Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Mornington, Listed Neds Mornington Cup, $350,000, 2400m
Race summary
Lightly raced import Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}) scored himself an express pass into October’s G1 Caulfield Cup after dominating his rivals in this ballot exempt black-type feature.
From barrier four, William Pike was able to dictate proceedings off the front and his mount in a good rhythm.
Pike was sitting pretty on into the straight before Mount Popa kicked clear to put the issue beyond doubt.
The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) put together an improved performance, finishing off into second while locally trained galloper Irish Flame (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) gave injured trainer Brett Scott something to smile about, finishing a brave third.
Pedigree notes
Bred by the famous Niarchos operation in Ireland, Mount Popa was secured by leviathan owner Rupert Legh and fellow connections in September of 2019.
He is out of the unraced mare Mimalia (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}), who is a half-sister to G1 English Derby winner Kris Kin (USA) (Kris S {USA}). Their dam Angel In My Heart (Fr) (Rainbow Quest {USA}) was placed at Group 1 level on three occasions in France.
Mimalia’s most recent offspring is filly by Churchill (Ire) born 2019 and she hasn’t been served since.
Mornington, Listed Quayclean Mornington Guineas, $135,000, 1600m
Race summary
In-form jockey William Pike continued on his winning ways, this time partnering Western Australian galloper Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win).
Trained by Sean and Jake Casey, the 3-year-old proved too strong for his less-credentialled rivals, despite plotting a wide course in transit.
On straightening, Pike angled wide and Dom To Shoot responded, continuing to reel in a gallant Lets Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) over the concluding 100 metres.
Black Penn (Written Tycoon) finished the best of the rest, flashing home into third from the back while lightly raced filly Starlight Scope (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) measured up well in running fourth.
Pedigree notes
Dom To Shoot is the second foal out of Princess Rogue (NZ) (Pins), who herself was a $135,000 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase.
She is out of Listed-placed mare Fiaba (Defensive Play {USA}), a half-sister to Listed Bubury S. winner Pin Rouge (Pins).
Dom To Shoot’s dam line also hail from an extended family littered with black type, including dual Group 1 winners Vision And Power (Carnegie (Ire)) and Glamour Puss (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Fiaba currently has a filly by Capitalist at foot, but then missed to the sire.
Mornington, Listed Neds Hareeba S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Laverrod (Toronado {Ire}) secured a double for Perth-based combination Sean and Jake Casey and a quadrella for the red hot William Pike.
The flashy 4-year old was the beneficiary of a slick tempo set by Ancestry (The Brothers War {USA}) and subsequent runner-up How Wowmantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}).
Settling nearest to last, Pike produced a repeat of his earlier Guineas triumph, producing his mount in a wide position before motoring down the middle of the track.
The highly touted Ancestry didn’t handle the seven day back-up, folding under pressure when challenged while talented gelding Hightail (Written Tycoon) worked home strongly into third.
Pedigree notes
Bred by the Randwick Bloodstock Agency, Laverrod was a $140,000 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase by James Bester Bloodstock from the draft of Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.
He is the third and best-performed foal out of two-time winner Demasheen (Fastnet Rock), who is out of Group 3-placed galloper Shimo Star (NZ) (Centaine). She also hails from the extended family of G3 Manawatu Cup winner Langeland (Copenhagen II {GB}).
Demasheen currently has a filly by Spirit Of Boom at foot while in foal to Blue Point (Ire).
Ascot, Listed Amelia Park Perth S., $150,000, 1100m
Race summary
He’s Gold (Rogano) and Storm Whisper (Snippetson) fought out a thrilling juvenile feature, with the former edging out the latter under the urges of leading local hoop Mitchell Pateman.
The talented pair led the field from start to finish, trucking along at strong clip after being scrubbed up out of the gates.
On straightening, nothing looked likely to finish the better of the two leaders, but Diamond Blue (Awesome Rock) and Oceanic Rider (Slater) were doing their best work late, powering home to finish third and fourth respectively.
Pedigree notes
He’s Gold is the third foal out of two-time winner Ru De Marengo (General Nediym), who is out of Listed winner Princess Marengo (NZ) (Umatilla).
She is a half-sister to G3 ARC Darley P. and G1 Railway H. fourth placegetter Accardo (Elnadim {USA}).
She also hails from the extended family of G1 Western Australian Derby winner Chipolata and G3 Triscay S. winner Sweet Deal (Casino Prince).
Ru De Marengo’s most recent offspring is an unraced brother to He’s Gold by the name of French Martini. She is currently in foal to Sessions.
Ascot, Listed Seacorp Grandstand Cup, $100,000, 1500m
Race summary
Dig Deep (Deep Field) held out a fast-finishing Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt), en route to a narrow black-type triumph.
Trained by Daniel and Ben Pearce the consistent 4-year-old was gifted a lovely ride by young hoop Clint Johnston-Porter. After stepping cleanly into stride, Porter opted to switch his mount off and settled down in a midfield rails position.
From there, he continued to work Dig Deep through his gears and powered between a narrow opening at the top of the straight. Once asked to let down, Dig Deep levelled up alongside his rivals and shot clear with 200 metres to run.
However, Samizdat made the race interesting over the latter stages, finishing hard down the outside into second while Luke’s Gold (Faith) and Serenity Bay (Rogano) stuck on commendably to finish the best of the rest.
Pedigree notes
Dig Deep is the first foal out of 17-start maiden winner Lucky Ana (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn), who is a half-sister to the dam of five-time Group 1-winning sprinter Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) and $1,400,000 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale acquisition Estelle Collection (Stravinsky {USA}).
Their dam Ana Zeel (Zabeel) never secured a black type victory, but she was twice placed at Group 2 level.
Lucky Ana currently has a filly by Deep Field at foot while in foal to Cosmic Force.
