Moonee Valley, G1 Keogh Homes William Reid S., $500,000, 1200m
Race summary
Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) finally realised his full potential, taking out a strong edition of this feature sprint.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding was the beneficiary of a meticulous ride by superstar hoop William Pike. Despite finding himself three pairs back the fence Pike didn’t panic, ultimately finding a gap between subsequent runner up, Portland Sky (Deep Field) and Group 1-winning mare Pippie (Written Tycoon).
When asked to punch through the gap, Masked Crusader let down with an electric turn of foot, en route to a commanding 2.5l maiden Group 1 success.
The resuming Libertini (I Am Invincible) was strong through the line into third after settling three-wide the trip, while star filly September Run (Exceed And Excel) rocketed home into fourth after settling last in the running.
Pedigree notes
Bred and sold by Gilgai farm Masked Crusader was a $340,000 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase by Hawkes Racing and Cameron Cooke Bloodstock. He is the fourth foal out of three-time winner, She’s Got Gears (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who herself is from the extended family of multiple Group-placed gelding Public Opinion (Arena).
She’s Got Gears most recent foal was a $825,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock. She has again been served by Toronado (Ire) after missing to Dundeel (NZ) in 2020.
Moonee Valley, G2 Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Sunline S., $200,000, 1600m
Race summary
Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field) has added a maiden Group success to her resume, nosing out a fast-finishing and luckless Grand De Flora (NZ) (Savabeel).
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained 4-year-old was slow into stride, but quickly mustered up to hold a midfield rails position. From there Michael Walker continued to work his mount through her gears, prior to producing with a strong inside run when a gap presented at the top of the straight.
Scarlett Dream (Sebring) hit the line strongly from back in the field, while the Peter Moody-trained In Good Health (Congrats {USA}) looked off balance on cornering and subsequently faded into fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Makybe Racing and Breeding, Quantum Mechanic was a $180,000 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales purchase by Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Milburn Creek.
She is the third foal out of 1200 metre maiden winner, Life In A Metro (Fastnet Rock), who herself is a half-sister to Group 1-winning full sisters Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) and Absolutely (Redoute’s Choice). She is also a half-sister to G3 Geelong Cup winner and G1 Melbourne Cup contestant Runaway (Manhattan Rain).
G1 Doncaster H. winner Nettoyer (Sebring) is also featured on her pedigree, along with champion Japanese sprinter and miler, Kinshasa No Kiseki (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseski {Jpn}).
Life In A Metro’s most recent offspring is a colt born in 2019 by Sebring and in 2017 she threw multiple South African Group 2 winner Mount Pleasant (Vancouver).
Moonee Valley, G3 Dynamic Print Alexandra S., $160,000, 1600m
Race summary
Classy 3-year-old Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) produced a tough on-paced performance here, en route to her second Group 3 success.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly was forced to work hard early to cross from barrier eight but never faulted when pressured, leading all the way under star hoop, Mark Zahra.
On straightening subsequent runner up Love Sensation (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) looked to have the race at her mercy. However, the Kevin Corstens-trained galloper couldn’t stick with Chica Fuerte over the final half-furlong.
Wanalirri (Wandjina) was impressive in defeat, flashing home into third after spotting the lead more than 6l on straightening, while Miss Inbetween (Fighting Sensation) faded into fourth despite having every chance.
Pedigree notes
Bred and sold by Rosemont Stud, Chica Fuerte was a $300,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Bahen Bloodstock. She is the second of five foals out of unraced mare, Guapa (USA) (Rock Hard Ten {USA}), who herself is out of American Group 2 and Listed winner, Last Approach (USA) (Far Out East {USA}).
She also hails from an extended family littered with black type, including multiple Australian Group 1-winning full siblings, Assertive Lad (Zedative) and Assertive Lass (Zedative).
Guapa currently has a filly by Magnus at foot while in foal to I Am Immortal.
Listed Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup, $200,000, 2000m
Race summary
Entente (Dundeel {NZ}) prevailed in convincing fashion here, finishing 2.1l ahead of a fast-finishing The Lord Mayor (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop).
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the talented gelding showed his class, rolling forward and box seating under jockey Sam Clipperton.
From the dream run, Clipperton continued to work his mount through his gears, before extending away from his rivals when asked for an effort at the top of the straight.
Second tier provincial galloper The Doctor’s Son (Dr Doute’s) came from last for third while the Bjorn Baker-trained Kiss The Bride (NZ) (Savabeel) boxed on into fourth after getting every chance in transit.
Pedigree notes
Entente was a $105,000 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase by Shaun Dwyer Thoroughbred Racing from the draft of Bombora Downs Stud.
He is the third and final foal out of the two-time winner Nextess (Stratum), making him a half-brother to Group 3-placed gelding High ‘N’ Dry (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Nextess is a half-sister to Listed winner Regal Tess (Bluebird {USA}), she also hails from the extended family of G2 Royal Ascot King Edward VII S. runner-up Infantry (GB) (Northfields {USA}).
