Written by Paul Vettise
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace strengthened their G1 Golden Slipper S. hand when Prague (Redoute’s Choice) won his way into the field with a gallant victory at Rosehill where Thermosphere (Exosphere) ensured Goldolphin will have a chance to defend its crown, should they choose to.
Prague bounced back to his best in emphatic fashion with a clear-cut win in the G2 Bowerman’s Commercial Furniture Pago Pago S. while Thermosphere has come from left field and handled a rise in class with aplomb to land the G2 Antler Luggage Magic Night S.
Thermosphere’s trainer James Cummings produced Kiamichi (Sidestep) to claim the Magic Night-Golden Slipper S. double 12 months ago and will confirm a start for his filly next Saturday in the coming days.
Prague was ridden by Tom Marquand, who won the G3 Canonbury S. before returning to England, and he was back in Australia for Saturday to partner the youngster, whose only defeat in four starts came when sixth in the G2 Skyline S.
“Away Game will be in and Muntaseera, Prague and Cellsabeel will be our four at this stage in the Slipper,” Maher said.
“It’s a big effort by Annabel Neasham and all the team, they’ve done a great job and it was a great ride by Tom. It was good to get another winner for Aquis and Phoenix Thoroughbreds, they’re strong supporters of ours.”
“It’s a big effort by Annabel Neasham and all the team, they’ve done a great job and it was a great ride by Tom.” – Ciaron Maher
“He’s a horse that’s got a fair bit more to offer and still learning. That gallop will be ideal for him and the back-up will be ideal for him. It’s a positive as he’s a really relaxed colt.
Bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, Prague was purchased out of Bhima Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by Aquis and Phoenix Thoroughbreds for $1.6 million.
He is a three-quarter brother to the two-time Group 1 winner Stratum Star (Stratum) and their dam Purely Spectacular (NZ) (Pins) is sister to the stakes winner and G1 Diamond S. runner-up Raid (NZ) and boasts the great Emancipation (Bletchingly) as her third dam.
It is also the family of the dual Group 1 winner Virage De Fortune (Anabaa {USA}) and another two-time elite level winner in Railings (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Prague sat on the leader’s quarters to the turn and forged to the front 300 metres from home and proved too good for Kumasi (Snitzel) and I Am Swerving (I Am Invincible). The Melbourne colt Ilovemyself (Ilovethiscity) was slowly away and never looked a hope, trailing in sixth.
Prague as a yearling
First for Exosphere
Thermosphere was ridden by James McDonald and the filly was coming off a previous maiden success at Newcastle. A steep jump in grade didn’t faze her and, in the process, handed her Darley-based sire Exosphere his first stakes victory.
“This is a classy filly and she’s got the right credentials. She’s got an excellent temperament and we’ve liked the way she has come along,” Cummings said. “She’s just kept improving and it’s great to see.
“This is a classy filly and she’s got the right credentials." - James Cummings
“She pinged the barriers much better than she did at Newcastle at her last start and James was able to slide into the race when he wanted to.”
Thermosphere is a daughter of Glows (Canny Lad), winner of four races including the Listed Typhoon Tracy S. and she was also Group 3 placed in the Cockram S.
She is out of Lustre (Quest For Fame {GB}), who is a three-quarter sister to the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas winner Pearly Kings and a half-sister to the G3 Newcastle Newmarket H. winner Falaise (Grand Lodge {USA}).
Thermosphere and James McDonald on their way to victory
Thermosphere found the line strongly from off the pace with Time Is Precious (Snitzel) boxing on off a handy run for second with Jemss (Exosphere) coming from a mile back for third.
Philizzy (Snitzel) was also good in the closing stages and the favourite Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) finished fifth after clearing traffic in the straight too late.
