Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Listed Wyong Gold Cup, $200,000, 2100m
The Chris Waller-trained Durston (GB) chalked up his first victory at black-type level when he took out the Listed Wyong Cup and in the process also became the 22nd stakes winner for his UK-based sire Sea The Moon (Ger).
Bred by Kirsten Rausing, who stands Sea The Moon at her Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, Durston is raced by Highclere and he is from the winning mare Caribana (GB) (Hernando {Fr}).
Caribana produced a further four winners, including Group 3 triumphant Cubanita (GB) (Selkirk {USA}), who was also placed at Group 1 level.
Further back the gelding derives from the same family as G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Key Change (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}).
Durston was purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Blandford Bloodstock for 52,000gns (AU$88,400) in 2017.
Listed Mona Lisa S., $160,000, 1350m
The Matthew Dale-trained Meg (Sebring) added a much deserved stakes win to her record when she landed the Listed Mona Lisa S. at Wyong.
The mare was purchased by Gary Harding from the draft of her breeder Segenhoe Stud for $440,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and she is out of six-time winner Martilago (Encosta De Lago).
Martilago herself is out of stakes-winning Danehill (USA) mare Martique, who produced a further two winners including G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Charmont (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Further back, Meg’s third dam is dual Group 1 winner Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and she is the dam of 10 winners, including the aforementioned Martique and her stakes-winning half-sister Nadege (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}).
In winning the stakes race, Meg provided the late Widden Stud-based sire Sebring with his 77th stakes winner.
