G1 Black Caviar Lightning S., $1,000,000, 1000m
A race that certainly lived up to its hype, the G1 Lightning S. provided for a cracker of a finish with the favourite Nature Strip (Nicconi) trying so hard after striking early interference but just unable to pick up an equally gallant Home Affairs (I Am Invincible).
The 23rd 3-year-old winner of this dash down the Flemington straight, Home Affairs lifted when challenged - making it four wins (two at Group 1 level at Flemington) from just eight starts... and now Royal Ascot beckons.
Bred by Torryburn Stud and purchased by Tom Magnier for $875,000 at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Home Affairs is just the second foal for the up-and-coming broodmare Miss Interiors (Flying Spur) whose first foal is the Group 1-placed Aysar (Deep Field) - whilst her third Wilbury (a $1.05 million Inglis Easter graduate by Capitalist) is a recent jump-out winner who ran soundly when debuting in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate last spring.
Last year paying a return visit to Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) having foaled a Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) filly, Miss Interiors has a Dundeel colt due to go through the ring at the Inglis Easter Sale.
One of his high-achieving sire's 75 stakes winners, Home Affairs hails from one of the world's great families, his fifth dam being Northern Dancer's (Can) wonderful daughter Fanfreluche (Can). And his dam is bred on a 4 X 4 cross of that mare, also third dam of Flying Spur (Danehill {USA}).
What a family this is, Miss Interiors being a half-sister to the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Russian Revolution (Snitzel) who has made such an encouraging start to his stud career whilst others to win at the elite level amongst this clan include Encosta De Lago (Fairy King {USA}), Majestic Roi (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}), Medici (Chi) (Sir Cat {USA}), L'Enjoleur (Can) (Buckpasser {USA}), Aube Indienne (Fr) (Bluebird {USA}) and Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) (Danehill {USA}).
G3 The TAB Vanity S., $200,000, 1400m
Yet another homebred stakes winner on the Flemington card, Barb Raider (Rebel Raider) doing a great job for Graeme Gathercole - securing black-type success with her third success from just seven starts on the back of a G1 Thousand Guineas placing in the spring.
Hailing from the third-last crop of her G1 VRC Derby and G1 South Australian Derby winner who died in 2019, Barb Raider is the fifth stakes winner for that son of the unbeaten Reset (Zabeel {NZ}).
He is the first foal for the lightly raced Corowa winner Graebarb (Host {Chi}) whose 2-year-old Graewazi (Our Wazi) is also a member of the Jerome Hunter/Gathercole stable. Served last spring by Prized Icon (More Than Ready {USA}), she foaled a filly last spring by Squamosa (Not A Single Doubt).
Graebarb is a full sister to the multiple city winner Flying Hostess from the family of the G1 WA Derby winner Firing Range (Kala Dancer {GB}) and the "Discreet" horses who have fared so well in South Australian and beyond in recent years.
G3 CS Hayes S., $200,000, 1400m
Despite a rise in class, Pinstriped (Street Boss {USA}) has been able to remain undefeated after three starts and he did it in good style too, showing plenty of heart over the final stages.
Bred by Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds and purchased by trainer Enver Jusufovic with Gary Mudgway for $80,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, Pinstriped is stakes winner number 60 for his Darley-based sire.
He is the second foal and second winner for the city-placed winner Snitzel Blitz (Snitzel), a full sister to the Group 2-placed Moreau from the family of European Horse of the Year Arazi (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and the UK Champion 3-Year-Old Miler Noverre (USA) (Rahy {USA}).
Served last spring by Capitalist (Written Tycoon), Snitzel Blitz had a Written Tycoon (Iglesia) colt sell at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale for $150,000 to Riversley Park.
Whilst Street Boss (Street Cry {Ire}) is known for his Northern Dancer (Can) (Nearctic {Can})-free pedigree, he does have that legendary stallion's close relations Halo (USA) (Hail To Reason {USA}) and Machiavellian (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}). Snitzel Blitz meanwhile carries six Northern Dancer crosses and is a granddaughter to another member of this prolific family in Danehill (USA) (Danzig {USA}).
Listed Talindert S., $160,000, 1100m
There were high-priced horses contesting this G1 Blue Diamond S. lead-up but it was a homebred who was able to upstage them, I'mlovin'Ya (Capitalist) showing an impressive turn of foot at her second outing.
Bred and raced by United Syndications headed by Peter Creighton, I'mlovin'Ya is the fifth foal and fourth winner for the Listed-winning sprinter Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) whose son Immortal Love (Snitzel) won the G2 McNeil S.
Also dam of the city winner Bella Amore (Snitzel), Loveyamadly is one of the four stakes winners produced by the city-placed two-time winner Beauty World (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), also dam of the dual Group 3 winners Lite'n In My Veins (Henrythenavigator {USA}) and Hi World (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the Listed winner Ducimus (Snitzel) who won this same race five years ago.
The seventh stakes winner for her G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning sire, a Newgate resident, I'mlovin'Ya boasts duplications of Danehill (USA) (Danzig {USA}), Vain (Wilkes {Fr}) and Better Boy (Ire) (My Babu {Fr}).
Loveyamadly was served last spring by King's Legacy (Redoute's Choice) having foaled a So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) filly whilst her yearling is a colt by Rubick (Encosta De Lago).
Listed The Elms H., $160,000, 1400m
A horse who really knows how to find the line, Corner Pocket (Toronado {Ire}) was gutsy securing his first black-type victory and his eighth overall (all in a row) from just 10 starts.
Bred by Adam Sangster and Mr J Wall, Corner Pocket made his way through the sales ring on two occasions - fetching $75,000 to the bidding of Musk Creek Farm at the 2017 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale and $175,000 to Boomer Bloodstock and trainer Lindsey Smith at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
The 22nd stakes winner for his Swettenham Stud-based shuttling sire, Corner Pocket is the second live foal and first winner for the lightly raced Baize (Commands), a Muswellbrook maiden winner from just four starts.
Served last spring by Shamus Award (Snitzel) having produced consecutive colts by Puissance de Lune (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), Baize has a 2-year-old full brother (the $13,000 online purchase Balabushka) in the Jamie Edwards stable.
A half-sister to the city winner Lohengrin (Lonhro), Baize is a granddaughter of the dual Group 1 winner Shame (Scenic {Ire}), dam of the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Demerit (Lonhro).
