Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
G1 Randwick Guineas, $1,000,000, 1600m
What a visit for Zac Purton, first winning the G1 Canterbury S. and 40 minutes later making it a big-race double on Communist (Russian Revolution).
Double-figure odds having been unplaced in the G2 Hobartville S., the Michael Freedman-trained gelding was bred by the China Horse Club who remain in the ownership after selling him through the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Purchased by his trainer for $160,000, Communist is the sixth stakes winner and first Group 1 winner for his Newgate Farm-based sire.
He is the second foal for the lightly raced, two-time South Australian winner Cappadocia (Northern Meteor) who is one of 10 winners produced by the unplaced Eastern Charm (King's High) - also dam of the G1 Goodwood H. winner Zip Zip Array (Bellotto {USA}) and the Listed Proud Miss S. winner Zipanese (Bellotto {USA}) - and grandam of last year's Listed Lightning S. winner Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) and the Listed Macau Guineas winner Hostwin Saturn (Stratum).
Served last spring by Wild Ruler having previously missed to Extreme Choice, Cappadocia has a yearling full brother to Communist whilst her 2-year-old Bolsheviks (also by Russian Revolution) has had just the one unplaced run at Flemington earlier in the year.
Communist hails from an outstanding Group 1 family, one which has also produced the big-race winners General Nediym, Military Plume (NZ), Niconero (Danzero), Nicconi, Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), Laelia (NZ) (Oncidium {GB}) and Interstellar (NZ).
Communist boasts multiple strains of the prolific Rough Shod II (GB) (Gold Bridge {Fr}) family and is also line-bred to Russian Revolution's famous fourth dam Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}) - fourth dam of Northern Meteor's sire Encosta De Lago.
G1 Canterbury S., $600,000, 1300m
Having his first run since a Northern Hemisphere campaign that saw him figure in the placings twice at the elite level, Artorius (Flying Artie) was back to his brilliant best with this exciting fast-finishing victory.
The 2021 G1 Blue Diamond S. victor had trialled brilliantly in the lead-up and he was so tough weaving through the field to overall the wonderful New Zealander Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
One of the four stakes winners for his Newgate Farm-based, G1 Coolmore Stud S.-winning sire, Artorius was bred by Greg Perry (also breeder of the Group 1 gallopers Atlantic Jewel {Fastnet Rock}, Commanding Jewel {Commands} and Marabi {I Am Invincible}) who remained in the ownership after selling him through the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Purchased for $120,000 by Anthony Freedman Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock (FBAA), Artorius is the third foal produced by the unraced Gracie's Lass (Redoute's Choice) who Perry bred out of his imported Listed-winning, Group 1-placed mare Grace And Power (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).
Still at stud - last spring foaling a Written Tycoon filly - Grace And Power is also dam of the G1 Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}).
Gracie's Lass visited Home Affairs last spring - having, in early November, foaled a full brother to Artorius. Her yet to race Chris Waller-trained 2-year-old Oistrach (Written Tycoon) fetched $1.4 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year whilst her Deep Field colt is Lot 153 this year.
A descendant of the great matriarch La Troienne (Fr) (Teddy {Fr}), Artorius is bred on an Artie Schiller (USA)/Mr Prospector (USA) cross - noting that both of those stallions are descendants of the influential Frizette (USA) (Hamburg {USA}).
G2 Challenge S., $500,000, 1000m
It took a while for a photo to determine the winner of this exciting race, the up-and-comer Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock) only just nailing Eduardo (Host {Chi}) who was so brave in his attempt to win his third Challenge S.
Having her first run since last winter, the Grahame Begg-trained 4-year-old has tasted defeat only once in six starts and this was her second win at stakes level - last June's Listed Creswick S. her first.
One of the 192 stakes winners for her Coolmore Stud-based sire, a stalwart of Australian breeding, she was bred by Cressfield and purchased for $500,000 by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Racing in the red and white colours of Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing (whose Everest winner Giga Kick by Scissor Kick finished off strongly for third), Passive Aggressive is one of the six winners (from as many to race) for the G3 How Now S. winner Miss Judgement (Strategic).
Also dam of the G3 Percy Sykes S. winner Missrock (also by Fastnet Rock) who changed hands as a broodmare for $2.3 million, Miss Judgement was retired two years ago - Passive Aggressive her final foal.
Miss Judgement is one of the four stakes winners for the city winner Miss Jakeo (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), also dam of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis (General Nediym), the G3 Matron S. winner Fifth Avenue Lady (Encosta De Lago) and the G3 Ming Dynasty winner Aussies Love Sport (Redoute’s Choice)... and grandam of the multiple stakes-winning Macau galloper Pearl Green (Fastnet Rock).
Miss Jakeo as her name suggests is a daughter of the outstanding race and broodmare Lady Jakeo (Last Tycoon {Ire}), the dual Group 1-winning sprinter whose 11 winners include the Australian-bred US Group 3 winner Red Arrow (Red Ransom {USA}) and the Hong Kong Champion Griffin Able Choice (Dehere {USA}).
G2 Todman S., $300,000, 1200m
What a great juvenile season Godolphin are enjoying, the last-start G2 Silver Slipper S. winner Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) one of their leading G1 Golden Slipper S. chances on the back of this gutsy on-pace performance.
One of the 209 stakes winners for his sire who is also enjoying a stellar run, he is the third foal produced by the G3 Matron S. winner Circular (Street Cry {Ire}), also dam of the talented 3-year-old Parisal (Astern) - winner of her last two starts in Sydney.
Served last spring by Brazen Beau after foaling a Bivouac filly, Circular is out of the city winner Hexameter (Octagonal {NZ}) whose G3 Sweet Embrace S.-winning grandam Shadea (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) produced the Group 1 gallopers Lonhro and Niello.
What a terrific family this is, also represented at the elite level by Mahaya (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Grosvenor (NZ), National Gallery (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper) and Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice).
Cylinder is one of Exceed And Excel's four stakes winners out of Street Cry (Ire) mares, a cross which has also produced the Group 1 winner September Run.
G2 Reisling S., $300,000, 1200m
Remaining undefeated with this determined performance, Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) didn't want a brave Facile (Trapeze Artist) passing her as she heads to the G1 Golden Slipper S. as favourite.
Hailing from the debut Australian crop of her Coolmore Stud-based, Triple Crown-winning sire (and one of his seven stakes winners), she was bred by Katom and purchased by Kia Ora Stud for $900,000 from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is the second foal for the G3 Chairman's S. winner Ennis Hill (Fastnet Rock) whose dam is the G2 Reisling S. winner Hips Don't Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) - also dam of the Listed winners Lake Geneva and Acrobat, both also by Fastnet Rock.
Also from this family are the stakes winners Splintex, Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel), No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Weatherly (Beneteau).
Served last spring by Snitzel after foaling an I Am Invincible filly, Ennis Hill also has a Pierro filly who is catalogued as Lot 117 at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Learning To Fly boasts a cross of the wonderful mare Crimson Saint (USA) (Crimson Satan {USA}) via her grandson Storm Cat (USA) and son Royal Academy (USA).
G3 Aspiration Quality, $200,000, 1600m
Up in class but again too good having won a BM78 contest at Rosehill in late January, Thalassophile (Not A Single Doubt) was game getting her nose down late.
Raced by her breeder Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock after being passed in for $350,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, she is the 80th stakes winner for her late sire.
She is one of the three named foals (all winners) for the unraced Spanish Lake (Encosta De Lago) whose Group 3-placed daughter Maracaibo (Redoute's Choice) has been a regular visitor to Dundeel (NZ).
Missing last year to Stay Inside, Spanish Lake foaled a Flying Artie filly in October having had the previous season off. Her 2-year-old is a yet to be named daughter of Russian Revolution.
Spanish Lake's winning dam Calvinia (Varick {USA}) did a great job at stud with her 10 winners (from as many to race) including the G1 Easter H. winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad), the G2 Emancipation S. winner Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), the G3 Widden S. winner Fireworks (Snitzel) and the Listed Anniversary H. winner Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}).
Another six of Calvinia's descendants are stakes winners and this is also the family of the four-time Group 1 winner Dr Grace (NZ).
G3 Wenona Girl Quality, $200,000, 1200m
Getting up on protest due to late interference to Tycoon Evie (Written Tycoon), Jai Lei (Sebring) is the 82nd stakes winner for her late sire.
Bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds and sold by them to Vinery Stud for $180,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, she is out of the multiple city winner Lesley's Choice (Exceed And Excel) whose dam is the G3 Research S. winner Fumble (Snippets).
Served last spring by Capitalist and Street Boss (USA), Lesley's Choice also has yet to be named colts by So You Think (NZ).
Listed Randwick City S., $160,000, 2000m
What a bold performance by Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) to find winning form at his first run since contesting the 2021 G1 Melbourne Cup won by Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
A Listed winner in Ireland, this was just his second Australian start as he heads towards the G1 Sydney Cup.
One of the 50 stakes winners for his Coolmore Ireland-based, multiple Group 1-winning sire, Sir Lucan is a full brother to the late Sir Dragonet (Ire), winner of the G1 W.S Cox Plate and the G1 Tancred S.
His dam is the Group 3-placed Sparrow (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) whose dam is the G3 Middleton S. winner All Too Beautiful (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) - also dam of the Listed Coppa d'Oro di Milano winner Victory Song (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and the Listed Cheshire Oaks-winning, G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) whose daughter So Wonderful (USA) (War Front {USA}) won the Listed Ruby S.
Bred on a 3 X 3 cross of Sadler's Wells (USA), Sir Lucan has as his third dam the wonderful mare Urban Sea (USA) (Miswaki {USA}) - the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning dam of seven stakes winners including the multiple Group 1-winning star stallions Galileo (Ire) and Sea The Stars (Ire).
Listed Fireball S., $160,000, 1100m
Dashing Legend (Snitzel) has certainly come up well, impressive winning her first race at stakes level - her fourth success from just 10 starts.
The 132nd stakes winner for her Arrowfield Stud-based Champion Sire, she was bred by Arrowfield and Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd; sold by Arrowfield to Bon Ho for $380,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is the second stakes winner for the Listed William Crockett S. winner Kneeling (Encosta De Lago) whose son Bend The Knee (also by Snitzel) won the Listed Amanda Elliott H.
Served last spring by Dundeel (NZ) after foaling a Maurice (Jpn) filly, Kneeling has a yet to be named 2-year-old The Autumn Sun filly.
Kneeling is one of nine winners produced by the three-time stakes-placed multiple city winner Sunday Service (Sunday Silence {USA}) - also dam of the G3 Sha Tin Vase winner Winner's Way (Starcraft {NZ}) and the Listed Ortensia S. winner That's A Good Idea (Flying Spur) - and grandam of the G1 VRC Derby/G1 Spring Champion S. winner Ace High.
Dashing Legend hails from the same branch as Northern Dancer's (Can) family as Snitzel's grandsire Danehill (USA) - boasting a 5 X 5 cross of his grandam Spring Adieu (Can) (Buckpasser {USA}).
Flemington: G1 Australian Guineas, $1,000,000, 1600m
It was just a matter of time for Rich Hill Stud's in-form up-and-comer Proisir to be represented at the highest level in Australia and his outstanding daughter Legarto (NZ) was the one to do it - so impressive finding the line in determined style in one of Victoria's biggest 3-year-old mile contests.
Beaten only once in seven starts (finding trouble when fourth in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic), Legarto was bred by W E Jeffries and purchased by Ancroft Stud for NZ$90,000 from the Highline Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale (Book 2).
One of her sire's 11 stakes winners and four Group 1 winners, she is the third named foal and third winner for the two-time winner Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay) whose tough son Locally Sourced (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) has won 10 races.
Geordie Girl is a full sister to the Listed winner Rapid Kay (NZ) and half-sister to the Listed winner Kekova (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}).
Hailing from the family of the New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old Ballybrit (NZ) (Wandering Eyes {Ire}), Legarto boasts crosses of the outstanding mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) and Aurora (GB) (Hyperion {GB}).
G2 Blamey S., $300,000, 1600m
The second leg of a two-state black-type double for the Grahame Begg stable, Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) was strong to the line having his first run since contesting last year's G1 Caulfield Cup.
A homebred for Danielle Henwood, he is one of the five stakes winners for his late sire, a Reset winner of the G1 VRC Derby and the G1 South Australian Derby.
He is one of only two foals produced by the city-placed, three-time winner Good Thinking (Hold That Tiger {USA}) who died from colic in early 2019 - her second foal Undercover Agent (Master Of Design) still a maiden but close up in his spring outings for the Begg stable.
Good Thinking's closest stakes-winning relation is her third dam's four-time Group-winning half-sister Waikiki (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) whose great-granddaughter Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) won the G1 New Zealand Oaks.
Boasting crosses of the excellent mares Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}) and Irish Lass (Ire) (Sayajirao {GB}), Nonconformist hails from the same branch of the prolific Eulogy (GB) (Cicero {GB}) family as the Hong Kong star Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago).
Listed Furphy Trophy, $175,000, 1000m
Lindsay Park and Michael Dee's good run with juveniles continued with this dominant performance by Princess Duhallow (Shalaa {Ire}) who looked good at just her third outing.
The 12th stakes winner for her Arrowfield Stud-based sire, she was bred by N and J Bloodstock, Caw Bloodstock, Roger Langley and Mr O. Rizio.
Making her way through the sales ring on two occasions, she was sold by Riversdale to Supreme Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale and on to Lindsay Park for $160,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Princess Duhallow is the third foal produced by the two-time winner Duhallow (Denman) whose dam is the dual city winner Rondavel (Snippets). Missing last spring to Wild Ruler, she foaled a King's Legacy colt in October and she has a yearling colt by Exceedance who was withdrawn from this year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
A daughter of the G3 Debutante S. winner Lusso (Prego {Ire}), Rondavel did a fine job with her 10 winners including the Listed Pewsey Vale S. winner Sabie (Exceed And Excel) and the stakes-placed metropolitan winners Anarket (Desert Prince {Ire}) and Graskop (Manton).
Stakes winners Laranto and Moet Magic (Second Empire {Ire}) also hail from this family.
