Valuable victory
Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel) significantly boosted her future broodmare value with victory in the G3 Celebrations Epona S.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare enjoyed a good run behind leader Greysful Glamour in Saturday's 1900 metre race for fillies and mares before peeling out at the top of the straight and finished determinedly.
It was Missybeel's sixth win from 32 starts but her first victory at stakes level.
"She had a nice run and relaxed well," rider Tim Clark said. "That gave her a good opportunity to finish off. She followed the right horse, the grey horse took me everywhere I needed to go.
"She sprinted up well and toughed it out really strongly. It was a nice race for her against the mares to try and get some black-type."
Stakes tally doubled
California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) capitalised on a good ride from Brenton Avdulla to add the Listed Schweppes Darby Munro S. at Rosehill to her record, which includes success in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S.
The result of that race at Caulfield in the spring is particularly notable as the runner-up on that occasion was the subsequent multiple Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible).
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, California Zimbol raced in third spot to the turn on Saturday before tacking control 250 metres out and held the late run of Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) at bay for her fourth career victory.
“We were expecting a good performance from her and she showed her class,” Paul Snowden said. “I think we’ll take it run by run, we’ve got to place her carefully.”
Mission accomplished
Imported stayer Aktau (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) has earned his golden ticket into the G1 Caulfield Cup with victory in the Listed Mornington Cup,
Trainer Mike Moroney had targeted Aktau at Saturday's race from the time the gelding arrived in Australia with a group of international contenders for last year's spring carnival.
"He's been going since the spring carnival when he came over so he's done a marvellous job and to win this race is just the icing on the cake," stable representative Jack Turnbull said.
"We bought him as a Cups’ prospect and now he's got that ticket into the spring and he's naturally going to get better with time.
"If you look at him he's just so raw and he's such a gawky bugger so the longer the better for him, but to do this now in this initial preparation is just fantastic."
Back to winning form
Injury-plagued galloper Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) gave a glimpse of his undoubted talent when he dominated proceedings over the closing stages of Saturday’s G2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy at Tauranga.
Successful in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic and the Gr Wellington Guineas when prepared by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Scott Base was transferred to Jamie Richards last season after a long lay-off following an unplaced run in the 2018 G1 Livamol Classic (2040 metres) at Hastings.
Having just his sixth start for Richards and wearing blinkers for the first time in his current campaign, the 5-year-old took up a handy position before streaking clear in the straight.
“I am absolutely stoked to see the old horse back to his best after all the problems he has had,” Richards said. “Chris Rutten (part-owner) has been a big supporter of mine since I’ve been training so to get another good race for him is a great result.”
Drinks on colt
Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock) was in a cantankerous mood before the Quayclean S. at Mornington, but was all business once he was underway.
The colt led early before taking a trial and rider Noel Callow had him off the fence before the turn and they surged clear to win with ease.
“There was a few nervous moments when he was a bit reluctant to go into the barrier, but he jumped well and the rest was history,” trainer Robbie Griffith. “Hopefully, we can get him to Sydney for the Sires’ Produce S. and the Champagne S.”
Breakthrough win
Having his second start since joining the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable after an eight-start career in New Zealand, Chuck A Luck (NZ) (Niagara) opened his account in Saturday's Neds Mornington Guineas.
With Busuttin and Young in Sydney for Saturday's Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill, assistant-trainer Brendon Hawtin said Chuck A Luck had shown potential in New Zealand despite winning only one race.
Before transferring to Australia, he had finished sixth to star 3-year-old Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
"He's got a good motor and it was good to see him tough it out," stable representative Brendan Hawtin said.
The G1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville in May was the likely target for Chuck A Luck.
Time Thief fan
Trainer Barry Lockwood is sold on the stock of Time Thief and enjoyed further success with his progeny when Watch The Cat won the Membership Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Lockwood has won more than 20 races with the offspring of Time Thief including Hidden Pearl, Tumbler, Show Us Ya Diamonds and Adoradancer.
"Unfortunately, he has relocated to stand at stud in South Africa so I will have to go over there to get any more," Lockwood.
Watch The Cat was formerly trained by Scott Singleton in New South Wales and was having his first run for Lockwood.
"He looks like a horse to get over some ground. I was a bit surprised that he had got so close to the pace early. I expected him to come from back in the field,” he said.
Bargain buy triumphs
Under-rated mare Out Of The Park (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) upset the applecart when she produced a dogged late run to take out Saturday’s G3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.) in a blanket finish at Riccarton.
The 5-year-old commenced her racing career from Tony Pike’s Cambridge stable where she failed to put a win on the board, but collected a cheque from 12 of 19 starts before being offered for sale as a racing prospect on online auction gavelhouse.com.
Current owners Mike Rennie and Jack Stewart outlaid just NZ$14,000 to purchase the mare and sent her south to their good mate Dennis.
Both Rennie and Stewart are emerging young leaders in the thoroughbred industry, working for Waikato Stud and White Robe Lodge respectively.
