Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Caulfield, G3 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary
Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) defied the drift to score first-up under rising young hoop Ben Allen.
The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding was ridden with a sit and the decision proved the winning move, as it allowed Allen to stalk a solid tempo before peeling out into the superior going.
When asked to let down, Sansom extended to reel in a brave Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) in the shadows of the post.
Godolphin galloper Isaurian (Exceed And Excel) loomed up to win but peaked on his run late to dead heat for third with the labouring The Astrologist (Zoustar).
Pedigree notes
Bred by Qatar Bloodstock, Sansom was a $140,000 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Phillip Stokes Racing via the draft of Kitchwin Hills.
He is the first and best-performed progeny out of the 1300-metre winner Bryony (Fastnet Rock), who herself is a full sister to G1 Auckland Diamond S. winner Heroic Valour and a half-sister to G1 Doncaster H. winner Triple Honour (Honours List {Ire}).
Bryony had a filly by Zoustar go under the hammer for $600,000 at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and a weanling by Charm Spirit (Ire) sell for $150,000 at this year’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Sansom is the only stakes winner this season for his sire Charm Spirit. He is responsible for two individual Group 2 winners.
Rosehill, Listed XXXX Winter Challenge, $150,000, 1500m
Race summary
Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) narrowly denied the impressive Ziegfeld (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) to add a third stakes success to his resume.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was one of the last into stride and in turn settled down at the rear of the field.
However, the tempo set by eventual fourth placegetter
True Detective (Shamus Award) out in front ensured that Order Again got the conditions to suit.
On straightening, rider Hugh Bowman found himself spotting the lead more than 8l and faced with a wall of horses.
Bowman opted to ride for luck rather than swing wider and ultimately forced his way through a narrow gap. From there his mount responded and let down to nail Ziegfeld on the line.
Order Again’s stablemate Sambro (Fastnet Rock) turned back the clock to round out the minors third-up.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Goodwood Stud, Order Again is the first and best-performed progeny out of New Zealand 1400-metre winner, Glass Half Full (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), who herself is a half-sister to G2 Brisbane Cup winner Jetset Lad (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Glass Half Full hails from the third damline of R. Listed Karaka Million winner Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and G1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas third placegetter Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
She currently has a weanling colt by Ocean Park (NZ) on the ground while in foal to him once again.
Order Again is the third individual stakes winner this season for his sire Iffraaj (GB), who himself is responsible for G3 Gunsynd Classic winner Ayrton (NZ).
He will cover his next book of mares at Darley Europe for a service fee of £20,000 (AU$31,965).
Belmont, Listed HG Bolton Sprint, $100,000, 1200m
Race summary
Amasenus (Time For War) flashed late to find her way back into the winner's stall here.
The Simon Miller-trained mare relished stepping back up to 1200 metres and was doing her best work over the concluding stages to finish ahead of rank outsider Reflectivity (All Too Hard).
Western Temple (Dream Ahead {USA}) was superb here first-up over an unsuitable distance. The rising 8-year-old managed to overcome barrier 10 and rounded out the minors in a hard-fought performance.
Pym’s Royale (Husson {Arg}) lost no admirers in fourth position on return. He is another who will improve over further ground.
Pedigree notes
A $14,000 2017 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale purchase by Aquanita Racing via the draft of Taghadoe Stud, Amasenus is the first stakes winner and final foal out of the 1100-metre winner Kelendria (Filante {NZ}), who herself hails from the second damline of G3 Tasmanian Derby winner Suavity (Akaaber {USA}) and G3 Champion Fillies S. winner Eight Till Late (Lonhro).
Amasenus is the first stakes winner this season for her late sire Time For War, who himself is responsible for G2 Silver Slipper winner Time To Reign.
Taranaki, Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup, NZ$70,000, 1400m
Race summary
Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) bolted in here to the tune of 2l.
The Allan Sharrock-trained gelding settled back in the field before working into the straight out wide.
From there the 5-year-old let down with an explosive turn of foot to level up alongside stablemate London Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) before putting her away comfortably over the concluding stages.
Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) battled away along the inside rail to narrowly claim third ahead of Le Sablier (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Justaskme (NZ) and Sam Weatherley return to scale | Image by Grant Matthew at Race Images
Pedigree notes
Justaskme is the first stakes winner out of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Often (NZ), who herself is out of G3 New Zealand St Leger winner and G1 Waikato RC International S. third placegetter Freequent (NZ) (Mistral Dancer {Can}).
G1 Hawke's Bay Makfi Challenge S. winner I Do (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and Listed Queensland Cup winner Iggi Pop (NZ) (Savabeel) feature in Often’s first damline.
Her most recent progeny to hit the ground is unplaced galloper All Too Often (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who was born in 2016.
She is currently in foal to the late Jakkalberry (Ire) after going unserved from 2017 to 2019.
