Four-timer for Snitzel
Arrowfield Stud’s former Champion Sire Snitzel was represented by four winners on Saturday and the quartet was headed by Scallopini’s victory in the Listed The Sofitel at Flemington.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Meanwhile, at Rosehill, Remarque got his career back on track with a victory in the BM88 H., while Snitzel’s winners are completed by Orienzel and 3-year-old filly Justina, who landed their respective races at Echuca and Kembla Grange.
Snitzel stands for a fee of $220,000 (inc GST).
Anphina breaks through for Rebel Dane
Widden Stud-based sire Rebel Dane was provided with an impressive metropolitan winner on Saturday as his daughter, Anphina, broke through for her first career victory in a BM62 at Morphettville Parks.
The Andrew Bobbin-trained 3-year-old filly stayed on bravely to beat Merchant Boss (Merchant Navy) by 0.1l, while Party Princess (So You Think {NZ}) was the same distance away in third.
Rebel Dane is standing at Widden Stud’s New South Wales base for a fee of $27,500 (inc GST).
Epsom plan for Kiku
In winning the G2 Theo Marks S. at Rosehill on Saturday, the Chris Waller-trained Kiku (Zoustar) has earned herself a tilt at the G1 Epsom H. on October 1.
"No surprise, but we knew we needed luck from the draw and luck includes pace in a race," Waller said.
"There was good speed on, she got out in clear air and came with a well-timed run. She's a decent horse. Barrier draws have been against her all her life really since announcing herself back in the autumn two years ago.
"It has been a long time coming to win a race like this, but we've always thought she's had the ability."
First stakes winner for Wrote
Highview Stud-based Wrote (Ire) was provided with his first stakes winner on Saturday as his daughter Best Seller (NZ) produced a resolute finish to win the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail S. at Hastings.
Trained by John Bary, the 3-year-old stormed past her rivals to beat Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) by 1.8l.
Best Seller (NZ) wins the G3 Gold Trail S. at Hastings | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Best Seller was purchased by Challenge Racehorse Syndications for NZ$12,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale in 2021.
Wrote is standing for a fee of NZ$5000 plus GST.
Stakes treble for Zahra
Jockey Mark Zahra was in dominant form at Flemington on Saturday, riding an impressive Group treble, headed by his victory on board I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in the G1 Makybe S.
Mark Zahra | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The jockey duly followed up that Group 1 win with a victory on Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) in the G2 Let’s Elope S., while he capped off a wonderful day in the saddle with a victory when steering Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) to victory in the G2 Bobby Lewis Quality.
Allen and Shinn suspended
Jockeys Blake Shinn and John Allen were handed careless riding suspensions at Flemington on Saturday.
Shinn received a 12-meeting suspension for careless riding aboard Spacewalk (Exosphere) who was first past the post in the Listed Poseidon S. but demoted to second behind Buenos Noches (Supido) in the stewards’ room.
Racing Victoria stewards believed Shinn had shifted ground on Spacewalk when not the required 2l clear of Buenos Noches at the 150-metre mark, chief steward Robert Cram believing he was 1.5l clear while Shinn disagreed and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, Allen was penalised for his ride aboard the fifth-placed Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the The Sally Chirnside.
Prix Foy switch for Verry Elleegant
In a late change of plan, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will now contest the G2 Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sunday.
Last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner was expected to contest the G1 Prix Vermeille for mares over the same 2400-metre course at the same meeting on Sunday but was confirmed on Friday she would line up in the Group 2 instead.
The Prix Foy is to be Verry Elleegant's second run in France following an unplaced effort at Deauville in Group 1 company over 2000 metres last month.
