Randwick, G1 TAB Epsom H., $1,000,000, 1600m
Race summary:
The race panned out perfectly for Glen Boss, who had the lightweight Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in second spot and one off the fence.
They took control early in the run home and were strong to the line after kicking clear to hold out the fast-finishing Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) added to a great result for his sire with a strong run for third ahead of Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) who did well to hang on to fourth after working hard to lead from a wide gate.
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ$170,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy, Kolding is a half-brother to the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup winner Sampson (Dubai Destination {USA}) and the two-time Listed winner Miss Upstart (Snippetson).
They are out of Magic Star (Danzero) and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Make Mine Magic (Canadian Silver {Can}) and the family of the multiple black type winner Strawberry Malt (Lion Hunter).
Randwick, G1 Darley Flight S., $500,000, 1600m
Race Summary:
Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) cleared the gates quickly and took up the running under James McDonald and the filly revelled in her work.
She was coasting into the straight and when she was asked to get serious she lengthened stride to race to a clear victory.
Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) was under pressure before the turn to stay in touch and she fought on for second and clear of Foxborough (Dissident).
Pedigree Notes:
The winner is a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and was a $80,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy.
The dam Starspangled (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), a sister to the G3 Cork Give Thanks S. winner Downtown (Ire), is a daughter of the eight-time Group 1 winner User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB]).
Randwick, G1 Heineken 3 The Metropolitan H., $750,000, 2400m
Race Summary:
Former Western Australian mare Come Play With Me (Blackfriars) produced a dour staying performance to open her Sydney account.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, she settled behind the leading pack and rounded off strongly in the run home to continue her excellent winning strike rate. She has now posted 13 successes from 30 starts.
Gallic Chieftan (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}) made ground strongly for the runner-up berth with Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) taking third from the game pacemaker Stampede (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Pedigree Notes:
Come Play With Me is a daughter of Russian Playmate (Dr Johnson {USA}) who was a two-time black type winner up to 1800 metres.
She is from the family of the Listed Premier’s Cup winner Dee I Cee (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}) and his half-sister Designated Driver (Danroad), who finished runner-up in the G1 Telegraph. It’s also the family of the dual European Group 2 winner Broken Hearted (Ire) (Dara Monarch {GB}).
Randwick, G2 Bisley Workwear Premiere S., $500,000, 1200m
Race Summary:
Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) made a stunning return to open his spring campaign that may lead him all the way to the $14 million The TAB Everest.
The 4-year-old dashed into contention for the massive sprinting prize when he was successful in his first appearance since winning the G1 Doncaster H.
Brutal sat on the pace one off the fence and he proved too strong for Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner), who made the running and fought back to take second off Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt).
Pedigree Notes:
A NZ$220,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase, Brutal is a brother to the black type winner Talaria (NZ).
Their dam Alberton Princess (NZ) (Golan {Ire}) won twice and was Group 3 placed and is a half-sister to the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park).
It is a family that has previously made an impact in Australia through the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. winner Cavalry Rose (Charge Forward).
Randwick, G2 Hill S., $500,000, 2000m
Race Summary:
Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) needed every inch of the Randwick straight to get her nose in front on the line.
She settled in the last duo before jockey James McDonald pulled out three wide to improve 600 metres out and she maintained a sustained finishing run to get the bob in.
Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt) took up his customary role in front and he held a strong gallop to go under narrowly with Life Less Ordinary (Ire) (Thewayyouare {USA}) battling on for third after racing in the trail.
Pedigree Notes:
A multiuple winner in New Zealand before relocating to Chris Waller, Verry Elleegant is out of the Danroad mare Opulence (NZ).
She was successful in two minor staying events and at stud has produced three winners, including Verry Elleegant’s brother Verry Flash, who has won six times.
They hail from the legendary family of Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).
Randwick, G3 Keeneland Gimcrack S., $160,000, 1000m
Race Summary:
Every Rose (Choisir) struck the first winning blow of the 2-year-old season in Sydney with a professional display to claim to honours with ease.
She was quickly into stride to make the running and was slipped more rein by Josh Parr to streak clear 300 metres from home and put the issue beyond doubt.
The favourite Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) chased gamely for second and Ticket To Ride (Vancouver) found the line strongly from the tail of the field to take third.
Pedigree Notes:
A $160,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Every Rose is a half-sister to two winners with their dam the Show A Heart mare Couredge.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Matriarch S. winner Vintedge (Flying Spur) with their mother a sister to the G1 Orr S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter and sire Racer’s Edge. The G1 Fruit ‘n’ Veg S. winner True Steel (Jeune {GB}) also appears on the pedigree page.
Randwick, G3, Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate, $160,000, 1000m
Race Summary:
Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) raced in behind the leaders, and rider James McDonald had to be patient in the straight for a gap to appear.
When it did, the colt dived between runners to take the major prize from Postcode (Vancouver), who made his bid along the fence.
Beylinks (Lonhro) did well for third off a wide run with Belieber (Zoustar) wilting late to fourth.
Pedigree Notes:
A $340,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Global Quest is a son of Global Dream (Fastnet Rock), who was a winner and Group 2 placed.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Shannon S. winner Noire (Foxwedge) and a family that includes the Group 2 winners Timbourina (Timber Country {USA}) and Media (Gilded Time {USA}), who were both placed at Group 1 level.
Hawke’s Bay, G1 Livamol Classic, NZ$250,000, 2040m
Race Summary:
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was the hottest of favourites and she didn’t give her army of supporters any cause for concern.
She was travelling easily all the way once rider Opie Bosson got her one of the fence and they improved wide from the 600 metres mark.
Melody Belle strode to the front 250 metres from home and was in a class of her own with Peso (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) second and Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) made late ground for third.
Pedigree Notes:
The winner is from a family that has been producing class performers for decades and includes the G1 Golden Slipper S. winners Belle Du Jeu (Dehere {USA}) and Dance Hero (Danzero) and the G1 Epsom H. winner Rock Kingdom (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Melody Belle is the first foal of Meleka Belle (Ijraaj {GB}), whose unraced stablemate and half-brother Exaltation (Not A Single Doubt) was a NZ$900,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy for Te Akau’s David Ellis.
Hawke’s Bay, G2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas, NZ$100,000, 1400m
Race summary:
Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was tardily away and caught wide before rider Troy Harris sent him forward.
He was in from 800 metres from home and when he was asked to lengthen stride in the straight he turned the race into a procession.
Harris had two exaggerated looks over his shoulder on the way to the easiest of wins with Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) a distant second with Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) lengths back in third.
Pedigree notes:
Catalyst is out of Evana (NZ) (Entrepreneur {GB}), who is a half-sister to the G3 Highview S. winner Diamond Deck (Octagonal {NZ}).
It’s a family breeders The Oaks Stud has enjoyed an outstanding run with, including the likes of the G1 Otaki Maori WFA S. winner Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and her multiple Group 2 winning daughter Zurella (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
The second dam is Shadea (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}), dam of the former Australian Horse of the Year, multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Lonhro and his brother Niello, successful three times at the top level.
Hawke’s Bay, G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint, NZ$70,000, 1400m
Race Summary:
A fresh True Enough (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}) was kept in behind the leaders by rider Jonathan Riddell and the gaps opened ideally in the straight.
The 6-year-old came off the back of the leader 200 metres out and swept on by to post the seventh win of his 16-start career.
The front-runner The Mitigator (Master Of Design) didn’t shirk his task in the run home and kicked strongly for second with Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) closing off well for third.
Pedigree Notes:
True Enough is out of Valda’s Dream (NZ) (Sakura Seeking {USA}) with the second dam Against The Odds (NZ) (Harbor Prince {USA}) a blood sister to the Maurine (NZ).
She won two editions of the G1 Avondale Cup and produced the dual Group 2 winner Six O’Clock News (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and it’s also the family of the G1 Japan Cup winner Marvelous Crown (Jpn) (Miswaki {USA}).
