Written by Georgie Dennis
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou secured their first metropolitan win as training partners when Game Theory (So You Think {NZ}) produced a tough performance to land the Casino Prince at Vinery H. at Kensington on Wednesday.
The 3-year-old gelding raced three wide without cover under Robbie Dolan and fought hard to defeat Chris Waller’s debutant Cadenabbia (Redoute’s Choice) in a head-bobbing finish.
Bred and raced by Bennelong Bloodstock, Game Theory began his career with a runner-up performance at Warwick Farm a fortnight earlier, where he finished 3.5l behind smart filly Joviality (I Am Invincible).
Ryan, who has another talented son of So You Think (NZ) in his stable in the undefeated Peltzer, said Game Theory had been a work in progress and thinks he could be destined for more of a staying trip.
“He’s a nice horse that will get better over ground, I think he should get 2000 metres or more,” Ryan said.
“He’s been a work in progress, but is starting to come into his own now.
“He’s been a work in progress, but is starting to come into his own now." - Gerald Ryan
“I’ll talk to his owners Bennelong Bloodstock about where we go from here, but for a horse like him he might be better off in work than in the paddock at this time of year.”
Game Theory is the only named foal out of fellow Bennelong Bloodstock-bred Lofitel (Northern Meteor).
Lofitel’s dam, Le Touessrok (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), is a three-quarter sister to champion mare Dane Ripper (Danehill {USA}).
Lofiel has a 2-year-old colt by All Too Hard and a yearling filly by Shalaa (Ire), however she was not served in 2019.
Orpheum causes upset
The Ron Quinton-trained Orpheum (More Than Ready {USA}) caused an upset at Kensington on Wednesday, as the $21 chance ran down her rivals to score a narrow victory in the Frosted at Darley H.
After finishing fourth on debut in the G3 Gimcrack S., Quinton said the filly had lost her way but her performance on Wednesday lived up to what she had shown at home.
“Early on she showed good promise in her trials and then she ran fourth in the Gimcrack and then lost her way a little bit,” Quinton said.
“But she’s always had a bit of ability and she had this very bad habit of coming out of the gates slow but she begun good today Sam (Clipperton) did a great job.”
There are no future plans locked in for Orpheum, but Quinton said she is likely to head towards a much better race now that she has got her maiden win out of the way.
“I’m sure that the connections would love me to run her in a decent race so that will probably be what will happen,” he said.
Orpheum as a yearling
Orpheum is the first foal out of the stakes-placed mare Tender (All American), who was purchased for $270,000 by Belmont Bloodstock and Tyreel Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Her second foal, a 2-year-old unraced filly by So You Think named Bidding, sold at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $300,000 to First Light Racing, Paul Willets and Busuttin Racing.
Three from three for Criaderas
Godolphin gelding Criaderas (Lonhro) brought up his third win in as many starts as he stormed home to take out the Yulong Stallions H. at Kensington on Wednesday.
Ridden by James McDonald, the James Cummings-trained 4-year-old settled second last in transit and found his way to the outside in the straight, running on to win the 1250 metre event by 1.8l.
Criaderas is out of the unraced mare Youthful Presence (Dehere {USA}), making him a half-brother to G1 Epsom H. winner Hauraki (Reset) and G1 South Australian Derby scorer Kidnapped (Viscount), while he is also related to last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Watch: Criaderas win the Yulong Stallions H.
Later in the day at Kensington, Criaderas’ 5-year-old brother Suave, who is also trained by Cummings, took out the 1400 metre Heineken H.
Similarly to Criaderas, Suave settled back in the field and ran home strongly to score by 1l.
