Flemington, G1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva S., $750,000, 1600m
Race summary
Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) reaffirmed his stance as one of the leading milers in the country with another elite level win here.
The 7-year-old gelding settled just behind the speed and broke through a gap with 400 metres to go, running on the score by 0.2l.
Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) got his campaign off to a strong start finishing second after sitting wide without cover for most of the trip, with So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) coming home 1.5l away in third.
Pedigree notes
Fierce Impact was bred by Keiai Orthopaedic Appliance Co., Ltd and was bought by David Redvers for 66 million yen (AU$853,560) as a weanling at the JRA Select Weanling & Foal Sale. Matthew Smith later paid £120,000 (AU$211,359) to secure him at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in Newmarket.
He is out of Keiai Gerbera (Jpn) (Smarty Jones {USA}), who won nine races including the G3 Procyon S., G3 Capella S. and two Listed races.
She is the dam of two winners from four foals to race, both of them Group 1 winners. Fierce Impact’s brother Keiai Nautique (Jpn) won the G1 Tokyo NHK Mile Cup.
Flemington, G2 Furphy Let’s Elope S., $200,000, 1400m
Race summary
Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) scored her first win since taking out last year’s G2 Sandown Guineas with a tough victory here.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained mare settled just worse than midfield and veered out around the bend before getting going at the 400 metre mark to hit the front with 200 metres to go.
Arcadia Queen (Pierro) charged home but Pretty Brazen held on to win by 0.2l, while She Shao Fly (Epaulette) added yet another black-type placing to her CV finishing 0.8l away in third.
Pedigree notes
A $700,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate from the draft of Coolmore Stud, Pretty Brazen is a daughter of Pretty Penny (Encosta De Lago), the winner of six races and runner-up in the G3 Cockram S.
At stud, she has produced the G2 Zipping Classic winner Sertorius (Galileo {Ire}) and the Group 3 winners Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Clifton Red (Sebring).
Further back, this is also the family of the former crack 2-year-old and G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Tontonan (Showdown {GB}).
Flemington, G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
There was five of them in a blanket finish but it was the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Zoutori (Zoustar) who got his head in front and made it back-to-back Bobbie Lewis victories.
Settling in behind the leader Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}), he managed to find a gap with 200 metres to go and power through to win by 0.2l.
Banquo (Written Tycoon) ran home late to finish second while Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) made a strong start to her spring campaign coming home in third.
Pedigree notes
Purchased by Ellerton Zahra Racing for $160,000 from the Amarina Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Zoutori is the only winner from three to race out of unraced mare Atotori (Haradasun) who herself is a half-sister to G3 Kenilworth Winter Guineas scorer Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt).
Zoutori’s third dam is also responsible for Darley Europe sire New Approach (Ire) and Group 3 winner Dazzling Park (Ire) (Warning {GB}), who herself is the dam of G1 Phoenix S. winner Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Flemington, G2 Seppelt Danehill S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) had no issues tackling the Flemington straight for the first time as he landed and impressive win here.
The Team Hawkes-trained colt settled just behind the frontrunners and showcased an electric turn of foot as he drove through the pack and won by 0.8l.
Amish Boy (Star Witness) held on for second after leading for much of the race while Ranting (Zoustar) also finished off well to score third.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Doubtland was a $1.1 million Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is a brother to the Listed Mode Plate winner Pretty Fast.
Their dam Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Ustinov) won on four occasions and was a Group 3 placegetter. Her half-sister is the G2 Challenge S. winner and G1 The Galaxy H. placegetter Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt).
Further back in the pedigree is the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and successful sire Rory’s Jester and another Slipper winner in Ha Ha (Danehill {USA}).
Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate, $140,000, 1400m
Race summary
The Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained Crosshaven (Smart Missile) enjoyed a comfortable run on the speed and was too strong in the finish, winning by 1.5l.
The 3-year-old gelding jumped from the widest barrier and was pushed forward by Daniel Stackhouse to sit second behind Bartley (Written Tycoon) and the pair went toe to toe down the straight but Crosshaven was too good in the final 100 metres.
Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) made up good ground to come from the back in the field and finish 0.7l away in third.
Pedigree notes
Crosshaven was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing for NZ$80,000 from the Haunui Stud draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and has won three of his four starts.
He is one of five winners from five to race out of dual stakes winner Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), who is also responsible for G3 White Robe Lodge S. scorer Killarney (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Crosshaven also becomes the 19th stakes winner for Twin Hills Stud sire Smart Missile.
Flemington, Listed The Sofitel, $140,000, 1400m
Race summary
Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) caused a major upset as he stormed down the middle of the track and beat short-priced favourite Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) here.
The 8-year-old gelding, who finished second in this race last year, jumped from the second widest barrier and settled last during the run. He was still last with 400 metres to go and past the entire field to score by 0.75l.
Morvada (Mossman) was tough to lead for the entire trip and hold on to finish 0.1l back in third.
Pedigree notes
Travimyfriend is one of four winners from five to race out of Pineau (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) whose other progeny include G3 Wellington S. scorer Matchbreaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Listed winner Dancer's Tale (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
His second dam is the dual stakes winner Dopff (NZ) (Tights {USA}), who is also responsible for G1 Doomben Cup runner-up Octapussy (NZ) (Octagonal {NZ}).
Flemington, Listed GH Mumm Cap D’Antibes S., $140,000, 1100m
Race summary
The Chris Waller-trained September Run (Exceed And Excel) made her Melbourne debut with flying colours as she scored her third career win and second at stakes level here.
The 3-year-old filly settled towards the back of the field and peeled out around runners with 400 metres to go on the far side of the track. She hit the front at the 200-metres mark and went on to score by 0.75l.
Talented filly Swats That (Shamus Award) flashed home to finished second while Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel) was a further 0.4l away in third.
Pedigree notes
September Run was a $380,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale graduate from the draft of Blue Gum Farm and is the first foal of the G3 Mumm S. and Listed Security S. winner Pittsburgh Flyer (Street Cry {Ire}).
She is a daughter of Warning Zone (SAF) (Elliodor {Fr}), who was a winner at Group 2 and 3 level in her homeland.
It is also the family of fellow South African Group winners Record Edge (SAF) (Sunny North {USA}), Golden Peak (SAF) (Peacetime {USA}), Magical Wonderland (SAF) (What A Winter {SAF}) and Magico (SAF) (Dupont {GB}).
