New Cup favourite
Orderofthegarter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the new G1 Caulfield Cup favourite after winning a golden ticket into the race with his victory in the G3 Foundation Cup.
Jockey Damien Oliver believed the import would be a great chance with just 50kg in the feature.
The win completed a treble for trainer Danny O'Brien, who had earlier produced From Within (Not A Single Doubt) and Fabric (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) to score earlier in the day.
Orderofthegarter is raced by leviathian owner Lloyd Williams and his son Nick who won the Caulfield Cup with Fawkner (Reset) in 2013.
Smart mare stays undefeated
It’s Me (Shamus Award) kept her unbeaten record intact on Saturday with another impressive victory at Randwick.
The Brett Cavanough-trained mare has now won all three of her starts after landing the TAB Highway H. to further press her claims for The Kosciuszko, in which she is now a $4 favourite.
“She gave them a good start and put them away pretty well again,” rider Jason Collett said. “The confidence levels are high and she’s a class above this level, she’s pretty exciting.”
Walker proved right
Odeum (Written Tycoon) may have started at long odds in the Listed Jim Moloney S., but rider Michael Walker was far from surprised.
She had finished fifth in the Listed Atlantic Jewel S., at her previous appearance and told co-trainer Mick Price she would have won or placed but for a check on the turn.
Odeum vindicated her jockey’s opinion when a comfortable 1.5l winner on Saturday and is now on a path toward the G1 Thousand Guineas on October 10.
Colt delivers in style
Wise Counsel (Toronado {Ire}) will be set for stakes assignments following his maiden success at Caulfield.
At his third appearance, the colt beat a field of seven, all previous winners, in the Longboard Accountants for Mirabel H.
“We’ve always had a good opinion of him and thought the mile would be fine,” co-trainer David Eustace said. “He’s got a nice future and warrants going into a Derby trial, the Listed UCI S., might be a nice race for him.”
Wise Counsel is a brother to Master Montaro, who won both of his Australian starts before joining the Hong Kong stable of David Hayes, and a half-brother to the Inglis 2YO Premier winner R. Listed Modoc (Haradasun).
Rider at the double
Milan Park principal Tony Rider enjoyed a memorable day at Hastings with a black-type double.
He bred and part-owns Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy winner Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel) and is also the breeder and owner of the G3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail S. winner Miss Aotearoa (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
“We’ll probably look toward the G3 Soliloquy S. with her and then down to Riccarton for the G1 1000 Guineas,” trainer Jamie Richards said.
Shezzacatch was on debut for trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen, who pitched her in at the deep end in and weren’t shocked she steamed home at odds of 35-1.
“She doesn’t know too much yet and she’s been a handful, but it wasn’t a surprise, she has showed a fair bit,” Lowry said.
Pedigree to fore
Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible) ran right up to her illustrious parentage with a stylish performance at Hastings to double her winning tally.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare had broken her maiden at her previous appearance and, despite racing greenly, had no trouble adding the Remember Jooky 1200 to her record.
“We’ve had to take her along quietly, she’s had a few little issues so hopefully it’s all in front of her,” Richards said.
Bred and sold by Segenhoe Stud, Vamos Bebe was bought by agent Paul Willetts for $200,000 on behalf of the Taylor family of Trelawney Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is a sister to the dual Group 3 winner Hollyfield with their dam the G1 Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow).
Cup hopes for Waisake
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has Group aspirations for progressive stayer Waisake (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
Sharrock part-owns the late developer and he’s confident the 6-year-old can be a genuine G3 Wellington Cup contender come next January.
Waisake took another winning step toward that goal when he was successful for jockey Troy Harris in the Redwood Trophy over 2000 metres at Hastings on Saturday.
