Rosehill, Listed Taylor Civic S., $150,000, 1400m
Race summary
Bandersnatch (Casino) was able to notch up his maiden stakes success with a smart front-running ride by Brenton Avdulla.
The Team Hawkes-trained 4-year-old stepped first into stride and didn’t allow another runner past him right throughout proceedings.
Avdulla maintained a 0.5l margin over Fender (Toronado {Ire}) on straightening before producing his mount at the 400 metre mark. From there Bandersnatch stuck to the task and held off a hard closing Tricky Gal (Magic Albert).
True Detective (Shamus Award) worked home evenly to round out the minors while Wandabaa (Wandjina) got motoring late to claim fourth by the narrowest of margins.
Pedigree notes
Bandersnatch was a $42,000 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Gerald Ryan via the draft of Amarina Farm. He is the best-performed progeny of the unraced Divine Faith (Falbrav {Ire}), who herself is a half-sister to the dam of three-time Group 3 placegetter Flying Tessie (Testa Rossa).
She hails from the second damline of three-time American Group 1 placegetter Ballagh Rocks (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}).
Divine Faith currently has a weanling filly by Charge Forward on the ground and has since been served by Newgate Farm stallion Brutal (NZ).
Bandersnatch is the second stakes winner this season for his Vinery Stud sire Casino Prince, with the other being dual Group 3 winner Sweet Deal. Casino Prince is responsible for the well-performed Vinery Stud stallion All Too Hard.
Belmont, G3 Breast Cancer Research Centre of WA-Strickland S., $200,000, 2000m
Race summary
Naughty By Nature (Trade Fair {GB}) measured up against well-performed opposition here to claim her maiden stakes success at start 21.
The Jason Miller-trained 4-year-old was rated superbly by Clint Johnson-Porter before pouncing on her rivals to account for brave runner-up Uni Time (Universal Ruler).
The Simon Miller-trained Dance Music (War Chant {USA}) notched up her fourth consecutive placing this preparation and rounded out the minors here in third, ahead of rank outsider Taxagano (Rogano).
Pedigree notes
Naughty By Nature was a $26,000 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase by Jason Miller via the draft of Toreby Park.
She is the fifth and best-performed progeny of the unraced Catrenza (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), who herself is a half-sister to the G2 Perth Cup winner Ros Reef (Magnus) and Listed winner Knight Academy (Royal Academy {USA}).
New Zealand Group 1 third placegetter Long Range (NZ) (Star Wolf {Ire}) features in her second damline.
Naughty By Nature is the second individual stakes winner and first Group winner for her sire Trade Fair (GB) this season. He has sired 52 individual winners this season.
Tauranga, Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic, NZ$50,000, 1400m
Race summary
Pop Star Princess (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) bounced back emphatically from a previous failure with a supreme display of front-running.
The 6-year-old was quickly into stride to take control for rider Jonathan Riddell and revelled in her work. She slipped clear at the top of the straight and held a strong gallop and her 10th win for trainer and part-owner Fred Cornege.
The consistent Supreme Heights (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) shouldered out of the trail 250 metres from home to take second with Sweet Clementine (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) coming on for third.
Pop Star Princess (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Pedigree notes
Pop Star Princess was bred by JML Bloodstock and sold through Blandford Lodge’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale draft for NZ$4000.
She is a daughter of Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins), who was a capable performer who won twice and was placed in the G2 Royal S.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Great Northern Guineas winner Le Baron (NZ) (Golan {Ire}) with a headline act further back in the pedigree the multiple Group 1 winner Volkstock’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
