Virtuous Circle set for bigger targets
The Liam Howley-trained Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) could be set for Group 1 targets following his win in the Hugh Wallace-Smith H. at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
A winner on his second start at Mornington in March, the son of Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr) was purchased by his trainer, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Bevan Smith Bloodstock for $360,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2021.
"He went to the paddock straight after that and he just came back in, and he knows what it’s all about,” Howley told Racing.com.
"I’d like to think he’s a (Caulfield) Guineas horse but otherwise I thought 2000 metres might be in his hitting zone. Maybe 2400 metres, so maybe he’s a Derby horse.
"Mentally he is (ready), but we will space his runs and run next in the Stutt (S.) back here in four weeks. That gives us time to look after him. That gives us two weeks to the Guineas and gives us a read at that point whether he’s a Guineas horse or we go to the Vase. Hopefully we are still knocking around in late October."
Four for All Too Hard
Vinery Stud-based sire All Too Hard chalked up an impressive four-timer on Saturday, headed by Pizarro’s win at Randwick.
All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud
The stallion was represented by two winners at the Gold Coast, with Easier Said breaking her maiden and Wuddacuddashudda taking out a BM62, while Impossible Action saluted at Murray Bridge.
Written Tycoon scores four-timer
Yulong’s former Champion Sire Written Tycoon enjoyed a good day at the races, chalking up a four-timer as 4-year-old mare Cheloon took out a race at Murray Bridge.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
He was also represented by a winner at Cairns in the shape of Tycoon Beau, while Write Your Name and Stronach took out the respective contests at Bowen and Kununurra.
Smart Missile dominates at Doomben
Twin Hills Stud sire Smart Missile enjoyed an unbelievable day at Doomben, chalking up three winners at the Queensland track.
The treble was kicked off by Sneak Preview’s victory in a BM80, while another of his sons, Swanston, took out the next race on the card and the trio of winners rounded out by Sir Rocket’s win in the Sky Racing Plate.
Smart Missile | Standing at Twin Hills Stud
Meanwhile, the stallion was also responsible for a winner at the Gold Coast when 5-year-old mare Too Much Class added a fourth win to her CV.
Cummings not panicking over Duais setback
Duais (Shamus Award) was a surprise scratching from the G1 Winx S. after recording an irregular heartbeat following her Saturday morning gallop.
Trainer Ed Cummings said it was the second time the mare had suffered from the affliction, which also presented shortly after her G1 ATC Australian Oaks-placing last year.
"Best case scenario is that her heartbeat returns to normal within 24 hours, in which case she will be nominated for the Memsie S. at Caulfield on the 27th August," Cummings said in a tweet.
Clarity: a Guineas contender?
Clarity (So You Think {NZ}) got her career off to the best possible start when she made a winning debut at Moonee Valley on Saturday and bigger targets could lie in wait for the 3-year-old, who holds a nomination for the G1 Thousand Guineas.
Trained by Pat Carey, the daughter of Coolmore resident So You Think (NZ) finished strongly to come out on top of a blanket finish, beating Miss Subtly (Rich Enuff) by 0.2l. The Godolphin-raced Va Via (Astern) was a further 0.1l back in third.
Bred by Hillcrest Nominees, Clarity is out of the four-time winning Stratum mare Cresta Condor - who Hillcrest purchased for $46,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in 2011 - and has produced one other winner, Listed scorer Crestani (Nicconi).
Highfield Princess grabs second Group 1 in Nunthorpe romp
The John Quinn-trained Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) added a second Group 1 to her record when she took out the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York on Friday.
Last breaking through at the highest level in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in Deauville, the daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) stayed on strongly to beat 2-year-old filly The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) by 2.5l, while Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal {USA}) was another 1.5l away in third.
"She's a wonderful mare. She didn't run at two, and has taken a while to learn her trade,” said Quinn.
"This year she won the all-weather final at Newcastle, and then romped home in the Duke of York before running well in the Platinum Jubilee and winning the Group 1 at Deauville.”
After the race, Quinn revealed the mare would likely be aimed at more Group 1s with the G1 Prix de la Forêt or the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, both run at Longchamp on G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend, on the horizon, while the mare will then likely head to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Turf in America.
"She's the most extraordinary horse I've ever trained, and I'll put her in the Foret and Abbaye now before running her in the Breeders' Cup."
Quickthorn takes advantage in Lonsdale Cup
Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) took advantage of the late withdrawals of Group 1-winning pair Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}), making a mockery of his rivals to saunter to an extraordinary 14l victory in the the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday.
Trained by Hughie Morrison, the son of Nathaniel (Ire) has been in the form of his life this season, finishing second on his first two starts and came into Friday’s race off the back of three previous victories, headed by a last-start win in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil at Longchamp.
Ridden by Tom Marquand, Quickthorn was urged to the front after two furlongs and he didn’t see another rival, stretching further clear with every stride, to come away with an impressive victory over the Andrew Balding-trained Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
“I wouldn't say I'm brilliant for that, I'd say he's really coming to the fore now as a top stayer," Marquand said. "He goes around in that highly exuberant fashion and when we came back from France I felt he had two more gears up his sleeve. After a little bit of time you're thinking 'Did I really? Am I kidding myself?'.”
“He's got the most enormous engine and he's learning how to use it now. Fair play to Hughie (Morrison) for getting him to channel it in the right direction.”
Bred by Lemington Grange Stud and raced by Lady Blyth, Quickthorn is out of the three time-winning mare Daffydowndilly (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
Noble Style enters Guineas picture
Trainer Charlie Appleby unearthed another promising juvenile in the shape of Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who kept his unbeaten record intact when he took out the G2 Gimcrack S. at York on Friday, earning him quotes for next year’s G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Having taken out his first career starts at Ascot and Newmarket, the son of Kingman (GB) stayed on strongly to beat Marshman (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) by 1.4l. Cold Case (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was another 3.8l away in third.
Purchased by owners Godolphin for 525,000gns (AU$902,600) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale from the Chasemore Farm draft, Noble Style is out of the Listed-winning Pivotal (GB) mare Eartha Kitta (GB).
Kingman stood at Juddmonte Farms' Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of £150,000 (AU$257,900) and he is represented in Australia by his son Palace Pier (GB), who will cover his first book of mares at Darley’s Kelvinside base.
Seventh Northern Hemisphere winner for Zoustar
In breaking her maiden on debut at Newbury, Zouky (GB) handed her sire Zoustar with his seventh Northern Hemisphere-bred winner.
The Philip McBride-trained filly stayed on all the way to the line to beat Lady Dreamer (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) 0.8l, while Sassy Belle (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) was another 2.5l in third.
Bred by Bumble Bloodstock Ltd, the filly is out winning mare Kerry's Dream (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}), making her a half-sister to stakes winner Ventura Mist (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}).
Zoustar calls Tweenhills Farm and Stud home in the Northern Hemisphere and his first European crop is headed by Group 3-winning filly Lezoo (GB).
