Rosehill, G2 Arrowfield Hobartville S., 1400m, $400,000
Race summary:
The build-up to the race was dominated by impressive last-start winner Microphone (Exceed And Excel), and it looked like the race itself would follow suit as the colt exploded out of the starting gate and immediately took a 2l lead.
But Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) had other ideas and sprung a massive surprise. He trailed the front-running favourite all the way up to the straight, then jockey Rachel King sent him forward to make his challenge.
Brandenburg finished too strongly, edging ahead of Microphone over the last 200 metres and racing to a shock victory by 0.5l.
Reloaded (Snitzel) got up to just edge out Microphone in a photo finish for second place. Pancho (Dissident) was fourth, with Shadow Hero (Pierro) and Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) doing their best work very late in the race to finish fifth and sixth.
Brandenburg is trained by John Sargent for Seymour Bloodstock, Brandenburg has now had eight starts for two wins, six placings and $418,400. This was his first stakes win, having previously placed in the G2 Stan Fox S. and G3 Carbine Club S.
Pedigree notes:
Brandenburg was bred in New Zealand by Christopher Grace. He is by Burgundy (NZ), a NZ$1.1 million yearling purchase and half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Darci Brahma (NZ).
Himself a multiple Group winner and Group 1 placegetter, Burgundy stood at Cambridge Stud from 2013 until his death from laminitis in December.
Burgundy is the sire of 44 winners from 100 runners, with Brandenburg becoming his fourth individual stakes winner. Dijon Bleu (NZ) won the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic, G3 Desert Gold S., G3 Gold Trail S. and two Listed races, and placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Hard Merchandize (NZ) won the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas, and La Romanee (NZ) won this season’s Listed Welcome S.
The dam of Brandenburg is Wansesingyee (Galileo {Ire}), who was unraced but is now the dam of two stakes winners from two foals to race. The other is Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who has won the G2 Wakeful S., G3 Adrian Knox S., G3 Summer Cup, G3 Kembla Grange Classic and Listed January Cup, and placed in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
Since producing Brandenburg in 2016, Wansesingyee has had a filly by Fastnet Rock in 2018 and returned to the same stallion last spring.
Wansesingyee is out of a three-quarter sister to the Listed Kensington S. and Sir John Monash S. winner Secret Flyer (Secret Savings {USA}), while half-brother Luvuleo (Galileo {Ire}) won the Listed McKell Cup.
Wansesingyee’s grand-dam is a half-sister to Almazyoon (Danehill {USA)}), who won the G3 Emancipation S. and produced the G3 Spring S. winner El Maze (El Moxie {USA}).
Rosehill, G2 TAB Millie Fox S., 1300m, $200,000
Race summary:
White Moss (Mossman) won this fillies and mares’ feature 12 months ago, with Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) third. The same two mares returned for a rematch on Saturday, and this time the result was reversed.
Ridden by James McDonald for Godolphin trainer James Cummings, Savatiano settled in fourth place through the early part of the race while White Moss sat second, trailing the front-running Irithea (Snitzel).
White Moss quickly took over in the straight and kicked clear, but then McDonald unleashed Savatiano on her outside. She reeled in White Moss and swept past, opening up a winning margin of 2.75l.
White Moss was second, with another 2l back to Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) in third.
Savatiano has now had 28 starts for nine wins, 11 placings and more than $1.5 million in stakes. A big contributor to that total was her victory in the inaugural $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle in November. She has also won the G2 Tristarc S. G3 Glenlogan Park S. and Listed Mona Lisa S.
Pedigree notes:
Bred by Darley, Savatiano is by the mighty Street Cry (Ire), sire of 1120 winners from 1534 runners worldwide including 131 at stakes level. In this part of the world, he has sired 458 winners from 576 runners with 49 individual stakes winners, headed by the legendary Winx and fellow Group 1 winners Whobegotyou, Shocking, Pride Of Dubai, Trekking, Heavens Above, Long John and Stay With Me.
The dam of Savatiano is Retsina (Redoute’s Choice), who was a winner and finished fourth at Listed level. She has two winners from three foals to race, with Savatiano joined by the three-time Group placegetter Athiri (Lonhro), who also finished fourth in the G1 Blue Diamond.
Savatiano produced Vilana (Hallowed Crown) in 2018 and a colt by Lonhro in the spring of 2019. She was then served by Street Boss (USA).
Retsina is out of Star Shiraz (Sequalo), who won six races including the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce S. She also placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic and TJ Smith Classic, and is the dam of five winners.
Rosehill, Listed Parramatta Cup, 1900m, $140,000
Race summary:
Mustajeer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) carried the top weight of 60.5kg and got a long way back in the running, but neither of those issues proved to be any obstacle to victory.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman for trainer Kris Lees, the 7-year-old gelding sat in the second half of a strung-out field and had a lot of work to do coming up to the home turn.
But he produced a powerful finishing burst in the straight and powered to a clear lead, then held out the late challenge of Eastender (Tickets) for a narrow but authoritative victory.
The winner’s stablemate Red Cardinal (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) produced a big finish from last to finish third, 5l behind the first pair.
Racing in the colours of Australian Bloodstock, Mustajeer has had 22 starts for five wins, six placings and more than $1.46 million in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
Mustajeer is by Medicean (GB), who has sired 574 winners from 890 runners worldwide including 48 individual stakes winners.
In this part of the world, he has been represented by six winners from 13 runners. Saturday’s win was Mustajeer’s first at stakes level, making him the third stakes winner in Australia for Medicean – joining fellow Listed winners Maurus (GB) and Araldo Junior (Ger).
Mustajeer is out of the winning mare Qelaan (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}), who is the dam of four winners from five foals to race. Makruma (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) placed in the Listed Prix Luth Enchantee and Prix de Montretout.
Qelaan is out of the Group 3-placed Irtahal (USA) (Swain {Ire}), a half-sister to stakes winners Karis Makaw (USA) (Charismatic {USA}) and Nationhood (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}).
The second dam of Qelaan is a half-sister to Dayjur (USA) (Danzig {USA}), who won three Group 1 races and was Horse of the Year in England and France and champion sprinter in Europe. Another half-sibling, Maplejinsky (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}), won the G1 Alabama S. at Saratoga.
Matamata, Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai S., 2000m, NZ$50,000
Race summary:
Joe’s Legacy (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) warmed up for the G1 Auckland Cup on March 7 with a bold victory on his home track.
Ridden by Michael Coleman, the 5-year-old gelding raced in midfield as All In Vogue (NZ) (Pins) and Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) set the pace on a significantly rain-affected track.
Coleman cut the corner at the home turn and Joe’s Legacy dived through to take the lead. All In Vogue and Roger That kept up a strong gallop wider out, but Joe’s Legacy finished too strongly and won by 2l.
Roger That finished second, with another 2.5l back to a tiring but gallant All In Vogue.
Joe’s Legacy is trained at Matamata by Jason Price for a big group of owners that includes Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford. He has now had 18 starts for three wins, nine placings and NZ$117,045 in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
Joe’s Legacy is by Guillotine (NZ), a Group 2-winning half-brother to the Melbourne Cup winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Guillotine has sired 129 winners from 256 runners, and Joe’s Legacy became his eighth individual stakes winner. That list is headed by the Group 2 winner Steel Rose (NZ).
The dam of Joe’s Legacy is Mia Bambino (NZ) (Danasinga), who won three races and finished fourth in the Listed Waikato Stud S. at Wanganui. She is the dam of two winners from two foals to race. Since producing Joe’s Legacy in 2014, she has had colts by Tavistock (NZ) and Jimmy Choux (NZ), then fillies by Jimmy Choux, Tivaci and Shamexpress (NZ).
Mia Bambino is a half-sister to three winners including the Listed placegetter Arawhata Chief (NZ) (Just a Dancer {NZ}). They are both out of Mystic Imp (NZ) (Imperial Seal {GB}), who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed It’s Serious Fun (NZ) (First Norman {USA}) and Carlos Lopez (NZ) (Diagramatic {USA}).
Matamata, G3 Waikato Stud Slipper, NZ$70,000, 1200m
Race summary :
Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) was sent out a commanding favourite, but he had to bow to his stablemate Need I Say More (No Nay Never {USA}).
The latter sat outside the leader and after hitting the front 200 metres from home he drew clear to remain unbeaten after two starts.
Cool Aza Beel didn’t look entirely comfortable in the soft conditions and was game in defeat with the pacemaker Snapper (NZ) (Power {GB}) clinging on for third.
Pedigree notes :
Need I Say More is the first Southern Hemisphere stakes winner for the Coolmore shuttle stallion No Nay Never (USA).
He is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Bo Bardi, whose dam Our Golden Dream (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was a black type winner in North America.
She is from the family of the G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Rutherienne (USA) (Pulpit {USA}), whose sister Ruthenia (USA) was a dual Group 3 winner, and the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac winner and G1 Jean Prat runner-up and sire Oiseau De Feu.
Need I Say More was a $65,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale purchase who subsequently changed hands after he failed to meet his NZ$150,000 reserve at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
Matamata, G2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ S., 1200m, NZ$100,000
Race summary:
Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) delivered a special victory in the 2-year-old fillies’ feature, becoming the first Cambridge Stud-bred stakes winner since the iconic farm was purchased by Brendan and Jo Lindsay. It was also significant for trainer Lance Noble, who is now based at Karaka but spent more than 30 years at Matamata including 14 on the committee of the Matamata Racing Club.
Vernazza was ridden by top local jockey Michael Coleman on Saturday, filling in for the suspended Leith Innes. She raced in midfield as Laced With Gold (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and last-start winners Bonita Aurelia (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Opalescence (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) set the race up in front.
Coleman asked Vernazza to quicken approaching the turn, and she burst into contention at the top of the straight.
Maiden filly Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) emerged on the outside and looked like springing a huge surprise, but Vernazza lifted and held her at bay and won by .75l.
Kelly Renee was second, with 2.75l back to Bonita Aurelia in third.
Carrying the colours of her owner-breeders, Vernazza has now had three starts for two wins and a third placing.
Pedigree notes:
Vernazza is by the phenomenal shuttle stallion More Than Ready (USA), the world-record-holder for worldwide winners with 1867 from 2556 runners. He has sired more than 200 stakes winners.
More Than Ready stood at Vinery Stud for a $55,000 service fee in 2019, which was his 19th season shuttling to Australia. Among his Southern Hemisphere-conceived progeny, More Than Ready has sired 875 winners from 1230 runners with 88 individual stakes winners. Those include 14 Group 1 winners, headed by superstars such as More Joyous and Sebring.
The dam of Vernazza is Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who herself won five races headed by the G3 Ladies’ Day Vase at Caulfield. She was also second in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup and Champion S. Prelude, and fourth in the G1 Spring Classic at Hawke’s Bay.
Zonza is the dam of two winners from three foals to race, and both of those are stakes winners. Bavella (Snitzel) won the Listed Counties Challenge S. as a 2-year-old and has placed in the G3 Soliloquy S., Gold Trail S. and Mr Tiz Trophy. She finished fourth in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and Diamond S.
Since producing Vernazza in 2017, Zonza has produced a colt and filly foal by Tavistock (NZ). She was served by Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor (Fr) in the spring of 2019.
Zonza is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Our Shakira (NZ) (Cullen), while her third dam is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe placegetter Comtesse de Loir (Fr) (Val de Loir {Fr}). Descendants from her fourth dam include champion mare Miesque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) and her son Kingmambo (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}).
