G1 Channel 7 Doomben Cup, $700,000, 2000m
Race summary
Zaaki (GB) (Leoroidesmaux {Brz}) demolished his rivals to announce himself as one of the best weight-for-age gallopers in the country. The Annabel Neasham-trained gelding was ridden assertively by leading hoop James McDonald from barrier nine.
On straightening the 6-year-old looked to have the race at his mercy trucking into the straight while McDonald sat pretty, from there he proceeded to skip away from his rivals and in doing so put 10l on them before being eased up by McDonald to win prevail by 7l.
The Chris Waller-trained Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) worked home the best of the rest to finish second, while Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) closed off into third place.
Pedigree notes
Zaaki is the fifth foal out of dual French winner Kesara (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), who herself is a half-sister to Listed winner Persona Grata (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}). She hails from the extended family of dual Italian Group 1 winner Altieri (GB) (Selkirk {USA}). She currently has a weanling by Bobby’s Kitten (USA) on the ground.
Zaaki’s sire Leroidesanimaux (Brz) is responsible for G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom (USA) as well as the recent Listed Warrnambool Cup winner Le Don De Vie (GB).
G2 ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses, $250,000, 2000m
Race summary
Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse) scored in convincing fashion here under leading Victorian-based hoop Craig Williams. The Chris Waller-trained filly wasn’t deterred by settling wide the trip and continued to extend when asked to let down in the straight by Craig Williams.
Stablemate and eventual fourth placegetter Easifar (Pride Of Dubai) put up the challenge but couldn’t stick on over the final furlong, while the Mark Newnham-trained Bargain (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) attacked the line late to finish second ahead of Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) after hitting a flat spot at the 300 metres.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Explosive Breeding, Only Words was passed in after failing to meet a reserve of NZ$2000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May Sale. She is the third foal to race out of 1400 metre winner Jungle Pago (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who herself is out of G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Climb The Vine (Chanteclair).
She also hails from the extended family of Listed winner Red Hot Sax (Saxon). Jungle Pago has a juvenile filly by Jakkalberry (Ire) on the ground and has missed the last two seasons.
Only Words’ is the first Group 2 winner and second Group winner for her sire Sweynesse, who has also sired two individual stakes winners this season. He is responsible for three individual Group 3 placegetters this season.
G3 Magic Millions Pam O’Neill S., $150,000, 1600m
Race summary
Nudge (Fastnet Rock) secured her first win in more than 560 days. The Chris Waller-trained mare was the beneficiary of daring tactics from Hugh Bowman, who rolled along at a solid clip aboard subsequent runner-up Yamazaki (Regal Saga). Settling back in the field Kerrin McEvoy was able to stalk the speed aboard Nudge before producing out wide en route to a convincing victory.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Paradee (Epaulette) was impressive on return in third, while local hope Gem Of Scotland (Rothesay) ran a bold race to finish fourth.
Pedigree notes
Nudge is the sixth foal out of dual Listed winner and New Zealand G1 One Thousand Guineas placegetter Julinsky Princess (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), making her a half-sister to dual New Zealand Group 1 winner Julinsky Prince (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and the Group 3-placed Foreign Prince (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Julinsky Princess herself is a half-sister to dual Listed winner and Group 2-placed Unknown Heights (NZ) (Kaapstad {GB}) and Listed winner Dontellthewife (Volksraad {GB}). She also hails from the extended family of G1 The Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks winner Juliette Marny (Ire) (Blakeney {Ire}). Julinsky Princess is currently in foal to young Coolmore sire Yes Yes Yes.
Nudge’s sire Fastnet Rock needs no introduction the Champion producer remains at the top of his game siring 12 individual stakes winners this season alone. He currently sits sixth overall this season for total prizemoney and will stand the upcoming breeding season at Coolmore Stud for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST).
G3 TAB BRC Sprint, $175,000, 1350m
Race summary
Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) saluted for the locals here, taking out a strong edition of this feature under Robbie Fradd. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding was rated superbly in the leading bunch by Fradd after he found a position from barrier 15. From there the 6-year-old continued to work through his gears prior to extending clear of his rivals with just under two-furlongs to run.
Group 1-winning mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was most impressive here second-up, working home strongly into second after spotting the lead more than 7l on straightening and being forced to cover extra ground out wide.
Axe (Written Tycoon) handled the back up to run a bold third, while the well-fancied Garibaldi (I Am Invincible) was narrowly denied a minor placing and had to settle fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Shipton Lodge, Emerald Kingdom is the third and final foal out of the unplaced Horshoe (Commands), making him a half-brother to Listed winner and Group 3-placed gelding Steel Frost. Horshoe herself is out of Listed winner Romare (Marcasy), she also hails from the third damline of G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Rothfire (Rothesay).
His sire Commands has sired two stakes winners this season including star Kiwi mare Melody Belle (NZ) and Bella Vella.
Listed City Property Services Carter S., $150,000, 1200m
Race summary
Rhapsody Rose (Star Witness) narrowly denied the Chris Waller-trained combination of Hoover Lucy (No Nay Never {USA}) and Morioka (Maurice {Jpn}) to take out this juvenile feature.
Justin Huxtable rated the Chris Munce-trained filly superbly from the front after landing in the box seat. From there he continued to take his mount through her gears prior to kicking clear with a strong turn of foot and putting a space on the opposition.
The Waller pair were unwilling to give in and continued to take it up to Rhapsody Rose who ultimately prevailed by 0.1l in a thrilling finish.
The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained Me Me Lagarde (Star Turn) worked home hard to finish 0.6l off the winner in fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Rhapsody Rose was a $120,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Munce Racing via the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds. She is the first foal out of the 2000 metre-placed Ritzy (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), who herself is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) and the Group 3-placed Wordplay (Fastnet Rock).
She also hails from the extended family of G1 Sydney Cup winner Cross Swords (Grosvenor {NZ}). Ritzy currently has a yearling and weanling colt by Dundeel (NZ) on the ground and hasn’t been served since.
Rhapsody Rose’s sire Star Witness has sired six individual stakes winners this season including R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Aim. He is also responsible for two Group 1 placegetters this season and will stand for $16,500 (inc GST) at Widden Stud in 2021.
Listed Chief De Beers, $125,000, 1110m
Race summary
Varda (Lonhro) stormed down the outside here to produce one of the better runs of the day.
The James Cummings-trained mare settled nearest to last under astute Kerrin McEvoy prior to being produce wide out on the track. From there she continued to reel in her rivals before cruising to a soft victory over the concluding stages.
Kylease (Choisir) loomed as the winner but peaked on her run over the concluding stages, while rank outsider Mishani Hustler (Exceedingly Good) out of his skin on return to finish third.
Pedigree notes
A Godolphin homebred, Varda is the eighth foal out of G3 Millie Fox S. winner Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}), making her a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Kementari (Lonhro) and G1 Sires’ Produce S. runner-up Teleprion.
Wild Queen herself is a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner So Gorgeous (Brief Truce). She also hails from the extended family of Group 2-placed sprinter Express Pass (Wandjina). Wild Queen currently has a weanling colt by Impending on the ground.
Varda’s sire Lonhro has sired three individual stakes winners this season, including Group 3 winners Kementari and Roheryn. He is also responsible for this seasons Hong Kong Sprint runner-up Jolly Banner.
