Randwick, G1 Winx S., $500,000, 1400m
Race summary
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) notched up his second Group 1 success after edging out superstar mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) over the concluding stages.
The pair entered the final furlong side by side and refused to falter under the urges of Tommy Berry and James McDonald respectively.
However, the former rose to the occasion and cemented his star status late in the piece when required to fight out the finish alongside an eight-time Group 1-winning mare after enduring a wide run in transit throughout.
Third placegetter She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) was ultra-impressive in her first start since running fourth in the two-mile G1 Sydney Cup.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare found herself nearest to last in the run but started motoring when asked to let down at the top of the straight by Jason Collett.
From there she continued to reel in her rivals one by one before failing to find the extra 0.3l required to write her name on the race's honour roll.
Fierce Impact’s (Jpn) full brother Keiai Nautique (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was outstanding in his Australian debut. The Matthew Smith-trained entire spotted the lead more than 8l on straightening but got to work under the urges of Glen Boss to finish just under 0.4l off Mo’unga.
Pedigree notes
Bred and sold by Waikato Stud, Mo’unga was a NZ$325,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase by Aquis Farm.
He is the fourth foal out of G3 Hawke’s Bay Lowland S. runner-up Chandelier (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who herself is a full sister to G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Irlanda (NZ).
G3 Manawatu Classic runner-up Milford Sound (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) also features in her first dam line.
Chandelier has been back to Savabeel twice since foaling Mo’unga in 2017, leaving a yearling filly and 2-year-old colt.
Mo’unga is Savabeel’s first stakes winner this season, with the sire reaching 115 stakes winners and 23 Group 1 winners over the lifetime of his career.
Savabeel will stand the upcoming breeding season at Waikato Stud for a service fee of NZ$100,000 plus GST.
Randwick, G2 Darley Silver Shadow S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
Swift Witness (Star Witness) added a maiden Group success to her resume after taking out this competitive fillies feature.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper was quick to muster from barrier 10 but found herself three-wide without cover throughout.
Despite being forced to endure an arduous run in transit, Swift Witness let down with a strong turn of foot to kick clear of her rivals inside the final furlong. From there she fended off a brave Latino Blend (Hinchinbrook).
The John Sargent-trained Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) lost no admirers in third position. The short-priced race favourite settled three-wide in the run and over raced early.
Headwater filly Jamaea was the hard-luck story in the race after finding herself pocketed on the fence throughout. On straightening, rider Tommy Berry had nowhere to go with a lapful of horse underneath him.
After biding his time Berry opted to force the issue but was required to take a narrow gap towards the inside and in doing so caused severe interference on his way through.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Star Witness Bloodstock, Swift Witness was a $260,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing via the draft of Widden Stud.
She is the fifth foal out of 1100-metre winner Taylor’s Command (Commands), thus making her a full sister to Listed Gosford Guineas runner-up Terminology.
Taylor’s Command is a half-sister G2 Queen of the South S.-winning Zabeel (NZ) mare So Pristine (NZ), who herself is responsible for Singapore Listed winner Restored (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}).
G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) also features in her first dam line.
Taylor’s Command produced a full brother to Swift Witness who was knocked down to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing for $280,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She currently has a yearling filly by Star Witness on the ground while in foal again to the aforementioned sire.
Swift Witness secured her sire Star Witness' 19th individual stakes success.
He will stand the upcoming breeding season at Widden Stud Victoria for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Randwick, G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show, $160,000, 1100m
Race summary
Fituese (Deep Field) capped off a superb day of stakes racing with a scintillating success here.
The John Thompson-trained mare wasn’t deterred by the late addition of Jean Van Overmeire after intended hoop Rachel King fell in the race before.
Van Overmeire complemented Fituese accordingly and allowed her to switch off back in the field after jumping evenly from the far outside, barrier 16.
The Prime Thoroughbreds-owned galloper was the beneficiary of a breakneck tempo out in front and ultimately powered over the top of a brave Great News (Uncle Mo {USA}) late.
The ever consistent James Cummings-trained Tailleur (Shooting To Win) rounded out the minors after knocking up late in the piece while fourth placegetter Forbidden Love (All Too Hard) savaged the line late on resumption.
Pedigree notes
A $55,000 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase by Prime Thoroughbreds via the draft of Western Breeders Alliance, Fituese is out of dual winner Cattalo (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who herself is a half-sister to Listed Neville Sellwood S. runner-up Tobique (Redoute’s Choice).
Her second dam line is headed by four-time Group 1-winning superstar Mannerism (Amyntor {Fr}), who herself was responsible for dual Group 2 winner Dandify (Danehill {USA}) and dual Group 3 winner Manner Hill (Danehill {USA}).
Cattalo currently has a juvenile filly by Mahuta on the ground. She is currently in foal to Deep Field after going unserved in 2020.
Fituese is the first stakes winner this season for her rising star sire Deep Field, who himself is responsible for nine individual stakes winners.
He will stand the upcoming breeding season at Newgate Farm for a service fee of $88,000 (inc GST).
Randwick, G3 Mostyn Copper Show County Quality, $160,000, 1200m
Race summary
Private Eye (Al Maher) ascended from the clouds to run down Embracer (Sebring) in the shadows of the post.
The Joseph Pride-trained 4-year-old settled back in the field after breaking evenly into stride under Jay Ford.
Ford ensured that he wasn’t caught flat footed and began to work his mount into the race at the 600-metre mark. He continued to plot a wide course before working his mount out into the open on straightening.
From there Ford got to work and Private Eye responded, letting down with a sharp turn of foot to reel in the strong travelling Embracer.
Third placegetter Icebath (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) loomed up to win but peaked on her run over the concluding stages while the next runner home Splintex (Snitzel) faltered under the top weight after leading the field up into the final furlong.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Goodwood Farm, Private Eye was a $62,500 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds and Pride Thoroughbreds via the draft of Ambergate Farm.
He is the second foal out of unplaced mare Confidential Queen (Shamardal {USA}), who herself is out of half-sister to Champion Sire Snitzel and Hinchinbrook.
His grandam Royal Snippets (Royal Academy {USA}) is also a half-sister to the grandam of G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner Arcaded (Street Boss {USA}).
Stakes-performed gallopers Rathlin (Fastnet Rock) and Redoutable Heart (Redoute’s Choice) also feature in Confidential Queen’s second dam line.
She is currently in foal to Shalaa (Ire) after missing to Pariah and Shalaa in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Private Eye is the first stakes winner this season for his Stockwell Thoroughbreds sire Al Maher, who himself is responsible for a further 34 stakes winners during his lifetime.
Al Maher will stand the upcoming breeding season for a service fee of $8800 (inc GST).
Moonee Valley, Listed Long Fine Hospitality Supplies Carlyon S., $160,000, 1000m
Race summary
Ballistic Lover (Smart Missile) triumphed over a field of quality sprinters in this event.
The Joseph Pride-trained 4-year-old was rated superbly by Damian Lane after settling one out, one back in the run.
Lane refused to engage in a speed battled and allowed resuming speedster Ancestry (The Brothers War {USA}) to roll along under his own steam out in front.
He continued to bide his time before presenting the mare into clear air at top of the straight. From there she quickly shot past the labouring Ancestry before levelling up alongside Esta La Roca (NZ) (El Roca) at the 150-metre mark.
The pair continued to fight it out neck and neck until Ballistic Lover pulled clear over the final 50 metres.
Jamie Kah was forced to ride Miss Albania (Magnus) upside down after she stepped slow into stride. The talented mare settled last in the run and found herself spotting the lead more than 6l throughout.
However, to Miss Albania’s credit she attacked the line with intent to round out the minors ahead of rank outsider Ashlor (Hard Spun {USA}).
Pedigree notes
An $80,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Tricolours Racing and Syndications via the draft of Newgate Farm, Ballistic Lover is out of She’s A Sweetheart (Show A Heart), who herself is a half-sister to the dual Group 2-winning, G1 Coolmore Stud S. third placegetter Lean Mean Machine.
The duo’s dam She’s Meaner (Favelon), a R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up is out of a G1 Avondale Gold Cup winning half-sister to the multiple Group 1-placed Love Conquers All.
She’s A Sweetheart’s 2-year-old filly by Snitzel was passed in at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale after failing to meet her reserve of $150,000.
She is currently in foal to Fastnet Rock.
Ballistic Lover notched up Smart Missile's first stakes winner this season. She also captured a city double for the Twin Hills Stud stallion after More Prophets saluted in the fifth event at Randwick.
The dual stakes winner remains as Smart Missile's 20th individual stakes winner.
He will stand the upcoming breeding season at Twin Hills Stud for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Moonee Valley, Listed McMahon’s Dairy McKenzie S., $160,000, 1200m
Race summary
He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant {NZ}) motored home over the concluding stages to run down the highly rated Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) under the urges of Daniel Moor.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained gelding lobbed in a midfield position alongside eventual third placegetter Atherlic (Exceed And Excel) before being asked to gradually work into the race from the 800-metre mark.
From there Moor continued to peel back the margin from tearaway leaders Jigsaw and Rock Artist (Wandjina) before presenting with a strong run from the 400-metre mark.
When asked for the ultimate effort entering the straight, He’s Xceptional responded and levelled up alongside Jigsaw. From there the pair traded blows until the latter knocked up late at his first attempt over 1200 metres.
The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained Daily Bugle (Press Statement) worked home evenly to finish close by in fourth.
Pedigree notes
A $40,000 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) via the draft of Newhaven Park, He’s Xceptional is out of the three-time winner She’s A Dancia (Sebring), who herself is a half-sister to the G3 Manfred S. runner-up Into Orbit (Northern Meteor).
She’s A Dancia hails from a second dam line that features three-time New Zealand Group 1 winner Ballroom Babe (NZ) (Citidancder {Ire}) and G1 Arrowfield Stud S. third placegetter Just Dancing (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}).
G3 McNeil S. winner Tahni Girl (Redoute’s Choice) also features in She’s A Dancia’s enriched second dam line.
She’s A Dancia had a filly by Xtravagant (NZ) knocked down to McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.
She is currently in foal to Xtravagant after missing to Sidestep in 2020.
He’s Xceptional gifted Newhaven Park stallion Xtravagant his maiden stakes success and second individual winner for the season.
Xtravagant will stand the upcoming breeding season for a service fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
