Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix
Race-Day Recap
Last start G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Regal Power (Pierro) delivered a repeat result with a commanding performance in Saturday’s G2 Ted Van Heemst S. at Ascot.
On the same day as he celebrated a notable milestone in his Hall of Fame training career, Murray Baker landed the G3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup with Marroni (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Group 1 performer Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) made an impressive return to racing with a last-to-first victory in the G2 Carters Manawatu Challenge S.
Unbeaten filly Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) stepped up to stakes class and carried on her winning way with a dominant performance in the G3 Ascot Green Grand Prix S. at Eagle Farm.
The two Listed races later in the Eagle Farm program, the XXXX Gold Edition Plate and TAB Lough Neagh S., were won by Me Me Lagarde (Star Turn) and Stampe (Whittington) respectively.
Precocious Perth 2-year-old Revitup (Demerit) collected the third win of her four-start career with another slick performance in the TBWA Westspeed Platinum Plate at Ascot.
Regal Power strikes again
Two weeks after snapping a 21-month win drought with a superb last-to-first performance in the G1 Kingston Town Classic, the Grant and Alana Williams trained Regal Power (Pierro) went back-to-back with a commanding victory in Saturday’s G2 Ted Van Heemst S. at Ascot.
The winner of eight races and more than $4.3 million in stakes, including previous victories in the G1 Railway S., G2 WATC Derby and the All-Star Mile, Regal Power’s accomplishments towered above his six rivals on Saturday and he was sent out as a $1.20 favourite.
Regal Power winning the G2 Ted Van Heemst S. | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
There was barely a moment’s doubt as Regal Power swooped to the lead around the home turn in the hands of jockey Patrick Carbery. The 6-year-old forged clear in the straight and crossed the finish line 1.68l in front of Platoon (Playing God), repeating his victory in the same race two years ago.
“It’s good to see that everything has worked out well for us (in this campaign),” owner-breeder Bob Peters said. “It was touch and go earlier in the year with things wrong with the horse, and it took a lot of work by a lot of people to get him back again. It’s good to see.
“I talked to Patrick before the race and told him they were liable to go a bit slow, then take off on the corner and try to put a gap on him, so I told him to be ready. I was pleased when he got going a little bit earlier.
“I talked to Patrick (Carbery) before the race and told him they were liable to go a bit slow, then take off on the corner and try to put a gap on him, so I told him to be ready. I was pleased when he got going a little bit earlier." - Bob Peters
“I haven’t thought about future plans yet. This was the last race he was going to have this time in, and now the only plan now is that he’s going to be home on the farm on Monday.”
Marroni caps Baker's milestone day
Hall of Fame trainer Murray Baker won his 1800th race in New Zealand with Oneroa (Shooting To Win) at Awapuni on Saturday afternoon, and he marked the milestone with a Group 3 victory less than two hours later.
Training in partnership with Andrew Forsman, who has shared in over 800 of those successes, Baker landed the G3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup with Marroni (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Marroni (NZ) (black hood) winning the G3 Manawatu Cup | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Ridden by Craig Grylls, the 5-year-old gelding surged to the lead in the straight and withstood a withering late challenge from Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) to score by 0.1l.
Marroni was a NZ$90,000 purchase by Baker Racing from Westbury Stud’s draft at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is out of Bacio Del Vinto (Encosta De Lago), an unraced daughter of the G1 Myer Classic and Flight S. winner Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice).
“I’ve always had a lot of time for Marroni,” Baker told NZ Racing Desk. “He has just needed a little time to come to it, although he has been wonderfully consistent and also hasn’t had the best of racing luck at times.
“He can go out for a spell now and we will bring him back for something in the autumn. I think he could be the perfect horse to take to Sydney for some of those staying races in the lesser classes.”
"I think he (Marroni) could be the perfect horse to take to Sydney for some of those staying races in the lesser classes.” - Murray Baker
Baker’s talents are renowned on both sides of the Tasman, with a long list of big-race triumphs that features five G1 Australian Derby winners in the last 13 years – Nom Du Jeu (NZ), Dundeel (NZ), Mongolian Khan, Jon Snow (NZ) and Quick Thinker.
Mongolian Khan went on to win the Caulfield Cup in the spring of his 4-year-old season in 2015, while Dundeel’s trophy cabinet also features the G1 Spring Champion S., Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Underwood S. and Queen Elizabeth S.
Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), representing a similar ownership group as Saturday’s Manawatu Cup winner, landed the New Zealand Oaks, Australian Oaks and Underwood S. in a memorable winning sequence in 2017.
Murray Baker
“I got sent some stats the other day and when Oneroa won, that was my 1800th in New Zealand,” Baker said. “Marroni made it 1801, and I’m thrilled with the success we have had here over the years.
“I’m also pretty proud of how we have done in Australia, where we have won over 60 races, but more importantly that includes 48 stakes races with 23 at Group 1 level.
“All up, I think I’ve won 55 Group 1 races here and in Aussie, so we’ve had a bit of success alright.”
Class mare shines at Awapuni
Group 1 performer Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) put a fruitless Queensland winter campaign behind her with a bold return in Saturday’s G2 Carters Manawatu Challenge S. at Awapuni.
Coventina Bay (NZ) winning the G2 Carters Manawatu Challenge S. | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
It was the first start in five months for the Robbie Patterson-trained mare, who went into the race with an outstanding first-up record of seven wins from eight starts.
Ridden by Craig Grylls, the 6-year-old dropped to the tail of the small field before producing her trademark final flourish, sailing past each of her six rivals for an easy and emphatic 1.8l victory.
“Her last trial at Foxton really brought her on, and after she galloped so well during the week, I thought she would be very hard to beat today,” Patterson said. “There were some very nice horses she was up against, so you are never too cocky about it all, but I just thought if she brought her A-game, they would have their hands full.”
“There were some very nice horses she (Coventina Bay) was up against, so you are never too cocky about it all, but I just thought if she brought her A-game, they would have their hands full.” - Robbie Patterson
Passed in at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale with a reserve of NZ$20,000, Coventina Bay has now won nine of her 18 starts and over NZ$262,000 in stakes.
The Manawatu Challenge S. was her third black-type victory, having previously taken out last season’s G3 Cuddle S. and J Swap Sprint, and she has also placed in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. and G2 Rich Hill Mile.
Patterson took his stable star across the Tasman earlier this year but she was unplaced in three appearances, finishing seventh in the G2 Dane Ripper S., 14th in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara and ninth in the Listed Glasshouse H.
Coventina Bay (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“She didn’t get the rub of the green in Brisbane,” Patterson said. “She is a back runner, and each race she contested turned out to be a sit-and-sprint affair. Her sectionals were just as good as the rest, but when you get back, you just can’t be giving that class of horse such a big start.”
Coventina Bay’s main summer targets are the G1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham on January 29 and the G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa two weeks later.
Gypsy Goddess untouchable in Grand Prix
David Vandyke headed to Eagle Farm on Saturday hoping his undefeated filly Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was the real deal, and now he has his answer.
Stepping up to stakes level for the first time in the G3 Ascot Green Grand Prix S., the emerging star added a fourth win to her perfect record with spectacular ease.
Gypsy Goddess (NZ) winning the G3 Ascot Green Grand Prix S. | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
With rider Stephanie Thornton sitting motionless in the saddle, the $1.25 favourite cruised into contention at the top of the home straight and quickly put the result beyond any doubt. Gypsy Goddess powered clear, opening up a dominant winning margin of 3.75l.
“Gee, I was confident turning for home,” Vandyke said. “Steph hadn’t moved on her. You rarely see wins as easy as that in Group races. She is a stayer, which is what I love.
“The way Steph got into a rhythm when she produced her, she had so much left.
“It is quite amazing. I have never had a horse win a Group race in the first preparation.”
“It is quite amazing. I have never had a horse win a Group race in the first preparation.” - David Vandyke
Gypsy Goddess was offered by Curraghmore at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where she failed to meet her NZ$20,000 reserve. With four wins from four starts and a Group 3 victory to her name, she has earned over $240,000 in stakes for a syndicate that includes her breeder, Dr Chris Lawler.
“I’m not sure where she stands, but she has Oaks written all over her,” Vandyke said. “I will keep an eye on her for the next two weeks, and she will not go far from home. We will see how she eats, how she is physically and mentally. Then we will decide whether to go to Sydney for the Oaks there, or whether we wait and turn up for the Oaks in Brisbane.”
Gypsy Goddess (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Haunui Farm will offer a half-brother to Gypsy Goddess by Belardo (Ire) during Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in March.
Listed wins for Me Me Lagarde and Stampe
In addition to the G3 Ascot Green Grand Prix S., Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting also featured a pair of Listed features that were convincingly won by Me Me Lagarde (Star Turn) and Stampe (Whittington).
Me Me Lagarde improved her career record to three wins from four starts with a bold performance in the XXXX Gold Edition Plate, flashing home from second-last to win by 1.75l.
“She is a good filly,” co-trainer Toby Edmonds said. “I think you would go a long way to see another run like that today.
“This track is very firm and has been on speed all day. She came from well back and put them away.
“I think blinkers have been a big addition. She is a very laid-back filly. I said to Gerry (Harvey, owner-breeder) that we are getting towards the pointy end, getting to Magic Millions time, so it’s time to put them on.”
“I think blinkers have been a big addition. She is a very laid-back filly. I said to Gerry (Harvey, owner-breeder) that we are getting towards the pointy end, getting to Magic Millions time, so it’s time to put them on.” - Toby Edmonds
Me Me Lagarde was offered by Baramul Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she was passed in with a reserve of $75,000. The 3-year-old filly has now earned over $180,000 from her four starts to date, and she is nominated for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 15.
She is one of six winners from nine foals to race out of Roedean (Flying Spur), who herself was a winner as a 2-year-old and placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).
Meanwhile, the Chris Munce-trained Stampe, who won the TAB Lough Neagh S., has now had 34 starts for seven wins, 10 placings and $597,900 in prizemoney. He is the first stakes winner for Whittington, who stands at Grandview Stud in Queensland for a service fee of $3300 (inc GST).
A multiple Listed winner including in the Breeders’ Plate as a 2-year-old, the son of Tale Of The Cat (USA) has sired 52 winners from 90 runners to date.
Revitup delivers again
Flying filly Revitup (Demerit) has electrified early 2-year-old racing in Perth this season, and Saturday was more of the same in the $125,000 TBWA Westspeed Platinum Plate at Ascot.
Ridden by Brad Parnham for local trainer Dion Luciani, Revitup turned it on coming up to the home turn and opened up a 4l margin in the blink of an eye.
A strong finish from Costume Party (A Lot {USA}) narrowed the margin, but the result was never in doubt as Revitup maintained an advantage of 0.67l all the way to the line.
“She had to do a bit of work into the wind today,” Parnham said. “She was pretty keen to get to the front.
“She’s just a real quick horse, and that’s her strength at this stage of her career – she runs the rest of them into the ground. It was a good effort today.”
“She’s (Revitup) just a real quick horse, and that’s her strength at this stage of her career – she runs the rest of them into the ground. It was a good effort today.” - Brad Parnham
Revitup has now had three wins and a second placing from just four career starts. She won on debut at Ascot in late October, then finished second in the Crystal Slipper before romping to a brilliant 4.46l win on December 4.
