Calypso Reigns as Behemoth fails to fire
Trainer David Jolly was left with mixed emotions following the G3 Spring S. at Morphettville on Saturday as he claimed the race in fine style with Calypso Reign (Barbados), whilst it all went wrong for his Group 1 star Behemoth (All Too Hard).
Behemoth jumped in the air as the gates opened and forfeited a 2l lead to his opponents. The dual-G1 Memsie S. winner then failed to improve, as his stablemate raced clear.
Calypso Reign wins the G3 Spring S. at Morphettville | Image courtesy of Racing SA
Calypso Reigns rider, Kayla Crowther, had chosen her mount over Behemoth not in expectation of victory on Saturday, but instead looking ahead to him staying in Adelaide whilst another jockey would be booked for Behemoth in the Memsie.
"I'm so glad because I encouraged Kayla (Crowther) to go that way," Jolly told Racing.com. "He (Calypso Reign) has just been an improving horse, a marvel, he's just got better and better."
Nerodio dominant in Newmarket
Adding an 11th success to his CV, 7-year-old gelding Nerodio (Playing God) was a ready winner of the Listed Newmarket at Belmont. After his success in the Listed Beaufine S. back in July, on Saturday he doubled his stakes tally.
Trained by Stephanie Bakranich, Nerodio can safely be termed a Belmont specialist, with all of his career wins to date coming at that track.
Nerodio wins the Listed Belmont Newmarket | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Nerodio was one of three winners at the track for his sire, Playing God, who also sired Baby Paris, a winner for trainer Colin Webster, and Currimundi for Steve Wolfe – both of whom were scoring their second victories.
Playing God stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds for $27,500 (inc GST) this year.
Rubick chalks up impressive six-timer
Swettenham Stud resident Rubick sired a six-timer on Saturday, headlined by the success of Bound For Home in the G3 Quezette S. at Caulfield.
Two of his haul found success at Rosehill, where they bookended the card. Zaru, a 5-year-old gelding, took the opener in a head-bobbing finish for trainer Joseph Burges, followed by 4-year-old mare Shades Of Rose, who produced a dominant performance in the last for Bjorn Baker.
Rubick | Standing at Swettenham Stud
At Aquis Park Gold Coast, 4-year-old mare Sumnamilla saluted in Handicap company for trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith, whilst at Katherine Light And Dark found victory for Jason Manning. Rounding off an impressive day for the sire was River Rubicon, who justified favouritism to score at Belmont for trainer Steve Wolfe.
Rubick stands for $22,000 (inc GST) this year.
Four-timer for All Too Hard
Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard enjoyed a great day on Saturday, siring four winners across Australia.
Leading the way was Field Regiment at Aquis Park Gold Coast for trainer Stephen Lee, who pressed on early to hold out for a game win. Full Ahead took the spoils at Wodonga, Love Of Air got off the mark at Narrandera and Marto came home a winner at Gladstone.
Bull Point scores a double
Saturday saw a New South Wales-based double for Bull Point, headlined by Raging Bull who was an impressive winner at Rosehill for trainer David Payne. In a messy race, the 4-year-old gelding held his ground to swoop late past Lovely Esteem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}).
Payne will be hoping this sets his horse up for a big season, having competed in a host of Group 1 events last season.
Kembla saw the maiden victory for another of Bull Point's progeny, Clovis, who held on gamely for Gwenda Markwell in the 1200-metre event, under apprentice Jess Del Frari.
Bull Point stands at Kingstar Farm for $6600 (inc GST) in 2022.
Hellbent continues excellent start to new season
Having sired a debut winner on the first day of the new season in Keitel, Yarraman Park Stud’s Hellbent continued his strong start to the new season with an impressive winner at Eagle Farm.
Hellavadancer, trained by Kris Lees and running in the Australian Bloodstock colours, strung out her rivals to score by 3.5l ahead of the in-form Betterdeal (Better Than Ready). The 3-year-old filly was winning her second race in three starts, and appears to be on a smart upward curve, with Saturday’s event being a BM72 H.
Hellbent | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
She was bought by Australian Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale for $100,000 from Yarraman Park’s draft.
With Hellavadancer amongst his debut crop of 3-year-olds, Yarraman Park look set for a breakthrough year for their sire, having narrowly missed out on siring a black-type winner with his first crop of 2-year-olds on more than one occasion last season.
Hellbent stands this year for $22,000 (inc GST).
Ridgeview Chief dominates at Tauranga
Blowing away his rivals with a 5.5l victory, Ridgeview Chief (NZ) (Niagara {NZ}) returned to form at Tauranga on Saturday. Trained by Gavin Opie, the 5-year-old gelding was formerly in the care of his trainer, owner and breeder Ross Nicol, before he passed away earlier this year.
“He’s a pretty smart horse and I’m just so pleased we could get another win for the Nicol family,” Opie said.
“Ross was such a good horseman and did a fantastic job with this guy, so when I got him, I just wanted to do him proud.”
I Am Bene scythes through the field
Last of the field as they turned for him, I Am Bene (I Am Invincible) was delivered with impeccable timing under a hands and heels ride by Ben Melham to win the ive > H. at Caulfield on Saturday.
Last seen when running fourth in the Listed Lightning S. at the end of July, the 4-year-old mare has now won three of her five career starts, and looks an exciting prospect for trainer Andrew Clarken.
Passed in after failing to meet her $250,000 reserve at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, I Am Bene is out of the G3 Sires’ Produce S.-winning mare Molto Bene (Royal Academy {USA}).
Fine form extended for Jimmy The Bear
Fan favourite Jimmy The Bear (Jimmy Creed {USA}) made it four wins from his last five starts at Caulfield on Saturday, saluting in the MRC First Renewal Michael Grumley H.
Taking up a prominent position under Billy Egan, the 4-year-old gelding hit the front with 200 metres to go and never looked in danger. He finished 1.25l ahead of So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) with short-priced favourite Chief Altony (Rebel Raider) back in third.
Winning tribute to Yanagida
In a tribute to his friend Taiki Yanagida, jockey Kozzi Asano pointed to the sky as he crossed the line at Riccarton on Saturday. Paying respect to his friend, he was wearing his breeches as he notched a victory aboard 5-year-old gelding Hooks (NZ) (Fabulous {NZ}).
Kozzi Asano salutes in honour of his mate Taiki Yanagida as he wins aboard Hooks (NZ) at Riccarton | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“I want to thank Taiki's family for their support and letting me wear his jockey pants today and I'm just so thrilled that I could ride a winner for him,” Asano told Racing.com.
Alligator Blood to head overseas
After failing to satisfy Racing Victoria with a series of proposed manoeuvres which included gifting 15 per cent of the horse's ownership to Living Legends, Alligator Blood's (All Too Hard) owner Allan Endresz has now announced that the horse will race in Hong Kong.
Alligator Blood was last seen racing when winning the G1 Stradbroke H. in an impressive comeback victory, and last week he finished second in a Flemington jump-out. But, as his spring racing plans in Melbourne are now scuppered, Endresz has stated his intention to 'go for the jugular' by taking legal action against Racing Victoria and is seeking damages in excess of $10 million.
"I've never seen the horse fitter and Botty (Adrian Bott) has indicated Al (Alligator Blood) would have a couple of runs over there (Hong Kong) before the Hong Kong Mile," Endresz told Racenet.
International plans don't stop their either, as Endresz stated that a visit to Royal Ascot next year may also be on the cards.
Harry Angel grabs another winner
On Friday (local time), Darley stallion Harry Angel (Ire) gained a ninth winner in his first Northern Hemisphere crop of 2-year-olds when Ange De L'Amour (GB) broke her maiden at Nottingham.
The filly, trained by Robyn Brisland, was scoring at the fourth attempt, having placed third at the same track last time out.
Harry Angel (Ire) | Standing at Darley
Nottingham, although not one of the UK's premier tracks, has played host to the maiden wins of many well-considered horses, such as Derby winners Slip Anchor (GB) and Oath (GB).
Harry Angel will have his first crop of Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds running for him in the coming months. He was himself a precocious, Group 2-winning 2-year-old, and stands at Darley Kelvinside for $16,500 (inc GST) this year.
Justify notches eighth winner
Justify (USA) notched another winner when his 2-year-old daughter, Im Just Kiddin (USA), got off the mark at the second time of asking at Saratoga. Trained by John Kimmel, her winning margin was 1l and she was impressive, running on late to win the 1100-metre contest comfortably in the end under Jose Ortiz.
Although he will not stand here this year, Justify's first Southern Hemisphere crop of 2-year-olds are set to hit Australian tracks this year. He already has a pair of black-type progeny to his name, with US fillies Statuette (USA) and Just Cindy (USA) claiming a Group 2 and a Group 3 respectively.
