Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Eagle Farm: G1 Channel 7 Queensland Oaks, $700,000, 2200m
In an 18-runner field, favourite Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was settled in second last by jockey William Pike and was pushed up coming into the home turn, settling the race in fine style by a length from her nearest rival, Barb Raider (Rebel Raider).
Gypsy Goddess' dam, Invisible Coin (Redoute's Choice) has produced three winners and is herself a full sister to the G1 Flight S. winner Cheeky Choice. From the family of Meld (GB) (Alycidon {GB}), the great UK race mare, Invisible Coin produced a full brother to Gypsy Goddess in 2019, who is followed by two Belardo (Ire) colts.
Having been the first stakes winner for her sire, Tarzino (NZ), Gypsy Goddess now becomes his second winner at the highest level, following Jungle Magnate's (NZ) win in the G1 South Australian Derby.
Not bad for Tarzino's first crop of foals. Westbury Stud, who stand him for NZ$22,000 plus GST in 2022, will quite rightly be delighted.
G2 Ascot Green Moreton Cup, $250,000, 1200m
Bringing up a double on the day for trainer Tony Gollan, Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) made himself a double G2 Moreton Cup winner having taken the spoils last year too. The 6-year-old gelding has changed trainers twice, and seems to have thrived since joining the Gollan stable early in 2021. Unlike last year when a belated move up the rail resulted in a smooth run, he came wide and had to fight his way through the pack on Saturday, but was able to knuckle down with 200 metres to run and was strong through the line.
He was bred and sold by Gerry Harvey (via Baramul Stud), making $160,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, to Anthony Cummings. He is out of Fuwa (Encosta De Lago), a 900-metre winner who has bred six winners from seven foals. She herself is from the second damline of Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), a four-time Group 1 winner.
Baller is from the final crop of the late High Chaparral. The breed-shaping stallion, responsible for So You Think (NZ) and Dundeel (NZ), standing at Coolmore and Arrowfield Stud respectively, now has a total of 134 stakes winners worldwide to represent his legacy.
Listed Nova 106.9 Queensland Day S., $200,000, 1200m
In a brilliant finish to the day's racing at Eagle Farm, Athelric (Exceed And Excel) emerged on top after a great battle with Arentee (Territories {Ire}) which saw Godolphin's charge lunge late and gamely to win his first stakes race.
Very much Godolphin bred, Athelric is out of Ida (Lonhro), a winner over 1100 metres who was sold at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $200,000 to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock with a Sidestep colt in utero.
The second dam, Bernicia (Elusive Quality {USA}) is a dual Listed winner who was fourth in the G1 Arrowfield Stud S., and produced a full brother to Ida in the Group 2 winner Old North. The family stretches back to multiple international Champion Stayer Subscribe (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and his full sister, G1 Australian Oaks winner Dizelle.
Exceed And Excel stands at Darley Kelvinside for $132,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Listed City Property Services Bill Carter S., $150,000, 1200m
Beating home a pair of Tony Gollan-trained Spirit Of Boom fillies, Bezique and Honey Pot, Stroll (Snitzel) came down the outside and eventually won by a comfortable 0.75l, taking the honours for trainers Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted.
The filly broke her maiden at the Sunshine Coast last year and lately managed just a 5l sixth in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic. This makes her a new stakes winner for her sire, Snitzel, taking his total to an impressive 17 for the current season in Australia.
Stroll is the single named produce of the winning mare Walk The Streets (Street Cry {Ire}), who is a half-sister to stakes performers Sebrakate (Sebring) and Quattro Katie (Zoustar). Apart from these two, the second dam, dual Listed winner Kakakakatie (Zeditave), has produced five further winners from 10 named foals.
Trainers O'Dea and Hoysted bought the filly in conjunction with Proven Thoroughbreds for $450,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Stroll's sire, the multiple Champion Sire Sntizel, stands at Arrowfield Stud for $220,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Listed Treasury Brisbane The Phoenix, $130,000, 1500m
Favourite Political Debate (So You Think {NZ}) made smooth progress through the race and looked like the winner half way up the straight but was very nearly denied by Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), who got to within a whisker in a thrilling finish.
The now familiar combination of a Chris Waller-trained and James McDonald-ridden winner in the Coolmore colours is in this instance supported by a varied ownership group, and the colt was bought by Hermitage and Tom Magnier at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $900,000.
This was an important black type win for a syndicate that is ultimately in search of stallion prospects because it builds on Political Debate's solid third in the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic. This makes him a 2-year-old stakes winner in spite of a pedigree which hints at him thriving over further, and undoubtedly he appreciated this trip in his first attempt beyond 1200 metres.
Political Debate is out of Nakataan (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), a winner over 1900 metres. The second dam, Destined (GB) (Danehill {USA}) has bred five winners including multiple Group 2 victor Fix (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}). Despite being unraced, Destined is also well-related, being a three-quarter sister to both the multiple Group 1-winning Waller-trained European import Foreteller (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and to the stallion Camacho (GB).
In the tight battle for Australia's leading sire, this is an important victory for So You Think who is just behind current leader, I Am Invincible. So You Think stands at Coolmore Stud for $93,500 (inc GST) in 2022.
Listed Madame Sass Lightning H., $130,000, 1000m
Boomnova (Spirit Of Boom) jumped well under Samantha Collett, who kept things simple, sitting at the quarters of leader Archer's Paradox (Golden Archer) before pressing on entering the straight to see out the race by a length. In doing so, the 4-year-old mare quickly made amends for her sire's second and third placings in the previous race at Eagle Farm.
Following a total of five handicap victories, including her last two starts at Eagle Farm, the progessive Boomnova now adds stakes success to her record. This takes Spirit Of Boom to a total six stakes winners for the current season in Australia.
This was not just an impressive training performance as Boomnova was also bought by Munce Racing for $110,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.
She is the final foal out of Silva Nova (Canadian Silver {Can}) and becomes her dam's first stakes winner, the mare having produced an impeccable three winners from three surviving foals. The second dam, Novajinsky (Celestial Dancer {Ire}), was herself prolific in clocking up eight wins (seven of those as a 2-year-old) and producing four winners from four runners.
Boomnova is from the third crop of her sire Spirit Of Boom, who stands at Eureka Stud for $33,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Listed Nuturf Spear Chief H., $130,000, 1500m
After a good jump from barrier one, Ben Thompson let the early speed go aboard Vinco (I Am Invincible) and it proved an excellent tactical manoeuvre as he soon reeled in the field ahead of him to allow the Tony Gollan-trained gelding to assert in very convincing style.
Vinco is now a nine-time winner, though his Eagle Farm victory is his first at stakes level. This latest achievement has now pushed his prizemoney earnings above his sale price of $400,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Vinco's dam, Percussive (Encosta De Lago) has produced six foals all of which are winners. One of those, the stakes-placed Berimbau (Shamardal {USA}) is the dam of dual Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
In the race for the crown of Australian Champion Sire, current leader I Am Invincible returned fire with this win against his close rival So You Think, who earlier on the card won The Phoenix courtesy of Political Debate, in a race of the same value. I Am Invincible stands at Yarraman Park for a fee of $247,500 (inc GST) in 2022.
Rosehill Gardens: Listed Furphy Winter Cup, $150,000, 2400m
Having looked unlikely just 200 metres from the finish, Irish Sequel (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) got his head in front close to the line and was game in landing yet another Cup race for trainer Chris Waller.
The 6-year-old gelding was well-regarded towards the end of his European career, placing fourth behind subsequent G1 Irish St Leger winner Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) and second behind international roamer Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), winner of the G2 Belmont Gold Cup S.
This was a first stakes success for Irish Sequel (formerly named Bashiyr, pre-importation), and he follows in the footsteps of other Chris Waller imports from Irish trainer Dermot Weld for the same ownership group, including Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Imaging (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Both he and Irish Sequel share a grandsire in Green Desert (USA). The victory also boosts Invincible Spirit's (Ire) number of stakes winners to 140 worldwide.
From a family that has long been cultivated by HH The Aga Khan, Irish Sequel is out of Baliyana (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), a dual winner and half-sister to the Royal Ascot Group 2 winner and (predominantly) jumps sire, Balakheri (Ire). She has bred five winners and is from the family of US Group 1 winner Bayrir (Medicean {GB}). The second dam, French Listed winner Balanka (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), was fourth in the French Oaks, the G1 Prix de Diane and has produced six winners from nine foals to race.
Apart from his previous successes in Australia, the $76,500 earned in this race alone represents an impressive return on his purchase price by Chris Waller, namely €50,000 ($74,000) from the 2020 Goffs Ireland Horses in Training Online Sale.
Belmont: Listed Raconteur S., $125,000, 1400m
Building on his solid third in the G2 Western Australian Guineas, Devoted (Xtravagant {NZ}) gained his first stakes success, winning for trainer Michael Grantham and jockey Clint Johnston-Porter. His win marks another success for the homebred family of leading owner/breeders Bob and Sandra Peters.
His dam, the six-time winner Morning Mist (Anabaa {USA}) is a half-sister to three stakes winners in Real Love (Desert King {Ire}), Suspicion (Mukddaam {USA}) and Heart Starter (Domesday). They are all the progeny of Devoted's second dam, the Group 3 winner Flaming Heart (Salieri {USA}).
Devoted is from the first crop of his sire Xtravagant who now has four Stakes winners to his name. Xtravagant stands at Newhaven Park for $24,750 (inc GST).
