Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

G1 Railway S. - the Peters' silks again?

Bob and Sandra Peters have dominated the G1 Railway S. at Ascot, one of Perth's most prestigious events, in recent times - horses in their well known cerise and white colours were successful in each of the last four years; Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), Regal Power (Pierro) and Galaxy Star (Redoute's Choice).

They have two acceptors on Saturday though one of those, Devoted (Xtravagant {NZ}), needs a bit of luck to gain a run as third emergency. Meanwhile, Treasured Star (Toronado {Ire}) is assured of a run and will be hard to beat off the back of her determined win in the G3 Asian Beau S. late last month.

Three of her rivals on Saturday were behind her that day, Startrade (Trade Fair {GB}) a game runner-up, while Alaskan God (Playing God) and Trix Of The Trade (Trade Fair {GB}) were both strong to the line.

Also likely to prove a strong form reference is the G2 Lee Steere Classic in which Karli's Karma (Deep Field) tried so hard. Notorious One (Animal Kingdom {USA}) was also good in that race, making up ground along the rails.

Or will it be a differing formline? Searchin' Roc's (Awesome Rock) backs up from a tough performance taking out last weekend's G3 R.J. Peters S., while Yonkers (USA) (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and Ironclad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bring solid eastern state form to the party.

Listed Ballarat Cup - Group 1 form to shine?

There is plenty of spring carnival form in this race including a couple of horses who boast decent performances at Group 1 level - the Chris Waller-trained Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) who was a somewhat unlucky G1 Empire Rose S. fifth prior to her dominant G2 Matriarch S. victory, while the Mike Moroney-trained Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) was close up in the G1 Mackinnon S.

That looks great form for a race of this nature and not surprisingly those two horses are fighting out favouritism.

Atishu, who also accepted for The Gong at Kembla Grange, is one of the three Waller runners in the race and they will be the first three in the yard as numbers 1, 2 and 3. Sharing topweight is Desert Icon (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who won the G2 JRA Cup over this distance in late September, and the popular mare Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) whose fans will be hoping the rain arrives.

Lindsay Park took home the trophy last year with Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel) and are hoping to do the same this time around when they saddle Dark Dream (All American), who has been racing well at Country Cup level.

Meanwhile, fresh on the scene having had only one run each this time in is Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) who was in the thick of things in the VOBIS Gold Star.

Both Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) and Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) line up in their second Ballarat Cups, the former last year running an excellent fifth from a horror draw, while the latter was unplaced - but is in nice form having run well in last weekend's Listed Cranbourne Cup.

The Gong - racing for $1 million

A $1 million race being run for the fourth time, Kembla Grange’s The Gong has attracted runners from a variety of form lines - horses who have been contesting stakes races in Melbourne and Sydney.

The sole interstate-trained horse is the toppie - the popular and honest gelding Just Folk (Magnus), who is bursting for a win having been a game runner-up at each of his last three starts in good races - the Listed Seymour Cup, the G3 Craven Plate and the Listed Cup Day Plate.

Not in quite such good form is Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) but the triple Group 1 winner has been contesting stronger races - finding plenty of trouble when running in the G1 Cantala S. last time out.

Several runners have been taking their chance in other races of this ilk, including Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who won The Invitation prior to ending up in the wrong part of the track in the G3 HKJC S. at Flemington, while Rustic Steel (Deep Field) took out the The Big Dance in which another of Saturday’s rivals, Surf Dancer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), was fourth having worked hard on pace.

Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) tried hard when finishing a close-up fourth in The Golden Eagle, while Sky Lab (Real Impact {Jpn}) and Brutality (Shamus Award) both finished off nicely in The Hunter.

G2 WA Guineas - any future Perth stars amongst them?

Since being elevated to its current Group 2 status in 1981, the WA Guineas has proven to be a good hunting ground for quality performers - 19 of its winners in that time going on to further Group success including the Group 1 winners Ihtsahymn (Ihtiram {Ire}), Summer Beau (NZ) (Sky Filou {NZ}), Old Nick (Old Spice), Megatic (Danetime {Ire}), Playing God, Arcadia Queen (Pierro), Rare Flyer (Captain's Wings {USA}) and Importune (NZ).

It looks a classy lineup this year with plenty of winning form including the exciting unbeaten gelding Bustler (Playing God), who has so impressively been making his way through the classes - two weeks ago putting in a late dive to secure his first black-type victory in the Listed Fairetha S.

Game in defeat in that race was All The King's Men (King's Troop), who has featured in the first two at each of his last five starts. Man Crush (Manhattan Rain) was out of the placings in the same race but did have to work hard, while Upper Limits (Exosphere) was strong to the line finishing third.

Meanwhile, the Stephen Miller-trained Saintorio (Oratorio) rises in class but just keeps racing well and the same can be said for the promising Demolish (Rich Enuff) - a big winner as an odds-on favourite at Class 1 level last time out.

Two nice fillies take on the boys - Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), who lost no fans when suffering the first defeat of her career in the Listed Burgess Queen S. last time out, while Linden Lady (No Nay Never {USA}) did a big job finishing off into a G3 Champions Fillies S. third having not long been out of maiden class.

Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic - juveniles takes to the track

Six debutants take on seven horses who have already raced in this Magic Millions feature which boasts a winning purse of $250,000.

Of those to have already faced the starter, Gitalong (Zoustar) and Dubenenko (Russian Revolution) are the most experienced having each raced twice - the former a game fifth after working hard on pace in the Golden Gift, while the latter was good weaving through the field when fifth in the G3 Ottawa S.

That Flemington race provides another two runners for this - the unplaced Capulet (Extreme Choice), who did not have much luck and Tabata Set (Snitzel), who set up a good pace and eventually held on well for fourth. Meanwhile, Pure Paradise (Capitalist) has been freshened since finding the line well when second in the Listed Debutant S. at her first start.

Just the second runner for Widden Stud's Written By, Amantine is another Cranbourne jump-out winner; a $50,000 yearling from the family of the recent Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel). La Petite Angele is also by a first-season sire, Darley's Harry Angel {Ire}), and she was a successful pinhook, having been purchased for $30,000 as a weanling and then resold for $130,000 as a yearling.

Eureka Stud's Spirit Of Boom has three runners including the first starters Malaboom, a Warwick Farm trial-winning $80,000 purchase out of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview winner Malasun (Red Ransom {USA}), and Sassy Boom, a Flemington jump-out-winning $155,000 yearling from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Mossfun (Mossman).

Listed Challenge S. - New Zealand's 2YOs

Seven juveniles chase black type at Pukekohe on Saturday and such is the openness of the race that five of those are quoted at single-figure odds.

The four who have raced have all displayed ability, including Luberon (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}), the first winner for her Cambridge Stud-based first-season sire when leading throughout at Ruakaka in late September. Another by a Cambridge Stud inmate is Balance Of Power (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), the NZ$300,000 yearling whose Te Rapa debut third (after a slow start) caught the eye.

As a NZ$600,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale graduate, Ethereal Star (Snitzel) is the most expensive horse in the race and she was good to the line when second at her Te Rapa debut a couple of weeks ago. Her dual-Group-3-winning dam Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) is a granddaughter of Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}).

Meanwhile, a $200,000 purchase at the same sale was Cyclonic King (Exceed And Excel), who was green but good at his first start. He is out of the Group 2-placed city winner Lady Krovanh (Dehere {USA}).

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

Run since 2012, the race has been evenly spread with five winners being male and five being female. However, in this year’s edition fillies make up 10 of the 13 runners, while the most represented sire is Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom with three.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Cusack (Not A Single Doubt) landed last year’s renewal and they will attempt to win back-to-back runnings of the $250,000 contest when they saddle two prospects on Saturday.

No. 1 - Gitalong

Zoustar x Khulaasa (Epaulette), colt

Trainers: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes

Owners: R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Exset Racing, Mr R Smith, B & C Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Mr D V Russo, G M C Livestock, A R E Investments and Mr P C Orton

Jockey: Ben Melham

Barrier: 6

Breeder: Shadwell Stud

Sale information: Bought by Paul Willetts Bloodstock for $200,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, before being purchased by his trainers for $425,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Vinery Stud draft the following year.

Trained by Team Hawkes, Gitalong is one of the more experienced runners in this year’s race having already had two starts, including most recently in the Golden Gift, where he finished fifth.

A son of Widden Stud’s resident superstar stallion Zoustar, the 2-year-old is the first foal out of G3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Khulaasa, who was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale for $1.35 million when offered as part of the Shadwell Dispersal in 2021. The colt was offered at the same edition of the breeding stock sale and was snapped up by his trainers for $425,000.

Khulaasa herself is out of dual-Listed winner Taameer (NZ) (General Nediym), who is also the dam of fellow stakes winner Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}) and she is in turn the dam of two-time Group 3 winner Aryaaf (Epaulette).

No. 2 - Sandual

Santos x Dualist (Choisir), colt

Trainer: Andrew Bobbin

Owners: Grampians Racing, Domrohie Pastures, K Tate, R L Cox, W P Grahame, S Chapman, D Holmes, N Clarke, T Winn, Mrs D J Shea, D Foxwell, Ms K Neville, Ms M J Stewart, J Riddle, Steelies Racing and Born To Run

Jockey: Harry Coffey

Barrier: 10

Breeder: Aquis Farm

Sale information: The colt was purchased first by Hardway Bloodstock for $20,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale from the Erinvale Thoroughbreds draft, before being reoffered the following year at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale and sold to his trainer for $45,000.

When Sandual lines up in the $250,000 race he will be attempting to become the first winner for his Aquis Farm-based sire, Santos and he comes into the contest after being narrowly denied a maiden victory at Murray Bridge on October 14.

The colt is out of the unraced Choisir mare Dualist and she is herself a half-sister to Listed winner and multiple Group 1-placed mare Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt).

No. 3 - Sunsource

Zoustar x Patricia Dawn (Sebring), colt

Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young

Owners: A Kheir, J A O'Neill, V Kheir, D Edmonds, S A Lewin, B D Nettlefold, G J Skien, R M Anderson, D Rogers, Mrs K Rogers, Carty Racing (Mgr: B C Carty), J A K Racing (Mgr: J S Rogers), Monaco Racing (Mgr: M Hudson), A K Racing (Mgr: Ms K L Solomon) and Busuttin Racing (Mgr: T L Busuttin)

Jockey: Daniel Moor

Barrier: 3

Breeder: Mr R Anderson

Sale information: The colt was snapped up by his trainers and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $370,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.

In-form trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will be attempting to win back-to-back runnings of the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic, having landed it 12 months ago with Cusack and they will be represented by two runners in this year’s contest.

This colt is out of the winning, Group 3-placed Sebring mare Patricia Dawn, making him a brother to Dawn Of An Era, who has won three times in Japan.

Patricia Dawn herself is a daughter of Listed winner Summer Girlfriend (USA) (Forest Camp {USA}), who was brought to Australia after being purchased by Vin Cox Bloodstock at the 2007 Keeneland November Breeding Sale for US$180,000 (AU$268,800).

Summer Girlfriend herself is a half-sister to stakes-winning duo Demand Deposit (USA) (Deposit Ticket {USA}) and Confiding Winner (USA) (Confide {USA}).

No. 4 - Amantine

Written By x Etoile Fille (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), filly

Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young

Owners: Ms N J Young, Mrs T M Mackinnon, Ms L M Slender, Mrs D W Dormer, Ms W Patton, Ms K M Lewis, Ms A L Taylor, Ms D V Pope, Mrs W M Yesberg, Mrs R Rowhead and Mrs K E Palma

Jockey: Craig Newitt

Barrier: 12

Breeder: Manx Park

Sale information: Purchased by her trainers for $50,000 from the draft of her breeders at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.

Amantine is a daughter of Widden Stud’s first-season sire Written By and she will be attempting to become the stallion’s first winner, but she will have to produce a better performance than her debut when she finished last of nine runners in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.

The 2-year-old filly is out of the winning No Excuse Needed (GB) mare Etoile Fille (NZ) who has produced five winners headed by Group 3-placed Stop Making Sense (Sebring).

Etoile Fille herself is a daughter of dual-Group 3 winner Starcent (NZ) (Centaine), the dam of G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up Ambitious (NZ) (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who in turn produced Group 3 winner Strike The Stars (NZ) (Savabeel) and Ampin (NZ) - the dam of Group 1 winner Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) and Group 2 winner Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel).

Starcent is also the dam of Make A Wish (NZ) (Pins), the dam of Group 2 scorer Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who enjoyed a lucrative spring, taking out the Listed Testa Rossa S. and the $10 million Golden Eagle.

No. 5 - Amelie

Spirit Of Boom x Balabina (Red Dazzler), filly

Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy

Owners: My Racehorse No. 1 (Mgr: R J Dauth), Peake Racing (Mgr: P N Edwards), 2 Brothers Racing (Mgr: C D Edmunds), P G Robinson, C H Boully, B C Miller, P A O'Dea, S D Postlethwaite, P Senior, W Stearman, Mrs F K Clancy, P M Clancy and M Twycross

Jockey: Declan Bates

Barrier: 2

Breeder: Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds

Sale information: Snapped by her trainers and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of her breeders.

The daughter of Eureka’s headline stallion, Spirit Of Boom, Amelie is out of dual-winning Red Dazzler mare Balabina.

Balabina herself is half-sister to Listed winner Firenza (Kenny’s Best Pal), the dam of Group 3 winner Tuscan Sling (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and stakes-placed Arrival (Choisir), the dam of dual-stakes winner Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed {GB}).

Balabina’s other half-sister is top-producer Beauty World (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dam of Group 3 winners Hi World (High Chaparral {Ire}), Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) and Lite'n In My Veins (Henrythenavigator {USA}) and Listed-winning duo Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) and Ducimus (Snitzel), the latter having taken out the Listed Talindert S.

No. 6 - Capulet

Extreme Choice x Involving (Sebring), filly

Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy

Owners: My Racehorse No. 1 (Mgr: R J Dauth), Sands Racing (Mgr: L Signore), M Lonardo, D R Fleming, M J Davidson, O K Chan, S A Cadzow, P J Beretta and P G Woods

Jockey: Dean Holland

Barrier: 5

Breeder: Mr J D Brown

Sale information: The filly was bought by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale in 2021 and she then made $280,000 when selling to her trainers, owners Myracehorse and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.

Last seen finding the G3 Ottawa S. on November 3 too hot, Capulet is one of two runners for the McEvoy stable, who will be hoping the filly can give a better account of herself on Saturday.

The 2-year-old filly is from the winning Sebring mare Involving and she is a daughter of two-time winning Encosta De Lago mare Involve.

Involve herself is a half-sister to Listed winner British Lion (Celtic Swing {GB}), the dam of fellow stakes winner British General (General Nediym).

No. 7 - Dubenenko

Russian Revolution x Happy Event (Dream Ahead {USA}), filly

Trainer: Chris Bieg

Owners: R J Savage, Mrs C M Savage, S Van Hees and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds (Mgr: T A Lillie)

Jockey: Dean Yendall

Barrier: 7

Breeder: Willow Park Stud

Sale information: The filly was bought by her trainer and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in 2022.

The daughter of Russian Revolution is out of the three-time-winning mare Happy Event (Dream Ahead {USA}), who has had one foal to race from two runners.

Dubenenko’s second dam is the Group 3 winner Besame Mucho (Encosta De Lago) and she also produced Listed scorers Frespanol (Choisir) and Essington (Redoute’s Choice).

Besame Mucho herself is sister of G3 Vanity S. winner Gold Lottey and she in turn produced Listed winner Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff). Having finished fourth at Murray Bridge on debut, the filly was last seen running a sound sixth in the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington on November 3.

No. 8 - La Petite Angele

Harry Angel (Ire) x Tiny Taj (Sepoy), filly

Trainer: Cliff Brown

Owners: Imperial Racing Stable (Mgr: M Harding)

Jockey: Matthew Cartwright

Barrier: 1

Breeder: B2B Thoroughbreds

Sale information: Snapped up by P Roach for $30,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale in 2021, the filly was then purchased by her trainer for $130,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

La Petite Angele will become the third starter in Australia for her Darley shuttle sire Harry Angel (Ire), who has already tasted stakes success in the country when his first runner, Arkansaw Kid, made an impressive debut to land the R. Listed Inglis Banner.

The filly is out of three-time winner Tiny Taj (Sepoy), who is herself a daughter of SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink (Distorted Humor {USA}), the dam of G2 QTC Cup winner Galah, Group 1-placed Pygmy (New Approach {Ire}) and Group 3-placed Miniature (Exceed And Excel).

No. 9 - Malaboom

Spirit Of Boom x Malasun (Red Ransom {USA}), filly

Trainer: Matthew Dale

Owners: Kurrinda Bloodstock (Mgr: S M Driver), Mrs A E Dale, J E Mason, J McConville, Ms C Bedford, R De Lepervanche, C J Lloyd, L H Martin, D J Wicks, M Morrison, B R Roweth, T Howard, G A Godson, J Croese, Mrs M Clark, SGC Racing (Mgr: G J Meale), A Watson & B Yeo

Jockey: Damien Oliver

Barrier: 13

Breeder: Mr J P Wagstaff

Sale information: Bought by Kurrinda Bloodstock for $80,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Eureka Stud draft.

Malaboom is out of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) winner Malasun (Red Ransom {USA}), who was purchased by Harry McAlpine for $170,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling and Bloodstock Sale in 2019.

The daughter of Red Ransom (USA) has produced four winners, headed by stakes-placed Hard To Say (Exceed And Excel).

Malasun herself is a half-sister to G2 Autumn Classic winner Stokehouse (Anabaa {USA}) and stakes placegetter Hostwin Epanoui (More Than Ready {USA}).

No. 10 - Pure Paradise

Capitalist x Impetuous (Fastnet Rock), filly

Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell

Owners: Trilogy (Mgr: Mrs M Stenning), Ridgeport (Mgr: E S Guagliardo), D Rogers and Mrs K Rogers

Jockey: Zac Spain

Barrier: 4

Breeder: Mrs B Bateman

Sale information: The filly was purchased by her trainer and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm.

The filly comes into the race off the back of a solid second behind King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) in the Listed Debutant S. on October 8 and she is out of the Listed Mona Lisa S. winner Impetuous (Fastnet Rock), who has produced three winners to date.

Pure Paradise’s second dam is the stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Rash Promise, and she is herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}).

Lloyd Kennewell will be looking for a second win in the race having saddled La Pomme De Pin (I Am Invincible) to victory in 2017 when it was known as the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Clockwise Classic.

No. 11 - Sassy Boom

Spirit Of Boom x Harbour Fun (Harbour Watch {Ire}), filly

Trainer: Danny O’Brien

Owners: Mrs J O'Brien, Mrs P Anderson, Mrs J A Helme, Mrs S Kanga, Mrs A J Barwick, Miss B B Hitt, Mrs H M Hitt, Mrs S T Hitt, Mrs S Sutherland, Mrs J A Quinn, Mrs W Ainsworth, Mrs C Field, Ms S Nicholes, Mrs S O'Donohue and Mrs D Loupasakis

Jockey: John Allen

Barrier: 9

Breeder: Emirates Park

Sale information: Snapped up by Danny O’Brien for $155,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of her breeders, Emirates Park.

Following her impressive trial at Flemington a few days ago, Sassy Boom is very much the talking horse going into the Saturday’s contest and she is likely to start favourite.

The filly is out of the unraced Harbour Watch (Ire) mare Harbour Fun, who has produced one winner in the shape of Rhythmboat (Exceed And Excel).

Harbour Fun herself is a half-sister to Listed Ken Russell Classic winner Cat D’Antibes (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Allegra (Dehere {USA}), the dam of stakes-winning duo Hostwin Achilles (Deep Field) and Eximus (Exceed And Excel). She also counts Eye For Fun (Snitzel), the dam of 2014 G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman), amongst her half-siblings.

No. 12 - Seacryption

Encryption x Plumage (Red Dazzler), filly

Trainer: Mitchell Freedman

Owners: M K Moody, Mrs J R Freedman, D M Mcdonough, G W T Harvey, M R Pollard, L W Patzel, M Brown, Ms A Hay, R Howling, K Howling, T S Whitfield, Mrs J L Colbert, G Colbert, A J Burgess, H A Buckland, D G Ross, M Goddard, Mrs J M Goddard, Okami Thoroughbreds (Mgr: S T Robinson) & Maher Road (Mgr: B Norton)

Jockey: Jordan Childs

Barrier: 8

Breeder: Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds

Sale information: A $130,000 purchase for her trainer from the Eureka Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.

The filly is from the first crop of Eureka Stud’s resident stallion Encryption and she will be bidding to become the son of Lonhro’s first winner, having been represented by just two starters.

Seacryption is out of the five-time-winning Red Dazzler mare, Plumage, making her a sister to six-time winner Plumaro, four-time winner Count The Coin and Belleivta, who has won on three occasions.

No. 13 - Tabata Set

Snitzel x Time Check (USA) (Shamardal {USA}), filly

Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Owners: Mystery Downs (Mgr: F W Cook), Mrs C M Cook, P L Jelfs, S Griffiths, B D King, Batis Racing (Mgr: D Distefano), J M Simmons & Ms S M Fitzgerald

Jockey: Ethan Brown

Barrier: 11

Breeder: Arrowfield

Sale information: The 2-year-old was purchased by her trainers for $380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling in 2022 from the Arrowfield Stud draft.

Last seen running a fourth in the G3 Ottawa S. on November 3, this daughter of Snitzel will be out to provide her sire with a second win in the event, having sired Sheer Style to win the race in 2013, when it was known as the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Clockwise Classic.

The filly is out of winning Shamardal (USA) mare Time Check (USA) making her a sister to stakes-placed 3-year-old Willinga Beast.

The filly’s second dam is G2 Magic Night S. winner Alizes (NZ) (Rory’s Jester), the grandam of multiple Group 1-winning Alizee (Sepoy) and Group 1 winner Astern, who stands at Darley’s Kelvinside base.