Doomben, Listed Gold Edition Plate, $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Commanding favourite Isotope (Deep Field) had her connections and supporters concerned early in the race when she got well back after an ordinary start.
However, jockey Ryan Maloney kept a cool head and once het got her into clear air at the top of the straight the filly hit top gear to mow down her rivals.
She sailed home to collar one of last season’s top 2-year-olds Away Game (Snitzel) who was given every chance by rider Glen Boss, with the roughie Apache Chase (Better Than Ready) producing a career-best performance to land third.
Pedigree notes
Isotope, a fourth individual Group 2 winner for Deep Field, was bred by Daandine Stud and offered by the Goomburra, Queensland, operation at the Gold Coast last year.
She was purchased for $170,000 with Gollan, John Foote Bloodstock and Black Soil Bloodstock signing for the filly.
She is the first runner to the races for Great Dansaar (Choisir), the winner of three sprint races, and she is a half-sister to the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. and G1 Spring Champion S. winner Yankee Rose (All American).
Their dam Condesaar (Xaar {GB}), a grand-daughter of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Condessa (Ire) (Condorcet {Fr}), is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Redoute’s Dancer (Redoute’s Choice).
Doomben, Listed TAB Lough Neagh S., $150,000, 1350m
Race summary
Soxagon (Rocker) had the job in front of him after drawing an outside gate, but he overcome the barrier courtesy of a fine Glen Boss ride.
They settled off the pace but once into clear air in the straight produced a terrific finish to maintain an excellent strike rate of seven wins from 21 career outings.
Emerald Kingsom (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) had got to the front 200 metres from home, but couldn’t withstand the winner’s finish and had to settle for second ahead of Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom), who came on well from a handy sit.
Pedigree notes
The Mark Currie-trainer Soxagon is the first black-type sired by Rocker, a five-time winning son of Fastnet Rock, who also placed at Listed level.
Soxagon is a son of Strike On Goal (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), whose three foals to race have all been successful.
She is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Dark Bishop (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and their dam is a half-sister to the G3 VRC St Leger winner Desert Clearance (Desert Prince {Ire}) and the third dam is a half-sister to the champion American sprinter and sire Dr Fager (USA).
Awapuni, G2 Kevin Pratt Memorial Manawatu Challenge S., NZ$100,000, 1400m
Race summary
Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) wouldn’t win any prizes for his looks, but he is a talented and determined performer with an excellent record.
A diminutive gelding with a sway back, he won for the 10th time in his 15-start career when he easily disposed of his rivals.
Rider Troy Harris kept the leaders within his sights and the 5-year-old scooted clear in the run home to beat Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) and Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) who made ground late to land the third-placed cheque.
Pedigree notes
Tavi Mac provided further posthumous honours for his sire Tavistock (NZ), who was a major loss to the Australasian breeding industry when he passed in November, 2019, following complications after a freak paddock accident.
Tavi Mac is a son of the Maroof (USA) mare Bellaroof (NZ), who was successful five times up to 1400 metres.
Also the dam of the 10-time winner Darci Mac (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Bellaroof is a grand-daughter of the Listed Belmont Oaks winner Highden Belle (NZ) (Pevero {Ire}) and the only black-type performer in the first two generations of the pedigree.
Awapuni, G3 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Cup, NZ$100,000, 2300m
Race summary
Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) settled midfield for senior rider Darryl Bradley before he began to pick a path through the field 800 metres from home.
The Patrick Campbell-trained stayer finished powerfully and got the deciding stride in on the post for his second stakes win on the bounce, having landed the Listed Wanganui Cup at his previous outing.
Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was gallant in defeat as he was giving the winner 6kg with the front-runner Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking) third ahead of Sir Nate (NZ) (Nadeem).
Pedigree notes
No Excuse Needed (GB) stood at Waikato Stud until his passing in 2015 with his flagship representatives the Group 1 winners Daffodil (NZ) and I Do (NZ).
Hunta Pence is the only winner produced by Vanitas (NZ) (Pins), who was a minor race winner.
She is out of a half-sister to the Listed New Zealand St Leger winner Arreviderci (NZ) (McGinty {NZ}) with their dam the unraced Garonne (Thunder Gulch {USA}).
Under the third dam is the G2 Enerco S. winner Marconee (NZ) (McGinty {NZ}), who also placed at the elite level in the Caulfield S., Kelt Capital S. and the Captain Cook S.
