Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Flemington: G1 Makybe Diva S., $1,000,000, 1600m
What an exciting finish it was to the Group 1 contest at Headquarters, I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) showing plenty of heart running down Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) who had put several lengths on his rivals half way down the straight.
Having just his second run back from a spell, the now dual Group 1 winner was bred in New Zealand by Mr T Forlong and Ms J Jones.
One of the 19 stakes winners for his Rich Hill Stud-based, G1 Melbourne Cup-winning sire, he is the second foal for the lightly raced Primadonna Girl (NZ) (Edenwold {Can}) whose first is the Group 2-placed, Hong Kong winner Cantstopthefeeling (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Served last spring by Ocean Park (NZ) having produced colt by that same stallion, Primadonna Girl is out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed Samudera (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}).
Hailing from the family of the multiple Group winner Reno Belle (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}), he is line-bred to the close relations Northern Dancer (Can) and Halo (USA), also boasting a strain of Machiavellian (USA) from that same family.
G2 Let's Elope S., $300,000, 1400m
Well-fancied off her good first-up run in the G3 Cockram S., Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) was tough to the line recording the 10th success of her 23-start career.
Bred by Graham Daws and purchased by Morton Racing for $120,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is now a five-time stakes winner - and one of the 50 stakes winners sired by Yulong's reigning Australian Champion Sire Written Tycoon (Iglesia).
She is the third live foal and one of two winners for the terrific racemare Rosie Rocket (Blackfriars) who won nine of her 34 starts including the Listed Starstruck Classic and the Listed La Trice Classic.
Also dam of Star Of Rosie (Star Witness) who won her only start, Rosie Rocket has a yet to be named 2-year-old Russian Revolution colt and a yearling filly by All Too Hard.
Whilst there is not much black type close up in Rosie Rocket's pedigree, she does hail from the same family as the Group 1 winners Water Boatman (Ire) (Main Reef {GB}), Nannina (GB) (Medicean {GB}), Pure Champion (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Buoy (GB) (Aureole {GB}).
Kissonallforcheeks carries crosses of the excellent mares Natalma (USA) by Native Dancer (USA) and Lalun (USA) by Djeddah (Fr).
G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, $300,000, 1200m
It was a tough win for Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) who at his Melbourne debut was able to record his fourth black-type success - and at nice odds too.
Bred by Gerry Harvey and purchased by Anthony Cummings for $160,000 from the Baramaul Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Baller is one of the 134 stakes winners for his much-missed multiple Group 1-winning sire.
He is one of the six winners produced by the winner Fuwa (Encosta De Lago) who died in 2017 having also been represented by the Hong Kong winner Honest Horse (Onemorenomore).
Fuwa is a granddaughter of the G1 AJC Champagne S. winner Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) who produced nine winners including the G3 Hobart Cup and dual Listed winner Bid Spotter (Redoute's Choice).
Listed Poseidon S., $175,000, 1100m
It looked like being another bad luck story for Buenos Noches (Supido) who had run into plenty of trouble at his previous outing in the G3 San Domenico S. but a successful protest sees history record him this race's winner.
Bred by Widden Stud Australia and Bill Duncan Bloodstock, Buenos Noches was purchased by trainer Matthew Smith for $40,000 from the Widden draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He hails from the debut crop of his G3 Sir John Monash S.-winning sire who has been enjoying a good run of late.
Sadly, his dam Koi (Northern Meteor) died young having produced only three live foals; Yee Hing Princess (Stratum) also a winner whilst her last is a yet to be named Star Witness 2-year-old colt.
Koi is a granddaughter of the terrific mare Ballroom Babe (NZ) (Citidancer {Ire}), the triple Group 1 winner who produced three stakes winners - Just Dancing (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), Tahni Girl (Redoute's Choice) and Hidden Dragon (Danehill {USA}).
Listed Cap D'Antibes S., $175,000, 1100m
Doing a great job stepping straight up from a maiden win, Nanagui (Sebring) looks to be a progressive sort - and at the right time of year.
From the final crop of her high-achieving sire, Nanagui was bred by M Howard and purchased from the Blue Gum Farm draft by Rosemont Stud for $450,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
The 78th Sebring stakes winner, she is the third foal and third winner for the G3 Birthday Card winner Shamalia (Shamardal {USA}). Also dam of the metropolitan winner Twist Of Fury (Written Tycoon), she was not served last spring having produced a Lonhro colt with her previous foal being a son of Impending.
Shamalia is one of five winners for the city winner Laylia (Redoute's Choice), also dam of the Listed Randwick City S. winner Emperor's Way (Roman Emperor {NZ}).
Listed The Sofitel, $175,000, 1400m
It was an easy win recorded by Scallopini (Snitzel) who had 2.25l on his rivals - recording the 11th success of his consistent career.
Now a four-time stakes winner (and one of the 124 for his Arrowfield-based, four-time Australian Champion Sire), Scallopini was bred by S Gillard who remains in the ownership. Purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds and Steve O'Dea for $200,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he has now won over four times that amount.
He is the first foal for the unraced Rose Of Mulan (More Than Ready {USA}) who enjoyed a great day - her daughter Shades Of Rose (Rubick) later in the day taking out the G2 Sheraco S.
Recently producing a Hellbent filly (slipping to that same stallion the previous season), Rose Of Mulan also has the yet to race 3-year-old Decisively (Extreme Choice) in the Danny O'Brien stable; a $420,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier graduate.
Rose Of Mulan is a daughter of the dual Group winner Lady Mulan (NZ) (Bigstone {Ire}) who produced five winners including the stakes-placed Absent Friends (Dehere {USA}).
Lady Mulan is a half-sister to the G3 Tramway winner Kinzaffra (NZ) (Kinjite {NZ}) and to the dam of the Singapore-based stakes winner Mr Hanks (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
A descendant of the influential matriarch Chelandry (GB) (Goldfinch {GB}), Scallopini boasts crosses of the great mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}).
Listed Exford Plate, $175,000, 1400m
There were a number of close and exciting finishes today and this was one of them with Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) having his nose out where it counted.
A three-time winner from just four starts, he was bred by part-owner David Peacock out of his Group 3-placed mare Bahamas (Teofilo {Ire}).
Also dam of the G3 Frank Packer Plate and G3 HKJC Queen Mother Memorial Cup winner Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}), Bahamas is certainly a young broodmare of great potential.
Served last spring by Blue Point (Ire) having foaled a colt by Harry Angel (Ire), she also has a yet to race Frosted (USA) 2-year-old by the name of Another You - also in the Dan O'Sullivan stable.
Bahamas is one of the six winners produced by the triple Listed winner St Trinians (Black Hawk {GB}), also dam of the G2 Matriarch S. winner Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}).
Hastings: G1 Tarzino Trophy, NZ$300,000, 1400m
A strong finish out wide saw Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) straight back into winning form off his successful winter campaign in Queensland.
Bred by WE Jeffries Ltd and passed in at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale (Book 2), he is one of the seven stakes winner numbers for his Rich Hill Stud-based, G3 Spring S.-winning sire.
He is the first named foal for the lightly raced All Can Party (All American), half-sister to the metropolitan winner Exclusive Choice (Redoute’s Choice) out of a daughter of the multiple city winner Party (Lunchtime {GB}) who did a great job at stud with her nine winners including the Group 1 sprinters Masked Party (Marscay) and Festal (Vain).
Party’s daughter La Bamba (Last Tycoon {Ire}) has also done a fine job at stud with her 10 winners including the G1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Inspiration (Flying Spur), the G1 Australian Guineas winner Wandjina and the Listed winners Lucky Unicorn (Redoute’s Choice) and Provence (Redoute’s Choice) - in turn dam of the stakes winners My Admiration (Encosta De Lago) and Banaadeer (More Than Ready {USA}).
Party is also ancestress of the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Complacent (Authorized {Ire}), the triple Group 1 winner Dracula (Quest For Fame {GB}) and the G1 New Zealand Oaks heroine Miss Sentimental (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).
Last spring paying a return visit to Proisir, All Can Party has a yet to be named 3-year-old full brother to Dark Destroyer as her most recent live foal.
G3 Gold Trail S., NZ$100,000, 1200m
It is proving to be a good campaign for Best Seller (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) who made a successful transition to stakes class at just her second run for the preparation and her sixth overall.
Bred by the Hong Kong Breeders Club and purchased from the Highview draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale (Book 2), she is proving quite the bargain for Adrian Clark's Challenge Racehorse Syndications who laid down just NZ$12,000 for her.
The first stakes winner for her Highview-based, G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-winning sire, Best Seller is the first live foal for the lightly raced Star Amazing (NZ) (Danroad) - half-sister to the G2 Kindergarten S. winner Dances On Stars (Snitzel).
Best Seller's grandam is the Listed winner Fancy Miss (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), dam of the dual Group 1 winner Miss Margaret (Marscay).
Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy, NZ$80,000, 1200m
It was a great return by Te Akau Racing's Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) who looks set for a fruitful spring.
Bred by J.C and M.A Thompson and Windsor Park Stud, Dynastic was purchased by David Ellis for NZ$360,000 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale (Book 1).
He is one of the four stakes winners for his Cambridge Stud-based sire whose three Group 1 victories earned him the title of European Champion 3-Year-Old.
Dynastic is the fourth foal of three winners for the lightly raced winner Meir (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) whose daughters Miss Ricky Bobby (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Black Queen (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) are both metropolitan winners.
Last spring visiting Circus Maximus (Ire) having previously produced a colt by Rageese, Meir is one of the six winners (from as many to race) for the city winner Mia le Fay (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) - also dam of the Listed Anzac H. winner Lady le Fay (NZ) (Thorn Park).
Dynastic is bred on a 5 X 5 cross of Nureyev (USA), also carrying a strain of that great stallion's three-quarter brother Fairy King (USA). He is a descendant of the legendary Pretty Polly (GB) (Gallinule {GB}) - as is Almanzor's (Fr) grandsire Iffraaj (GB) whose sixth dam The Veil (GB) (Nimbus {GB}) is also Meir's sixth dam.
Dynastic hails from the same branch of this prolific family as the Group 1 winners Eagle Mountain (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), Dank (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Sulk (Ire) (Selkirk {USA}).
Rosehill: G2 Run To The Rose, $250,000, 1200m
A good day for Godolphin continued with this exciting victory for the up-and-comer In Secret (I Am Invincible).
Having just her fourth start, the three-time winner was bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia and Saconi Thoroughbreds and purchased by Godolphin from the Segenhoe draft for $900,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The 81st stakes winner for Yarraman Park's reigning Australian Champion Sire, In Secret is the second foal and second winner for the dual Group 3 winner Eloping (Choisir) whose three-quarter brother, Of The Brave (Starspangledbanner), won a G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings).
Last spring paying a return visit to I Am Invincible, Eloping has fillies coming through by Trapeze Artist (a $200,000 purchase for Price Racing and Breeding at this year's Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale) and Snitzel.
G2 Theo Marks S., $250,000, 1300m
Freshened off a good run in the G1 Tattersall's Tiara, Kiku (Zoustar) finished off gamely to win her second race at stakes level.
Bred by Frank Meduri and purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $300,000 from the Amarina Farm draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kiku is one of the 32 stakes winners for her Widden Stud-based sire.
She is the second-last foal (the recent stakes-placed Kamitori {Divine Prophet} the last) produced by the unraced Atotori (Haradasun) who died in 2020.
Also dam of the G1 Newmarket H. winner Zoutori (also by Zoustar), Atotori is a half-sister to the South African-based, Group 3 winner Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt). Her grandam is the Group 1 winner Park Express (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) who produced the multiple Group 1-winning stallion New Approach (Ire).
G2 Sheraco S., $250,000, 1200m
Proving herself up to this tougher test, Shades Of Rose (Rubick) was gutsy holding on gamely to record her fourth win in a row.
A homebred for the Gillard family, she is the seventh stakes winner for her in-form Swettenham Stud-based sire. And she was part of a great day for her unraced dam Rose Of Mulan (More Than Ready {USA}) who earlier in the day was represented by the Listed Tontonan S. winner Scallopini (Snitzel).
Recently producing a Hellbent filly (slipping to that same stallion the previous season), Rose Of Mulan also has the yet to race 3-year-old Decisively (Extreme Choice) in the Danny O'Brien stable; a $420,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier graduate.
Rose Of Mulan is a daughter of the dual Group winner Lady Mulan (NZ) (Bigstone {Ire}) who produced five winners including the stakes-placed Absent Friends (Dehere {USA}).
Lady Mulan is a half-sister to the G3 Tramway winner Kinzaffra (NZ) (Kinjite {NZ}) and to the dam of the Singapore-based stakes winner Mr Hanks (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
G3 Ming Dynasty Quality, $200,000, 1400m
Looking set for a bright future on the back of this easy win, Golden Mile (Astern) did a great job at just his third outing.
A Godolphin homebred, he is the fifth stakes winner for his Darley-based, G1 Golden Rose-winning sire. He is the third foal and third winner for the dual Listed-winning juvenile Calaverite (Lonhro), also dam of the Moonee Valley winner Telluride (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}).
Served last spring by Street Boss (USA) having produced a Microphone colt, Calaverite is a daughter of the G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Gold Rocks (Oratorio), also dam of the Group 2 winners Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel) and Gold Rush (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}).
Calaverite's most recent named foal is Stanislaus, a yet to race 2-year-old son of Exceed And Excel.
Belmont: Listed Farnley S., $125,000, 1400m
Taking a late split, Resortman (Helmet) was gutsy winning a second Listed race in a row.
A bargain $15,000 purchase from the Supreme Thoroughbreds draft at the 2017 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale - purchased by M Lane and P Capararo - Resort Man was bred in Victoria by M Jennings, L Davies, T Rocks, R Gerbes and G McLeod.
He is one of the 18 stakes winners for his three-time Group 1-winning sire who left Australia in late 2017 - best known in the Northern Hemisphere as sire of the dual G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet).
Resortman is one of the four winners (from as many to race) for the four-time winner Straveen (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), also dam of the Group 3-placed Estoril Park (Pride Of Dubai) and the city winners Gougers (Wanted) and Another Flag (Wanted).
Served last spring by Lean Mean Machine (and Invader), Straveen has a yearling colt by Vancouver whilst her yet to race 3-year-old The Gatlin (American Pharoah {USA}) is a member of the Amy and Ash Yargi stable.
Straveen is one of the nine winners for the Group 1-placed Susum Corda (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), full sister to the Group 1 gallopers St Reims (NZ) and Champagne (NZ). Other elite-level winners from this family include Charmont (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Resortman boasts crosses of the outstanding mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}).
