G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, $5,000,000 2040m
Race Summary:
Following on from last week’s Caulfield Cup victory by Mer de Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), star mare Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) completed a massive double for Japan with a supreme performance in the Cox Plate.
Like Mer de Glace, the mare was ridden by Damian Lane, who rode a patient race in the back half of the field as Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) showed the way.
The 3-year-old Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) was close up behind the leaders and went for gold in the straight, but Lys Gracieux came with a sustained and unstoppable run through the last 150 metres. She finished over the top of Castelvecchio and went clear for a resounding victory by 1.25l.
Highly rated Kiwi raider Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) tailed the field for most of the race and was still last with less than 600 metres to travel, but he made a strong late run into third, ahead of Magic Wand (Ire) and Mystic Journey (Needs Further).
Lys Gracieux is trained by Yoshito Yahagi for owners Carrot Farm. She has now had 21 starts for eight wins, 12 placings and more than $11.1 million in prize-money.
Prior to her sparkling Cox Plate performance, Lys Gracieux had also won the G1 Takarazuka Kinen and Kyoto Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and she had picked up further Group 1 placings in the Oka Sho, Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Victoria Mile, Shuka Sho, Hong Kong Vase and Hong Kong Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Pedigree Notes:
Lys Gracieux is by Heart’s Cry (Jpn), who has been an outstanding Japanese stallion with 714 winners from 1058 runners including 40 individual stakes winners.
A son of the enormously influential Sunday Silence (USA), Heart’s Cry has had only eight runners in Australia but plenty of success. Lys Gracieux is his second Group 1 winner in Melbourne, following in the footsteps of the Caulfield Cup hero Admire Rakti (Jpn). A Shin Rook (Jpn) has also been stakes-placed in the Seymour Cup.
The dam of Lys Gracieux is Liliside (Fr) (American Post {GB}), who herself won five races including the Listed Prix la Camargo and Prix de la Cochere.
Liliside is a full-sister to Lily America (Fr) (American Post {GB}), who won the Listed Prix la Camargo, while half-sister The Wise Lady (Fr) (Ganges {USA}) was stakes-placed and is the dam of stakes winners Ming Zhi Cosmos (Fr) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) and Melodyman (Fr) (Green Tune {USA}).
Lys Gracieux is clearly the standout of Liliside’s progeny, being the only black-type performer among five winners from six foals to race.
G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup, $500,000, 2500m
Race Summary:
Irish raider Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) staked his claim for the G1 Melbourne Cup with a comfortable victory on Australian debut.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the 5-year-old entire settled nicely in third or fourth position as the Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) set a slow pace.
Hunting Horn moved into contention at the business end of the race, with Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) and Downdraft (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) looming on either side of him.
But it was Hunting Horn who produced the strongest finish, edging away to win by 1.25l. Mr Quickie held second by a neck from Downdraft.
Hunting Horn is trained by Aidan O’Brien and carries the navy blue colours of Coolmore. The Moonee Valley Cup was just his third win from 22 starts, and his second black-type win, having captured the G3 Hampton Court S. as a 3-year-old.
But he has placed in another seven races including the G1 Belmont Derby, G2 Prix Niel, G3 Chester Vase and G3 Sandown Classic Trial. He also ran fourth in the G1 Royal Ascot Prince of Wales’s S. and Dubai Sheema Classic.
Pedigree Notes:
Hunting Horn is by the dual Derby winner Camelot (GB), who has made a strong start at stud with 195 winners from 324 runners to date. He has sired 23 individual black-type winners, headed by the Irish Derby winner and G1 Mackinnon S. placegetter Latrobe (Ire).
Hunting Horn’s dam Mora Bai (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) was unraced, but boasts an exceptional pedigree. She is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), as well as the Group 2 winner Black Bear Island (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {Ire}) and three other stakes performers.
Mora Bai is the dam of five winners, two of them at stakes level. David Livingston (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the G2 Beresford S. and G3 Rose of Lancaster S. and placed in the G1 National S., G3 Irish St. Leger Trial S. and Listed Foundation S.
G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile, $300,000, 1600m
Race Summary:
Chief Ironside (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) had been unlucky on Australian debut in the G1 Toorak H. earlier this month, but he bounced back in style for a Group 2 victory at The Valley.
Ridden by Jamie Spencer, the Australian Bloodstock import was prominently placed behind the pacemakers before angling into the clear in the straight to make his run. He slowly but surely gathered momentum, moving up alongside the front-running Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and pipping him by a short head at the finish line.
Best of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) was the same margin away in third, with four others also within a length of the winner in a spectacular finish.
Chief Ironside is trained by David Menuisier and has now had 15 starts for three wins and four placings, earning $305,518 in prize-money.
Pedigree Notes:
Chief Ironside is by Lawman (Fr), who is the sire of 397 winners from 695 runners including 31 individual black-type winners.
Few of Lawman’s progeny have competed in Australia, with four winners from just eight runners. Chief Ironside is his second winner at stakes level in this country, joining the multiple Group winner and G1 Sydney Cup placegetter Libran (Ire).
Chief Ironside is out of Moment of Time (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}), who is the dam of two winners from two foals to race. Moment of Time herself placed in the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial S.
Moment of Time is a half-sister to Time Away (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who won the G3 Musidora S. and placed in the G1 Prix de Diane and Nassau S.
Time Away is the dam of six winners including Group 2 winner Time On (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), who in turn is the dam of Group 2 winner Mot Juste (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA})
Another of Time Away’s daughters, Time Control (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), is the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Cursory Glance (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}).
G2 Antler Luggage Fillies’ Classic, $300,000, 1600m
Race Summary:
There was no separating Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and La Falaise (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), who hit the line locked together in a dead heat.
Both fillies had settled in the back half of the field as Asiago (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) set the pace, but they crept closer as the field bunched up approaching the home turn.
Fillies lined up across the track in an exciting scramble down the straight, with Fascino and La Falaise gradually edging ahead of the others to fight it out. They hit the line together, dead-heating for first place. Nudge (Fastnet Rock) was another neck away in third.
Fascino, ridden by Mark Zahra for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, has now won two of her seven starts and $210,250 in stakes. The Henry Dwyer-trained La Falaise, who was ridden by Ben Melham, has had six starts for two wins and $220,610.
Pedigree Notes:
Fascino is by the young Windsor Park shuttle stallion Charm Spirit (Ire), who has been a prolific source of winners with 84 worldwide from 175 runners.
Fascino is his fourth stakes winner and second at Group 2 level, joining Kiwi filly Aretha (NZ). Kick On (GB) and Yourtimeisnow (GB) have been Group 3 winners in England.
Fascino is out of Lady Kipling (NZ) (Savabeel), who is the dam of two winners from two foals to race. Lady Kipling herself was a high-class racemare, winning 11 races including the G2 Cal Isuzu S., G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. and G3 Eagle Technology S. She placed in the G1 Captain Cook S., Thorndon Mile, Otaki-Maori WFA and Levin Classic.
Since producing Fascino in 2016, Lady Kipling has produced a colt by Tavistock (NZ) and a filly by Turn Me Loose (NZ). She returned to Charm Spirit in 2019.
Joint winner La Falaise is by Canford Cliffs (Ire), who has been represented by 267 winners from 474 runners. La Falaise is his 14th stakes winner, joining a list headed by G2 Alister Clark S. winner Cliff’s Edge.
La Falaise’s dam Exceedingly French (Exceed and Excel) won two races including the Listed St Albans S. and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Rowland (Lonhro).
Exceedingly French is the dam of two named foals, both winners. Haut Chapeau (High Chaparral {Ire}) has won over 1900 metres.
Exceedingly French produced a filly by Street Boss (USA) in 2019 and a filly by Manhattan Rain last year.
G2 Drummond Golf Vase, $300,000, 2040m
Race Summary:
Soul Patch (Shamus Award) burst into contention for next week’s G1 AAMI Victoria Derby with a power-packed performance in the Vase – a race that has previously been won by subsequent Derby winners Raveneaux (Voodoo Rhythm {USA}), Blevic (Scenic {Ire}), Helenus (Helissio {Fr}), Plastered (Laranto) and Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Fabulanski (Polanski) led for a large part of the race, but he was quickly devoured down the side of the course as the backmarkers began to lodge their challenges.
It was Soul Patch and the filly Moonlight Maid (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) who emerged as the main players in the home straight, striding to the front together out wide on the track.
But after a brief struggle, Soul Patch changed gears and powered away from Moonlight Maid, opening up to win by two and a half lengths.
Moonlight Maid was similarly dominant over the rest of the field, finishing 3.25l ahead of the third-placed Serious Liaison (Zoffany {Ire}).
Soul Patch is trained by Ken Keys for an ownership group of a dozen people, and he has now won three of his five starts and $326,650 in stakes. His only time outside the placings was his last-start eighth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Pedigree Notes:
Soul Patch is by Shamus Award, whose racing career hit its pinnacle at this same meeting in 2013 with his victory in the Cox Plate as a 3-year-old. He also won the G1 Australian Guineas later that season.
Standing for $11,000 at Rosemont Stud, the Snitzel stallion has sired 57 winners from 104 runners. Soul Patch is his fifth individual stakes winner, joining a group headed by G1 Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie.
Soul Patch was bred by Tasmania’s Armidale Stud and cost just $45,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
His dam is the winning Flying Spur mare God Bless Us, whose dam Holy Bounty (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) placed in the G2 Sunline S. and Queen of the South S.
Holy Bounty is a half-sister to Ellicorsam (Fimiston), who won the G1 Swettenham Stud S. and is the dam of the multiple stakes winner and Group 1-placed Ellicazoom (Testa Rossa).
G3 Australia S., $200,000, 1200m
Race Summary:
There was no catching Sartorial Splendor (Brazen Beau), who scored a commanding all-the-way victory in the 3-year-old sprint.
Jockey Jamie Kah sent the John Sadler-trained runner straight to the head of the field, and it was one-way traffic from there. Sartorial Splendor ran his rivals into submission, kicking clear in the straight and still holding a comfortable margin of 3.75l at the finish line.
Favourite Condo’s Express (Rubick) made up ground down the straight for second, with Three Beans (Deep Field) alongside him in third.
Raced by a large group of owners, Sartorial Splendor has had six starts for two wins, three placings and $245,800 in prize-money. His only time outside the top three was a fifth placing in the $950,000 Vobis Gold Showdown in April.
Pedigree Notes:
It was a big day for Sartorial Splendor’s sire Brazen Beau, who began the day with three stakes winners to his name but now has five. First-starter Ideas Man provided the first leg of the double with his victory in the Inglis Banner earlier on the Cox Plate day card.
Sartorial Splendor was bred by Blue Gum Farm Aust Pty Ltd and was a $130,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
His dam is Personal Ensign (Rubiton), who herself won three races including the Listed Northwood Plume S. and placed in the G2 Age Classic S.
Personal Ensign is the dam of seven winners from eight foals to race. Sartorial Splendor is the second stakes winner, joining G2 Blue Diamond Prelude and G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Fontiton (Turffontein).
Sartorial Splendor was born in the spring of 2016, and since then Personal Ensign has produced a filly by Manhattan Rain in 2018. She returned to Manhattan Rain this season.
G3 Powerflo Solutions S., $200,000, 1600m
Race Summary:
Amangiri (All Too Hard) brought the curtain down on Cox Plate day with a determined front-running victory in fillies and mares’ company.
Sent to the lead in the early stages of the race by jockey Dwayne Dunn, Amangiri was being hotly pursued by a number of challengers coming up to the home turn.
But instead of being swamped down the Moonee Valley straight, Amangiri fought back resolutely and held on, winning by a head from Seewhatshebrings (Sebring) and Vanuatu (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Amangiri is trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, and she is owned by Michael’s wife Clare and John’s wife (Michael and Wayne’s mother) Jenny.
Amangiri has now had nine starts for three wins, three placings and $258,900 in prize-money. This was her first stakes win, having previously placed in the G3 Frank Packer Plate and Angst S.
Pedigree Notes:
Amangiri is the 11th individual stakes winner for sire All Too Hard, who stands for a fee of $27,500 at Vinery Stud. He has yet to sire a Group 1 winner but has had five at Group 2 or 3 level, including Alligator Blood, who won this year’s G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and was a close second in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Amangiri was co-bred by Neil Werrett, who famously part-owned All Too Hard’s champion half-sister Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Amangiri was an $80,000 purchase at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Her dam Secret Indulgence (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) was a winner and is a half-sister to G1 Victoria Derby winner Amalfi (Carnegie {Ire}). Another half-sister, Petit Verdot (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), is the dam of multiple stakes winners Antonio Lombardo (NZ) (Pins) and Master of Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Further down the pedigree page, the family features the prolific stakes performers Rationale (NZ) (Sound Reason {Can}), Egoli Lass (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), Wise Lass (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}), Vigor (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Joey Massino (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).
Since producing Amangiri, Secret Indulgence has had two More Than Ready (USA) fillies and a colt by that stallion’s son Better Than Ready.
Restricted Listed Inglis Banner, $500,000, 1000m
Race Summary:
Saturday’s lucrative sprint for Inglis sales graduates was won by the highest-priced yearling purchase in the field.
First-starter Ideas Man (Brazen Beau), who cost $575,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, raced in midfield and quickened stylishly in the straight. Just as Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai) and Mildred (Hinchinbrook) seemed set to fight out the finish, Ideas Man finished over the top of them to win by a head.
Bella Nipotina was second, with the fast-finishing Arctic Ice (Brazen Beau) and Encountabull (Bull Point) pipping Mildred for third and fourth respectively.
Ideas Man was ridden in Saturday’s debut victory by Mark Zahra, and he is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for owners Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd, Pope Racing, Renkie Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing and seven other individuals.
Pedigree Notes:
Bred by O E & D R Pope Pty Ltd, Ideas Man is by the multiple Group 1-winning I Am Invincible stallion Brazen Beau.
Standing at Darley for a fee of $49,500, Brazen Beau has sired 21 winners from 86 runners. Ideas Man became his fourth stakes winner, joining G2 Stan Fox S. winner Colada and Listed winners Avengers Queen (GB) and Accession.
Ideas Man is the seventh winner from eight foals to race for the dam Innovation Girl (Rubiton), who herself won 10 races including the G2 Ascot Vale S., G3 Debonair S., G3 Thoroughbred Club S., G3 Dermody S. and three Listed races.
Innovation Girl had previously produced two other black-type performers, with Chloe in Paris (Exceed And Excel) winning the Listed Bob Hoysted H. and The Original (Dehere {USA}) placing in the G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S.
Innovation Girl’s unraced daughter Original Choice (Redoute’s Choice) has produced four winners including the multiple Group placegetter Brockhoff (Lonhro).
Listed PFD Food Services Crockett S., $175,000, 1200m
Race Summary:
In only the third start of her career, 3-year-old filly Broadwayandfourth (Smart Missile) stepped up to the big time with an outstanding come-from-behind win.
Jockey Ben Melham dropped back to second-last on the $17 longshot as Villami (Foxwedge) and Lankan Star (Nicconi) raced side by side in front.
Villami kicked away in the straight in what looked like a winning move, but Broadwayandfourth charged through on her inside and raced on by, opening up to win by 1l. Niccovi (Nicconi) made a big late run to snatch second from Villami.
Broadwayandfourth is trained by Mitchell Freedman for her owners and co-breeders Bungan Street Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd. She has now won two of her three starts and $158,850 in stakes.
Pedigree Notes:
Broadwayandfourth is by Smart Missile, who stands for a fee of $22,000 at Twin Hills Stud. He has sired 268 winners from 417 runners, with Broadwayandfourth becoming his 15th individual stakes winner.
Smart Missile’s standout performers have been G1 Spring Champion S. winner Maid of Heaven, G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Smart Melody and the Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed I’ll Have a Bit.
Broadwayandfourth is out of Broadway Harmony (Statue of Liberty {USA}), whose two-win racing career included victory in the Listed Dequetteville S. She is the dam of three foals to race, all winners. Broadwayandfourth is the first stakes winner, with Broadway And First (Flying Spur) winning six races and Ol’ Blue Eyes (Smart Missile) winning two.
Broadway Harmony has since produced a colt by Dissident in 2017, a colt by Wandjina in 2018 and a filly by Dissident in 2019.
