Flemington, G1 Turnbull S., $500,000, 2000m
Race Summary:
Less than a year after suffering a life-threatening injury during the Cox Plate, Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) became a Group 1 winner at Flemington.
Given a perfect ride by fellow first-time Group 1 winner Jye McNeil, Kings Will Dream sat in the back half of the field through the first half of the weight-for-age feature.
He crept up closer behind the leaders approaching the home turn, then McNeil angled him into the clear 350 metres from the finish.
He raced past the Group 1 warhorse Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), then held out fast-finishing stablemate Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in a driving finish.
Hartnell held on for third, with Vow and Declare (Declaration of War {USA}) and Mystic Journey (Needs Further) finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
The Turnbull was Kings Will Dream’s third start for Waller and just his 17th overall. He has won seven of those, earning more than $1.05 million in prizemoney.
It was a quinella for Chris Waller, who also won the Turnbull in 2017 and 2018 with the champion Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).
Pedigree Notes:
Kings Will Dream is by Casamento (Ire), who has sired 143 winners from 298 runners including 10 at black-type level. Kings Will Dream is his first Group 1 winner, and has been his only runner in Australia to date.
Kings Will Dream is out of the unraced Road Harbour (USA) (Rodrigo de Triano {USA}), who is the dam of seven winners from eight foals to race. Kings Will Dream is her only stakes winner, but Ashka (Ire) (Catcher in the Rye {Ire}) placed at Listed level in Ireland.
Road Harbour’s half-sister Dance Dreamer (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) was a stakes winner in the United States. The pair’s dam, Revasser (USA) (Riverman {USA}) was a Grade 2 winner and placed in the G1 Santa Barbara H.
Flemington, G2 TAB Edward Manifold S., $300,000, 1600m
Race Summary:
Moonlight Maid (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) defeated a quality field of fillies at odds of 40 to one, emerging as a possible contender for next month’s VRC Oaks.
Delivering an early career highlight for young trainer Mitchell Freedman, Moonlight Maid produced an irresistible finishing burst down the centre of the track with Ben Melham in the saddle.
She got up to win by 0.75l from Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), with Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) the same margin behind in third.
Moonlight Maid has now won two of her four starts, earning $225,900 in prizemoney. She had previously finished fourth in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final.
Pedigree Notes:
Moonlight Maid is the first winner and first stakes winner for young sire Puissance de Lune (Ire), who stands for a fee of $8800 at Swettenham Stud. Himself a multiple Group 2 winner on the racetrack, the son of Shamardal (USA) has been represented by 12 runners to date.
Moonlight Maid’s dam is the Choisir mare Manhattan Maid, who won four races including the Listed Dequetteville S. She is the dam of two foals, both of them winners. Maid Equal (Equiano {Fr}) has won two races.
Flemington, G2 Gilgai S., $300,000, 1200m
Race Summary:
Sunlight (Zoustar) kept her unbeaten Flemington record intact with a quality performance in Saturday’s sprint feature.
The star sprinting mare was a three-time Group 1 winner last season, including two down Flemington’s ‘straight six’.
A return to those surroundings brought out the best in her again, powering to a 0.5l victory over the fast-finishing Santa Ana Lane (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Zoutori (Zoustar) finished close up in third.
Sunlight was ridden to victory by Luke Currie for the training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Bought for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sunlight is now the winner of 11 of her 19 starts and more than $4.6 million in prizemoney.
The McEvoy stable has her on target for The Everest at Randwick later this month.
Pedigree Notes:
Sunlight is the headline act for sire Zoustar, whose overall total is 92 winners from 156 runners including 11 at black-type level. She is his first Group 1 winner, and she headed a Zoustar trifecta when she won the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington last November.
Sunlight is out of the Charge Forward mare Solar Charged, who won three races including the G3 Kindergarten S. and Thoroughbred Club S.
Solar Charged is the dam of four winners from five foals to race. Sheikha (Sebring) has won two races and placed in the G3 Kindergarten S., while Sunlight’s full-sister Sisstar (Zoustar) placed in this season’s Listed Dequetteville S.
Flemington, G2 Blazer S., $300,000, 1400m
Race Summary:
A four-race winner in Sydney, Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) was beaten in her first two Melbourne starts but broke through in style on Saturday with a Group 2 win.
Ridden by Michael Walker, the 4-year-old dominated the race from the front. She produced a strong kick in the straight that put her out of the reach of the backmarkers, winning by 0.75l from Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) and Angelic Ruler (Universal Ruler).
The Chris Waller-trained Haut Brion Her has now had eight starts for five wins and three placings, earning $395,950 in stakes.
Pedigree Notes:
Haut Brion Her is by Zoustar, the sire of 92 winners from 156 runners including 11 at stakes level – a group headed by the multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Sunlight, who won Saturday’s Gilgai S.
Haut Brion Her is the third stakes winner for Redoute’s Choice mare One in a Million, joining the multiple stakes winner Karacatis (Hussonet {USA}) and Listed winner Shamillion (Shamardal {USA}). The unraced Lady Millions (Charge Forward) is the dam of the stakes-placed Malahide (Shamus Award).
One in a Million herself won two races and placed in four black-type events including the G2 Light Fingers S.
Flemington, G3, Lexus Bart Cummings, $500,000, 2520m
Race Summary:
Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) earned a place in the Melbourne Cup and is among the favourites for the famous race after a strong win in Saturday’s staying feature.
With Jordan Childs in the saddle, the lightly raced 5-year-old finished over the top of his rivals and went clear to win by 1.5l.
Supernova (GB) (Intello {Ger}) finished second, with Wolfe (Jpn) (Novellist {Ire}) another 0.75l behind in third place.
The Paul Preusker-trained Surprise Baby was passed in at Karaka as a yearling and a 2-year-old, then was bought from online auction Gavelhouse for NZ$5,500.
He has now won five of his 10 starts, headed by the G2 Adelaide Cup, and earned more than $720,000 in stakes. He had previously just missed out on Melbourne Cup qualification when he was beaten in a photo finish in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800 metres) in May.
Pedigree Notes:
Surprise Baby is a son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, who stands at Rich Hill Stud in New Zealand and has sired 106 winners from 209 runners. His seven stakes winners include the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Fanatic (NZ).
Surprise Baby is out of Bula Baby (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), who won two races and is a half-sister to the Listed placegetter Mi Casa Su Casa (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
The second dam Miss Tessla (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) won nine races including the G2 Sedgwick Classic and Listed Matron S., and she placed in nine other stakes races.
Flemington, Listed Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $175,000, 1000m
Race Summary:
Speedy filly Mildred (Hinchinbrook) scored her second win in as many starts. The winner of the 900-metre Darley Spring Preview on September 25, she delivered a repeat result on Saturday against a field reduced to four by the scratching of favourite Deep Speed (Deep Field).
Ridden by Jordan Childs, Mildred went straight to the front and never looked in danger from there, winning by a 1.5l from Jerle (Exceed And Excel), Boom Daddy (Spirit of Boom) and Divine Caprice (Sebring).
Trainer Grahame Begg will now aim her at either the Inglis Banner or the Maribyrnong Plate.
Bought for just $45,000 at the Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, Mildred has already earned $133,700 in her two-start, two-win career.
Pedigree Notes:
Mildred became the 20th individual winner sired by Hinchinbrook, who has now had a total of 232 winners from 354 runners. Beat the Clock, Press Statement, Seabrook and Spright have won at Group 1 level.
Mildred is out of Tempest Tost (Statue of Liberty {USA}), who won four races including the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy. She also finished fourth in the G1 Winter S.
Tempest Tost was one of 12 winners from 14 foals to race for Lady Violet (Old Crony {USA}), including three stakes winners. Notoire (Export Price {Fr}) won eight races including the G1 Salinger S. and G2 Schillaci S. Well Known (The Pug {GB}) won 12 races, headed by the Listed June S. and Civic H.
Flemington, Listed Furphy Paris Lane S., $175,000, 1400m
Race Summary:
Cranbourne trainer Shawn Mathrick has always had a big opinion of Rich Itch (Danerich), and the 4-year-old lived up to that billing with his first stakes win.
Given a perfect midfield ride by Dwayne Dunn, Rich Itch quickened impressively in the straight to overhaul the front-running Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and win by 0.5l. Music Bay (Choisir) was 1l behind in third.
Bought for $60,000 at the Inglis Melbourne VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale, Rich Itch has now had 17 starts for three wins and seven placings, earning more than $240,000 in stakes for his eight owners.
Pedigree Notes:
Ritch Itch is by Danerich, who has sired 193 winners from 297 runners. Nine of his progeny have won at black-type level, headed by Richie’s Vibe in the G2 Australia S. and Rich Charm in the G2 TAB Multiplier S.
Rich Itch is the second stakes winner for his dam, the Keltrice mare Seven Year Itch. She is also the dam of Scratchy Lass (U.S. Ranger {USA}), who won 10 races including the Listed Oakbank S.
The second dam, the stakes-placed Love to Honor (NZ) (Honor Grades {USA}), is a half-sister to the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup winner Viewed (Scenic {Ire}).
Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Poseidon S., $175,000, 1100m
Race Summary:
Taraayef (Lonhro) bounced back to form with a dogged victory, emerging from the pack alongside Hawker Hurricane (Deep Field) and getting the better of that rival by a head in a desperate two-horse battle to the finish.
The filly had begun her career with wins at her first two starts in May and August, but disappointed in finishing eighth and fifth at Moonee Valley on August 24 and September 7.
Now considered a sprinter rather than a Thousand Guineas prospect by trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Taraayef will be aimed at the G3 Kennedy Plate on November 7.
Bred and raced by Shadwell Stud, Taraayef has earned $224,950 in prize-money in her six-start career to date.
Pedigree Notes:
Taraayef is the 87th individual stakes winner for Lonhro, who has sired a total of 883 winners from 1213 runners.
Taraayef is a half-sister to two other stakes performers. Haybah (More Than Ready {USA}) won three races including the Listed Cinderella S., and she also placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview and Chairman’s S. Muraahib (Reset) won races in Australia and Singapore and placed in the G3 Schweppervescence H.
Taraayef’s dam, the three-race winner Sultah (Exceed And Excel), is a half-sister to Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider (Reset) and stakes winners Shamoline Warrior (Shamardal) and Cadillac Mountain (Reset).
Second dam Picholine (Dehere {USA}) won three races and placed in the G1 Flight S.
Flemington, Listed McGregor Portables Super Impose S., $175,000, 1800m
Race Summary:
Trainer Anthony Freedman and jockey Martin Harley teamed up for an emphatic win by the outsider Warning (Declaration of War {USA}).
The gelding went into the race as a maiden, but had finished in the first four in three of his first four starts.
The addition of blinkers and the step up to 1800 metres on Saturday brought the best out of Warning, who showed a quality turn of foot in the straight to power to the front and win by 2l. Independent Road (Declaration of War {USA}) and Huntly Castle (Sebring) filled the minor placings.
The first Australian stakes winner for Harley, Warning was a $65,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale and has now earned $114,900. He has been cut from $51 to $11 for next month’s G1 Victoria Derby.
Pedigree Notes:
The race produced a quinella for Declaration of War (USA), who shuttled to Australia in the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons. He has sired 172 winners from 313 runners, with 24 individual stakes winners including three at Group or Grade 1 level. His two Australian crops have produced 43 winners from 83 runners, with six stakes winners including Winning Ways in the Queensland Oaks.
Warning is the second winner from two foals to race for Livia (Galileo {Ire}), who herself won two races and was fourth in the G2 Edward Manifold S. Her other runner, Galaxy Gazer (Astronomer Royal {USA}), is a six-race winner.
Second dam Flying Spice (Flying Spur) was placed in the G2 AV Kewney S. and is a half-sister to the stakes winner and G1 Futurity S. placegetter Chattanooga (Scenic {Ire}).
Kalgoorlie, Listed Iron Jack Kalgoorlie Cup, $130,000, 2200m
Race Summary:
Spiritual Warrior (Blackfriars) justified his favouritism in the Kalgoorlie feature for the father-daughter combination of trainer Justin Warwick and jockey Lucy Warwick.
The 5-year-old gelding worked forward to lead, then held all challengers at bay down the straight to win by 0.5l.
It was the eighth win of Spiritual Warrior’s career, and his first at black-type level. He has also collected six placings in his 26-start career and earned more than $370,000 in stakes.
Pedigree Notes:
Spiritual Warrior has added to a remarkable few weeks for the late sire Blackfriars, who has also had Group 1 success with the warrior Black Heart Bart in the Underwood S. at Caulfield, and Come Play With Me in Saturday’s Metropolitan at Randwick.
Altogether, Blackfriars has been represented by 479 winners from 775 runners, with Spiritual Warrior becoming his 41st individual stakes winner. Outside of the recent stars Black Heart Bart and Come Play With Me, Blackfriars has also had Group 1 success with the Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God.
Spiritual Warrior is one of two winners from three foals to race out of the Show A Heart mare Angelic Heart.
The second dam, Paris Heartbeat (Marooned {GB}), won 12 races including the Listed Summoned S. and Glenlogan Park S. She also placed in the G3 Tesio S. at Moonee Valley.
