G1 Mostyn Cooper Randwick Guineas, $1,000,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Spring Champion S. winner Shadow Hero (Pierro) made a triumphant return to winning form in Saturday’s 3-year-old feature at Randwick.
The Mark Newnham-trained gelding’s Sydney spring heroics had earned him favouritism for the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington in November, but he finished only fifth.
He filled the same placing when he resumed in last month’s G2 Hobartville S., and he was doing his best work late in that 1400-metre event.
Saturday’s extra distance was right up Shadow Hero’s alley. After sitting in midfield for regular rider Josh Parr, he surged out of the pack and wore down Godolphin’s Microphone (Exceed And Excel) to win by 0.75l.
John Sargent’s upset Hobartville winner Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) proved that win was no fluke with a close third, right alongside Microphone.
The Sweetbriar Equine-owned Shadow Hero has now had nine starts for four wins, two placings and $1.46 million in stakes. He was bought for $260,000 from Newgate Farm’s draft at the 2018 Inglis Classic Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Shadow Hero was bred by Greg and Donna Kolivos.
He is by Pierro, the former top-class racehorse who has transferred that excellence into the stud barn. Standing for a service fee of $88,000 at Coolmore, he has sired 194 winners from 290 runners with 43 individual stakes winners. That includes Group 1 winners Pierata, Regal Power, Arcadia Queen, Levendi, Pinot and the Guineas-winning Shadow Hero.
Shadow Hero is out of the Casino Prince mare Sookie, who won four races including the G3 Glenlogan Park S. in Brisbane. She also placed in the G3 BJ McLachlan S., Listed Canterbury Classic and Listed Mode P.
Sookie is a granddaughter of Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee {USA}), who was champion 2-year-old filly in Australia in 2001-02. She won the G1 Sires’ Produce S., G1 Champagne S., G2 Silver Shadow S., G2 Silver Slipper S., G2 Magic Night S., G2 Tea Rose S., G3 Sweet Embrace S., G3 Furious S. and Listed Triscay S. She also placed in the Golden Slipper and Flight S.
Sookie is the dam of two winners from three foals to race. Since producing Shadow Hero, she has had Lady Grazier (Not A Single Doubt), a 2017 filly who has raced once, and a 2018 filly by Pierro. She was served by Snitzel last season.
G1 Heineken 3 Canterbury S., $500,000, 1300m
Race summary:
The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) followed in last weekend’s footsteps of compatriots Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), continuing a dominant start to the Sydney autumn carnival for New Zealand raiders.
The Tony Pike-trained sprinter was ridden by Nash Rawiller, who celebrated his first Group 1 win since returning from Hong Kong.
With only seven runners, the race was always going to be a tactical affair. The Bostonian was prominently positioned throughout, stalking a solid speed before angling off the back of favourite Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) in the straight.
That rival tried to fight back, but The Bostonian finished too strongly and edged away to score by 1.25l. Savatiano finished second, with 3l back to the late-finishing Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) in third.
The Bostonian is bred and co-owned by David Archer, who also had Group 1 success in Australia with this horse’s close relative King Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
The Bostonian has won 10 of his 22 starts and more than $1.64 million in stakes. He is now a three-time Group 1 winner, having captured the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford-Smith Cup in Queensland last winter. He has proven to be particularly effective first-up, winning six of his seven starts in that state.
Pedigree notes:
The Bostonian is by the New Zealand Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Jimmy Choux (NZ), who stood at Rich Hill Stud before relocating to Rosalee Stud in Western Australia in 2019. He stood for a service fee of $4950 there last spring.
Jimmy Choux is the sire of 88 winners from 198 runners, with three individual stakes winners. The Bostonian is his only Group 1 winner to date. Two Illicit (NZ) won this season’s G2 Royal S. and Waikato Guineas and finished second in last Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Derby.
The dam of The Bostonian is Keepa Cheval (NZ) (Keeper), a half-sister to 10-time Group 1 winner and New Zealand Horse of the Year King Mufhasa.
Keepa Cheval’s dam is a half-sister to Commander Cheval (NZ) (All Glory {NZ}), a Listed winner who placed in the G1 Avondale Cup.
Keepa Cheval is the dam of three winners from three foals to race. Since producing The Bostonian in 2014, she has had a filly by Shamexpress (NZ), a colt by Makfi (GB), a filly by Rip Van Winkle (Ire), a colt by Iffraaj (GB) and a filly by Almanzor (Fr). She was served by Ocean Park (NZ) last season.
G2 Hyland Race Colours Challenge S., $500,000, 1200m
Race summary:
After a lacklustre fourth in last month’s G1 Lightning S. at Flemington, star sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) redeemed himself at Randwick with a dominant performance.
The speedster was sent to the front of the eight-horse field by jockey James McDonald, and he never gave his seven rivals a chance. The Chris Waller-trained runner asserted his superiority, opening up a big margin and blazing to a three-length victory. He ran the 1000 metres in 56.87 seconds on a Soft 6 track.
Nature Strip has now had 22 starts for 13 wins, two placings and more than $4.3 million in stakes for his group of 15 owners. He was passed in as a yearling at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Nature Strip was bred by Golden Grove Stud Farm.
He is by the under-rated Nicconi, whose service fee was as low as $11,000 in 2016 and $16,500 a year later. He stood for $38,500 at Widden Stud in 2019.
Nicconi is the sire of a remarkable proportion of winners to runners, with 319 winners from 440 runners. He has sired 18 individual stakes winners, with Nature Strip’s victories in the Galaxy H., Moir S. and VRC Sprint Classic giving him his first Group 1 glow.
The dam of Nature Strip is Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}), who won six races including the G3 Ian McEwen Trophy and Listed Cockram S. and How Now S. She also placed in the G2 Norman Carlyon S. and Caulfield Sprint H.
Strikeline is a half-sister to G3 Eclipse S. winner Bashful Girl (Perugino {USA}), and both are out of the Listed winner Strike High (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}).
From six foals to race, Strikeline has produced three winners including Nature Strip and the Listed Fernhill H. winner The Barrister (Star Witness).
Nature Strip was born in 2014, and Strikeline has subsequently had the unraced Miss Starpower (Nicconi) and a colt by Shamus Award. She was served by Addictive Nature this season.
G2 UNSW Todman S., $300,000, 1200m
Race summary:
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse has her eye firmly on a record-breaking seventh Golden Slipper following an impressive dress rehearsal by Farnan (Not A Single Doubt).
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the exciting colt exploded out of the inside gate and went straight to the lead, and he dominated the race from that point on.
After rounding the home turn, Farnan powered away from the field under a hands-and-heels ride. He effortlessly opened up a commanding lead.
Never touched with the whip, Farnan cruised to victory by 1.75l.
Last-start Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) produced a strong finish from second-last to fill the runner-up position in an encouraging Sydney debut. Blondeau (I Am Invincible) finished another 3l away in third.
Trained by Waterhouse in partnership with Adrian Bott, Farnan has now won four of his five starts and $457,700 in stakes. His only defeat came when he was unplaced in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Farnan was a $550,000 purchase from Vinery Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and he is raced by Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
Pedigree notes:
Bred by Phoenix Thoroughbred (11) Ltd, Farnan is one of 69 individual stakes winners for outstanding stallion Not A Single Doubt. Retired from stud duties at Arrowfield this season, Not A Single Doubt has sired a total of 643 winners from 904 runners.
Farnan’s dam is Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), who won three races including the G3 Vanity S. and placed in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy. She is the sire of three foals to race, all winners, and two of those have won at stakes level. Sandbar (Snitzel) won the Lonhro Plate and Rosebud H., placed in the G2 Roman Consul S. and was fourth in the Golden Rose.
Tallow was served by The Autumn Sun last spring.
Tallow is a half-sister to Mr Light Blue (Fantastic Light {USA}), who placed in the G3 Grand Prix. Her second dam is a half-sister to Blue Diamond Preview winner Beauty School (Royal Academy {USA}).
G2 Yarraman Park Reisling S., $300,000, 1200m
Race summary:
First and second in the Golden Gift in November, Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) and See You Soon (Siyouni {Fr}) clashed again on Saturday. The result was the same, but this time it was much closer.
Dame Giselle won the Golden Gift by 3.75l, and she was the favourite again on Saturday.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Dame Giselle settled in third as Mildred (Hinchinbrook) worked forward out wide on the track to take the lead.
Dame Giselle quickened impressively in the straight to take the lead, but See You Soon surged through the inside and laid down a massive challenge. The pair went to the finish line locked together, and it was Dame Giselle who prevailed in a photo finish.
Mildred was another 0.5l away in third, with a gap of more than 2l back to the rest of the field.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden for owners Go Bloodstock Australia and the China Horse Club, Dame Giselle has now had four starts for two wins, two placings and $789,950 in stakes. She was a $500,000 purchase from Sledmere Stud’s draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Dame Giselle was bred by the China Horse Club.
She is by the superstar stallion I Am Invincible, who stands for a service fee of $247,500 at Yarraman Park, which sponsored Saturday’s race.
Dame Giselle became the 52nd individual stakes winner for I Am Invincible, whose overall tally stands at 480 winners from 631 runners.
The dam of Dame Giselle is Ballet Society (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), who won six races including the G2 Kewney S., G2 Angus Armanasco S. and G3 Vanity S. She also placed in the G1 Thousand Guineas.
Ballet Society is the dam of six named foals, all of them winners. The Fairy’s Kiss (Elusive Quality {USA}) placed in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. and is the dam of stakes performers Steal My Kisses (I Am Invincible) and Butch Kissidy (Wanted).
Since producing Dame Giselle in 2017, Ballet Society produced a colt by Pride Of Dubai in the spring of 2019 and then returned to I Am Invincible.
Dame Giselle is a half-sister to Cent Home (NZ) (Lord Ballina), who won the G1 Kelt Capital S. and Captain Cook S. and set a track record in winning the G2 St George S. at Caulfield. Another half-sibling, Studebaker (NZ) (Lord Ballina), won the G2 Turnbull S.
G3 Tricolours Wenona Girl Quality, $160,000, 1200m
Race summary:
After showing bright promise through 2019, up-and-coming mare Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) went to a new level in her first start of 2020.
Trained by Joe Pride, Fasika began her career with three wins from six starts last year including the Listed South Pacific Classic. She also ran second in the G2 Sheraco S. and the $500,000 Silver Eagle, and she was within 4l of the winner when ninth in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle.
Saturday’s Wenona Girl Quality was Fasika’s first start since then, and she lived up to her $2.30 favouritism.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, the 4-year-old drew gate six in an eight-horse field and was sent forward in search of the lead. She assumed command inside the first 400 metres, but was passed when Seasons (Sebring) swooped to the front in a bold move before the home turn.
But Fasika rallied strongly in the straight, regaining command and stretching out to win by 1l. I Am Excited (Snitzel) and Resin (Exceed And Excel) finished strongly out wide to fill the minor placings.
Carrying the colours of race sponsors Tricolours Racing & Syndications Pty Ltd, Fasika has now had seven starts for four wins, two placings and $440,250 in stakes. She was a $120,000 purchase at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Fasika was bred by Birthmark Pty Ltd and A Akc Thoroughbreds.
She is by champion galloper and successful stallion So You Think (NZ), who stands for a service fee of $38,500 at Coolmore Australia. He has sired 300 winners from 482 runners, with 24 individual stakes winners.
Fasika’s dam is Jarada (Redoute’s Choice), who has been represented by four winners from four foals to race. That includes two stakes winners – Fasika and Absolut Excelencia (Excellent Art {GB}), who won 10 races in New Zealand including the Listed Gore Guineas. He placed in two other Listed races.
Born in 2015, Fasika was Jarada’s last foal.
Jarada is out of a three-quarter-sister to the French Listed winner Vitellozzi (GB) (Machiavellian {USA}) and half-sister to the dam of Japanese Listed winner Bayreuth (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}).
G3 Sharp Extensive IT Aspiration Quality, $160,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Last year’s winner Nettoyer (Sebring) returned to Randwick and did it again with a superb performance.
The 6-year-old dropped back to last under jockey Hugh Bowman, but produced a stunning late burst to swamp her rivals and win by a long neck from Irithea (Snitzel).
There was 1.5l to Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel) in third.
Trained and part-owned by Wendy Roche, Nettoyer is now the winner of five of her 28 starts and $573,450 in prizemoney. She cost only $20,000 at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
As well as her two Aspiration Quality wins, Nettoyer has also won the G3 Angst Quality and placed in another five Group 3 races.
Pedigree notes:
Nettoyer was bred by Invermien Pty Ltd.
She is by Sebring, the high-class sire of 555 winners from 834 runners including 57 at stakes level. His progeny are headed by the Group 1 winners Dissident, Criterion (NZ), Egg Tart, Amphitrite and Lucky Bubbles.
Nettoyer’s dam is Cleanup (Dehere {USA}), a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner She’s Clean (Redoute’s Choice) and stakes-placed Floyd (Not A Single Doubt).
Their dam is Feather Duster (End Sweep {USA}), who won five races and placed at Listed level. She is a half-sister to the two-time G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner Kinshasa No Kiseki (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}).
Another of her siblings is Catshaan (Catrail {USA}), dam of Group 1 winners Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) and Absolutely (Redoute’s Choice) along with Geelong Cup winner Runaway (Manhattan Rain).
Cleanup is the dam of four winners from five foals to race. Her 2015 foal Pedicel (Redoute’s Choice) was a winner at 2 and finished fourth in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final.
She had a filly foal by Shamus Award in 2016 and a filly by I Am Invincible in 2018. She was served by The Autumn Sun this season.
