) was a capable race mare.
She won four races, including the G3 Birthday Card S. and the Listed Tatt’s Macquarie Cup.
Celts is out of a half-sister to the G3 Rubiton S. winner and multiple Group 2 placegetter Appoint (Alquoz {USA}) and the family of the G1 Ampol S. winner Warned Alert (GB) and the G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter Show County (County).
