Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Race-Day Recap

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Irish raider State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) edged out star 3-year-old Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and then survived a tense protest to win the Cox Plate.

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Big-race bridesmaid Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) finally broke through for a well-deserved victory in the inaugural $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.

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A last-start winner of the G2 Stan Fox S., Hilal (Fastnet Rock) returned to Randwick and delivered a repeat result in the $1 million Bondi S.

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Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained the quinella in the G2 Drummond Golf Vase as Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) reeled in the runaway leader Commander Harry (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).

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With a strong victory in the G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) continued a successful spring for Grahame Begg's stayers.

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Just Folk (Magnus) delivered a massive result for trainer Josh Julius and his family with a win in the G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile.

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Te Akau Racing have a couple of exciting contenders for Group 1 classics at Riccarton next month following bold black-type performances by Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and Noverre (NZ) (Savabeel).

Irish flag flies high in Cox Plate

After a controversial omission, shock scratchings, wet weather and an agonising few minutes in the stewards’ room, Irish raider State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) stood tall as the winner of the 101st running of the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The week leading into the weight-for-age championship was laced with twists and turns, from the decision to omit Keiai Nautique (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) from the final field, to the scratchings of Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) and hot favourite Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and then Saturday’s rain-affected Soft 5 track further complicating a confusing picture.

But after all of that, it all came down to two horses going to war down the Moonee Valley straight. In one corner was State Of Rest, whose trainer Joseph O’Brien was attempting to follow in the footsteps of his father Aidan, who won the great race with Adelaide (Ire) in 2014. In the other was outstanding 3-year-old Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), bidding to give Godolphin a Cox Plate to sit alongside the global operation’s previous successes in the Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

State Of Rest came from third-last and scythed through the field coming up to the home turn, hitting the front at the top of the straight for Australian-based Irish jockey John Allen. But Anamoe went with him, diving through on his inside with Craig Williams in the saddle.

The two went to war through the last 100metres, with State Of Rest rolling inwards and bumping Anamoe during their desperate tussle. Anamoe gave it everything he had, but State Of Rest resisted his challenge and maintained his advantage by a mere 0.1l.

“Unbelievable really, and to do it on an Irish horse makes it all the more special,” Allen said. “With how well he quickened, I was surprised another one got to me as quickly as he did. It was a ding-dong battle, and luckily we got our head down on the line.

“There wasn’t a bit of a bump, and I couldn’t celebrate at first. There were a few anxious moments. Craig's always a good talker, we all know that. But I think the right decision was made.”

Anamoe gallant in defeat

Attempting to become the first Caulfield Guineas winner to claim the Cox Plate since Red Anchor (NZ) (Sea Anchor {Ire}) in 1984, Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) lost little in his 0.1l defeat.

“It is our greatest Australian weight-for-age race that we have, and the performance of this 3-year-old was excellent – very game in defeat,” jockey Craig Williams said.

“Contact was made by the winner. I hoped that we had grounds to overturn the positions in the stewards’ room, but we weren’t so fortunate. That’s racing and we move on.

“He is a serious racehorse, and for a 3-year-old to go so close, he’s a real Australian star in the making. Looking forward to his future starts, and it’s just unfortunate that we ran second today.”

Icebath has her day in the sun

Sick of being so close but so far away, trainer Brad Widdup finally had a victory to savour as his stable star Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) broke through for a richly deserved big-race triumph in Saturday’s inaugural $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.

Icebath went into Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature as the winner of only three of her 24 starts, but she had earned more than $2.6 million through her second placings in photo finishes to the $7.5 million Golden Eagle and the G1 Doncaster H.

Saturday was finally her day, finishing brilliantly from back in the field for a 1.39l victory in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy.

“We came close in two other big races but didn’t quite get there,” Widdup said. “But how good is she?

“She does deserve it. It’s great to see. It has been a long wait, not only me but for the owners and staff. Everyone is a part of it. The whole preparation she’s been flying and I’ve been trying to keep a lid on it.

“I thought we were in for a good performance today if we could get the right run. Finally! It’s been the story of her career. Even early on in her 2-year-old career, she was very unlucky there in a couple of those good races, and it’s just fantastic to see her get a reward today.”

Hilal clearly the best in Bondi

High-class colt Hilal (Fastnet Rock) lived up to expectations with a powerful come-from-behind victory in Saturday’s $1 million Bondi S. at Randwick.

The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained runner was a clear favourite after an emphatic last-start victory in the G2 Stan Fox S. at the same track on October 9, and Saturday’s $1 million feature proved to be more of the same.

Hilal broke slowly from the starting gate and settled third-last for most of the race, but then unleashed a sustained run down the outside to reel in Keefy (All Too Hard) and reach the finish line 1.25l ahead.

Raced by his breeders Emirates Park, Hilal has now had 10 starts for three wins, four placings and just under $1.1 million in stakes.

As well as his Stan Fox S. victory earlier this month, the colt also picked up Group 1 placings in last season’s G1 Sires’ Produce S. and Champagne S.

“He loves Randwick, he just thrives here,” Michael Hawkes said. “Last start he really put the writing on the wall. But even if you go back to his 2-year-old days, when he ran second at Group 1 level, we knew we had a special colt then.

“This preparation, he has really started to hit the line and put it all together. Last start, and obviously today, he still wants to lay in, but once he gets clear of those horses, he just really fights and he wants to hit the wire.

“I think he’ll keep getting better. He’s just been a work in progress really. We love making colts, and Emirates have been good supporters of ours. We just love doing it.”

Vase quinella for Busuttin and Young

Expat New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young know what it takes to win a G1 Victoria Derby, and on Saturday they had two potential contenders for the Flemington feature fighting out the finish of the G2 Drummond Golf Vase.

Busuttin and Young saddled Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) to win the Derby a decade ago, and their top seed, by the same sire as that previous winner, at Moonee Valley on Saturday was the $2 favourite Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) – the winner of the G2 Stutt S. at this course two starts back before a strong-finishing sixth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

However, coming up to the home turn, Forgot You looked in real danger of being upstaged by an unsung stablemate. Commander Harry (Reliable Man {GB}), who was a $101 outsider, went for gold with 500 meters to run and opened a 5-length lead with Linda Meech in the saddle.

But Forgot You moved through his gears for in-form jockey Daniel Moor, gradually closing the gap and drawing up alongside his stablemate inside the last 100 metres. He slowly but surely gained the upper hand and won by 0.2l.

“It’s a fantastic result,” Young said. “We’ve got a share of Forgot You, so I was kind of glad that he got the bob in there. He always leaves us with our hearts in our mouths. But it was a good ride by Linda Meech on Commander Harry – great for SCT.

“It’s really good to have two live contenders for the Derby next Saturday.”

Forgot You was a $330,000 purchase from the 2020 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, while Commander Harry cost just NZ$50,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Third-placed Jungle Magnate (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) completed a New Zealand-bred trifecta. Bought for NZ$75,000 from the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained runner had previously placed in the Listed Hill Smith S., and he is the first black-type performer for Westbury Stud’s first season sire Tarzino (NZ).

More Cup success for Begg

A week on from a mighty second in the G1 Caulfield Cup by Nonconformist (Rebel Raider), trainer Grahame Begg has made his presence felt again in another spring staying feature.

Begg’s in-form mare Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) claimed the biggest win of her career in Saturday’s $1 million G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

“It’s absolutely outstanding,” Begg said. “She’s been a model of consistency right through, right from the time I got her. She took a bit to work out, but she keeps stepping up.

“We had a few doubts with the track deteriorating a little bit, but she’s hard fit, came off a good mile-and-a-half run a few weeks ago, and what a great job. We’re so pleased to win for the connections. Great race to win – fair dinkum, a million-dollar race.”

Begg has guided Lunar Flare into a career-best patch of form this spring, claiming her first black-type win in the Listed RM Ansett Classic at Mornington last start. Saturday was even bigger and even better, finishing strongly from third-last to edge out Floating Artist (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and veteran stayer Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) in a tight three-way finish.

However, Lunar Flare will not have the chance to add the Melbourne Cup to her dream run.

“I didn’t leave her in the Melbourne Cup, because she’d got beaten the start before it was time to pay up,” Begg said. “I thought it was a bit hard to try and run her in a Melbourne Cup after a disappointing run. But she’s done her job since then, so we’ll have to consider what we’ll do - a Queen Elizabeth or something like that.”

Just Folk takes Julius to pinnacle

Bendigo trainer Josh Julius celebrated the first black-type victory of his career when the under-rated Just Folk (Magnus) scored in Saturday’s G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile.

After battling down the straight with Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Just Folk edged ahead by 0.5l to give his trainer and part-owner an unforgettable career highlight.

“It’s pretty surreal,” said Julius, who has trained a total of 39 winners since starting his career in 2014.

“We scratched from last night. It’s obviously not the most regal Crystal Mile ever run, but we thought with the form that he’s in, it might be our chance. To come out and do it is a massive thrill.

“My fiancée Cassie and myself, we’re lucky to be leasing a fair share of him off my grandparents. They bred him at home, and to have him here doing this for us is massive. A Group winner in my grandparents’ colours, too, it is just huge.

“His uncle is Tears I Cry, who I was lucky to strap when he ran third in this race. This family has been terrific for our family.”

The under-rated Just Folk has now won five of his 15 starts, and Saturday’s win capped a consistent run of form. The 5-year-old had won or placed in four of his last five starts, including a second in the Listed Paris Lane S. at Flemington, and he was close up behind likely G1 Cantala S. favourite Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) when a last-start fifth in the Listed Seymour Cup.

Te Akau 3-year-olds impress

Although they were later luckless with Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Cox Plate and Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in The Invitation, New Zealand's Te Akau Racing and trainer Jamie Richards enjoyed a spectacular Saturday on home soil.

The syndication powerhouse won six races across the Matamata and Riccarton meetings, including a pair of super-impressive Group 3 victories by potential candidates for next month’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

First up was the G3 Matamata Veterinary Services Soliloquy S. at Matamata, which was brilliantly won by Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) after rearing at the start and losing several lengths.

Bought for $360,000 by David Ellis from the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Imperatriz has now won four of her five starts including the G2 Eclipse S., G3 Northland Breeders’ S. and G3 Soliloquy S.

Less than 20 minutes later, the G3 War Decree S. at Riccarton was a breakout race for Noverre (NZ) (Savabeel). Awkwardly placed in traffic and more than 6l from the leader at the top of the straight, the talented colt built up his momentum and then mowed down the favourite Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) for a superb win.

Noverre was bought by Ellis for NZ$800,000 from the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He has now had two wins and three placings from six career starts, with the promise of much more to come.

Meanwhile, there were also 2-year-old races staged at both Riccarton and Matamata on Saturday afternoon. The Riccarton event was won by first-starter Grace’s Secret (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), while fellow debutant Mascarinto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) romped home by 6.75l in a spectacular performance at Matamata.

Having just the ninth start of his career but racing in a fourth different country, State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) edged out Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and survived a protest to win an unforgettable 101st running of Australasia’s weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

It was the latest in a long line of big-race scalps for O’Brien, who won 30 Group 1 races as a jockey before retiring to start a training career in 2016. The transition has been seamless and spectacular, with more than 20 Group 1 training successes already including Melbourne Cups with Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).

“It’s unbelievable,” O’Brien’s travelling foreman Mark Power said after Saturday’s Cox Plate triumph. “Today is nothing but a true reflection of what it took to get this horse here today.

“We have a fair man pre-training them for us in Joseph O’Brien as well. It’s their standard, and it’s a credit to the whole team at home.

“Johnny Allen was super on him, you won't get stronger than him inside the last 200 metres from Johnny there.

“It’s just amazing to win this Cox Plate. It’s been on Joseph’s agenda for a long time to win this race – ever since Adelaide’s win.

“From the moment he got off the plane and touched down in Werribee, his work had been really good. MJ Doran rides him every day at home. The horse can be a little bit of a handful sometimes, so MJ is the right man for him.

“He was always delighted with him, we were reporting to Joseph that we were happy with him, and he’s proven it here today.”

Born and raised at Tinnakill

State Of Rest was bred in Ireland by Dermot Cantillon and Meta Osborne's Tinnakill House, a pair well-known to Australia as frequent travellers to the spring carnival. He is the second foal out of the unraced American-bred mare Repose (USA) (Quiet American {USA}).

A half-sister to the Listed winners Prince Alzain (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) and Echo River (USA) (Irish River {Fr}), Repose is a granddaughter of champion American filly It’s In The Air (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}).

The winner of 16 races including five at the elite level, It’s In The Air is also the grandam of multiple Group 1 winner and sire Storming Home (GB), whose son Lion Tamer (NZ) won the Victoria Derby in 2010, while other descendants of the globally influential mare include Australian Group 1 winners Alverta (Flying Spur) and Glencadam Gold (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}).

Repose’s first foal was the unplaced Dybalamask (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), while State Of Rest’s younger half-sister Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}) has been a winner as a 2-year-old this season and finished second in the Listed Staffordstown Stud S. at The Curragh. Repose produced a filly foal this year by Dandy Man (Ire).

Globe-trotting star

State Of Rest was bought for 45,000 gns (AU$83,000) as a weanling by Diamond Bloodstock at the 2018 Tattersalls December Foals Sale, then fetched a winning bid of 60,000 gns (AU$110,700) from Aiden O'Ryan/Joseph O’Brien at the October Yearling Sale the following year.

Racing in the colours of Teme Valley, State Of Rest began his career with a debut victory over 1200 metres at Fairyhouse in Ireland in June last year. His remaining five starts as a 2-year-old produced a second at Leopardstown, a fifth in the G3 Tyros S., a fourth at Naas, a third in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster in England, and a fifth in Doncaster’s G1 Futurity Trophy almost exactly 12 months ago.

State Of Rest began his 3-year-old season with a third in the Listed Celebration S. at The Curragh in late June, then he crossed the Atlantic for an impressive victory in the G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational S. in upstate New York on August 7. Saturday’s Cox Plate was just his third start for the year.

That America-to-Australia pathway was followed by Aidan O’Brien with Adelaide in 2014, winning the G1 Secretariat S. at Arlington Park and placing in the G1 Belmont Derby en route to his Cox Plate victory.

Treble of spring majors on the cards for Rosemont stallions

State Of Rest became the first Australian Group 1 winner for Rosemont Stud’s Starspangledbanner, who was a champion sprinter in both hemispheres and has previously been represented by elite European winners Millisle (Ire) and The Wow Signal (Ire).

Starspangledbanner stands for a 2021 service fee of $16,500 (inc GST) at Rosemont, whose stallion lineup also notably features Shamus Award – sire of last Saturday’s spectacular G1 Caulfield Cup winner and overpowering Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise.

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

First-up was the $400,000 R. Listed Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley, which counts the outstanding racehorse and sire of the Cox Plate winner, Starspangledbanner among its previous winners.

This year’s edition was won by the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}), who showed good speed out of the gates and took up a handy position through the first half of the race.

The talented colt quickened again coming around the turn, opening up a commanding lead in the straight and scoring by 2l in the hands of Jye McNeil.

“The ultimate professional is the best way to describe him,” McNeil said. “He knew what he had to do today and he put himself in the best possible position and acquitted himself really well. He’s got ability to match.”

Racing in the green and gold colours of Werrett Bloodstock, Semillion was a $300,000 purchase from Blue Gum Farm’s draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

He is out of the twice-winning Bel Esprit mare Sistonic, who comes from a family that is so familiar and special to Werrett Bloodstock. She is a three-quarter sister to the great Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) as well as Naturale (Bel Esprit), who is the dam of the G1 Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas hero Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).

Wayne Hawkes was delighted with Saturday’s debut victory, which followed some promising performances at the jump-outs.

“At the end of the day, you know what you’ve got and I wasn’t worried about the odds,” Hawkes said. “It is all about how they jump, and he had flown a couple of times in his jumpouts.

“He did a really good job and he flew the start. He wasn’t in a hurry to get to the front, he just took his time. It was a really good ride.

“This is the end of the prep. He’s strong in the shoulder and he’s strong in behind, but he’s quite narrow in the middle. I reckon winning a $400,000 race on Cox Plate Day, he’s earned a break.”

Godolphin filly impresses

Just 15 minutes later at Randwick, a talented group of 2-year-olds lined up in the World Gym Castlereagh Kirkham Plate. Five of the 13 runners carried the all-blue colours of Godolphin, and it was the filly Ojai (Exceed And Excel) who came out on top.

Angled back to the inside by jockey Tim Clark after wayward front-runner Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible) began to drift outwards in the straight, Ojai pinned her ears back and charged through to grab her in the last couple of strides.

“She’s obviously a really racy type,” Clark said. “We got into a nice position today, using the good tactical speed that she possesses.

“The second horse was running around a bit in the straight, so we got back to the inside and she really knuckled down and quickened up nicely.

“She’ll continue to improve, no doubt. She’s still having a good look about and she’s still new, but there’s definitely some talent there. She can only improve from what she’s done today.”

A Godolphin homebred, Ojai became the second winner from just two foals to race out of the Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Matilija, who herself won two races and placed in the G3 PJ Bell S. and Typhoon Tracy S.

Matilija’s dam is the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic winner Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), a half-sister to Victoria Derby winner and sire Benicio and granddaughter of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Bint Marscay (Marscay).

Assistant trainer Darren Beadman was Godolphin’s representative at Randwick on Saturday, with head trainer James Cummings recently welcoming a baby boy.

“The breeding barn has been very busy in the Cummings family,” Beadman said. "I believe bub and Mum are both doing well, and James is jumping out of his skin.

“That win by Ojai was very pleasing to see. She’s a very natural, athletic filly and very light on her feet. When she trialled here 10 or 12 days ago, she took everything in her stride and was very professional. She pinged out of the gates and put herself there. She’s got good natural speed and is out of a very fast family.”

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

G1 Ladbrokes W.S Cox Plate, $5,000,000, 2040m

Cheers in Ireland and down at Rosemont Stud as Starspangledbanner's son State Of Rest (Ire) withstood a lengthy protest to add the G1 W.S Cox Plate to his international resume.

One of his globe-trotting multiple Group 1-winning sire's 21 stakes winners and his third Group 1 winner, State Of Rest is a half-brother to the promising Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}) who was stakes-placed at her third start in Ireland just a couple of weeks ago.

His dam is the unraced Repose (USA) (Quiet American {USA}) whose dam is the Listed winner Monaassabaat (USA) (Zilzaal {USA}), also dam of the stakes winners Prince Alzain (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) and Echo River (USA) (Irish River {Fr}).

State Of Rest's third dam is the US Champion 3-Year-Old Filly It's In The Air (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}) who has had local influence as the third dam of the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Alverta (Flying Spur).

He is the fourth member of the Danehill (USA) sireline to win the W.S Cox Plate with the others being Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}), Dane Ripper (Danehill {USA}) and Shamus Award (Snitzel).

State Of Rest has just the one duplication (6 X 5 Northern Dancer{Can}) within six generations of his pedigree but his dam is bred on a close 3 X 3 cross of Mr Prospector (USA) who hails from the same Frizeur (FR) (Sweeper {Fr}) family as Shecky Greene (USA) whose grandson Made Of Gold (USA) is Starspangledbanner's damsire.

Another seven of Starspangledbanner's stakes winners are out of mares carrying a Mr Prospector (USA) strain.

G2 McCafé Moonee Valley Gold Cup, $1,000,000, 2500m

Travelling well before the turn and just needing a bit of luck, Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) got the run though and was strong to the line.

Bred by Mojo Thoroughbreds, Lunar Flare is one of the eight stakes winners sired by Widden Victoria's G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire) who is showing a real affinity for Encosta De Lago line mares.

Whilst his overall strike rate sits at 53.2 per cent, his winner ratio with mares carrying an Encosta De Lago strain is 72.2 per cent and another two of those (Hawkshot and Power Scheme) are stakes winners.

Fiorente hails from the same Simon's Shoes (GB) (Simon Square {GB}) family as Encosta De Lago's sire Fairy King (USA) noting that Lunar Flare's dam is bred on a 3 X 4 cross of Fairy King's dam Fairy Bridge (USA) (Bold Reason {USA}), also dam of Sadler's Wells (USA).

Lunar Flare is one of nine winners for the reliable broodmare My Fair Lago who has also produced the stakes-placed gallopers Sea Of Tranquility (Dash For Cash) and Eagle Command (Dash For Cash) whilst her winning daughter Lunar Lights (Bianconi {USA}) is dam of the Listed winner Honey's Steel Gold (Keep The Faith).

G2 Drummond Golf Vase, $300,000, 2040m

He had to dig deep but the short-priced favourite Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) did just that to do what his sire did, win a 2040-metre race at Moonee Valley in late October!

Bred by Garry Chittick, the second of Saturday's Savabeel stakes winners is out of the city-placed winner Simply You (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) whose dam is the G1 Salinger S. and G1 Goodwood H. winner Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).

Also able to boast the Group 1 winners Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) and Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) amongst his relations, the 2020 Inglis Ready2Race graduate (purchased by Busuttin Racing for $330,000) is one of the 21 stakes winners sired by Savabeel out of mares by O'Reilly (NZ).

Served last spring by Super Seth, Simply You has not had much luck since producing Forgot You but is still young.

Forgot You was part of a good day for horses line-bred to the mighty mare Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}) who appears via her prolific sons Sir Gaylord (USA) and Secretariat (USA).

G2 Point Motors Fillies' Classic, $300,000, 1600m

Mokulua (Redoute's Choice) had not been having the best of luck of late but made up for that by breaking her maiden in Group 2 company.

A homebred for John Singleton's Strawberry Hill Stud, the 179th stakes winner for the late Redoute's Choice, she is a full-sister to the city winner Ma And Pa out of the high-class race mare Dear Demi (Dehere {USA}).

Winner of the 2012 G1 VRC Oaks, she won a Group 2 1600-metre race for the girls at Moonee Valley - the 2014 Stocks S.

In early September foaling a filly by Pierro, Dear Demi last year produced a Frankel (GB) colt.

This is one of Australia's best stakes producing families, Dear Demi being a granddaughter of the G1 Golden Slipper S. and G1 AJC Sires' Produce S. winner Merlene (Danehill {USA}), whose dam is the triple-Group winner Bold Promise (Luskin Star). Also related are the Group 1 winners Capitalist (Written Tycoon) and Miss Pennymoney (Brocco {USA}).

Mokulua is bred on a 2 X 4 cross of Danehill (USA) whilst also carrying duplications of the excellent mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}).

G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile, $300,000, 1600m

Flashy and talented is Just Folk (Magnus), who held off his more fancied rivals with this gutsy performance, his first win in stakes company.

The 24th stakes winner for Widden Victoria's ever-reliable G1 The Galaxy winner Magnus, Just Folk was bred by the Dwyer family out of their unraced mare Fast Ruby (Desert Sun {GB}), a half-sister to the G1 Emirates S. winner Tears I Cry (Lacryma Cristi {Ire}).

A granddaughter of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Weekend Delight (NZ) (Racing Is Fun {USA}), Fast Ruby paid a return visit to Magnus last spring having also produced by him the city-placed five-times winner Highclass Harry.

The sire and dam of Just Folk are bred on the same Danzig (USA)/Sir Ivor (USA)/Tudor Melody (GB) cross.

G3 Tandem Building Group Red Anchor S., $200,000, 1200m

A promising colt who is yet to miss a placing in five starts, Generation (Snitzel) paved the way to a stud career with his first success at stakes level.

Bred by SF Bloodstock and sold to Ciaron Maher Racing/Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for $575,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Generation is the 115th stakes winner for Arrowfield's Champion Sire Snitzel.

His dam is the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude and G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Fontiton (Turffontein) who won the R. Listed Inglis Banner on this same race day in 2014.

Also dam of the Group 3-placed Pinkham (Written Tycoon), Fontiton is out of the Listed Northwood Plume S. winner Personal Ensign (Rubiton), whose grandam is the G2 SA Breeders' S. winner Golden Prayer (Amen Brother {USA}).

Sadly Fontiton died having produced just her two black-type performers who both sold well, Pinkham having fetched $200,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions.

Generation is the 15th Snitzel stakes winner line-bred to Storm Bird (Can).

G3 Powerflo Tesio S., $200,000, 1600m

Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) further accentuated just what a loss her sire is by easily winning the final race on W.S Cox Plate Day, becoming Cambridge Stud's late stallion's 33rd stakes winner - and his 12th out of a mare by Zabeel (NZ).

A cross which provides for the duplication of the great mare Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}),

Bred by Finemore Thoroughbreds and purchased by Flying Start Syndications for $25,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, Flying Mascot (NZ) is one of seven mares for the deceased mare Lucky Mascot (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

A descendant of the influential Teppo (GB) (Ladas {GB}), she is also dam of the Listed Cinderella S. winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel) and the city winner Cruachan (Commands).

Lucky Mascot's dam is the four-times Group winner Arletty (NZ) (Centaine) whose daughters have been doing a great job at stud - she also being grandam of the dual Group 1 winner Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), the Group 3 galloper He's Remarkable (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and the Listed winner Exclusive Lass (Nicconi).

Listed Food Services Crockett S., $175,000, 1200m

It was a close finish to this fillies contest with Dream Queen (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) the one with her nose out on the line, doing a great job at just her second Australian start - pulling up with a slow recovery rate, having finished out of the placings as an odds-on favourite at Mornington earlier in the month.

Bred by Hallmark Stud, home to her Singapore stakes-winning sire, Dream Queen (NZ) showed good talent in New Zealand and she is now Super Easy (NZ)'s seventh stakes winner. She is a full sister to the three-times winner Tumbleweed (NZ).

Her dam is Hampton's Gold (NZ) (Gold Mine {USA}), half-sister to the stakes-placed Orakei Korako (NZ) (Any Suggestion) from the family of NZ Champion Sprinter/Miler Gee I Jane (NZ) (Jahafil {GB}), the NZ Champion 3-Year-Old Katie Lee (NZ) (Pins) and the NZ Champion 2-Year-Old Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire}).

Served last spring by Telperion (Street Cry {Ire}), Hampton's Gold is also dam of a yearling colt by Derryn (Hinchinbrook).

R. Listed Inglis Banner, $400,000, 1000m

Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) genes were to the fore kicking off Cox Plate Day with her close relation Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}) impressive showing pace and heart at debut.

Described by jockey Jye McNeil as "the ultimate professional," the Hawkes family-trained colt, bred by Robert Crabtree, was purchased by International Thoroughbred Solutions for $300,000 at this year's Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

His dual G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S.-winning sire Shalaa (Ire) has made an encouraging start to his stud career in both hemispheres, Arrowfield Stud's son of Invincible Spirit (Ire) siring the G1 winner No Speak Alexander (Ire) in Ireland, the Listed winner King Shalaa (Fr) in France and locally, the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero, who has been twice successful at Group 3 level.

Semillion is the third foal produced by the Moonee Valley winner Sistonic (Bel Esprit), also dam of the city winner Seatonic (Sebring). She is a full sister to the Moonee Valley Listed winner Iconic (Bel Esprit), out of a daughter of Black Caviar's dual Group-winning grandam Scandinavia (Snippets).

Bred on a 4 X 4 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA), Semillion can also boast amongst his relations the Group 1 gallopers All Too Hard (Casino Prince), Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) and Magnus (Snippets), as well as this season's G3 Quezette S. winner Gimme Par (Not A Single Doubt).

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The Invitation, $2,000,000, 1400m

Another string to Savabeel's Saturday bow, in storming home from well back Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) able to provide that stallion with a nice winner as a broodmare sire.

A daughter of Waikato Stud's much-missed and four-times Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (NZ), Icebath was bred by Waikato out of the very good broodmare Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel) who won races in Melbourne and Adelaide.

All five of her foals to race are winners including the Singapore-based Group 3 winner Nowyousee (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), the Group 3-placed Just Fabulous (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) and the Hong Kong Group 3 winner Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).

Served last spring by Tivaci having produced a Sacred Falls (NZ) filly last season, Fabulist is out of the stakes-placed Fontaine with Icebath bred on a 5 X 3 cross of that mare's sire Centaine.

Also carrying a further strain of Centaine's sire Century, Icebath (a $100,000 graduate of the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale) is a descendant of the legendary mare Pretty Polly (GB) (Gallinule {GB}).

Bondi S., $1,000,000, 1600m

Hilal (Fastnet Rock) took his G2 Stan Fox S. form to this non black-type feature, again proving too strong.

One of Coolmore Stud's Champion Sire's 180 stakes winners, the Emirates Park homebred is out of their unraced but well-related mare Salma (Encosta De Lago).

A half-brother to the Australian-bred South African stakes winner Trojan Harbour (Harbour Watch {Ire}), he hails from the same branch of the prolific Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}) family as the Group 1 winners Redoute's Choice (Danehill {USA}), Hurricane Sky (Star Watch), Umatilla (NZ) (Miswaki {USA}), Platinum Scissors (Danehill {USA}), Gathering (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago), He's No Pie Eater (Canny Lad) and Shoals (Fastnet Rock).

His dam - who was served last spring by Tassort having produced a Not A Single Doubt filly last October - is out of the G2 Fernhill H. winner Salameh (Secret Savings {USA}), half-sister to the G1 Australian Guineas winner Al Maher (Danehill {USA}).

Hilal is bred on a 4 X 5 cross of Nijinsky II (Can), a horse to whom another 21 of Fastnet Rock's stakes winners are line-bred.

Listed Brian Crowley S., $200,000, 1200m

Giving a good kick at the 150-metre mark, Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) was tough to the line holding off all challengers to secure his first black-type victory.

Bred by Parsons Creek Pastoral Co and purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $180,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Mazu is stakes winner number four for Arrowfield Stud's six-times Group 1 winner who was crowned Japan's Horse of the Year in 2015.

He is a half-brother to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Headway (Charge Forward) out of the Group-placed Chatelaine (Flying Spur), who is also grandam of the Listed Redoute's Choice S. winner Let Me Sleep On It (Manhattan Rain).

Chatelaine was served last spring by Toronado (Ire) having missed at her two previous seasons.

Mazu is the 12th winner and first stakes winner bred on a Maurice (Jpn)/Danehill (USA) cross, one which has also produced the stakes-placed Balmaurice.

Listed Tattersalls Club Cup, $140,000, 2400m

G1 W.S Cox Plate-winning stallions enjoyed a great W.S Cox Plate Day, with two stakes winners for Savabeel, one for Ocean Park (NZ), and Adelaide (Ire) was not to be left out of the action... his son Torrens recording a barnstorming victory in this 2400-metre contest.

The second-stakes winner for Coolmore Stud's shuttler, Torrens - who is bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA) - is a homebred for Mr M.R Graham out of his now-retired Gold Coast winner A Little Knowledge (Dangerous).

Also dam of the multiple winners Dangerous Dan (Magic Albert) and Southern Man (Anacheeva), she is out of Lochella (Zephyr Zip), a half-sister to the G1 Champagne S. winner Select Prince (Imperial Prince {Ire}).

A Little Knowledge's final foal is yet to be named 3-year-old full brother to Torrens.

G3 Soliloquy S., NZ$80,000, 1400m

Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) sustained a long run out wide to snatch victory close to home, showing plenty of determination to make it four wins from just five starts; and her third at stakes level.

Bred by Raffles Dancers and purchased by David Ellis for $360,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is one of 66 stakes winners for Yarraman Park's high achiever I Am Invincible.

She is the second foal and first winner for Berimbau (Shamardal {USA}), who earned her black type with a G3 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic third to Lumosty (Fastnet Rock) on Cox Plate Day seven years ago.

Producing a Press Statement filly in mid-August, Berimbau is out of the winner Percussive (Encosta De Lago), half-sister to the G2 Todman Slipper Trial winner Royal Courtship (Royal Academy {USA}). She also has a Fastnet Rock filly (Cabaca) in the Chris Waller stable - a $300,000 graduate of this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Imperatriz boasts crosses of the wonderful mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).

G3 War Decree S., NZ$90,000, 1600m

Getting up on the inside of the odds-on favourite Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) at the 100 metres, Noverre (NZ) (Savabeel) was game getting clear late at his sixth outing.

It was an apt day for his sire, Waikato Stud's winner of the 2004 W.S Cox Plate, to have a new stakes winner - his 117th.

Bred by Chittick Investments and purchased by David Ellis for NZ$800,000 from Book 1 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, Noverre is the first foal for the G3 Taranaki 2Y0 Classic winner Magic Dancer (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) whose dam is the dual Listed winner Dazzling Belle (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}).

Noverre is bred on a 4 X 5 cross of Nureyev (USA), also boasting a strain of that great horse's three-quarter brother Sadler's Wells (USA) - giving him a 5 X 6 X 6 cross of the famed matriarch Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}).

Magic Dancer has only ever visited Savabeel and has another two colts by him including a 2-year-old colt who was purchased for $190,000 by Import Racing at Easter this year.

Listed Spring Classic, NZ$60,000, 2000m

He had to dig deep but he did just that, Southern Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) gutsy providing his G1 W.S Cox Plate-winning Waikato Stud-based sire with an anniversary victory!

Bred by his part-owner JR Orr, Southern Ocean is the 17th stakes winner for his sire and the first for his Listed Spring Classic-winning dam Viana (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

Back in New Zealand having been served last spring by Nicconi, Viana is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed C'mon Cuba (NZ) (Thorn Park) out of a daughter of the G2 Hollidale Cup winner Melora (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) whose half-sister is the dual Group winner Piper Star (Kaapstad {NZ})

Southern Ocean is bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Sir Tristram (Ire) with Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}) duplications.