Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Randwick: G1 George Main S., $1,000,000, 1600m
Eighteen starts, nine wins, five at Group 1 level. That's some record Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) is building and judging by the ease of this latest success there is plenty more to come for Godolphin’s handsome homebred.
Already the winner of over $5.8 million, he is one of the 61 stakes winners sired by his Darley NSW-based sire who has been going from strength to strength in recent years.
Anamoe is out of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Anamato (Redoute's Choice) who was campaigned overseas - finishing third in the G1 Hollywood Park American Oaks.
Not currently in foal having missed in a return visit to Street Boss (USA) last spring, Anamato has also produced the Irish Listed winner Anamba (GB) (Shamardal {USA}) and the city winner Amitto (Lonhro).
And one of her unraced daughters has produced the G2 UAE Derby-placed Island Falcon (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Anamato is out of the stakes-placed Voltage (Whiskey Road {USA}) - dam of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Drum (Marauding {NZ}) and grandam of the multiple Group 1 winner Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}).
Anamato’s most recent foal is a filly by Blue Point (Ire) whilst her 3-year-old Dartboard (Shooting To Win) was a game debut second at Geelong during the week.
A highlight of Anamoe’s pedigree are strains of the close relations Machiavellian (USA), Halo (USA), Northern Dancer (Can) and Danehill (USA).
G2 The Shorts, $1,000,000, 1100m
Nature Strip's (Nicconi) big overseas adventure has certainly taken none of the gloss of this remarkable sprinter who, after enjoying a nice trail along the rails as Eduardo (Host {Chi}) made the post, was able to dominate his rivals.
In doing so he recorded the 22nd win of his 39-start career - increasing his prizemoney tally to beyond $19 million. One which he looks set to build even further on as another crack at The Everest looms.
One of his Widden Stud Victoria-based, dual Group 1-winning sire’s 24 stakes winners, Nature Strip was bred by Golden Grove Stud, purchased by his owners after being passed in for $90,000 at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
He is out of the G3 Ian McEwen Trophy winner Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}), also dam of the Listed Fernhill H. winner The Barrister (Star Witness).
Served last spring by Shamus Award, Strikeline is a half-sister to the G3 Eclipse S. winner Bashful Girl (Perugino {USA}) and the high-class jumper Bashboy (Perugino {USA}) out of the Listed Hopetoun S. winner Strike High (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}).
Nature Strip is bred on a 3 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA) and a 7 X 7 cross of the Kentucky Oaks heroine Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) via her outstanding sons Bold Reason (USA) and Never Bend (USA).
He is a descendant of the wonderful broodmare Friar's Daughter (GB) (Friar Marcus {GB}) whose Classic-winning sons Bahram (GB) and Dastur (GB) made a mark on the breed.
G2 Tea Rose S., $250,000, 1400m
Showing plenty of heart emerging victorious from a late battle, Zougotcha (Zoustar) proved that her G2 Silver Shadow S. (a race proving to be a terrific form reference) victory was no fluke.
A $500,000 graduate of the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (purchased by Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock) bred by Widden Stud with the RMA Bloodstock Trust, Zougotcha is one of the 32 stakes winners for her in-form sire.
And she is one of three stakes winners for her dam, the stakes-placed, triple city winner Fast Talker (Fastnet Rock) whose dam is the Listed winner Crystal Wit (Distorted Humor {USA}).
Also dam of the Listed winners Persuader (Zoustar) and The Actuary (Sebring) as well as the city winner Campaign (Sebring), Fast Talker was served last spring by Written Tycoon having not had a great deal of luck (missing and slipping) since producing Zougotcha.
Fast Talker is a half-sister to the G3 Heath S. winner Crystal Dreamer (Stratum) from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Crystal Lily (Stratum) and the stakes winners Amaethon (Al Maher), Crystal Web (Hard Spun {USA}) and Carrara (Elvstroem).
Zougotcha is one of the 26 winners and three stakes winners from just 32 runners bred on a Zoustar/Fastnet Rock-cross - one which boasts an outstanding 81.3 per cent winners-to-runners strike rate.
G3 Bill Ritchie H., $200,000, 1400m
Having just his third local outing, the imported grey Top Ranked (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) showed good heart getting clear late having taken a gap with 150 metres to go.
Bred by Wicklow Bloodstock and originally purchased by Rabbah Bloodstock for 26,000gns (AU$46,500) at the 2017 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale - now raced by Australian Bloodstock - he won five races in the UK including the G3 Superior Mile S. at Haydock and the Listed Doncaster Mile.
One of the 91 stakes winners for his Yeomanstown Stud-based, G1 Middle Park S.-winning sire, Top Ranked is out of the winner Countess Ferrama (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) whose dual Group 2-winning dam Madame Dubois (GB) (Legend Of France {USA}) produced another nine winners including the G1 1rish 2000 Guineas winner Indian Haven (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and the G1 Gran Criterium winner Count Dubois (GB) (Zafonic {USA}) who earned the title of Italian Champion 2-Year-Old Colt.
Two of Madame Dubois' daughters have produced stakes winners as have two of her granddaughters. And they are stakes winners all over the place - England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa - and now Australia.
G3 Kingston Town S., $200,000, 2000m
Part of a great day for Godolphin and James Cummings (eight winners including four stakes winners), last season's G2 VRC St Leger winner Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) was terrific returning to winning form at only his second start this time in.
A homebred for Godolphin and one of the 110 stakes winners for his G1 National S. and G1 Dewhurst S.-winning former shuttling sire, he is the first foal for the very good race mare Alegria (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), a winner of three metropolitan races who was four times placed at Group level.
A daughter of the G3 Vanity S. winner Pure Joy (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), she was served last spring by Ghaiyyath (Ire) having foaled an Epaulette filly in September.
Alegron can count amongst his relations the stakes winners Fravashi (Falbrav {Ire}), Russian Caravan (Dehere {USA}), Felizmaster (Stratum), Custard (Lonhro), Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock) and Curdled (All Too Hard).
Alegron's sire and dam are bred on the same Sadler's Wells (USA)/Mr Prospector (USA)/Danzig (USA)-cross.
Caulfield: G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., $1,000,000, 1400m
Considering that he had the best Group 1 form leading into the race, Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) was nice odds and he was tough to the line recording his first Australian success at that elite level.
Now a four-time Group 1 winner, he is one of four stakes winners for the late G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas-winning Atlante, who stood at Mapperley stud. Bred by Windsor Park Stud, he was secured for just NZ$3000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale.
Bred on 4 X 6 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA) and a 4 X 3 cross of Royal Academy (USA), he is one of four winners (from as many foals to race) for the three-time winning Volksraad (GB) mare Raaadisi (NZ) who died four years ago.
A half-sister to the Group 1 winner The Party Stand (NZ) (Thorn Park) (dam of the stakes-placed Petition by Foxwedge), Raadisi hails from a reliably classy Australian family - one which has also produced the big-race winners Kenvain (Kenmare {Fr}), Mr Murphy (Danehill {USA}), Regal Power (Pierro) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro).
Callsign Mav is his dam's second last foal, her last being the 5-year-old Bo Jackson (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) who won his maiden at Matamata last spring.
G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, $300,000, 1400m
Relishing the conditions, Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) looked great rounding up her rivals from before the turn and racing clear to a big 3.25l victory in this G1 Thousand Guineas lead-up.
The first stakes winner from the debut crop of Kitchwin Hills' G3 Aurie's Star-winning son of Snitzel, Boogie Dancer was bred by Rushton Park who remained in the ownership after she was picked up for $50,000 by Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody Racing from their draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
She is the sixth live foal and fifth winner for the placed Search For Fame (Quest For Fame {GB}) who only recently changed hands very cheaply online. Served last spring by Your Song she has also produced a stakes winner by that stallion - the G3 Birthday Card S. winner Miss Exfactor who Newgate purchased for $380,000 at Inglis last year.
Also producing the Hong Kong winner Armour Eagle (Epaulette), Search For Fame is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Impaler (Dracula) and the stakes-placed multiple city winner Stratcombe (Stratum).
Search For Fame's dam Catecombe (Papal Power {USA}) is a full sister to Villa Igea, dam of the Group 3 winners Fair Trade (Danewin) and Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) and grandam of Aquis' G1 Manikato S. winner Jonker.
Meanwhile Catecombe's half-sister Great Shack (At Talaq {USA}) is the third dam of the G3 Ladies Day Vase winner Quilate (Bramshaw).
And Catecombe is a granddaughter of the wonderful mare Cotehele House (GB) (My Swanee {GB}) who is a daughter of another great mare - the mighty Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).
G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, $300,000, 1400m
Goldophin's homebred Aft Cabin (Astern) gave his rivals a galloping lesson in a race run in trying conditions - always in control and sprinting clear to win by an impressive 3.5l at just his fourth start.
The sixth stakes winner for his G1 Golden Rose-winning, Darley-based sire, Aft Cabin is the sixth foal and third stakes winner for the dual city winner Shelters (Lonhro) who has also produced the G3 PJ Bell S. winner Multaja (by Astern's sire Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and the Listed Lonhro Plate winner Veranillo (also by Medaglia d'Oro).
Served last spring by Brazen Beau after producing a Harry Angel (Ire) colt, Shelters is out of the three-time Group 2-placed multiple city winner Hut (Danehill {USA}) whose son Benfica won the G1 TJ Smith S.
A descendant of the influential Democratie (Fr) (Epinard {Fr}) whose other descendants include the successful stallions Red Ransom (USA) and Showdown (GB), Aft Cabin is bred on a 4 X 3 male/female Danehill (USA)-cross whilst also boasting duplications of the outstanding mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
G3 MRC Foundation Cup, $200,000, 2000m
Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) earned himself a G1 Caulfield Cup place with this determined performance, digging deep after travelling well on pace in the Heavy conditions.
Last summer's Listed Pakenham Cup winner has done a great job winning eight of his 22 starts - amassing in excess of $680,000 in stakes.
Purchased by Darrien Weir for NZ$52,500 from the White Robe Lodge draft at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, he is one of the six stakes winners for White Robe's G2 Todman S.-winning Ghibellines, a well-related son of Shamardal (USA) and the Group 1 mare Camarilla (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Smokin' Romans is one of three winners (from as many named foals) for the two-time G3 Canterbury Gold Cup winner Inferno (USA) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) whose other two runners - The Big Boss (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and Dante Fire (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) - are both metropolitan winners.
Served last spring by Ancient Spirit (Ger) after foaling a full sister to Smokin' Romans, Inferno is a half-sister to the Listed Inglewood S. winner Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and the stakes-placed city winners Unfurl (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) and Ronnie (NZ) (Seasoned Star).
G3 How Now S., $200,000, 1200m
It was the all blue again as Zapateo (Brazen Beau) dashed clear late to record her third win at stakes level.
A daughter of Godolphin's Victorian-based, G1 Coolmore Stud S. and Newmarket H.-winning son of I Am Invincible (and one of his 19 stakes winners), she is out of the Listed Ramornie H. winner Jerezana (Lonhro) who is doing such a great job at stud with her first foal foals all being winners.
Sadly she died in 2019, leaving behind a Street Boss (USA) colt - Zaragoza who jumped out at Flemington in August.
Also dam of the Group 2-winning sprinter Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}) and the Group 3-placed Badajoz (Commands), Jerezana is out of the Group 1-placed dual city winner Saddler's Silk (Barathea {Ire}) whose grandson Viridine (Poet's Voice {GB}) is a two-time Group winner.
Also from this family are the stakes winners Barawin (Barathea {Ire}), De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Brief Embrace (Irgun {USA}).
It was a good day for Lonhro mares, that champ also dam sire of Aft Cabin (Astern).
Morphettville: Listed Wylie H., $107,250, 1100m
A deserved winner on the back of consistent form Shamino (Shamus Award) had already proven himself at stakes level - this win his third in black type company on the back of successes in the Listed Doveton S. and the Listed Manihi Classic - both in 2020.
A homebred for D Brook, Shamino is one of the 20 stakes winners for his G1 W.S Cox Plate and Australian Guineas-winning, Rosemont Stud-based sire, a son of Redoute's Choice.
His dam is the multiple city winner Elumino (El Moxie {USA}) who died in the spring of 2020 with her final foal being the yet to race Phillip Stokes-trained 3-year-old Misludi (Supido).
The dam of another three winners, Elumino does not have a great deal of black-type close up in her pedigree though her third dam is the Group 3 winner Celestial Lights (USA) (Bold Ruler {USA}) who hails from the same branch of the prolific Cherokee Rose (USA) (Peter Pan {USA}) family as the classy stallion Majestic Light (USA).
Riccarton Park: Listed Canterbury Belle S., NZ$65,000, 1200m
Taking over with 150 metres to go, the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas-bound One Kiss (NZ) (Tivaci) did a great job atoning for an unlucky debut by easily winning a stakes race at only her second outing. A homebred for Lib Petagna's JML Bloodstock, One Kiss is her Waikato Stud-based, G1 All-Aged S.-winning sire's third stakes winner amongst his first 31 winners.
She is the third foal for the imported three-time winner Discreet Evening (USA) (Discreet Cat {USA}) whose first foal is the Listed winner Santa Catarina (NZ) (Savabeel).
Served last spring by Super Seth having had little luck since producing One Kiss (a miss and a slip), Discreet Evening is a half-sister to the Group 1-placed Listed winner Great Notion (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) out of an unraced daughter of the classy race mare Water Lily (Fr) (Riverman {USA}); a Group 3 winner in America and a Listed winner in France.
Water Lily is a significant matriarch, the dam of the G1 Flamingo S. winner Talinum (USA) (Alydar {USA}) ancestress of a number of stakes winners including the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Atlante (Fastnet Rock),
One Kiss boasts duplications of three influential mares within seven generations - Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) and Crimson Saint (USA) (Crimson Satan {USA}).
