Race-Day Recap
Jameka’s (Myboycharlie {Ire}) brother Grandslam was a dominant winner of the Surewise VOBIS Gold Heath at Caulfield and will now head to Warrnambool for the Cup.
There was a sense of history repeating for Mornington-based trainer Matt Laurie at Caulfield.
Jamie Kah claimed riding honours at Caulfield, winning three races, while James McDonald also had a treble at Randwick.
James McDonald believes emerging sprinter Andermatt (Snitzel) – a winner of five of his nine starts - is up to a race like The Everest.
Group 1-winning sprinter Bella Vella (Commands), who couldn’t get in foal, returned to the track after the year with a brilliant first-up win at Morphettville for her new owners.
It was a big day for Proven Thoroughbreds Syndications at Doomben.
Talented Kiwi 3-year-old Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is off to Queensland, with the G1 Derby the ultimate goal.
The roll of young Newgate sire, Extreme Choice continued on Saturday with the newly announced future Rosemont Stud sire Extreme Warrior taking out the Listed Bel Esprit S.
Jameka’s brother delivers Grand performance
Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) – the younger brother of superstar mare Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}) - will be given the chance to win the Warrnambool Cup after blitzing his rivals in the Surewise VOBIS Gold Heath at Caulfield.
The 4-year-old gelding was a dominant winner, beating Ain’tnodeeldun (Dundeel {NZ}) and Agnelli (Written Tycoon).
Grandslam as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred by Rick Jamieson’s Gilgai Farm, Grandslam was purchased by Ciaron Maher for $600,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2019, and is raced by a large syndicate, including longtime friend and client of Maher, Col McKenna
Grandslam has won three of 14 starts.
“He had a long break, he’s en-route to a Warrnambool Cup, hopefully he gets there. He hasn’t been beyond 2040 metres but we’ll probably look at that next start,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher, said.
Will Bourne and Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of Inglis
“The whole team, Col McKenna, he’s been a huge supporter with these colours since I started training and for them to race Jameka and to win the big race here is unbelievable. Today’s all about the owners and the breeders.”
Grandslam was ridden to victory by Jamie Kah, and it was the first leg of treble for the star jockey (she was aboard winning 3-year-old Midwest {Zoustar} in the Avenel Equine Hospital VOBIS Gold Dash and Extreme Warrior {Extreme Choice} in the Widden Stud Bel Esprit S.).
“I thought he was going well, I wanted to see him do that today. He could’ve gone further, I couldn’t pull him up. He’s got a great set of lungs on him and he can just stay all day,” Kah said.
"I thought he (Grandslam) was going well, I wanted to see him do that today. He could've gone further, I couldn’t pull him up. He's got a great set of lungs on him and he can just stay all day." - Jamie Kah
Jameka won six races, including three Group 1s (VRC Oaks, Caulfield Cup, The BMW) and $4.8 million in prizemoney. She is the dam of Sir Bailey (Impending), which finished 11th in The Showdown.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Mckenna told TDN AusNZ.
“He’s a gelding so he doesn’t have to race in the big races, how much fun have we all had here today?
Jameka when racing | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“When I bought the horse, a lot of people said I paid a lot of money for a horse that hasn’t got a big pedigree, but he’s doing the job, and then there’s Sir Bailey.
“Having that link to Jameka is special, given she was so good to us.”
Lucky colours for Laurie
Matt Laurie was rapt with the victory of Chartres (Toronado {Ire}) in The VOBIS Sires' Guineas, and there was a bit of history repeating.
In 2019, Laurie won the inaugural running of The Showdown with Prince Of Sussex (Toronado {Ire}), who was later sold to Hong Kong where he races as Lucky Express.
Not only does Chartres have the same sire as Prince Of Sussex, he also races in the same colours.
Chartres, winner of the VOBIS Sires' Guineas at Caulfield
Chartres is out of The French House (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and was bred by Kristen Manning, who part-owns the 3-year-old.
“I’m really pleased. He’s a genuine little horse, he doesn't run a bad race and was really well-placed against this field today so it was good to see him put them away,” Laurie said
“He’s a horse that keeps making good, solid progression, he comes into the race at the right time, he responds to pressure, he’s very genuine and on paper it looked a beautiful race for him and it’s great that it’s come off.
“He’s (Chartres) a horse that keeps making good, solid progression, he comes into the race at the right time, he responds to pressure, he’s very genuine and on paper it looked a beautiful race for him and it’s great that it’s come off." - Matt Laurie
“We’ve got a couple of things in mind, but this was the priority.”
Chartres was piloted by Ethan Brown, who brought up a double with the win, after taking out the second race of the day aboard Comica (Magnus).
“He’s a nice horse, not much has gone right this prep running into track bias and whatnot, but his work here was really good on Tuesday so I had a head full of confidence and he let down the way we knew he could,” Brown said.
Ethan Brown
Chartres beat Eventually (Helmet), with The Claimant (Helmet) finishing third.
In other notable results at Caulfield, Kings Consort (Ilovethiscity) triumphed in the $1 million The Showdown, Imperial Lad (All Too Hard) won the VOBIS Gold Mile, Regardsmaree (So You Think {NZ}) took out the Spendthrift Australia Vobis Gold Sprint.
J-Mac believes Andermatt up to Everest challenge
Star jockey James McDonald beautifully bred 4-year-old Andermatt (Snitzel) is good enough to contest The Everest.
Andermatt is out of the dual Group-winning Red Ransom (USA) mare Portillo – and is half-sister to Group 2 winner Ghisoni (Lonhro).
Andermatt, winner of the Furphy H. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It was better than what it looked, I made a long, searching run on him, just so I could get to the spot I needed to get to,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central after Admermatt won Race 7 at Randwick.
“He’s improved so much this horse.
“You know that race (The Everest)… he might be up to it, he’s definitely progressing that way.”
"You know that race (The Everest)… he (Andermatt) might be up to it, he's definitely progressing that way." - James McDonald
McDonald had a treble of wins. He didn't take long to make his mark, taking out Race 2 aboard the Edward Cummings-trained Sunborn (Casino Prince).
Sunborn, winner of the Midway H. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
He made it a double in Race 6, partnering the highly talented Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained Quintello (Ire) (Intello {GB}) to her fourth win from seven starts.
William Pike rode two winners – Bandi’s Boy (The Brothers War {USA}) in Race 1 and Irish Sequel (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in Race 4.
Bella back from the breeding barn with a bang
Group 1-winning Bella Vella (Commands) returned to racing on a winning note, scoring a gusty win in the G3 R N Irwin S. at Morphettville.
Bella Vella was serviced three times by I Am Invincible in the spring and, for no identifiable reason, did not get in foal.
First-up in more than a year, the 7-year-old led from outside and withstood the challenge of fellow Group 1 winner Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt), while Dexelation (Ambidexter) finished third.
Bella Vella, winner of the G3 R N Irwin S. at Morphettville | Image courtesy of Clarken Racing
Bella Vella was bought by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $100,000 as a yearling at Magic Millions in 2016, before being purchased for $22,500 at a Inglis Online Sale in April 2019. She was was sent to Magic Millions’ National Broodmare last year, selling to Rosemont Stud for $1.9 million.
She has now won 12 of 36 starts and more than $1 million in prizemoney.
Trained by Will Clarken, Bella Vella was ridden to victory by Kayla Crowther.
Bella Vella, who also failed to get in foal to Criterion (NZ) in 2019, is expected to tackle the G1 Robert Sangster S., the race she won in 2020.
Bella Vella, when bought by Rosemont Stud for $1.9 million at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Meanwhile, Champagne Dreams (Reward For Effort) posted a dominant victory under Jake Toeroek in the Listed Redelva S. The filly is trained by Wayne Francis and Glen Kent.
Manhatten Times (Manhattan Rain) ran second, with Serdaess (Astern) third
And, earlier, Henry Dwyer’s Prairie Flower (Star Turn) won Race 2 for 2-year-olds.
Quinella for Proven Thoroughbred Syndications at Doomben
Vancouver filly Canadian Dancer led home a 1-2 finish for Proven Thoroughbred Syndications in Saturday’s Listed Eureka Stud Princess S. at Doomben.
The Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained filly beat stablemate Teranga (Sebring), with Clarry Conners’ Mokulua (Redoute’s Choice) running third.
Canadian Dancer, winner of the Listed Princess S. at Doomben | Image courtesy of Proven Thoroughbreds
“There is only two opportunities for 3-year-old fillies in Queensland at a mile or less, the Mode S. and this race, so it is definitely a race we target with fillies that we have an opinion of,” O’Dea said.
“To come here today and both fillies running so well is huge for the owners.
“Teranga might be looking for a bit further now, which was always the query after already having a run at a mile. She is out of an Oaks winner (Tinto).
Steven O'Dea | Image courtesy of Proven Thoroughbreds
“The wet track was the query with Canadian Dancer, which brought the other filly into it, but she was always going to be a little sharper at the mile. It was a great result.
“It is so important to get these fillies to stakes level.”
Offered by Vinery Stud, Canadian Dancer is from Kicker (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}), a half-sister to G1 Secretariat S. winner Startac (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}).
A $50,000 buy at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (Book 1) in 2020, Canadian Dancer becomes the ninth stakes winner for Woodside Park recruit Vancouver.
Canadian Dancer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Elsewhere on the Doomben card the Chris Anderson-trained Rubiquitous (Rubick) took out the Listed Mick Dittman Plate, while Chris Waller’s Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) triumphed in the Listed TAB Tails S.
Pinarello bound for Queensland
The superbly bred Pinarello (NZ) became Tavistock’s (NZ) 36th individual stakes winner when he was victorious in Saturday’s G2 Trelawney Stud Championship S. at Pukekohe.
And, assuming he comes through the run well, he will head to Queensland on Friday for an assault on the G3 Rough Habit Plate and G1 Queensland Derby.
Pinarello (NZ), winner of the G2 Championship S. at Pukekohe | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“It was a very good performance,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood told TDN AusNZ.
“We’ve always had a high opinion of him, so to get that win today was satisfying.
“If he bounces through his run, he’ll head to Queensland.”
“If he (Pinarello) bounces through his run, he’ll head to Queensland.” - Robert Wellwood
From the Group 3-winning mare Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), the gelding was bred by and is raced by Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Pinarello was too good for Titled (Exceed And Excel) and Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor {USA}).
Pinarello was fifth in the G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby at his penultimate start.
Zonza is the dam of Listed winner Bavella (Snitzel) and Group 2 winner Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}).
Earlier in the day at Pukekohe, Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) won the Staphanos By Deep Impact Listed Champagne S., while Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) took out the G3 Manco Easter H.
Carolina Reaper (NZ), winner of the G3 Easter H. at Pukekohe | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Another Group win for Te Akau, Walker
The Mark Walker-trained Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) notched another Group victory on Saturday, winning the G3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup at Riccarton.
Ridden by Jason Laking, the Te Akau-raced 6-year-old gelding proved too strong for Asathought (So You Think) and Irish Girl (El Roca).
Prise De Fer placed in three Group 1s in New Zealand last spring.
Jason Laking and Prise De Fer (NZ) after winning the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup at Riccarton | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He was really good today and deserved that win,” Walker told TDN AusNZ.
“It’s a time-honoured race, so it’s great for the owners, who have been very patient with him.
“He’s had a long-enough campaign, so he can go to the paddock and we’ll aim him at the Hawke’s Bay Carnival.”
"It's a time-honoured race, so it's great for the owners, who have been very patient with him (Prise De Fer)." - Mark Walker
Bred by Raffles Dancers and offered by Trelawney Stud, Prise De Fer fetched NZ$100,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale.
Prise De Fer’s dam Foiled (Snippets) is also the dam of Group 2 winner Belong To Many (Belong To me {USA}).
Earlier, Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines) made it back-to-back wins, turning over talented filly Reputabelle (NZ) (Pins) in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep S. at Riccarton.
Burgie (NZ), winner of the Listed Warstep S. at Riccarton | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
A homebred for co-trainers Brian and Shane Anderton, Burgie was ridden to victory by Terry Moseley.
The Waikato Stud-bred, Te Akau’s Belle Of The Ball (NZ) (Savabeel), was second, with Reputabelle in third, 3l from the winner.
Ghibellines, who stands at White Robe Lodge in Otago, is the sire of Markus Aurelius (NZ), who won the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile in November.
Extreme success continues
The roll of young Newgate sire, and Australia's most expensive sire, Extreme Choice continued on Saturday with the newly announced future Rosemont Stud sire Extreme Warrior taking out the Listed Bel Esprit S. fresh up for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr Racing.
Extreme Warrior, winner of the Listed Bel Esprit S. at Caulfield | Standing at Rosemont Stud, image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The 3-year-old colt was steered to victory under a cool Jamie Kah ride, with Queensland plans in the pipeline for the brilliant sprinter.
"He's a beautiful colt, he's got a massive hip... it's what Extreme Choice can throw," said Kent Jnr after the race.
"He's got a freakish action. He's a big bull with a lot of improvement to come but the (G1) The Goodwood is four weeks away so he might have a run in between."
"He's (Extreme Warrior) got a freakish action. He's a big bull with a lot of improvement to come but the (G1) The Goodwood is four weeks away so he might have a run in between." - Michael Kent Jnr
Extreme Warrior was sold by Glenlogan Park for $160,000 to Mick Price and Dermot Farrington at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Extreme Choice will stand for $275,000 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm this season, while Extreme Warrior will stand the upcoming season at Rosemont Farm once his campaign is completed.
