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.”
Jye McNeil | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
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.
“He (Semillion) 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." - Wayne Hawkes
“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.”
