Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Ipswich, Listed TAB Ipswich Cup, $175,000, 2150m
Race summary
Happy Go Plucky (Pluck {USA}) dug deep late to hold out a hard-closing So You Win (So You Think {NZ}).
The John Gilmore-trained gelding was rated superbly up on speed by Stephanie Thornton after landing in the box seat. From there, Thornton stayed within arms reach of the leader before peeling out and entering the straight out in front.
Her mount looked vulnerable as So You Win loomed up alongside with 300 metres but to Happy Go Plucky’s credit he refused to falter and scored with plenty still in hand.
Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) worked home hard to just miss in third, while fourth placegetter Maid Of Ore (Duporth) snuck up the inside and peaked on her run late.
Pedigree notes
A $7300 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale purchase, Happy Go Plucky is the out of the Listed Vo Rogue Plate winner Dirty (Hussonet {USA}), thus making him a half-brother to G2 Villiers S. runner-up Cabeza De Vaca (Northern Meteor).
Dirty herself is a half-sister to G1 Victoria Derby runner-up Etymology (New Approach {Ire}) and Listed City of Marion S. winner Whitlam (Elusive Quality {USA}). G1 Australian Oak third-placegetter Quintessa (Pierro) features in her first damline.
Happy Go Plucky is the first stakes winner for his sire Pluck (USA) this season and fifth in total. Pluck has sired 21 individual winners this season.
Ipswich, Listed City Of Ipswich Eye Liner S., $175,000, 1350m
Race summary
Snitch (Lope De Vega {Ire}) flashed home late under the urges of leading local hoop Ben Thompson to finish the better of the Michael Costa-trained Axe (Written Tycoon).
Thompson secured an economical run in transit after jumping from barrier one but found himself in a sticky position tucked away back in the field with 700 metres to run.
Rather than ride for luck along the inside Thompson opted to push out and found himself with clear air at the top of the straight. When turning for home the aforementioned Axe had skipped clear and put up a substantial margin on his rivals.
However, the eventual runner-up's stride was starting to shorten over the final 100 metres which saw Snitch fly over the top inside the final 50 metres.
Third-placegetter Right Or Wrong (Manhattan Rain) flashed home up the inside rail and was able to hold out a brave Amish Boy (Star Witness) who was doing his best work late.
Pedigree notes
Bred by SF Bloodstock, Snitch was a $100,000 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Inglis acting as an agent via the draft of Newgate Farm. He is second-last foal out of two-start maiden Quaffle (Hurricane Sky {USA}), thus making him a half-brother to five-time Singapore Listed winner and Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man.
Quaffle herself is a half-sister to Listed QTC Lightning H. winner Golden Snitch (Unbridled’s Song {USA}). She hails from a extended family littered with stakes success including G1 Epsom H. winner Iron Horse (Zephyr Zip {NZ}) and G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S. winner Spyglass (NZ) (Sir Sian {NZ}).
Snitch is the fifth individual stakes winner for his Ballylinch Stud-based sire Lope De Vega (Ire) this season. Other stakes winners for Lope De Vega this season include G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup winner Vega One and Singapore Group 1 winner Lim’s Lightning.
Ipswich, Listed Ipswich Turf Club Gai Waterhouse Classic, $150,000, 1200m
Race summary
Lillemor (Hallowed Crown) narrowly denied former stablemate Intrepidacious (Shooting To Win) to claim her first stakes success and gift rider Ben Thompson a race-to-race double.
The John O’Shea-trained mare who entered the race in a rich vein of form was required to plot a wider than desired course after finding herself posted three-wide.
With 600 metres Thompson began to increase the revs aboard his mount and presented with a strong run in a three deep position before powering past the labouring leaders inside the final 200 metres.
From there, Intrepidacious levelled-up alongside Lillemor and refused to back down in a finish that could only be split by the judge.
The Mark Newnham-trained Blazing Miss (Sizzling) worked home along the inside rail and finished a solid third thanks to a daring ride by Michael Cahill.
Pedigree notes
Bred and retained by Twin Palms Stud, Lillemor is the final progeny of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Polar Success (Success Express {USA}), making her a half-sister to G3 Maribyrnong Plate runner-up Lockroy (More Than Ready {USA}) and the dam of G3 Kembla Grange Classic third placegetter Pippali (Ilovethiscity).
Polar Success herself is a half-sister to the dam of G2 Queensland Guineas winner Sambro (Fastnet Rock) and Listed placegetter Parfumier (Belong To Me {USA}). G2 Wellington Guineas third placegetter Cut Me Loose (Swiss Ace) features in her first damline.
Lillemor is the fourth individual stakes winner this season for Twin Hills Stud stallion Hallowed Crown, who himself is responsible for this season's G1 Singapore Gold Cup winner Big Hearted and G1 Chipping Norton S. runner-up Colette.
Flemington, Listed AR Creswick S., $140,000, 1200m
Race summary
Rank outsider Free To Move (Unencumbered) caused a boilover in a wide open edition of this 3-year-old sprint feature.
The Ken and Kasey Keys-trained gelding was positioned up on speed throughout and was able to hold off a late flurry of horses, including brave runner-up Brenlyn’s Trooper (Redente) who ran his biggest rate to date and luckless third placegetter Capriccio (I Am Invincible) who was charging under Harry Coffey.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Maha (Pride Of Dubai), rounded out the first four and was only beaten 0.4l in a race that saw the first eight past the post separated by 1l.
Pedigree notes
Free To Move was an $8000 2019 Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale purchase by Ken Keys via the draft of Bucklee Farm. He is seventh of eight foals out of 1200 metre winner Canhill (Dangerous), who herself is a half-sister to the dam of G2 PB Lawrence S. winner Second Effort (Mossman) and G3 Heath S. winner Diamond Effort (Mossman).
She is also a half-sister to the dam of Listed Manihi Classic winner Mileva (Headwater). Listed placegetters Carlingford (Magnus) and Lord Sundowner (Hard Spun {USA}) also feature in her first damline.
Free To Move is the fourth individual stakes winner this season for his ill-fated sire Unencumbered, who himself secured his first Group 2 winner when talented Will Clarken-trained 3-year-old Beau Rossa saluted in the G2 Tobin Bronze S. at Morphettville last month.
Rosehill, Listed XXXX W J Mickell Cup, $150,000, 2000m
Race summary
Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) broke through here for a well-earned victory.
The ever-consistent gelding raced in a midfield rails position for the majority of the race after jumping from barrier one and was presented with clear air at the top of the straight.
From there, rider Sam Clipperton was able to peel out into the middle of the straight and allow his mount the opportunity to extend. The 4-year-old responded to Clipperton's urges and coasted away to a comfortable 1.2l victory.
Berdibek (Dark Angel {Ire}) ran a super race in second after settling back towards last and spotting the lead more than 8l turning for home, while perennial bridesmaid Parry Sound (Pierro) produced another bold showing round out the minors.
Brutality (Shamus Award) was far from disgraced despite finishing a distant fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Stockman was a NZ$175,000 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Book 1 purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds and John Thompson Racing via the draft of Cambridge Stud.
He is the 11th and final foal out of New Zealand Group 2 winner Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), thus making him a half-brother to G1 VRC Oaks runner-up Miss Scarlatti (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), dual New Zealand Group 2 winner Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and the dam of the talented Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained filly Blushing Tycoon (Written Tycoon), who herself ran second in this years G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S.
Crimson herself is a half-sister to G1 Victoria Derby winner Omnicorp (NZ) (Grosvenor) and dual Australian Group 2 winner Pharostan (Imposing). She also hails from the extended family of G1 Lightning S. third placegetter Ticklish (NZ) (Maroof {USA}).
Stockman’s late sire Tavistock (NZ) is renowned for his ability to produce high-class staying prospects and this season alone he is now responsible for 11 individual stakes winners, including G1 Victoria Derby winner Johnny Get Angry (NZ) and the G3 Sky High S. winner Toffee Tongue (NZ).
Belmont, Listed WAROA-Belmont Guineas, $100,000, 1600m
Race summary
Sheza Chalmer (Vital Equine {Ire}) raced away to take out this 3-year-old feature under the careful eye of Patrick Carbery.
The talented filly settled back in the field and relished stepping out over 1600 metres for the first time.
When presented with clear air at the top of the straight she let down with a sharp turn of foot to run down her rivals and pull away to a soft success ahead of Kerman Rock (Snippetson) and a strong closing Tri For Us (Vital Equine {Ire}).
Billy Ain’t Silly (I’m All The Talk) peaked on his run late and knocked up into fourth after stringing the field out at a solid gallop.
Pedigree notes
Sheza Chalmer is the final and best-performed foal out of three-time winner Lady Chalmers (Dante's Fury), who herself is a half-sister to Group 3 third placegetters Lyrical King (Middle Kingdom {USA}) and Sir Chalmers (Seerhead {USA}).
She hails from the extended family of G3 Rome Premio Buontalenta runner-up Bolkan (Ity) (Ercolano {USA}).
Sheza Chalmer is the second individual stakes winner for her sire Vital Equine (Ire), with the other being March’s R. Listed Tavern Sw Cup winner Bella’s Idol. Vital Equine has sired 21 individual winners this season.
