Caulfield, G3 Kevin Hayes S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary:
How Womantic (The Wow Signal {IRE}) paid off her connections’ decision to wait until December of her 3-year-old season to debut the $50,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier purchase.
Undefeated coming into the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes, the filly broke well and raced just behind the leaders on the fence in the 1200 metre race. How Womantic was given a small hole as the field turned into the straight and took advantage of it to give herself clear running room and chase down the leading Enfleurage (Exceed And Excel). The filly needed much of the straight to catch the leader but she collared her just before the line to win by a little over a quarter length.
While it wasn’t a win for Godolphin, the operation still found success with the James Cummings-trained Exceed And Excel duo of Enfleurage and Aquitaine (Exceed And Excel) finishing second and third for their sire.
Pedigree notes:
One of three winners from the only southern hemisphere crop by The Wow Signal, she is the first southern hemisphere stakes winner for the late stallion.
The filly is the second foal from four-time winner Banderilla (Delzao), whose two live foals are both winners. The late mare was a half-sister to Australia’s 2006-2007 Champion Steeplechaser Some Are Bent (Distorted Humor {USA}), and comes from the family of listed winner Our Chamozzle.
How Womantic’s Group 2 victory makes her the first Group winner under her first five dams.
Caulfield, G2 Diamond Prelude (F), $200,000, 1100m
Race summary:
Making her second start a little over two weeks after her successful debut for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, 2-year-old Letzbeglam (Snitzel) made good on the promise she showed in that first race with a Group win at Caulfield.
The filly broke well from her wide barrier and was among the leaders while racing three deep in the 1100 metre race. Coming into the straight, Brett Prebble convinced his filly to take over the lead and she took complete control at the 200 metre mark.
Letzbeglam showed a bit of attitude in the final 100 metres, swishing her tail when encouraged to race on but it wasn’t enough to cost her the race. She won by 2 ¼ lengths over Munataserra (I Am Invincible) with Geist (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) continuing Godolphin’s good day at Caulfield with a third place finish. It was a shocking turn of events for race favourite Fresh, however, with that filly finishing last nearly 6 ½ lengths behind the winner.
Pedigree notes:
The 39th stakes winning 2-year-old for Snitzel, Letzbeglam isn’t the only successful family member by the stallion with her full brother the Listed-placed Snazz ‘n’ Charm.
Letzbglam is one of three winners from three runners from the U.S.-bred Miss Charming (USA) (Forestry {USA}), who was bought at the 2014 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for US$180,000 by Blue Sky Bloodstock. The mare is a half-sister to two-time Grade 1 winner Tout Charmant (USA) (Slewvescent {USA}), who is the dam of two stakes winners.
Miss Charming is also a full sister to Grade 3 winner Forest Grove (USA) with 11 of her Grade 3 winning dam’s 12 to race winning at least one race. Tout Charmant has proven to be the best producer of all Miss Charming’s siblings os far as the granddam of Grade 2 winner New And Improved (USA) (Cairo Prince {USA}) and Listed winner I’m Mom’s Favorite (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}).
The mare had an ill-fated Pride of Dubai colt in 2018 and produced a Hellbent filly last year. She was bred to Invader in 2019.
Caulfield, G3 Diamond Prelude (C&G), $200,000, 1100m
Race summary:
Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}) showed he was the real deal at Caulfield on Saturday when winning his third straight with an impressive showing in the Group 3 Diamond Prelude (C & G).
The Anthony Freedman-trained 2-year-old raced deep in the body of the field a few paths off the rail. Luke Currie had to swing his mount to the outside to give Hanseatic the running room needed to win the race and with 300 metres to run they were in full flight to chase down Rulership (I Am Invincible) a few lengths ahead of them.
With 200 metres left to go, it looked as if Rulership may pull a minor upset but Hanseatic gained ground with every stride to pull even inside the 50 metre mark. It took until the stride before the line for Hanseatic to be guaranteed the victory with only a neck separating them and Rathlin (Fastnet Rock) only three quarters of a length behind for third.
Pedigree notes:
One of 15 southern hemisphere 2-year-old stakes winners for Street Boss (USA), Hanseatic joins Tris as the stallions two 2-year-old Group winners.
He is the third foal for the winning mare Itameri, who is a half-sister to Listed placed Badcoe (Wanted). The 9-year-old mare is a granddaughter of Group 2 winner and influential broodmare Scandinavia, the dam of Group 1 winner and sire Magnus (Flying Spur).
Scandinavia is also notably the granddam of the legendary Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Champion All Too Hard (Casino Prince).
Itameri currently has a yearling Frosted filly and the mare was served by Exosphere in 2019.
Caulfield, G2 Autumn S. , $200,000, 1400m
Race summary:
Last season’s G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. winner Microphone (Exceed And Excel) returned to winning form with a sterling performance.
He raced in third spot to the turn and then took a while to wind up, but once he hit top gear it was game over.
Banquo (Written Tycoon) settled in second spot and fought valiantly after hitting the front 200 metres from the post and Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel) continued his good run of form with his third placing.
Pedigree notes :
Microphone is a son of Sung (Anabaa {USA}) and she won three races including the Listed Dark Jewel Classic.
The dam is a sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Yell with their mother the Listed Black Opal S. winner Vocalist (Bluebird {USA}).
It is also the family of the G1 Canterbury S. winner Holler (Commands) and the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce S. winner Anthems (Palace Music {USA}).