Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Flemington, G1 Black Caviar Lightning S., $750,000, 1000m
Race summary
Nature Strip (Nicconi) is now a five-time Group 1 winner, after turning the tables on current Longines world’s best sprinter, Bivouac (Exceed And Excel).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding benefited by the adoption of more conservative tactics and subsequently harnessed his speed more efficiently.
Distance specialist Pippie (Written Tycoon) lead the field up but was eventually headed by Nature Strip with 300 metres to run. She ultimately faded out, finishing sixth.
Godolphin galloper Bivouac looked set to explode entering the final two furlongs but was left wanting in his racetrack return. He was eventually headed by Fabergino (Maschino) who was doing her best work late.
Resuming G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner September Run (Exceed And Excel) rocketed into second under Craig Williams and will prove hard to hold out when contesting the G1 Newmarket H., in three week’s time over 1200 metres.
Pedigree notes
Nature Strip was passed in for $90,000 at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale after failing to meet his reserve price of $120,000. He was bred by Golden Grove Stud who are based in Denman, NSW and races in the colours of prominent owner, Rod Lyons.
He is out of former Brian Mayfield-Smith-trained mare Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}) who won six races from 28 starts. She won twice at Listed level, taking out the Cockram S. and the Dubai International Racing Carnival S. Her crowning moment came when winning the G3 Seppelt Wines McEwen Trophy over 1000 metres.
She is out of talented stayer Strike High (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}) who was placed in the G3 St Ledger S. and G3 Launceston Cup.
Flemington, G3 The TAB Vanity S., $160,000, 1400m
Race summary
The lightly-raced Leon and Troy Corstens-trained filly Zou Dancer (Zoustar) rose to the occasion in her first attempt at Group level, winning by 4.75l.
Jamie Kah rated her mount superbly, settling in the box seat before bursting clear of Island Joy (Hinchinbrook) and Longduan (Written Tycoon) at the top of the straight.
The resuming G1 VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock) looked the only danger to her chances, but was quickly accounted for when Kah asked for another effort. From there she extended her lead under light riding.
Salto Angel (Sacred Falls {NZ}) disappointed, failing to let down after settling in behind Personal.
Pedigree notes
Zou Dancer was a $150,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase by Bennett Racing and McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Her dam Investigates (Strategic) is out of former Group 1-winning stayer Tributes (Quest For Fame {GB}) who was trained by John Hawkes and raced by Woodlands Stud Syndicates.
Her only win from 13 career starts came at Group 1 level in the 1999 G1 VRC Oaks, she was also Group 1-placed in the AJC Australian Oaks.
Flemington, G3 CS Hayes S., $160,000, 1400m
Race summary
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) has returned to form ahead of the G1 Australian Guineas.
The 2020 G1 Blue Diamond S., winner was sent forward from barrier one by Luke Currie and settled down alongside Here To Shock (Shocking), who had crossed from barrier 13 to lead.
Currie sat pretty aboard the colt before shaking off key rival Aysar (Deep Field) who stuck on into second. He was followed in by Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel), who produced a bold performance in his first start for Annabel Neasham.
The resuming stayer Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) impressed, flashing home into fourth after being held up in running. Fancied New Zealand raider Brando (NZ) (Savabeel) was caught four-wide in the running and faded out to finish last.
Pedigree notes
Tagaloa was a $300,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Busuttin Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.
He is the first and only foal mare Vasilissa (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}).
She is out of three-time winner Penkenna Princess (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who triumphed in the G3 Fred Darling S. and was runner-up in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas.
Flemington, Listed Talindert S., $140,000, 1100m
Race summary
The James Cummings-trained colt Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) has announced himself as one of Godolphin’s leading G1 Blue Diamond S. contenders with a dominant victory down the straight.
The colt stepped slowly from the machine, but settled quicky into stride. From there, Damien Oliver was able to find the back of Gulf Of Suez (Fighting Sun) before working into a forward position.
Oliver had a handful of horse underneath him 400 metres out and allowed his mount to extended under his own steam, before pressing the button nearing the final furlong.
The Peter Moody-trained Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt) rattled home into second and looks destined for black-type success when stepping out over further.
Pedigree notes
Ingratiating is out of the former Peter Snowden-trained mare Obsequious (Lohnro) who was recently sold by Godolphin for $27,500 at the 2020 Inglis July (Early) Online Sale.
She was a three-time winner between 1000 and 1200 metres and boasts multiple Group successes, winning the G3 San Domenico S. and the G2 Light Fingers S.
Obsequious is one of three foals out of former John Hawkes-trained mare Sycophant (Commands), who won at her only race start, making her a half-sister to the Cummings-trained gelding Esperance (Bernardini {USA}), who has won five races and collected $286,230 in prizemoney.
Randwick, G2 Apollo S., $250,000, 1400m
Race summary
Resuming Golden Eagle winner Colette (Hallowed Crown) has measured up at the highest level, finishing ahead of the Chris Waller-trained contingent Kolding (NZ)(Ocean Park {NZ}), Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}).
Rachael King produced a lovely rails ride and once a gap opened, she quickly shot clear, powering past Kolding who couldn’t stick on despite having the benefit of a run under his belt.
Verry Elleegant returned in good order, hitting the line strongly under James McDonald short of her best distance.
All-Star Mile wildcard hopeful Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) also impressed upon resumption, powering into fifth after settling last in running.
Pedigree notes
Colette is bred and raced by Godolphin. She is a half-sister to the Listed Chairman’s S. winner Metastasio (Street Cry {Ire}) and they are out of the unraced Libretto (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}).
Libretto, is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner and sire Wareed (Ire) and G2 Woodbine EP Taylor S. winner Truly A Dream (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and the family of the G1 Irish Oaks winner Moonstone (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Randwick, G2 TAB Light Fingers S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
The Mark Newnham-trained filly Every Rose (Choisir) outsprinted a field of class opposition in her resuming run.
Jockey Joshua Parr played a vital role in the victory, rating his mount superbly from the front after crossing from the outside barrier.
Never Talk (No Nay Never {USA}) rattled home to finish second ahead of Away Game (Snitzel).
Pedigree notes
Every Rose was a $160,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase by Darby Racing and de Burgh Equine from the draft of Tyreel Stud. She is the fourth foal out of former Chris Waller-trained mare Couredge (Show A Heart) who won once from 10 career starts.
She is also a half-sister to current Tony Gollan-trained gelding Smartedge (Smart Missile) who has been competitive at Sydney metropolitan Saturday level. He has won $417,775 in prizemoney and boasts six wins and eight placings from 31 starts.
Randwick, G3 Southern Cross S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary
Boom gelding Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) has made amends for a disappointing spring campaign, with a dominant first-up display.
Leading hoop Tommy Berry assumed a forward position aboard the Team Hawkes-trained galloper after crossing conservatively from barrier nine.
Southern Lad (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Albumin (Foxwedge) ensured a strong gallop, and the former looked to have the race at his mercy 300 metres from home.
Berry quickly got to work on his mount, making up 4l in the space of 50 metres and quickly put the race away inside the final half-furlong.
The Kris Lees-trained Gem Song (Your Song) worked home nicely in her racetrack return, finishing fourth after being set a task from back in the field.
Pedigree notes
Masked Crusader was a $340,000 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale buy by Hawkes Racing and Cameron Cooke Bloodstock from the draft of Gilgai Farm.
He is the first of three foals out of former Mark Kavanagh-trained mare She’s Got Gears (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She was a Listed winner on debut, taking out the AGL Renewable Energy S. when trained by Richard Laming.
Her dam Last Minute (Encosta De Lago) never placed but is a half-sister to R. Listed Inglis Premier winner and G2 Up And Coming S.-placed Public Opinion (Arena).
Randwick, G3 Robrick Lodge Triscay S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary
Promising mare Tailleur (Shooting To Win) has added black type to her resume, with a tough on-paced performance.
Kerrin McEvoy used his mounts 53kg to advantage, pressing forward from barrier five. Electric Girl (Declaration Of War {USA}) attempted to challenge the James Cummings-trained galloper but couldn’t stick on when asked for an effort.
Tricky Gal (Magic Albert) was enormous first-up, finishing second by 0.5l after being caught three-wide without cover the trip, while the resuming Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) battled on into third and will benefit stepping out over further.
Pedigree notes
Tailleur is the sixth foal out of former Godolphin-owned and raced mare Clothing (Commands) who won four races between 1200 and 1300 metres.
She was set to go under the hammer at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast but was retained by Godolphin, when her daughter Raiment (Street Cry {Ire}) won the G3 Birthday Card S. and G3 James Carr S. for trainer John O’Shea.
Three-years later she went through the ring and was purchased for $90,000 by Boomer Bloodstock. Her dam Rompers (Grosvenor {NZ}) won twice, taking out the AJC San Miguel Super Dry H., and SAJC Palace Reign H. She is also a half-sister to the dam of 2003 G3 C.S. Hayes S. winner Youth (Quest For Fame {GB}).
