Flemington, G1 Makybe Diva S., $750,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Rider Jamie Kah gave Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) a gem of a ride behind the pace and was out at the right time in the straight.
The gelding mastered the front-runner Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) soon after and stayed on strongly to beat Mystic Journey (Needs Further).
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) opened his campaign in fine style with his 3rd placing ahead of Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) who made ground well after getting a long way back.
Pedigree notes:
Bred by Kingston Thoroughbreds, Gatting is the first foal of Stubborn (Lohnro), who is a sister to the G3 Research S. winner Trim.
It is the family of the G3 Auraria S. winner and G1 South Australia Oaks placegetter Faithful Thought (Water Mill {GB}) and the G3 Run To The Rose winner Desuetude (Strategic).
Flemington, G2 Danehill S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary:
Talented colt Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) sat on the speed throughout and he was too strong over the closing 150 metres, despite racing greenly.
The runner-up Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) raced in the blinkers for the first time and he took kindly to them, rallying strongly after making the running.
Express Pass (Wandjina) settled at the back of the field and he found the line impressively for 3rd ahead of Yourdeel (Dundeel {NZ}).
Pedigree notes:
Dalasan is out of the Kitten’s Joy (USA) mare Khandallah, who won two races and was stakes placed.
She hails from an international family that includes the Group 2 winners Dreadnaught (USA) (Lac Ouimet {USA}) and Smokey Stover (USA) (Put It Back {USA}) and the Group 3 winner Galic Boy (Irish River {Fr}).
Flemington, G2 Let’s Elope S., $200,000, 1400m
Race summary:
We will be seeing a-lot more from Tom Dabernig with David Hayes departing to Hong Kong in the near future, but for now the team kept the winners coming with Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire})in the G2 Let's Elope Stakes over 1400 metres at Flemington.
It was a beautiful ride from Mark Zahra who found a good spot for her just behind the speed which was set by Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt). When they straightened up, he produced her at the perfect time and she was able to hold off the unlucky Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) who closed the margin to 0.5l, finishing strongly along the inside after being held-up earlier in the straight.
That improves her already impressive second-up record to 4 starts for 2 wins, and 2 seconds.
She will now be aimed at the G2 Blazer Stakes at Flemington in the Spring but Tom Dabernig believes that a races like next months G1 Toorak, or the G1 Myer at the end of the Flemington Carnival aren't out of the question.
She is likely to be tested over a mile this preparation as she is more mature and able to relax better in the run compared with her earlier in her racing career.
Pedigree notes:
Spanish Whisper is sired by stallion Lope De Vega (Ire) out of the Encosta de Lago mare, Cutting Remark and hails from the same family as Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire).
Flemington, G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, $200,000, 1200m
Race summary:
After failing in two stakes races in Queensland at the end of last preparation, 4-year-old gelding Zoutori (Zoustar) returned in emphatic fashion, finishing too strongly down the grandstand rail for his rivals.
From the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable, Zoutori was able to claim his first stakes victory in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington over 1200 metres.
He was heavily backed late in betting, firming from $7.50 to $5 and defeating Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) by 2l, and last years winner Dothraki (Mossman) was another head away in 3rd.
Ellerton believes that the horse is now best suited at sprinting distances and said that "he may well also not be a miler". He's got the G2 Gilgai Stakes in mind for the son of Zoustar, which will be run over the same course/distance as today's win.
Linda Meech said "He's is on the way up and he really put them to the sword today."
Pedigree notes:
Zoutori is a 4-year-old gelding by the G1 winning Coolmore Stakes sire Zoustar, who stands at Widden Stud.
He was purchased for $160,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Amarina Farm.
Zoustar had a Group 2 double in less than 15 minutes, with Mizzy (Zoustar) winning the Sheraco S. at Rosehill, and Zoutori winning the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington.
Flemington, Listed Cap D’Antibes S., $140,000, 1100m
Race summary:
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) made it back to back wins this preparation and three wins in a row, sprinting quickly to win the LR Cap D'Antibes S. at Flemington over 1100 metres, and at the same time claiming her maiden black-type win.
Peter Snowden said "there's not much of her but what's there is all heart."
It was a beautiful ride by Damien Lane, finding cover and waiting until she was ready and produced her at the perfect time.
She measured up today and will now stay in Melbourne to be aimed at 3-year-old races below 1200 metres.
Pedigree notes:
Wayupinthesky is a 3-year-old filly by three-time Australian champion sire Snitzel and her dam, The Darling One (Lonhro) was Group 2 placed. She was purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling sale for $400,000.
Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate, $140,000, 1400m
Race summary:
The John Moloney trained Legionnaire (Stratum) was a maiden prior to today, but he relished the extra distance at his third run back from a spell to win the Listed Exford Plate over 1400 metres at Flemington.
He was given the perfect ride from Jamie Mott and despite hitting the front early in the straight, was able to repel Snapdancer (Choisir) and La Tene (Helmet) in the run to the post.
He looks a promising horse that can feature in some middle distance 3-year-old races in the Spring.
Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) from the Peter and Paul Snowden looked the unlucky runner. She was held up to within the final furlong, but when she did find clear galloping room she found the line sweetly.
Pedigree notes:
Legionnaire is by Golden Slipper winner Stratum, and his dam Matron is by O'Reilly who is a half sister to black-type winner Gawne. She won three races between 1200 metres and 1800 metres.
Flemington, Listed The Sofitel, $140,000, 1400m
Race summary:
Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) from the Kerrie Edwards stable at Mornington, crossed from an awkward draw to sit outside the leader Chess Star (Fighting Sun). When asked by in-form jockey Craig Williams he quickened nicely and managed to hold off Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) by a long neck, and Romancer finished a length away in 3rd.
He's a lightly raced gelding that took his race record to 7 wins from just 12 starts, and with that win in the Listed The Sofitel he has graduated to black-type class and given his trainer her first stakes race victory.
Kerry Edwards who only has three horses in work said "he just wants to win that horse", and plans to see how he pulls up before she decides where his next run will be.
Pedigree notes:
Rox The Castle is by dual Group 1 winning New Zealand sire Castledale (Ire).
