Saturday summary: Aft Cabin dominates Eskimo Prince as Santos secures first stakes winner

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Aft Cabin leaves them all at sea

A simple yet dominant performance in the G3 Eskimo Prince S. (1200 metres) at Royal Randwick served up yet another Group 1 contender for the powerhouse Godolphin operation. The 3.5l victory of Aft Cabin (Astern) in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude last September put him in the frame as a leading spring hope, but a bleed suffered during trackwork ended that campaign.

However, his return to racing on Saturday was scintillating. With James McDonald grabbing a perfect position one off the rail just behind the leaders, he produced Aft Cabin with 300 metres to run, and the 3-year-old colt burst clear of the field with minimum fuss, eased across the line to finish 1.73l ahead of Zou Tiger (Zoustar), with Michael Freedman’s improving Communist (Russian Revolution) 0.72l away in third.

With Zou Tiger third in the G1 Golden Rose S. on September 24, trainer James Cummings was confident that the form stacked up in favour of his horse.

“I think we’re dealing with a very talented horse,” said Cummings. “He’s had a really uncomplicated preliminary in the build-up to this.

“He had so much promise in the spring and his spring was cut short, but we’ve got a very good team who rallied around him and gave him the time that he needed, let nature take its course and he’s had a good spell.

“Provided that he continues to return to scale after performances like that and looks in perfect health, I feel like he’s in for a wonderful campaign - we can sit down and enjoy nominating him for all the good races on Tuesday.

With Cummings proposing the G2 Hobartville S. (1400 metres) as the ideal lead-up race for the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 4, James McDonald was full of praise following Saturday’s performance.

“He oozes so much quality, he floats across the ground, (has an) unbelievable turn of foot and he can only improve off today’s outing,” the Champion Jockey said.

“He’ll come to hand, I think he’ll only get better as he gets deep into the prep, his coat’s still a bit mustery, (but) I’ll leave that to the expert, he’ll get him right on the day.”

Santos secures first stakes winner

Aquis Farm’s first-season sire Santos was delivered a sensational first stakes winner on Saturday when the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic was taken out in style by the Stephen Marsh-trained filly Ulanova (NZ) at New Plymouth.

In the Gandharvi colours of part-owner Kuldeep Singh, who was watching on from Royal Randwick, Craig Grylls took the front early on the 2-year-old filly, just as he did in the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO two weeks ago.

Collared into fourth that day, it was a different story on Saturday as she blitzed the field in a runaway, 6.8l win. In second was Lantern Way (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), whilst 0.5l further back in third was Te Akau’s She Turns Heads (Headwater).

“We jumped, found the lead and got it reasonably soft,” Grylls said after the win. “Talking to Stephen before the race I said I would try and cuddle her up for as long as possible and she has kicked away, where it was pretty easy in the end.

“She was strong right through the line and I think she is a pretty fair animal who we will see a lot more of.”

Stable foreman for Stephen Marsh, Rhys Mildon was confident in the filly’s chances after the track was upgraded to a Soft 5.

“It was really good to see her run the 1200 meters right out and that gives us hope for the future,” he said.

“She got a little hot today so it will be up to Stephen to decide where she goes next after we see how she comes through this.”

Having broken her maiden on debut last October, Ulanova was recording her second victory from four starts. She was a NZ$150,000 purchase for Mick Wallace at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, who races her as part of his Telluride Agency alongside his brother David and Boston-based Singh.

She’s out of the stakes-placed Elusive Quality (USA) mare The Fairy’s Kiss, a half-sister to the precocious multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible). Ulanova remains Santos’ only winner from 10 runners so far, with four of those having run into placings.

Madeira sweetens Freedman’s awkward start

The late scratching of Mexico (Capitalist) after some misbehaviour in the barriers left the Listed Lonhro Plate field at a reduced field of five runners for the first race at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon.

It also halved trainer Michael Freedman’s representation in the race, but proved no barrier to success as his filly Madeira Sunrise (I Am Invincible) ran out a tough, 0.49l victory over the favoured Sicilian (who tailed a one-two for Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible), whilst there was a further 0.89l back to first starter Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt) in third.

After Mexico’s antics, the eventual fourth-place finisher Miss Belgium (Capitalist) also played up in the barriers, setting off Madeira Sunrise who was then removed and reloaded.

This perhaps contributed to her being a little keen mid-race as the pace slackened, and left her trainer to conclude that there was plenty to look forward to as she matures with racing. However, he refused to get ahead of himself, asserting that a 1200-metre test was a key first step if a G1 Golden Slipper tilt could be considered.

“She’s quite progressive,” Freedman said post-race. “She was in a bit of a mood today as well, so I think there’s a bit of improvement to come. I think if she comes through today, we can look at one or two of the good fillies’ races coming up - whether it’s the (G2) Reisling (S.) or (G2) Sweet Embrace (S.).”

Winning jockey James McDonald echoed the trainer’s thoughts, saying: “She’s a pretty green filly still, she’s probably got plenty of upside. She just wanted to overdo it a fraction when the speed was backing out of the race, but I kept it pretty simple… She always felt like she was surging and holding the (other) horse (Sicilian) at bay.”

A $200,000 purchase by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Madeira Sunrise is the first named foal from the Savabeel mare Indrabeel (NZ), a sister to Listed winner and G1 Australian Guineas-placed You’re So Good.

She becomes a 90th stakes winner for her Yarraman Park-based sire, and a fourth at such level for his juveniles this season. The Champion Sire also enjoyed a further three winners on Saturday as 3-year-old filly Habeebati broke her maiden at Aquis Park Gold Coast Poly for Lee Freedman, whilst 4-year-old geldings Qeyaady and Turgenev were successful at Morphettville Parks and Gilgandra respectively.

Zulfiqar zips away with the Chairman’s Stakes

First-up from a break, Godolphin’s Zulfiqar (Exceed And Excel) couldn’t be matched on Saturday, taking the G3 Chairman’s S. (1000 metres) at Sandown-Hillside with an impressive, front-running performance.

The most experienced horse in the field, he was joined by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s smart Flemington maiden winner Veecee (Capitalist) at the 200-metre marker but after being stoked up by Ben Melham he sprung clear to win by 1.25l, with Ben and JD Hayes’ Tacito (Showtime) 1.75l further back in third.

A winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial back on October 1, Zulfiqar hadn’t been seen since running fifth in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate exactly a month later, and winning jockey Ben Melham was in ‘no doubt’ that he can now progress towards the G1 Blue Diamond S. over 1200 metres, for which he sits now as a general $15 chance.

“He’s a very sensible horse and he was strong through the line,” Melham said.

“He’s definitely come back stronger after the little break. He was able to control the race, get to the right part of the track and win really well, I thought.”

Out of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Sayf Shamal (USA), Zulfiqar is beautifully bred, being from the family of Alizee (Sepoy) and Astern via the blue hen Darley mare - also Zulfiqar’s three-quarter sister - Essaouira.

Dubenenko deals Bieg Diamond hope

South Australia trainer Chris Bieg sent out the first two home in a four-runner field for the opener at Morphettville Parks on Saturday, a 1000-metre juvenile handicap.

With his highly promising filly Dubenenko (Russian Revolution) leading them home, Bieg now has a contender for the G1 Blue Diamond S., after she finished ahead of her stablemate, the Written Tycoon filly Harleen. With those two separated by 1.4l, it was a further 2.7l back to the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained debutant Kristobel (Overshare).

“She was very good, probably a little bit fresh today on the back of only having just one jump-out on Tuesday, she’s got plenty of improvement,” Bieg said.

“Once we get into a bigger field with more tempo, it’ll suit her to be ridden midfield with some cover.

“She’ll now accept for the Blue Diamond, which is three weeks today. She’ll aim to have an exhibition gallop or something a bit more serious in a fortnight’s time before heading across to Melbourne.”

Unsuccessful in three starts until Saturday, Dubenenko was previously third in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic, a performance which left her a $301 chance in the Blue Diamond market, which was shortened to $67 after her latest performance.

Newgate Farm’s Russian Revolution was Champion First Season Sire last season, and has had an excellent run with his juveniles of late, headlined by G3 Canonbury S. winner Red Resistance and Listed Blue Diamond Preview (colts and geldings) winner The Instructor.

Kah keeps Wrote on the improve

A well-judged Jamie Kah-ride from the front saw her extend her winning partnership with Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) in the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine S. (1300 metres) at Sandown-Hillside. The 4-year-old mare has been on a steep upward curve of late, and the pair first linked up to win a BM70 at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Matthew Williams was delighted with his mare’s progression and is now considering races such as the G3 Mannerism S. (1400 metres) on February 25.

“It’s a fair transition she’s made,” he said. “You just get horses like that sometimes that can take those steps, and she’s got a bit of confidence out of winning, she’s relaxing better on raceday… She’s always had ability; we probably didn’t think we’d be winning a Group 3 mares race six months ago but we’re rapt today.”

Winning jockey Jamie Kah was full of admiration for her mount, adding: “I love this little girl’s heart, she’s so tough. She had a bit of time between runs so she was quite well and fresh today, and probably overdid it a touch in front… but she was never going to let that horse get past her.”

Based at Highview Stud in New Zealand, Wrote’s (Ire) tally of stakes winners was doubled on Saturday, as Wrote To Arataki joins G3 Hawke's Bay Gold Trail S. winner Best Seller (NZ) as his leading progeny.

Te Akau's quickfire stakes double

Te Akau Racing were handed a stakes double within 15 minutes on Saturday as Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) scored in the Listed Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth, followed up by the G3 White Robe Lodge S. victory of Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) at Wingatui.

With both trained by Mark Walker, the double began with 3-year-old filly Family Ties shooting up the inside at New Plymouth under Opie Bosson to claim the Oaks Prelude, landing herself the assignment of the G1 New Zealand Oaks (2400 metres) at Trentham next month.

Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper was at New Plymouth and spoke highly of the filly’s staying potential.

“We think she is a filly that goes better with some cut in the track, and she has struck a perfect deck for her today,” he said.

“We’ll see how she gets through this, but she is nominated for the (G1 New Zealand) Oaks and with her pedigree we know she is going to get that trip.”

Family Ties was a NZ$60,000 purchase by Te Akau principle David Ellis at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, and marked a fifth stakes winner for her Mapperley Stud-based sire Contributer (Ire).

Te Akau’s stakes double was completed at Wingatui with something of a surprise result as it was stablemate Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) who was preferred as the even-money favourite. However, 5-year-old gelding Perfect Scenario was a 3.3l winner in the end, defeating Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) into second, with Rock Sensation (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) back in third.

The stable may now look to the G1 Otaki-Maori Classic next month for the son of Iffraaj (GB).