Showtime making an impression
Arrowfield’s exciting son of Snitzel, Showtime, is the sire of Tacito. The lightly raced 2-year-old colt broke his maiden in Saturday’s Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic, at Murray Bridge, winning by 2.5l for Ben and JD Hayes, continuing the partnership’s fine form in 2-year-old races this season.
Showtime, has eight runners from his first crop, including debut winner Show Royale, and city-placed colts Arbat and Big Boy George.
Tacito was a $160,000 purchase by Lindsay Park Racing, from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, when consigned by Lime Country Thoroughbreds.
Sir Lucan returns
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s 5-year-old gelding Sir Lucan (Ire), returned to the winner’s circle, in Saturday’s Listed Randwick City S., the full brother to G1 Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (Ire), held his rivals at bay, winning by 1.5l, in typical Waterhouse-Bott fashion.
The son of Camelot (GB) had not raced since his unplaced effort in the 2021 G1 Melbourne Cup.
Winning co-trainer Adrian Bott told Sky Racing, “He’s obviously a very talented horse, with credentials he came with, he’s a stayer with some progression.”
Sir Lucan (Ire) returns to the winners circle in the Listed Randwick City S. | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He has a nice preparation ahead, and I think we will stick to handicaps and try to get to the Sydney Cup,” Bott said.
Winning rider Nash Rawiller said, “Things were in our favour today with the fence, I just had to rate him.”
Guineas fall inquiry adjourned
Racing Victoria stewards have adjourned their inquiry into Saturday’s two-horse fall in the $1 million G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Jockey’s Ethan Brown and Mark Zahra were dislodged from their respective mounts in the contest. Maximillius (Written Tycoon) lost rider Ethan Brown at the 300-metre mark, subsequently seeing Zahra brought down on Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}).
Zahra was cleared by on-course medics and fulfilled remaining engagements, while Ethan Brown was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Racing Victoria stewards have taken evidence from Zahra as well as Damien Oliver (Amenable {Lonhro}) and Blake Shinn (Elliptical {Dundeel {NZ}}).
Chief steward Robert Cram offered the three jockeys the opportunity to continue the inquiry without evidence from Brown. Oliver and Shinn were happy to proceed, however, Zahra wished to wait for Brown’s submission.
Chief steward Robert Cram told Racing.com, “We’ve viewed the patrol footage of the incident and interviewed the riders. We’ve adjourned the inquiry, we’ll reconvene and make a decision on it.”
Bolt D’Oro off the mark
The Les Kelly-trained 2-year-old filly, Minto’s D’Oro broke her maiden at start two, in scintillating style, when winning a 2-year-old maiden plate over 1100 metres, by 7.5l.
A daughter of former Spendthrift shuttler, Bolt D’Oro (USA), a dual Group 1-winning 2-year-old, in North America. The son of Medaglia D’Oro (USA) was crowned the Champion Freshman Sire in 2022 in North America.
Minto’s D’Oro was withdrawn from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hellbent posts a double
Yarraman Park's second-season sire Hellbent, a son of barnmate I Am Invincible, posted a double on Saturday afternoon.
Firstly, his 3-year-old son Warby broke his maiden at Hawkesbury by 1.46l, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding was partnered by Mitchell Bell to victory.
Hellbent | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
Warby was followed by Hellbent’s exciting daughter, Benedetta, the Jason Warren 3-year-old posted an emphatic victory winning by 3l in Saturday’s Inglis Sprint at Flemington, with Daniel Moor aboard.
Babylon breaks through
Five-year-old mare Bablyon Berlin, ditched her bridesmaid’s tag, when giving her rivals a galloping lesson, in the G3 Haunui Farm Kings Plate over 1200 metres, at Te Rapa on Saturday. Winning her seventh race by 7.5l recording a slick time of 1.08.65.
Ben Foote told NZ Racing Desk, “She just tries really hard, and we are all proud of her.”
Babylon Berlin blitzes her rivals in the G3 Kings Plate at Te Rapa | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“We knew they might try to take us on so I left it up to Kozzi (Asano), as we knew she could run time and she proved that.
“I still think there is still some improvement there which gives us confidence going ahead to Melbourne,” Foote said.
The daughter of All Too Hard will now head to Australia, for the G1 William Reid S. at Moonee Valley on March 24.
Mufhasa Stakes to The Intimidator
Andrew Forsman’s 3-year-old gelding The Intimidator posted a courageous victory in Saturday’s Listed Vertical Logistics Mufhasa S. (1400 metres) at Te Rapa.
The rugged son of Toronado (Ire) had been freshened by trainer Andrew Forsman after going a huge race for fifth behind Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic back in January and was expected to take improvement out of his resuming run.
Forsman told NZ Racing Desk, “He got around to the barriers and started to have a bit of a think.
“He stood there for a while and then came out really fresh and led, which wasn’t the plan as we wanted to ride him with a bit of cover.
“We thought he was a big chance going to Trentham over the mile in a couple of weeks, but Wiremu (Pinn) didn’t really have a choice but to put him there (in front).
“He cuddled him up as best he could and he fought really hard,” Forsman said.
Purchased by bloodstock agent Stuart Hale for NZ$160,000 out of Inglewood Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book Yearling Sale draft at Karaka.
Thalassophile to the fore in Aspiration
Chris Waller’s 4-year-old mare Thalassophile landed a valuable win, in the G3 Aspiration Quality.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt opened her stakes account with visiting Melbourne rider Craig Williams aboard.
Waller told Sky Racing News, “Lovely ride from Craig, was the difference between winning and losing today.”
“She looked to be laboring at the 200-metre mark, then really accelerated that last bit,” Waller said.
Thalassophile gets her nose to the line when it counts to claim the G3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She has landed herself a Group 3 today and there will be another win or two for her somewhere.”
Winning jockey Craig Williams told Sky Racing, “Really good, ran her heart out today.”
“She’s thrived with confidence, lack of speed in today’s race, but she was strong late.”
Thalassophile was passed in at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Newgate Farm.
Wenona Girl to Jal Lei
John O’Shea’s 4-year-old mare Jal Lei broke through to record her maiden Group victory at Randwick today. The daughter of Sebring was successful in winning the G3 Wenona Girl S., by 0.13l with Reece Jones onboard.
The dramatic event saw the Hawkes-trained mare Jump The Broom (Sebring), first across the line, delegated to third place after causing considerable inference in the home straight, stewards awarded Jal Lei the race after a protest was declared and ultimately successful.
Jai Lei was a $180,000 purchase by Vinery Stud from the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Segenhoe Stud.
Romancing The Moon in confidence booster
A confidence-boosting first stakes victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance S., over 1400-metres, at Wingatui on Saturday, has laid the platform for proven black-type performer Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) to embark on a Group 1 mission later this month.
Trainer Mark Walker told NZ Racing Desk, “It was a lovely ride by Joe (Kamaruddin) and a terrific effort by the filly.”
Romancing The Moon (NZ) wins the Listed NZB Insurance S. at Wingatui | Image courtesy of Tayler Strong
“She’s a filly that Dave (Ellis) bought cheaply, and to win a stakes race on the back of really good Group-race performances adds a lot of value for her future,” said Walker.
“She will come home via the G1 Levin Classic (1600 metres) at Trentham (on March 18), and she certainly deserves her chance.”
Double for All Too Hard
Vinery Stud’s sire All Too Hard posted a double in Australasia today. The son of Casino Prince, saw his bonny daughter Babylon Berlin, return to the winner’s circle, winning the G3 Hanuni King’s Plate at Te Rapa.
While his 6-year-old son Sessions Road, won the Resimax Group Plate over 1200-metres at Flemington, for Hawkes Racing team.
Kallos back in the winner’s circle
Godolphin’s newly gelded, 4-year-old Kallos returned to the winner’s circle, in Saturday’s Carm Trophy over 1000 metres, by 0.4l, at Flemington.
The son of Medaglia D’oro (USA) was first-up to the races, after the ultimate gear-change. No doubt, a big decision, given, Kallos was a winner of the G2 Danehill S., as a 3-year-old.
Godolphin representative Sean Keogh told Racing.com, “It’s important our horses are winning, it was decision that needed to be made (re gelding), and it was justified.
Kallos winning at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He looked to do it with ease,” Keogh said.
Winning rider Jamie Kah told Racing.com, “He has turned into a nice racehorse now, he was a stocky, colty looking horse,” she said.
“The operation has definitely been a positive for him.”
So Unusual makes it four in a row
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 4-year-old gelding So Unusual (NZ) (Unusual Suspect {USA}), made it four wins on the bounce, when winning Saturday’s Open H. over 2500 metres, at Flemington by 0.5l.
Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told Racing.com, “The way he picked himself up, and the tenacity he showed was the signs of a very good horse, i think.”
Winning rider Dean Holland added, “He just knows how to win.”
The New Zealand-bred son of Unusual Suspect (USA) may now chase a Melbourne Cup berth, in the Roy Higgins Quality over 2800-metres, on March 25.
Osipenko to Ryder
Chris Waller released a statement Saturday morning announcing the scratching of his 3-year-old colt, Osipenko (NZ), from the G1 Randwick Guineas, due to an elevated temperature.
The son of Pierro, will look to get his autumn preparation back on track in the G1 George Ryder S. on March 18 and then continue on to the G1 The Doncaster H. on Day 1 of The Championships on April 1.
Vale Sally Oakes
On Saturday morning the board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) reported that Sally Oakes, who served on the board of the TBA for 13 years (until 2012), including time spent as honorary treasurer, had passed away.
Sally Oakes | Image courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
TBA president Basil Nolan said: “I served alongside Sally and she was a very valuable member of the board; she had a very obvious passion for horses and great common sense.
“She put a huge amount of work in to the association, especially during her time as treasurer. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
