Eagle Farm, G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic, $175,000, 1200m
Race summary
Rothfire (Rothesay) is blessed with abundant gate speed and he displayed that by breaking quickly to lead and, after racing keenly, settled better for rider Jim Byrne.
The 2-year-old was travelling easily on straightening and once asked to sprint he surged clear to win with authority.
The filly Isotope (Deep Field) chased gamely, but was no match for the winner and the Sydney visitor Wild Ruler (Snitzel) boxed on fairly for third.
Pedigree notes
Rothfire was bred by Gleeson Thoroughbred Connections and is a son of the unraced Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet {USA}).
Currently in foal to Air Force Blue (USA), she has produced two other winners and from a family not blessed with a lot of close black type in the pedigree.
The dam is out of the winning Zabeel (NZ) mare Fibber Magee and the first stakes winner in the pedigree under the second dam is the Listed Matrice S. winner It’s Been A Battle (Nicconi). Further back is the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Vertingly (Bletchingly).
Eagle Farm, G2 TAB Victory S., $175,000, 1200m
Race summary
Victorem (I Am Invincible) turned his form around in emphatic style when he raced to the most prestigious victory of his career.
He had bucked out of the gates when unplaced at his previous start, but was on his best behaviour this time to produce an irresistible finish.
Niccanova (Nicconi) also found the line strongly in his first appearance since a break for second and Deep Image (Testa Rossa) fought well for third after racing in second spot.
Pedigree notes
A $65,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO in Training Sale graduate, Victorem is a son of Playful Miss (Foreplay).
She was successful on four occasions and her second dam is a half-sister to Ball Park (NZ) (Ahonoora {GB}), who won the G1 Avondale Cup and the G1 Easter H.
The other major name in the pedigree is the G2 Yallambee Classic and Listed Red Roses S. winner Danabaa (Anabaa {USA}).
Eagle Farm, G3 Lexus Gunsynd Classic, $115,000, 1800m
Race summary
Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) capped his promotion through the grades with a first stakes success, albeit by the narrowest of margins.
He took up the role of pacemaker for rider Allan Chau and after going clear halfway down the straight had enough in reserve to hang on for victory.
Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) gave him an awful front on the post, but Supergiant prevailed and the favourite Kinane (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was doing his best work late in third.
Pedigree notes
Supergiant’s sire Red Giant (USA) shuttled to Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud before he was relocated to Turkey in 2016.
His leading Southern Hemisphere representative to date is the G1 Auckland Cup winner Glory Days (NZ).
Supergiant is a son of My Marguerite (NZ) (Spectacular Love {USA}) and is from the family of the G1 Victoria Derby winner Kibbutz (NZ) (Golan {Ire}).
Flemington, Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six, $112,000, 1200m
Race summary
Strapping 7-year-old Great Again (Viscount) made a triumphant return following a break with a gallant performance on a heavy track.
He was in front 350 metres from home and responded to all of rider Declan Bates’ urgings to beat Rich Charm (Danerich).
It was also an eye-catching return from the runner-up and the topweight Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) did well to take third under 62kg.
Pedigree notes
Great Again is a son of Free At Last (NZ) (Senor Pete {USA}) and she was a capable mare who won 10 races, including the G2 Cox S. and the Listed Tattersall’s Cup.
The dam has left three winners and is out of a three-quarter sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Fair Sir (NZ) (Sir Tristram {GB}).
It’s also the family of the G3 VRC St Leger winner Sir Pentire (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and the G3 Cambridge Breeders’ S. winner Bashful (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
