Ellerslie, G1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, NZ$500,000, 3200m
Race summary
Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) settled in the body of the field before rider Johnathan Parkes made an early move and it proved an astute one.
They circled the field and kicked clear in the straight and never looked like getting caught and had 2.3l up his sleeve on the post.
Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) gave a much-improved performance to finish off well for second with the favourite Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) third. He moved ominously into contention on the turn, but couldn’t round off his effort in the run home.
Pedigree notes
Ocean Billy was co-bred by part-owner and trainer Bill Pomare and was retained after he failed to meet his NZ$20,000 reserve at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
He is a son of the Listed Newmarket H. winner Cool Storm (NZ) (One Cool Cat {USA}) and she is a daughter of the Listed Rotorua S. winner Flying Free (NZ) (Heroicity).
Ocean Bill is the third individual Group 1 winner for Waikato Stud sire Ocean Park (NZ), who has been represented by the two-time top-flight winner Kolding (NZ) and the G1 All Aged S. winner Tofane (NZ).
Ellerslie, G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S., NZ$200,000, 2000m
Race summary
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was allowed plenty of time to find her feet and settled toward the rear of the field before improving wide around runners near the turn.
The mare produced a sustained finish in the hands of Troy Harris to account for her stablemate Avantage (Fastnet Rock).
The pacemaker Tiptronic (NZ) (Pins) boxed on gamely to hold third placing from Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars).
Pedigree notes
Melody Belle was bred by Marie Leicester and bought out of the draft of Haunui Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of John Galvin’s Fortuna Syndications for NZ$57,500.
She is a daughter of Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), who is a half-sister to the winner and multiple black-type placegetter Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Melody Belle hails from a family that includes Rock Kingdom (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was successful in the G1 Epsom H.
Ellerslie, G1 Sistema S., NZ$200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Rider Opie Bosson allowed the Jamie Richards-trained Sword Of State (Snitzel) to roll along in front and the colt was quickly into a winning rhythm.
When he was asked to lengthen stride in the straight he did so with ease to have 3.5l on his stablemate and R. Listed Karaka Million winner On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) at the post.
The previously unbeaten Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super One {NZ}) ran on gamely for third ahead of Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
Pedigree notes
Bred by Go Bloodstock, Sword Of State was bought for $600,000 by Te Akau chief David Ellis at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where the colt was offered by Newgate Farm.
He is the first to race for In The Vangard (Encosta De Lago), who was a juvenile winner and runner-up in the G2 Sweet Embrace S. She is a daughter of the G2 Light Fingers S. winner Sharp (Danzero) and the family of the G1 Flight S. winner Angst (Kala Dancer {GB}).
In The Vangard, who was served by Merchant Navy last year, had a Russian Revolution filly sell at the Gold Coast this year for $100,000 to Next Level Syndications.
Gold Coast, Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy, $125,000, 1400m
Race summary
Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) proved too strong for a field of black-type performed gallopers here.
Trained by Mitchell Fry, the lightly raced 5-year-old found himself in a dream position from the jump, occupying the box seat under talented young hoop Madeline Wishart.
The highly rated Socialising (Bel Esprit) looked to have the race at his mercy with a furlong to run, but couldn’t hold out the hard running Flash Aah and eventual runner up Top Prospect (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Rising 7-year-old Victory Eight (Nadeem) produced an eye-catching run, working home hard from back in the field while The Candy Man (Casino Prince) was sound, finishing fourth on return.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Clear Mountain, Flash Aah is the first foal out of three-time winner Never Despair (Hotel Grand), who herself from the extended family of G1 Flight S. winner Unworldly (Quest For Fame {GB}) and G2 Shannon S. winner Gordo (Brief Truce {USA}).
Their half-sister Seances (Canny Lad) won five races including the Listed Millie Fox S. and has produced the Group-winning siblings Renaissance (Lonhro) and Sessions while the G3 Eclipse S. winner Whiskey Neat (Denman) is also a member of this family.
Never Despair currently has a colt by Worthy Cause at foot while in foal to Love Conquers All.
