Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Group 1 fillies action - the Australasian Oaks

In-form stallion Shamus Award (Snitzel) is looking for consecutive winners in this 2000-metre feature for fillies - Media Award representing him well last year.

She is one of the 16 Victorian-trained contestants amongst the 18 acceptors, a race in which local trainers have only two runners, one of which is the third emergency The Map (Alpine Eagle), the other the talented Mac 'N' Cheese (Sebring) who takes on the two nice fillies who beat her home in the G3 Auraria S. - the regally bred My Whisper (Frankel {GB}) and the consistent Bon's A Pearla (Bon Hoffa).

Michael Kent Jnr, in partnership with Mick Price, seeks to emulate his father's win via Abbey Marie (Redoute's Choice) in this race six years ago, saddling up one of the main hopes in Daisies (Sebring) whose third dam is the high-class race mare Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon {Ire}).

Another great mare from the past has a descendant here, the multiple Group 1 winner Triscay (Marscay) being the fifth dam (time flies!) of Mamounia (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) whose form from her last start Listed Galilee Final held up well in Monday's Listed VRC St Leger - the two she beat home finishing second and third behind Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}).

Speed to burn, Queensland's 2-year-olds... the Dalrello S.

It will be a charge out of the gates in this lead up to some of the bigger 2-year-old contests over the Brisbane winter with several major chances having shown terrific natural speed at their first outings.

Such as the exciting Steady Ready (Better Than Ready) who could not have been more impressive racing away to a very easy debut victory at Doomben. What a fascinating pedigree this fellow boasts, his grandsire More Than Ready (USA) (Southern Halo {USA}) and grandam Becky's Ransom (USA) (Red Ransom {USA}) being half-brother and sister!

He is part of a good representation for local stallions with the first emergency Glamborgini another nice type by Lyndhurst Stud's Better Than Ready (More Than Ready {USA}) whilst Eureka Stud's Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) has three horses amongst the 16 acceptors including Palazzo Spirit who resumes off strong trial form and the very fast Chinny Boom.

Returning to his state of birth to stand at Grandview this spring is Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) whose Group 3-placed son Jemeldi has shown good potential. Aquis' The Mission (Choisir) has made a good start to his stud career with eight winners from his debut crop - one of whom attempts to become his first stakes winner here, Mishani Warfare who ran nicely at big odds in the R. Listed Magic Millions.

South Australia's Juveniles - the G3 Breeders' S.

There is quite a mix here of the homebreds, the expensive yearlings and the bargain basement buys contesting this race - one which sees four of its nine runners being last-start winners.

Including the favourite See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) who was dominant winning the Listed Dequetteville S. at only her second run this time in. Also impressive recently was Twin Stars (Zoustar), the $225,000 yearling who has trialled well since taking out the SA Magic Millions 2YO Classic on debut.

Street Delight (Street Boss {USA}) and Hope At Hand (Impending) are both last-start winners though it could well be a maiden putting their hand up here with Eye Of The Eagle (Alpine Eagle) running very nicely at debut - he is the final foal produced by the terrific race mare Tickle My (Perugino {USA}), triple Group-winning dam of the stakes winner Snitz (Snitzel).

Looking to make some inroads on the $620,000 it cost for her connections to secure her is the race's most expensive purchase Lalaguna (I Am Invincible), a Tyreel Stud graduate who hails from the family of the recent G1 Champagne S. winner She's Extreme (Extreme Choice).

The Queensland Guineas - Character takes on others on the Derby track

Talented 3-year-olds that are due to take their place including the G2 Autumn S. winner Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock), the G2 Tulloch S. winner Character (Teofilo {Ire}) and the G2 Auckland Guineas winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).

Adding interest are a couple of nice fillies including Festival Dancer (Choisir), the G3 Spring S. winner who was sound to the line after getting a bit too far back when resuming in the G3 James H B Carr S. won by Espiona (Extreme Choice).

The horse who emerges victorious will be worth keeping an eye on, this racing in recent years won by horses who have gone onto Group 1 glory - Private Eye (Al Maher) and Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Hawkesbury Trio of Group races - the Guineas, the Crown, the Gold Cup

Three Group races in a row are to be contested at Hawkesbury's stand-alone meeting this Saturday and keenly contested ones they are too with a number of horses coming off good runs over the Sydney autumn carnival.

Favourite in the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas is the in-form Mr Mozart (Snitzel) who is looking to make it a hat-trick of wins on the back of his smart performances in the G2 Phar Lap S. and the G3 Doncaster Prelude. He takes on the last start Listed winners Flying Crazy (Flying Artie), Vilana (Hallowed Crown) as well as a number of lightly raced and promising 3-year-olds including Loch Eagle (Lonhro) and I Am Lethal (I Am Invincible).

Chris Waller saddles up four of the 14 in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown with the most favoured of those runners being Brookspire (Hinchinbrook), a consistent mare resuming and who is yet to miss a placing in four fresh attempts. Also lightly raced and promising is Jump The Broom (Sebring) who has tasted defeat just once in five starts.

There is Group 1 form for those two to contend with - Mirra Vision (Lonhro) in the wrong part of the track last start, before that a game G1 Coolmore Stud S. second. Wandabaa (Wandjina) has also been good in strong company.

Archedemus (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is already a two-time winner of the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup, taking out the 2019 and 2021 runnings and finishing fourth in 2020. He is one of three horses to win the race twice - attempting to become the first three times winner.

Topweight Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration Of War {USA}) is amongst the dangers having struck trouble in stronger company last time out; others with a touch of class including Brutality (Shamus Award), Criaderas (Lonhro) and Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel). Meanwhile Art Cadeau (Artie Schiller {USA}) and Kirwan's Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) both look close to a win.

Two Group races at Te Rapa - the G3 Breeders' S. and the G2 Travis S.

It is the Cambridge Jockey Club's big day on Saturday, Te Rapa playing host to their two Group races, the first of which is the G3 Breeders' S. - a race in which trainer Mark Walker plays a big part with five runners (plus one of the emergencies).

One of those is the in-form Cote De Beaune (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) who has tasted defeat (and an unlucky one at that) just once in four outings. His stablemate Wairau Cove (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) - A great-grandson of the wonderful sprinting mare Special (Habituate {Ire}) - is also lightly raced and promising, catching the eye with a strong finish last time out.

Yet to run a bad race, Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) over-raced in similar company last time out but just kept trying and has had a break since whilst also fresh is Art De Triomphe (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) who was in great form last spring.

The G2 Travis S. is a weight-for-age contest for the mares - just nine runners but plenty of quality with Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) looking nicely placed after her game third in the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. last time out.

Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is also in good form whilst Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) can be forgiven her latest unplaced run, striking severe interference having previously won the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup in determined fashion. Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won the G3 Manawatu Breeders' S. at only her second run in and will be further improved.

When Rose Of Kingston won that first edition of the race in 1982, run at Group 3 level, it continued her on a path which would see her crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year for that season, one of only two 3-year-old fillies ever to achieve that honour.

Her profile helped the race, initially held in February, to reach Group 1 status the following year, setting it up to become a premier target for the top fillies around the country to achieve black type and stamp their credentials as potential broodmares.

Indeed, the David Hains-owned star would go on and pave the way in that regard as well, as the dam of 1990 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Kingston Rule (USA), as well as Group 3 winner Rose Of Portland (USA) (Seattle Slew {USA}).

Over the course of the first 29 editions of the Australasian Oaks, 14 of the winners would later go on to produce stakes winners of their own, seven of them with progeny that would emulate their own Group 1-winning feats.

Elite performers into elite producers

The most recent of the Group 1 producers is 2007 winner Anamato (Redoute's Choice), a globetrotter who would join the Godolphin broodmare band and produce current Group 1 winning-star Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}). She has also produced the Irish stakes winner Anamba (GB) (Shamardal {USA}).

In 2000, Grand Echezeaux (NZ) gave Zabeel (NZ) the first of his two winners in the race and a young Craig Williams his first Group 1 winner, scoring with authority for trainer Lee Freedman.

She would make a considerable mark as a broodmare through a couple of sources. The first was Darci Brahma (NZ), the son of Danehill (USA), who would win five Group 1 races, four in New Zealand and one in Australia. He has then made serious impression as a stallion, producing 55 stakes winners, among them 12 Group 1 winners. He remains active at The Oaks Stud.

Grand Echezeaux's other stakes-winning son was the Group 3 winner Burgundy (NZ), who was also Group 1 placed. The son of Redoute's Choice stood for seven seasons at Cambridge Stud before is premature death in 2019. He has eight stakes winners to his name including two Group 1 winners.

The previous year, the race was won by Episode (Scenic {Ire}), who led all the way for Damien Oliver and trainer David Hall. She would also win the then G1 South Australian Oaks while she proved influential at stud, as the dam of Group 1 winner First Seal (Fastnet Rock) and Group 2 winner Book Of Kells (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).

The 1994 winner Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) was one of the best-bred winners of the race, as a half-sister to Group 1 winner Don Eduardo (NZ) and three-quarter sister to Champion Octagonal (NZ), out of a Group 1 winner, Diamond Lover (Sticks And Stones), who was a daughter of the blue hen Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).

She would leave a suitable legacy in the breeding barn, producing four stakes winners, including the Group 1 winner Viking Ruler, while she is the grandam of another Group 1 winner in De Beers (NZ).

It was in 1993 that the Australasian Oaks moved to its current time slot on later April/early May. That edition as won by Our Tristalight (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who would prove a Group 1 producer through Danske (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), while she also produced the dual Listed winner Eagle Rhythm (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}). She is also the great-grandam of G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Midnight Oil (NZ) (Keeper).

The other Group 1 producer to win the Australasian Oaks is 1986 victress Miss Clipper (Alert {Ire}). Her daughter Ruby Clipper (NZ) (Rubiton) was a Group 1 winner in South Africa while she had two Australian-bred grandsons win Group 1 races in that country.

As well as those 14 fillies would go on to produce stakes winners, an additional four would have progeny which were stakes placed.

There are also several Australasian Oaks winners whose daughters ended up producing Group 1 winners, notably Tully Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}), victorious 20 years ago and who figures as the grandam of G1 Australian Derby winner Levendi.

Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt), the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner, was the grandson of 1998 Australasian Oaks winner La Volta (Laranto), while G1 Spring Champion S. winner Teranaba was out of a daughter of 1988 winner Imposera (NZ) (Imposing).

Stars on the track

Imposera would go on and win a G1 Caulfield Cup later that year and was one of many fillies to have won the race who developed further into elite stayers as an older mare.

1991 winner Mannerism (Amyntor {Fr}) won three further Group 1 races, including a Caulfield Cup and then produced two stakes winners.

As well as those already mentioned above, 2003 winner Sound Action (Vettori {Ire}) would go on and win a G1 Ranvet S., while Zarita (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) (2008) and Delicacy (Al Maher) (2015) would subsequently claim the G1 SA Derby and more recently 2017 winner Egg Tart (Sebring) won the G1 Queensland Oaks.

The pathway for Australasian Oaks winners to win another Group 1 was diminished in 2005 when the South Australian Oaks, a 2500-metre event held two weeks afterwards, was downgraded to a Group 2 race. Now called the SA Fillies Classic, it is run at Group 3 level and hasn't been won by an Australasian Oaks winner since Episode.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The Kembla Grange-based horseman, who trains in partnership with his father Robert, said Sydney’s rain-affected surfaces during the autumn carnival hindered the talented duo from producing their best.

“It’s rain that we have never seen before and the tracks just aren’t coping, I started a 2-year-old filly here (Kembla Grange) last Saturday called Rare Beauty that I didn’t want to and it knocked her around so much going around on a Heavy, luckily she’s bounced back, but where do you go with them?” Price told TDN AusNZ.

“You don’t know just how much the Heavy tracks take out of them until you run them again, it’s a worry, but we’ve just got to be patient and pick our right marks with our runners like we have on Saturday with Count De Rupee and Jamaea.”

Rupee ready to roll

Price believes Count De Rupee is ready to stamp his status as a genuine G1 Doomben 10,000 contender after the quality gelding bounced back from two uncharacteristic performances in the G1 Newmarket H. and G1 TJ Smith S. respectivley with a narrow second placing behind Kementari (Lonhro) in last fortnight’s G3 Hall Mark S. at Randwick.

While Count De Rupee boasts three placings on Heavy surfaces Price believes his galloper is better suited on top of the ground and will prove hard to hold out if Brock Ryan can work his way into the clear from barrier one.

“He’s done extremely well since that (Hall Mark) run and while we were eying off going into the Doomben 10,000 a month between runs he’s done nothing but please me and gives me every impression he’s ready to go again,” Price said.

“So, while the irons hot we should get him up there and really have a crack on a better surface than Randwick’s been racing like, and if he can win he really puts himself up there as a genuine Doomben 10,000 contender in two weeks' time.”

Price is confident Count De Rupee can measure up in Group 1 sprints despite the 4-year-old producing his best performance’s to date last spring when running second behind I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in the Golden Eagle before winning The Gong over a mile.

“I do think he’s probably at his best as a 1400 metre to a miler at times but we’ve been training him to sprint these days and when the tracks get better we will see whether what we’re doing is right or wrong, but I do think he’s up to them at sprint trips no matter what,” Price said.

A $145,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase via the draft of Arrowfield Stud, Count De Rupee is out of Timeless Choice (Redoute’s Choice), an unraced sister to Mick Price's Group 1-winning sprinter Lankan Rupee.

Jamaea jumping out of her skin

Price said an extra five hours alone on the float and the potential for wet weather in South Australia next week was behind the decision not to run Jamaea in Saturday week’s G1 Sangster S. at Morphettville.

He believes the dual Group 2-winning Jamaea, who boasts a narrow third placing behind top-tier fillies Fangirl (Sebring) and Espiona (Extreme Choice) in the G2 Light Finger S., is a Group 1 winner in waiting, saying her latest unplaced performances in the G1 Surround S. and G1 The Galaxy H. aren't a reflection of her true ability.

The second-crop daughter of Vinery Stud stallion Headwater’s next three runs are likely to be the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup, the G1 Stradbroke H. and the G1 Tattersall's Tiara if she measure’s up against ‘older boys’ on Saturday.

“I’m sure she has the right Group 1 in her as does Tommy (Berry) and Brock (Ryan), who both ride her a fair bit,” Price said.

“She’s got an explosive turn of foot and just needs circumstances in her favour, things to fall into place and to be on top of the ground.

“She’ll be extremely strong late and we will see her back to her best on Saturday I believe, as she’s a filly who tries extremely hard and just doesn’t measure up on wet tracks.”

A $130,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase via the draft of Cressfield, Jamaea is the third foal out of G3 Bow Mistress Trophy winner Isibaeva (Johannesburg {USA}).

Her grandam is the three-time Tasmanian stakes winner Dragila (Encosta De Lago), who hails from the extended family of the four-time Group 2 winner Stargazer.

Jamaea’s half-brother Mondo (All Too Hard), who was purchased by Blueblood Thoroughbreds and Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $55,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, finished fourth behind subsequent Listed Redoute’s Choice S. winner Cannonball (Capitalist) on debut for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

Hard to split

Price can’t split Count De Rupee and Jamaea despite bookmakers keeping the former firm in the market and pricing the latter as a rank outsider.

He doesn’t believe the resuming Rothfire (Rothesay) to be the main danger in the race, saying the Robert Heathcote-trained gelding’s stablemate Startantes (Star Turn) will take a power of beating.

“I don’t think there should be as much between them (Jamaea and Count De Rupee) in the market as I can’t split them to be honest, I rode both in their work during the week and they have both really pleased me, they’re filling me with confidence that they’re going really well into Saturday,” Price said.

“Jamaea has this electric turn of foot but only has the record against 3-year-old fillies to be fair to her and now has to prove herself against the older horses whereas he’s (Count De Rupee) a year older and is proven against some very good horses.

“I’m sure she’s (Jamaea) going to get there one day, whether it’s too soon for her at the moment time will tell but I’m keen to see them fight out the finish as it would be a great achievement by the stable and we’re very lucky to have these two quality horses.”

Riding the wave

Count De Rupee and Jamaea’s success over the past 18 months has been life changing for the stable, according to Price.

“We’ve had a huge year at the sales on the back of Count De Rupe and Jamaea’s success, we’ve purchased a lot of lovely horses and spent money that we couldn’t of dreamed of before,” Price said.

“The quality of horses in our stable is looking great for the years to come and you just want to keep building on it and hope to find the next Jamaea or Count De Rupee and have good horses at the races during carnival times.”