Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Randwick: G2 Chelmsford S., $250,000, 1600m
It was a good return from the G1 Sydney Cup winner Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) who looks set for a profitable spring.
A nine-time winner from 27 starts, he began his career in the UK where he raced as Knight Errant (Ire), winning races at Yarmouth, Windsor and Sandown Park.
A 6000gns (AU$10,600) yearling purchased by William Jarvis at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he fetched considerably more when sold to McKeever Bloodstock and Gai Waterhouse Racing for 250,000gns (AU$443,700) at the 2018 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
Bred by Airlie Stud and that Kildare stud's Sonia Rogers, Knight's Order is one of the 43 stakes winners for his high-class Coolmore Stud-based sire.
His winning dam Lamanka Lass (USA) (Woodman {USA}) has produced another eight winners including the G2 Santa Anita Oak Tree Derby winner Dark Islander (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}). This is a family that have already fared well in Australia, Lamanka Lass being a half-sister to the G3 Carlton Draught S. winner Far Lane (USA) (Lear Fan {USA}) who also won at Group 3 level at Newmarket.
Listed SAJC Challenge S. winner Mutate (Octagonal {NZ}) also hails from this family as does the 2015 GB Champion Older Male Miler Arod (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the G1 Melbourne Cup hero At Talaq (USA).
Knights Order is bred on a 5 X 6 cross of the aptly named matriarch Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) via Northern Dancer's (Can) three-quarter brothers Sadler's Wells (USA) and Nureyev (USA).
G2 Tramway S., $250,000, 1400m
Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) justified his short quote with this performance in which he put on display his usual determination.
One of the 25 stakes winners and three Group 1 winners sired by the late multiple Group 1 winner Leroidesanimaux (Brz) who at one stage was touted to shuttle to Australia, Zaaki is out of the two-time winning Sadler's Wells (USA) mare Kesara (GB) whose other five winners include the stakes-placed, Singapore-based galloper Kirks Ryker (GB) (Selkirk {USA}) and the dam of the Listed winner Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}).
Kesara is a half-sister to the French two-time Listed winner Persona Grata (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) whose daughter Lovely Esteem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was Group 2-placed in Ireland in July. Zaaki's stakes-placed third dam Minya (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}) is dam of the Italian dual Group 1 winner Altieri (GB) (Selkirk {USA}).
This is the prolific Marchetta (GB) (Marco {GB}) family which features further in Zaaki's pedigree via Borealis (GB), Turn-To (Ire) and Klairon (Fr) to whom he is line-bred 5 X 6. Also boasting a 3 X 4 Blushing Groom (Fr) cross, Zaaki was bred by Kirsten Rausling's Lanwades Stud at Newmarket.
A 40,000gns (AU$71,000) yearling, he was purchased for the Annabel Neasham stable for 150,000gns (AU$266,000) at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale.
G2 Furious S., $250,000, 1200m
Kept safe off the back of her good run in the G2 Silver Shadow S., North Star Lass (Zoustar) was able to go two better here - securing her first success at black-type level; her second win from just four starts.
Bred by Rosemont Stud and Fern Vale Farm and sold from the Rosemont draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $260,000 to Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds
The 32nd stakes winner for her in-form Widden Stud-based sire, North Star Lass is the second foal and second winner for the Group 3-placed, multiple city winner Sheila’s Star (Snitzel) whose first foal is the lightly raced winner Ethekwini (Savabeel).
Missing last year to Hanseatic, Sheila’s Star has a yet to be named Capitalist 2-year-old who was purchased by Mick Price Racing and Breeding for $460,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sheila’s Star is one of the seven winners produced by the G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Northeast Sheila (Keltrice) who also produced the Listed winner Jacqueline Rouge (Ne Coupez Pas {USA}).
G3 Concorde S., $500,000, 1000m
Eduardo (Host {Chi}) proved a class above his rivals, showing that at age nine he is as good as ever!
Recording the 12th success of his 28-start career, Eduardo was bred by his part owner Jane Kaufmann. He is one of the seven stakes winners - and the only Group 1 winner - sired by the late multiple Group 1-winning Hussonet (USA) stallion Host (Chi).
Eduardo is the third (the other two being provincial winners) and final foal for the unraced Blushing (Fantastic Light {USA}), daughter of the city winner Lavina Bay (Dehere {USA}) whose dam is the G3 Lightning H. winner Peggy Ann (NZ) (Bletchingly).
And her dam is Avon Angel (NZ) (Avon Valley {GB}) who was the joint-third top filly on the 1984/85 Australasian 3YO Classification, winning 10 races including the G1 Rosemount Wines Classic.
Listed Tattersalls Club Cup, $160,000, 2400m
It was a dominant performance by the talented imported gelding Cadre du Noir (USA) (War Front {USA}), the 7-year-old putting 5.75l on his rivals.
Making his way to Australia in 2020, he has now won three local races with this success his first at stakes level.
The 106th stakes winner for Claiborne Farm’s son of Danzig (USA), Cadre du Noir is out of the two-time winner Dynamic Feature (USA) (Rahy {USA}) who has also produced the four-time, American-based Group winner Parranda (USA) (English Channel {USA}).
Purchased by Scott and Evan Dilworth for US$560,000 (AU$822,000) at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock for US$1.1 million (AU$1.6 million) at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Dynamic Feature is a half-sister to the 2013 Canadian Champion Older Female Sisterly Love (USA) (Bellamy Road {USA}) whose son Deep Monster (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a Listed winner in Japan.
Moonee Valley: G2 Feehan S., $500,000, 1600m
It was only a small field but it was a big win by Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who raced clear to an easy 4.5l victory.
Last season's G1 Doncaster H. and recent G2 PB Lawrence S. winner was bred by R.I and Est Late M.A.G Johnson and purchased by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for NZ$22,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale - later passed in with a reserve of NZ$50,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Ready To Run Sale.
One of the three stakes winners - and the first Group 1 winner - for his Orange Court-based G3 C.S Hayes S.-winning sire - Mr Brightside is out of the unraced Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who has also produced the Hong Kong-based, eight-time winner Will Power (NZ) (Power {GB}).
Served last spring by Vadamos (Fr) having foaled a Darci Brahma (NZ) filly, Lilahjay also has a yet to be named 2-year-old filly by What’s The Story (NZ) whilst her 3-year-old son The Number One Son (NZ) (Power {GB}) has been in the placings at two of his first three starts in New Zealand.
Lilahjay is a granddaughter of the classy broodmare Delia’s Choice (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) whose six winners include the Group 1 winners Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine) and Celtic Tiger (NZ) (Jetball) - the former going on to produce the G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Rockwood (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Also third dam of the Singapore-based, multiple Group 1 winner Mr Clint (NZ) (Power {GB}), Delia’s Choice is a full sister to the multiple Group 1 winners Sovereign Red (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and Gurner’s Lane (Sir Tristram {Ire}.
Boasting Sadler’s Wells (USA), Sir Ivor (USA) and Secretariat (USA) crosses, Mr Brightside is also line-bred to the outstanding mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}), Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Flower Bowl (USA) (Alibhai {GB}).
G2 McEwen S., $300,000, 1000m
A most satisfying victory for everyone involved with Rothfire (Rothesay) back to the form that saw him successful at Group 1 level as a 2-year-old before suffering from a career threatening sesamoid injury.
Bred by Gleeson Thoroughbred Connections, Rothfire is one of the seven stakes winners for his Lyndhurst Stud-based sire, a dual Group-winning son of Fastnet Rock.
The second stakes winner for the day (Sheez Dominant {NZ} the first) to descend from the terrific mare Democratie (Fr) (Epinard {Fr}) - ancestress of the successful stallions Showdown (GB) and Red Ransom (USA) - Rothfire is one of the three winners produced by the now retired Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet {USA}).
Listed Atlantic Jewel S., $175,000, 1200m
Building a good record - this win her third form just eight starts - Troach (Epaulette) showed good heart breaking though at black-type level.
The Godolphin homebred is the 18th stakes winner for her dual Group 1-winning sire who was exported to Turkey last spring.
Her dam is the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Anise (General Nediym) who has also produced the city winners Picarones (Shooting To Win) and Anethole (Exceed And Excel).
Not served last spring having previously foaled a Blue Point (Ire) filly, Anise is a granddaughter of the classy race and broodmare Twiglet (Twig Moss {Fr}), the G2 Edward Manifold S. winner whose eight winners included the big race winners Easy Rocking (Barathea {Ire}) and Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}).
Listed Chautauqua S., $175,000, 1200m
A horse who has always shown black-type ability, Aysar (Deep Field) was able to breakthrough for his first stakes success at start number 20.
The 17th stakes winner for his speedy Newgate Farm-based sire, Aysar was bred by Torryburn Stud and sold for $260,000 to Shadwell Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Raced by a group led by local stud Leneva Park, Aysar is out of the three-time winner Miss Interiors (Flying Spur) who has also produced Coolmore Stud’s dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs (I Am Invincible).
A descendant of the legendary mare Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}), Miss Interiors is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner and 2021/22 Champion First Season Sire Russian Revolution and Group 3 mare Turbo Miss (Sebring).
Served last year by I Am Invincible, she has a colt and a filly by Dundeel (NZ) with the former being a $540,000 purchase by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Doomben: Listed Tattersall's Members Cup, $150,000, 1350m
Rising in class but dropping in weight, Bonaparte (Pierro) relished the Heavy conditions recording a gutsy win, his first at stakes level at the age of seven.
Bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock and purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $360,000, Bonaparte won a Pakenham maiden for the Michael Moroney stable. Later purchased by current trainer Stuart Kendrick online for $50,000, he is now a seven-time winner.
The 30th stakes winner for his Coolmore-based sire, Bonaparte is out of the placed Trafalgar Miss (War Pass {USA}), a half-sister to the G1 TJ Smith winner Sizzling.
Served last spring by Jungle Cat (Ire), Trafalgar Miss has not had a lot of luck in recent times - slipping last year with her previous foal by Zoustar born dead. Her most recent foal is the 4-year-old Chosen Miss (Choisir), a winner from six starts for the Symon Wilde stable.
Trafalgar Miss’ dam is the stakes-placed Admirelle (General Nediym) whose dam is the Listed winner Laudemio (Alzao {USA}).
Wanganui: Listed Fillies 3YO S., NZ$65,000, 1200m
Finishing off strong out wide, Rocababy (NZ) (El Roca) was able to break her maiden in fine style at just her third start.
A homebred for Graham Meredith, the promising filly is the seventh stakes winner for her Westbury Stud-based sire, a dual Listed-winning son of Fastnet Rock.
She is the second foal (her first Trigger Happy {NZ} by Complacent has also displayed talent in just three starts) for the lightly raced Christine Ann (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) whose seven-time winning dam Bold Faith (GB) (Warning {GB}) is a full sister to the Listed Prix Urban Sea winner Warbler (GB).
Bred on a 3 X 4 Danehill (USA) cross, Rocababy hails from an historic European family, one which has produced the classy stallion Royal Applause (GB) and the star mare Park Top (Ire) (Kalydon {GB}).
Christine Ann was served last spring by King Of Comedy (Ire) having had the previous season off. Her third foal is a yet to be named Staphanos (Jpn) colt.
Listed Wanganui Guineas, NZ$65,000, 1340m
Celebrations at Windsor Park Stud as Sheez Dominant (NZ) (Vanbrugh) claimed this feature race, providing her G1 Spring Champion S.-winning sire - a son of Encosta De Lago - with his first stakes winner.
Having just her third start - and her first since March, Sheez Dominant is the second foal and first to race for the winner Crookshanks (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) whose city-winning dam Ella’s Cat (Catbird) is a half-sister to the Australian-bred, South African-based, two-time Group winner Bishops Rock (Redoute’s Choice).
A descendant of the influential Democratie (Fr) (Epinard {Fr}) - ancestress of the successful stallions Showdown (GB) and Red Ransom (USA) - Sheez Dominant can boast amongst her closer relations the big race winners Riverina Charm (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Benfica (Lonhro) and Neroli (Viscount).
Served last spring by Shamexpress (NZ), Crookshanks has not had a great deal of luck since producing Sheez Dominant - her 2021 Rageese filly euthanised whilst the previous season she missed to that same stallion.
