G1 Longines Golden Slipper S., $3,500,000, 1200m
Race summary:
Just like Estijaab (Snitzel) in 2018 and Kiamichi (Sidestep) last year, a wide gate was not enough to stop an all-the-way win by Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in the 2020 Golden Slipper.
Farnan delivered a superb performance from gate 12, delivering a seventh Golden Slipper win for Gai Waterhouse and a first for her training partner Adrian Bott and jockey Hugh Bowman.
Farnan had led all the way in the G2 Todman S. earlier this month, and that front-running strategy was never in doubt on Saturday. Bowman had him in full flight straight out of the gate, charging forward and moving across in front of the field.
Mildred (Hinchinbrook) followed him over from an even wider gate to sit in second, with Away Game (Snitzel) third, a couple of positions ahead of Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).
Farnan still had plenty left in the tank at the top of the straight, and when Bowman asked him to accelerate at the 300-metre point he moved more than a length clear of the chasers.
Away Game stuck with him on his inside and threatened to make a race of it, but Farnan pulled away in the last 75 metres to win by 1.75l.
Mamaragan (Wandjina) came through the inside to finish third, a length behind Away Game and a similar margin in front of Tagaloa.
Farnan has now had six starts for five wins, earning more than $2.5 million in prizemoney for owners Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds. His only defeat came when he was unplaced in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast.
Farnan was a $550,000 purchase from Vinery Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
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 645 winners from 906 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}).
G1 The Agency George Ryder S., $1,000,000, 1500m
Race summary:
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) took up his customary role at the head of affairs and travelled boldly to the turn.
He was asked to quicken on straightening and was clear 250 metres from the post and he stayed on strongly to beat The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) and the favourite Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {NZ}) was third after racing keenly and three wide back in the field.
Successful rider Nash Rawiller has been Dreamforce’s regular partner and vindicated his decision to stick with the 7-year-old after guiding The Bostonian to victory in the G1 Canterbury S.
Pedigree notes:
Dreamforce is a son of Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) and she was a top-class race mare with Group 1 wins in the Coolmore Classic and the Queensland Oaks.
She has enjoyed an excellent career at stud with all five or her foals successful and includes the G3 Canonbury S. placegetter Deep Chill (Wandjina).
The family also features the G3 Taranaki Cup winner Our King Sway (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) and the dual stakes winner and G1 Railway H. runner-up Krispin Klear (NZ) (Kreisler {Ire}).
G1 Sky Racing Active Rosehill Guineas, $600,000, 2000m
Race summary:
A Group 1 winner last season and Cox Plate placegetter in the spring, valuable colt Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) returned to top form with a dominant performance at Rosehill.
The Richard Litt-trained runner had finished sixth in the G2 Hobartville S. and eighth in the G1 Randwick Guineas in his two lead-up runs, but he relished the step up to 2000 metres in the Rosehill Guineas.
He was ridden by Craig Williams, whose only previous ride on Castelvecchio was in the Cox Plate.
The colt moved forward and took up a more prominent position than usual, settling in fourth as Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) and The Holy One (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) took turns out in front.
Prince Fawaz regained the lead in the straight and fought hard, but Castelvecchio powered home over the top of him to win by 0.5l. Reloaded (Snitzel) finished third, 2.5l behind the first pair.
Group 1 winners Shadow Hero (Pierro) and Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) finished fourth and fifth respectively, with New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) seventh.
Castelvecchio has now had 12 starts for four wins, four placings and more than $2.93 million in stakes. He is raced by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Galletta Construction Co Pty Ltd, Katsumi Yoshida, Pinecliff Racing, Belford Productions Pty Ltd and Planette Thoroughbred Trading Pty Ltd.
Castelvecchio was a $150,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Castelvecchio was bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd and is by the Arrowfield stallion Dundeel (NZ), who stands for a service fee of $66,000 (inc GST).
With his oldest progeny now 4-year-olds, Dundeel is the sire of 72 winners from 134 runners. He has had nine individual stakes winners, including Castelvecchio, Yourdeel (NZ), Super Seth and Atyaab at Group 1 level.
The dam of Castelvecchio is out of St Therese (Dehere {USA}), who won five races including the Listed Soliloquy S. and Canterbury Breeders’ S. She also placed in the G1 Easter H., G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., G2 Kewney S., G2 Angus Armanasco S. and G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic.
St Therese is a half-sister to five-time Group 1 winner Planet Ruler (Kaoru Star {USA}) and the Listed winner Aroma (Turf Ruler {NZ}).
From eight foals to race, St Therese is the dam of five winners including two at Group 1 level. Castelvecchio’s year-older half-sister Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile) won the Spring Champion S. last season. Mirrasalo (Redoute’s Choice) was a Group 3 winner, and St Therese is also the granddam of stakes winners Hussy By Choice (Hussonet {USA}) and Precious Memories (Stratum).
St Therese had a colt by Panzer Division in 2017, who has been named San Silvestro. She returned to Panzer Division and produced a filly in 2019.
G1 City Tattersalls Club Galaxy, $700,000, 1100m
Race summary:
In a race dominated by mares at long odds in the market, I Am Excited (Snitzel) just beat Miss Leonidas (I Am Invincible) and Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in a desperate three-way finish.
Miss Leonidas had drawn the inside and used that gate to good effect, charging forward to take a clear lead for most of the race under Billy Egan.
Miss Leonidas still had a good advantage at the home turn, and Egan moved her out into the centre of the track in search of better ground.
That cleared the way for I Am Excited and Tofane, who surged through on her inside.
All three mares were in with a great shot at Group 1 gold with 50 metres to go, but in the end it was I Am Excited who prevailed by a half-head. Miss Leonidas held second by a head from Tofane.
I Am Excited delivered a first Group 1 victory for trainer David Pfieffer.
Carrying the colours of Bell River Thoroughbreds, the 5-year-old mare has won seven of her 27 starts and more than $1.2 million in stakes. Her previous biggest wins had come in the G2 Baguette S. at Flemington and G2 Victory S. at Eagle Farm.
Pedigree notes:
I Am Excited was bred by Bruce Reid Racing.
She became the 14th individual Group 1 winner for super-sire Snitzel and his third winner of the Galaxy, following on from Sweet Idea in 2015 and Russian Revolution in 2017. Snitzel has sired a total of 819 winners from 1089 runners, with 98 stakes winners.
I Am Excited is out of Lady Beckworth (General Nediym), who was a winner and is the dam of three winners from four foals to race. I Am Excited’s older half-brother Flippant (Hinchinbrook) won the G3 Frances Tressady S. and three Listed races.
Lady Beckworth is a half-sister to Regard (Zabeel {NZ}), the dam of Group 1 winners Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) and Commanding Jewel (Commands).
Their granddam is Pass The Peace (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), who won the G1 Cheveley Park S. and features as first, second or third dam of more than a dozen stakes winners including Group 1 winners King’s Apostle (Ire) (King’s Best {USA}), Fantasmagorico (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}), Flyer (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}) and Pacific Trader (Saf) (Sail From Seattle {Can}).
Since producing I Am Excited in 2014, Lady Beckworth has produced the placegetter Jonah (Hinchinbrook) and a yearling colt by I Am Invincible.
G1 Ranvet S., $700,000, 2000m
Race summary:
British raider Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) made a big first impression in his Australian debut at Rosehill.
The 6-year-old jumped from gate five in the small Ranvet field, and jockey Tom Marquand pushed him forward out wide in search of the lead. He reached the front after about 300 metres, then dictated the race from there.
Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) had been seen as his biggest threat, and she slid into second and followed Addeybb every step of the way.
That pair moved more than 5l clear of the rest of the field in the straight, with Verry Elleegant moving up alongside Addeybb to fight out a stirring finish.
Verry Elleegant appeared to be getting the upper hand just inside the last 200 metres, but Addeybb lifted again on her inside. He edged ahead to win by 0.5l.
Verry Elleegant finished five and a quarter lengths ahead of the third placegetter, last year’s Ranvet winner Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
Trained by William Haggas for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, Addeybb has now won eight of his 16 starts and more than $1.4 million.
This was the first Group 1 win for the gelding, who had previously won the G2 Sandown Mile and G3 Rose of Lancaster S. He finished second in a strong field in the G1 Champion S. at Ascot last October.
Pedigree notes:
Addeybb is by Pivotal (GB), who also sired last year’s Ranvet winner Avilius.
Pivotal is the sire of 997 winners from 1375 runners worldwide, with 150 individual stakes winners including 31 at Group 1 level.
From 17 runners in Australia, Pivotal has sired 14 winners including three at stakes level – Addeybb, Avilius and the Listed winner Peck.
Addeybb is out of Bush Cat (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), who was a winner and finished fourth in the Listed Cheshire Oaks. She is a half-sister to the Listed winners Busha’ (USA) (Mercer Mill {USA}) and Rip ‘n’ Run (USA) (Mercer Mill {USA}).
Bush Cat’s dam Arbusha (USA) (Danzig {USA}) won at Listed level in Germany and placed in the G3 Royal Whip S. at the Curragh. She is a full-sister to the Group 2 winner Nicholas (USA) (Danzig {USA}) and to the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Strategic Choice (USA) (Alleged {USA}).
Bush Cat is the dam of six winners from nine foals to race. Her first foal Meer Kat (USA) (Red Ransom {USA}) placed in the G3 Generous S. and Listed Turf Paradise Derby.
G3 Iron Jack N E Manion Cup, $160,000, 2400m
Race summary:
Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) showed he was going to be a serious G1 Sydney Cup chance with an emphatic win in his Australian debut.
The William Haggas-trained stayer was making his first appearance since unplaced in the G1 Hong Kong Cup and came off a handy sit to resume in fine style.
Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) was in receipt of 5kg from the winner, but was unable to make it count and had to settle for second with Supernova (GB) (Intello {Ger}) coming on from the back for third.
Pedigree notes:
Young Rascal is the only winner to date for Rock My Soul (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), who won five races including one at Listed level in Germany.
She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner and former champion German filly Rock My Love (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and the Listed winner Rock My Heart (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}).
The German form runs deep in the pedigree as it also features another Group 3 winner in Touch My Soul (Fr) (Tiger Hill {Ire}).
G3 Celebration Epona S., $160,000, 1900m
Race summary:
The Bjorn Baker-trained Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel) turned her form around to spring an upset at the expense of her fellow mares.
Only sixth in a BM76 at her previous outing, the 5-year-old raced in the trail and once into the clear she found the line strongly to score at long odds.
Gayatri (Pierro) settled in the body of the field and she hit the line hard for second ahead of the front-runner Greysful Glamour (Stratum).
Pedigree notes:
Missybeel was a $210,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is a sister to the three-time winner Loveseat (NZ).
Their dam Sitting Pretty (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is an unraced half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga).
It is also the family of the Group 1 winner and producer Keeper and the G3 Aurie’s Star H. winner Broken (Halo Homewrecker {USA}).
G3 TAB Birthday Card S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary:
Miss Exfactor (Your Song) secured the biggest win of her career to date with an irresistible finishing burst in the final race on the Golden Slipper program.
Sent out as a $16 chance and ridden by Jay Ford, the 5-year-old enjoyed a perfect run in fourth as the favourite Kiamichi (Sidestep) was taken on and beaten for the lead by Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel).
Those exertions took their toll in the straight as Invictus Salute dropped out to run last and Kiamichi faded to sixth, and it was Miss Exfactor who took advantage.
She burst through the inside and sprinted clear, opening up a winning margin of 2.25l. Connemara (Fastnet Rock) got up for second, a long head in front of Bangkok (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
The Joe Pride-trained Miss Exfactor has now had 18 starts for five wins and seven placings, earning more than $320,000 for more than a dozen owners. She was bought for $70,000 from Widden Stud’s draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Miss Exfactor was bred by Wexford Farm and Doyles Breeding & Racing Pty Ltd.
She is by the G1 BTC Cup winner Your Song, who stands at Widden Stud for a service fee of $13,750. He is the sire of 119 winners from 182 runners, and Miss Exfactor joined Brave Song, Gem Song and Split Lip as his fourth individual stakes winner.
The dam of Miss Exfactor is Search For Fame (Quest For Fame {GB}), who was placegetter on the track and is a half-sister to Impaler (Dracula), who won the G2 Hobartville S., G2 Challenge S. and Listed Canterbury Classic and Eye Liner S., and placed in the G1 Doomben 10,000.
Another half-sister, Stratcombe (Stratum), placed in two Listed sprints at Flemington.
Search For Fame’s second dam is a half-sister to Group 1 performers and sires Danewin and Commands, as well as the dam of Group 1 winner Emerald Dream (Danehill), the dam of sire Zed (NZ).
Search For Fame is the dam of three winners from four foals to race. She had a colt by Epaulette in 2017, and a filly by Sooboog in 2019.
Listed Schweppes Darby Munro S., $140,000, 1200m
Race summary:
California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) was given an economical ride by Brenton Avdulla one off the fence and close to the pace.
She strode to the front 250 metres from home and had enough in reserve to post the fourth win of her eight-start career.
The resuming Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) settled at the back of the field and he drove between runners late to grab second off Hilo (Lonhro), who made his move three wide 600 metres from home.
Pedigree notes:
A $450,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, California Zimbol is a half-sister to the Listed-winning siblings From Within (Not A Single Doubt) and Cruden Bay.
Their dam is Zimaretto (Anabaa {USA}) and she’s a half-sister to Lady Cay (Marscay), a winner on four occasions and runner-up in the G2 Tea Rose S.
They are out of Borely (GB) (Reprimand {GB}), who is a three-quarter sister to the dual Group 3 winner Deep Finesse (GB) and the family of Packing Whiz (Ire) (Trade Fair {GB}), a Group 3 winner in Italy and third in the G1 Champions’ Mile and the G1 Hong Kong Mile.
