Arrowfield Stud’s first-season sire Showtime, a Group 2-winning son of Snitzel, sired his first stakes winner on Monday courtesy of Show Royale in the Listed Cinderella S. (1050 metres) at Morphettville.

The 2-year-old fillies were led along by the fancied Tiz Enuf (Rich Enuff) but as she dropped away at the 100-metre mark there was a three-way challenge for the lead. Sprinting home best in the centre of the track was Lloyd Kennewell’s Show Royale, who scored by a hard-fought 0.3l over Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s debutante Bossy Nic (Nicconi), whilst Shesallshenanigans (Toronado {Ire}) was a head away in third.

“Kick all your punters and tipsters out the door, no one tipped her to run first four,” Kennewell jibed post-race, referencing not only her $12 odds on Monday but also the $41 odds about Show Royale’s debut win at Bendigo last month.

Successful on Saturday with his 3-year-old colt Meridus (Extreme Choice) in a handicap at Flemington, it’s been a brilliant few days for Kennewell, and a rewarding one too for Western Australian businessman Santo Guagliardo's Ridgeport Holdings, in whose colours both horses won.

But the story runs deeper for connections, not only do Ridgeport Holdings' horses sport the former stable colours of Kennewell’s father Gary, but the same trainer, jockey and owner combination teamed up to win the Cinderella back in 2014.

“He’s (Santo Guagliardo) like a second father to me to be honest,” Kennewell said. “We’re really close and he still races a few horses here in Adelaide. He’s sold his farm here but he’s a massive supporter of mine and we’ve bought again this year.”

Becker bags another and looks ahead to Adelaide

Bred and sold by Goodwood Farm at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Show Royale was secured there by her trainer, owner and Mathew Becker’s Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA). She’s out of Ducey Du (Royal Academy {USA}), a half-sister to Acey Ducey - Fortune Red Pepper (HK), a Group 2 winner.

Becker, who has a long-standing relationship with Kennewell, told TDN AusNZ:

“It was a fantastic result, it’s really exciting for Lloyd… To see him get another stakes winner back in his hometown was good and it was particularly exciting for his owner Santo Guagliardo - he’s just a champion.

“I saw her early on during inspections and I marked her down as a filly I really liked as a type. I said to Lloyd, ‘There’s a filly here that I love, she’s one of the nicer types in the sale and she’s by Showtime and you won’t have to pay a lot for her.’

“To me, I thought the same (as Kennewell), she looked like a really good Snitzel filly… She looked forward and she looked very early at that stage. Now she’s won her first two on the bounce, she’s done a great job.”

Looking towards the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, a two-day affair kicking off on Tuesday, Becker noted that it’s a not dissimilar ‘type’ sale which invariably throws up gems such as Show Royale.

Whilst he's is looking forward to picking up three or four in conjunction with Kennewell at the sale, he noted that the market has changed this year, which he said was reflected in the clearance rates which were normally propped up by trainers’ interest in passed-in horses.

“That’s where the gap is at the moment,” he said. “It’s purely trainers and syndicators not wanting to over-burden themselves with stock which they may not be able to move - they’re wanting to have each horse sold before they move onto the next one.

“A nice horse in any sale is going to make really good money, because the thirst for quality is still there.

“You can always buy a nice horse there (at Magic Millions Adelaide) and if you go back through there’s always a nice one to come from the sale.”

With five progeny of Showtime on offer at Adelaide, Becker is looking forward to the prospect of unearthing the next Show Royale, and explained that it’s a consistency in type which informs his liking for new sires.

“We look at most stallions with an open mind. It’s the stallions that really throw a consistently good type that you want to hone in on,” he said.

“We saw a good bunch of Showtimes and that filly was just one that really appealed to us, she was just Lloyd’s sort of horse.

“With a stallion that keeps throwing them like that, this won’t be his last stakes winner - he’ll have many more to come.”

Guineas action at Morphettville and Canberra

Interstate raiders were responsible for winning both Guineas races held across Australia on Monday. The 3-year-old action kicked off in South Australia where the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600 metres) was taken home by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Pierro gelding Stonecoat.

Making the trip from their Flemington base, it was a victory claimed in typical style for the stable with Jordan Childs sending him to the front, which is where he stayed despite the margin being reduced to 0.3l by the favourite Dashing (Magnus) in the dying strides.

“That’s Gai and Adrian’s favourite place to be and when Jordan’s out in front you really can’t fault the way he rides our horses,” stable representative Rebecca Shanks said.

Notching his first stakes win at his seventh start, Stonecoat moved Coolmore resident Pierro up to 34 lifetime stakes winners. He is out of Princess Mia (Fastnet Rock), whilst his second dam is the multiple Kiwi champion Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago), and he was purchased by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $475,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

An incident with the horse transport from Randwick enforced a delay to proceedings at Canberra, with veterinary checks on arrival for the inter-state raiders.

Untroubled by events was John O’Shea’s Savabeel filly Avebury (NZ), who took out the Listed Canberra Guineas in the style of a progressive horse. The 3-year-old has blossomed this preparation, and rewarded a fillies’ syndicate put together by her trainer.

Settled in mid-division under Kerrin McEvoy, the pair set sail up the centre of the course and strode clear to win by 1.29l, whilst the fancied Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) was unable to show his best having been held at the rear of the field.

“Full credit to the filly, she was able to get into a commanding spot from the 600 (metre mark) onwards and she showed a really good finish,” said McEvoy.

Bred by Waikato Stud, Avebury is out of the juvenile winner O’Dianne (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) and is a sister to G1 Queensland Derby-placed Paternal - Rapid Rabbit (H.K.). She was a $200,000 purchase for her trainer at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a 132nd stakes winner for Waikato’s Savabeel.

New stakes winners aplenty at Morphettville

Beltoro became stakes winner 32 for her Swettenham Stud-based sire Toronado (Ire) as she took out the Listed CS Hayes Memorial Cup (1600 metres) for trainer Robert Hickmott and jockey Teo Nugent. Although he had every faith in his 5-year-old gelding, Hickmott admitted that barrier two was a concern pre-race for a horse that is often slowly away.

“It was a bit of a concern, but the boy rode him terrifically, got off at the right time, (and) got the better part of the track,” he said.

Beltoro’s first stakes success has been a long time coming, having taken in races such as the G3 CS Hayes S. at his fourth start, and Hickmott went on to reveal that after his fifth start, in the G1 Australian Guineas, the gelding’s owners received a $1.2 million offer from Hong Kong, but turned it down.

“They just wanted to race horses, and winning today and seeing the enjoyment on their faces, they probably made the right choice in a lot of regards.

“But money’s money - I wouldn’t have minded if they’d taken it at that stage in my career… He’s been a great horse and could very well continue to be.”

In the next race, Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award was handed stakes winner number 21 when 5-year-old mare Another Award won the Listed Matrice S. (1200 metres) for trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas.

Out of the Encosta De Lago mare El Milagro, Another Award is a half-sister to dual-Group 3-winning South Australian juvenile Tequila Time (Stratum) - who was also trained by Macdonald and Gluyas.

With her trainers purchasing Another Award for $150,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Macdonald had his eyes firmly on the value added to her page.

“How much is that worth?” he asked. “Tremendous. She always looked the winner in the run… It’s a great result.”

It was a well-earned first black-type victory for the mare, who had fallen shy despite some terrific efforts over the past year. Those included a fourth place in last year’s G1 Robert Sangster S., when she finished just ahead of subsequent Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), and her co-trainer said she will now be aimed at this year’s renewal of the race.

Emotional Cup victory for Yargi, Arapaho back in lights

The time-honoured G2 Adelaide Cup, first run in 1864, was won in a thrilling finish by 6-year-old gelding Rebel Racer (Rebel Raider), who just held on under Craig Newitt from a rallying Aurora's Symphony (Glass Harmonium {Ire}).

Post-race scenes were emotional for co-trainer Amy Yargi, who’d just claimed a first-place prize of a touch over $165,000 with a horse she brought into her stable later in life.

“I honestly thought he was a really good chance and they wrote him off,” she said. “I bought him to win a maiden at Warrnambool, not even joking. He’s just kept on improving.”

Advised on his purchase by the gelding’s former trainer Mark Kavanagh, the Yargis purchased Rebel Racer for $35,000 through the Inglis Digital January Sale earlier this year, and he was having just his third start for the new stable.

Out of the Listed winner Just Sybil (Alannan {USA}), Rebel Racer becomes a sixth stakes winner for his sire, Rebel Raider.

Later in the afternoon over in Canberra, Bjorn Baker’s Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) returned to form to win the Listed Canberra Cup (2000 metres). Whilst long-time leader Sacramento (Pierro) wilted as they straightened up, Arapaho charged down the outside under Rachel King with a determined effort to claim a seventh career victory.

Baker later indicated that Arapaho could make his next start the $1.5 million G1 Tancred S. (2400 metres) at Rosehill on March 25.

Picked up by his trainer, Avenue Bloodstock and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2020 Arqana Deauville Autumn Mixed Sale, Arapaho cost €‎140,000 (AU$225,000). Taking home $122,600 for his latest win, the French import has now closed to within $50,000 of $1 million in career earnings.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

As a Group 1-winning son of one of the world’s all-time great stallions in Deep Impact (Jpn), Profondo was always going to attract plenty of interest from stallion suitors across Australasia.

The combination of his illustrious pedigree and undeniable talent on the racetrack made him an irresistible prospect according to Schick, whose Windsor Park Stud won the race to secure the G1 Spring Champion S. hero after forming a partnership which includes nearby Mapperley Stud.

“We bought a horse together last year called Armory, he stands at Mapperley and this fella will stand at Windsor Park,” Schick revealed.

“We’ve been following him and obviously early on he was going to be out of our reach, but after his run the other day Simms (Davison of Mapperley Stud) rang me and said, ‘Look, I think we should make a move’.

“We contacted Andy Williams and he put us in touch with John Messara, who was brokering the deal, and the rest is history.

“I flew up and saw him last Saturday at Richard Litt’s and we had the deal done pretty much straight away. We were pretty quick to get him paid for and in the country within a week, so it’s pretty exciting.”

‘A rockstar type’

In addition to his regal pedigree and Group 1-winning exploits on the track, Profondo has another feather in his cap according to Schick, who was taken aback by the stallion when he saw him in the flesh for the first time last week.

“John Messara said to me when I was doing the deal that there was no point in going up on the plane because I wouldn’t be disappointed, and he was certainly right. He blew me away when I saw him come out of the box,” he said.

“He’s a rockstar type. He made $1.9 million as a yearling and he’s a tremendously handsome horse.

“His mother was a $720,000 yearling and a Group 3-winning 2-year-old by Redoute’s Choice - you can’t get much sexier than that.

“Obviously, Redoute’s Choice left very good types himself and his dam (Honesty Prevails) is a very good-looking mare. She’s had three foals through the sales ring and I think they’ve averaged well over a million dollars, so it’s a pretty good line of good-looking animals.”

Profondo had the ability to match his good looks, bursting onto the scene as an early 3-year-old to score on debut at Randwick’s Kensington track in the manner of a promising colt.

Pitched into Group company on just his second career start, Profondo looked to have the G3 Gloaming S. at his mercy, only for inexperience to cost him late in the day as he suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of talented rival Head Of State (American Pharoah {USA}).

The son of Deep Impact bounced back in no uncertain terms on his next outing, storming to a 2.18l victory in the G1 Spring Champion S. on his first crack at the elite level and third career start overall. Last start Group 1 winner Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci) and subsequent G1 Victoria Derby runner-up Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) filled the placings that day, with neither of them able to land a glove on Profondo as he stamped his authority on the 3-year-old staying division.

Profondo returned as a 4-year-old to finish third behind champion racehorse Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and Group 1 winner Fangirl (Sebring) in the G1 Winx S. at Royal Randwick, before the remainder of his career was blighted by wet tracks.

A number of successful stallions, not least New Zealand’s multiple Champion Sire Savabeel, have used the G1 Spring Champion S. as a springboard for their second careers at stud, and Schick is confident that Profondo possesses the right racetrack credentials to be the latest success in the breeding barn.

“I think it was the highest rated Spring Champion in about six runnings of the race, he rated very highly in it,” Schick recalled.

“It’s becoming a good stallion's race as well. Savabeel won it, Dundeel won it, Proisir, who is doing a tremendous job at stud in New Zealand, ran second in it. We stand Vanbrugh who also won it and is doing a really good job at stud, he has left his first Group 1 winner already.

“You have to be a pretty mature 3-year-old to win that race and he certainly won it well. His run in the Winx Stakes was a very good run against two exceptional horses and had he gone on and won all those races we probably wouldn’t be able to stand him.

“He’s a top-priced yearling and a Group 1 winner which came with a high rating on a good track. We’re bloody happy to have him.”

Born to be a star

Profondo was making headlines before he ever stepped foot on a racetrack, having topped the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when selling to his racing owner Ottavio Galletta for $1.9 million from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.

He has the pedigree befitting of a stallion, descending from the same family as US Champion Sire A.P. Indy (USA) and his Group 1-winning half-brother Summer Squall (USA), who also carved a successful career of his own at stud.

This is also the family of former Coolmore shuttler Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) and his Group 1-producing half-brother Ruler Of The World (Ire), as well as successful American stallion Lemon Drop Kid (USA).

Such a deep international pedigree is bound to appeal to a vast array of breeders, and with Satono Aladdin (Jpn) already flying the flag for sons of Deep Impact at stud in New Zealand, Schick is optimistic that the Australasian market will provide Profondo with the level of support that his stallion credentials deserve.

“What a tremendous stallion Deep Impact has been and kudos to John Messara for having the vision to send his mares over there to breed to him,” Shick said.

“That sireline is really starting to fire up with Satono Aladdin doing a great job in New Zealand, he left a Group 1 winner on the weekend.

“You always like to see the sireline working. We’ve never been scared of standing a stallion going against the grain, but it makes the job a lot easier when you’re standing fashionable sirelines.

“He’s such a beautiful type of animal and a bit of an outcross for a lot of mares, so I’d say he’d suit most mares. He was a no-brainer really.”

A fee for Profondo will be set in due course.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Legendary Corowa horseman Len Rhodes gave a young man starting in the game this piece of advice: “The first twenty years of breeding are the hardest.” Fast forward a few decades and Miranda Park's Gary O'Meara reckons he was spot on.

“I say that myself now and people have a laugh,” O'Meara said, noting that he knows looking back that Rhodes was attempting to temper the enthusiasm of someone new to the world of breeding thoroughbreds... it is certainly not an endeavour for the faint-hearted!

But O'Meara is still going strongly, from his first homebred maiden winner at Murray Bridge to feature race success at Flemington and lots of ups and downs in between.

Saturday was one of those ups, the Miranda Park-bred Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) racing away to a big win in the G3 Matron S. at Flemington - her third success at that level having won the last two editions of the G3 Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield.

Whilst O'Meara was not on course - watching with his son, Tom, on a television from the barns at the Magic Millions Adelaide complex where he has six yearlings making their way through the ring - it was still a big moment.

“We'd had this Flemington hoodoo on our back for so long, it was the only Melbourne track we had not won on, so to do it in a Group 3 with a homebred mare, well that sent a shiver up my spine!”

Whilst breeding horses for the sales ring is at the centre of the Miranda Park business model, O'Meara also has the track in mind and will not breed a horse he would not be happy to retain ownership in.

In fact, keeping shares in horses bred at the Hesket farm is another core part of the business - they have about 15 at the moment, showing faith in what they breed whilst also supporting trainers who support them.

Upgrading stock

With the long-term aim being to constantly upgrade, Tom O'Meara headed to the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale with a short list, returning to Victoria with a couple of mares including one whose pedigree greatly appealed.

“By Galileo out of a Rory's Jester mare, a great blend of stamina and speed.”

Secured for $75,000, She's Sirius (Galileo {Ire}) had made an encouraging start to her stud career with her first foal Coys (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) a multiple city winner and she was in foal to a well-regarded first-season stallion, Coolmore Stud's Pride Of Dubai.

“A very strong, neatly put together” filly (Sirileo Miss) arrived that spring and during her preparation for the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, O'Meara was confident that he had a horse who would be “at the pointy end of the sale.”

“But by the time the sale came around she (Sirileo Miss) was going through a growth spurt, and we sold her for only $60,000.

“We thought that was unders and that the best way to get full value out of her was to stay in.”

From early days trainer Symon Wilde was confident in Sirileo Miss' ability and O'Meara is excited that there is more to come.

“We had a substantial offer for her a few months ago that we resisted, and we think that was the right call,” O'Meara said, noting that his fellow owners including the Bryant family “absolutely adore her.”

Saturday's win was an especially impressive one, Sirileo Miss setting up a good clip in front (they ran nearly three seconds faster than the G2 Kewney S. over the same trip) with O'Meara waiting for her run to end.

“I thought coming to the turn that she'd be entitled to tire but she just kept going, she is such a tough mare.”

Unfortunately, Miranda Park does not have a yearling out of She's Sirius to sell this year (she was not served in 2020) and sadly her Merchant Navy colt (another who the O'Mearas stayed in after selling him for $125,000 at last year's Inglis Premier sale) died after showing ability for the Kris Lees stable.

But there is more to come with her recently weaned King's Legacy filly a real favourite.

“She (King's Legacy x She's Sirius) is such a nice foal that we decided we didn't want her travelling so we kept She's Sirius in Victoria. She is in foal to Hanseatic who, apart from his obvious attributes, is bred on the same Street Cry/Danehill cross as Pride Of Dubai.”

O'Meara puts plenty of research into the Miranda Park matings, both at home and interstate.

“Between Tom and I we do quite a few trips to the Hunter Valley each year as we think that it is very important to choose an appropriate physical match for each mare.

“We also look at the proven crosses and try to duplicate dominant females whilst staying commercial. And we tend to send our maiden mares to proven sires - even if they are not the 'bells and whistles' types... we want to give our mares a good start with stallions who have shown they can get runners.”

Mares currently in foal at Miranda Park include Highfalutin Gal (All Too Hard) whose Hanseatic foal will be line-bred to the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Helen Street (GB) (Troy {GB}) and the local speed influence Scandinavia (Snippets) and the homebred four-time winner Destiny Diamond (Raphael's Cat) whose Kermadec (NZ) foal will be bred along very similar lines to his triple Group 1-winning close relation Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}).

As well as Supriym Story (General Nediym), dam of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau) who is in foal to the in-form Dundeel (NZ).

A family affair

Focusing on young mares as they upgrade, O'Meara thought they'd be at the stage now of downscaling their thoroughbred interests but with the enthusiasm Tom has for the sport, Miranda Park is instead looking further into the future.

A teacher by trade, spending three decades teaching Chinese language at PEGS (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School), O'Meara has been involved in horses all his life - attributing his love for racing to the stories told around the family table as he was growing up.

“My dad's family lived on a small block next to the Smith family (yes, that Smith family!) and as a kid, Dad was best mates with Tommy Smith's brother. Both families moved on but there was always talk about that era going on when we were growing up.

“Shane and I were both fascinated and we'd spend every spare minute at friends' farms, riding horses. I broke my first horse in when I was 12 and I am still doing that now; I did four last year.”

In the late 1970s the O'Meara family purchased a farm and began to breed thoroughbreds. In the mid 80s they were gifted a Manihi horse called Increase who they stood before acquiring Warmington (Ire). Both stallions were a long way out of the commercial sphere but breeding fascinated Gary and Shane so much that they started to buy mares... on the strict budget allowed by a young teacher and a meat inspector (Shane).

In November 1989 the homebred filly Gunsu (Heir Presumptive {GB}) broke her maiden at Murray Bridge, a moment still treasured; even the day after Sirileo Miss' third Group 3 success, O'Meara admitting that “it is still my biggest thrill.”

Though another exciting moment was winning a race at Hanging Rock with O'Meara being vice president of the Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club. Miranda Park's 200 acres sit out the back of the track... “as we were on the podium accepting the trophy we could see the paddock where our winner was born!”

Purchased by Gary and his wife Helen in 2003, Miranda Park is home to a select group of O'Meara's and clients' mares with agistment, foaling, walk-in and yearling preparation services offered.

Miranda Park offered nine yearlings at last week's Inglis Premier Yearling Sale with a $150,000 Star Turn colt who sold to Hong Kong the highlight. Magic Millions' Adelaide Yearling Sale kicks off on Tuesday with Miranda Park offering six youngsters by Turffontein, Highland Reel (Ire), Alpine Eagle, Divine Prophet, Toronado (Ire) and Tassort.

Gallery: Miranda Park's yearlings to be offered at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, images courtesy of Magic Millions

The Highland Reel colt (Lot 74) is a half-brother to the Listed winner Zin Zan Eddie (Zizou) whilst the Alpine Eagle filly (Lot 219) is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Buoyant (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}). And the dams of the Tassort (Lot 397) filly and the Toronado colt (Lot 266) have been represented by recent winners.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Other highlights from the morning include a double for Bjorn Baker’s 2-year-olds and a beautifully bred Hermitage colt running a pleasing fourth on his trial debut for Chris Waller.

Heat 6 - Baker's Bobby Savabeel

The single 1030 metre juvenile heat on Monday was captured in fine style by Bjorn Baker’s Bobby Shiraz (NZ) (Savabeel). Taking up the lead early on under Rachel King, the pair slipped the field turning for home and ran out 1.45l margin over Peter and Paul Snowden’s Russian Revolution filly Belyaev.

It was a second trial appearance for Murray Baker’s 2-year-old gelding, and he showed improvement from his first hitout to reverse the form on Annabel Neasham’s Libertad (Russian Revolution), who won that event but was beaten into third on Monday. Uncontested, Bobby Shiraz clocked a fairly sedate 36.61s for the final 600 metres on a Good 4.

At a cost of NZ$250,000, Baker teamed up with his father Murray (both of whom remain in the ownership) and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) to secure the gelding from Westbury Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is out of Redoute's Choice mare Saskia, a half-sister to Listed winner Quayside (Street Cry {Ire}). Bobby Shiraz’s three half-siblings to race are all winners, including Group 3 placegetter Alaskan Rose (NZ) (Encosta De Lago).

Heat 9 - Bright hope for Woppitt

The Kepitis family’s Woppitt Bloodstock has landed on another promising juvenile in the shape of their homebred Bright Red (Pierro). In a fillies-only heat over 900 metres, she was undertaking her second trial (her first since a break) and was the most impressive of the 2-year-olds at Rosehill on Monday morning.

Travelling three-wide into the straight, she found her way onto the heels of the leaders with ease under a motionless Nash Rawiller, and the slightest of nudges from her jockey in the final 200 metres produced a burst of speed which saw her cross the line in front, full of running.

She finished 0.63l ahead of Peter and Paul Snowden’s California Sunrise, another Pierro filly, with Bright Red's stablemate Gleaming (Deep Field) pushed along to hold third. At 35.43s, Bright Red recorded the second-fastest final 600 metres of the four juvenile trials over this distance.

She’s out of the Redoute’s Choice mare All Cerise, a Group 3 winner who was picked up by Debbie Kepitis at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $380,000. Also trained by Waller, she won six races in total and is a half-sister to siblings Mission Critical (Fantastic Light {USA}), a Group 1 winner in New Zealand, and Brilliant Light (Fantastic Light {USA}), a winner of the G2 Ajax S.

Heat 10 - Makarena dances up the Rosehill straight

Another for the fillies, Heat 10 was an oddly run affair won by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes’ Makarena (Snitzel). The heat looked to be heading comfortably to Kristen Buchanan’s Everlong (Capitalist), who was some 4l clear at the 200-metre mark. However, she shortened up towards the line and it was Makarena who flew out of the closing pack to snatch a 0.32l victory on her trial debut (900 metres), covering the last 600 meters in 35.82s.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Makarena was purchased by her trainers at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $250,000. She’s out of Wecansay Mak (Starcraft {NZ}), a sister to dual-Group 1 winner We Can Say It Now. Makarena is a half-sister to two winners, including Group 3 scorer Missile Mantra (Smart Missile).

Heat 11 - a TFI quinella

Annabel Neasham’s Rimbaud (Lope De Vega {Ire}) took out the first of two colts and geldings' divisions over 900 metres. It was an all-the-way win for the son of Lope De Vega (Ire), who finished second to G3 Gimcrack S. winner Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar) in a trial 11 days previously, and he recorded the fastest final 600 metres from the juveniles on Monday, clocking 35.16s.

Closing eye-catchingly from the back of the field to finish a 0.45l second was another in the TFI colours, Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Justify (USA) colt Californian. Further back in fourth, allowed to coast home under Lee Magorrian was Chris Waller’s Northern Eyes (Zoustar), a $1.25 million purchase by Tom Magnier at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, having his second trial on Monday.

Hardly cheap himself - though at nearly half that price - Rimbaud was a $650,000 purchase for TFI at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Bred and sold by Yulong, he is out of Munees Gemini (Australia {GB}), who was thrice raced in Ireland for Yulong by Dermot Weld (to little avail), before being covered on Southern Hemisphere time and imported to Australia. Out of Storm Cat (USA) mare Muneefa (USA), Munees Gemini is a half-sister to two American stakes winners.

Heat 12 - Thunderlips cracks on

Bjorn Baker grabbed a second juvenile trial winner in the concluding heat, another for the colts and geldings. Stoked up by Rachel King after leaving the gates, Thunderlips (Zoustar) was sent to the front and kept up to his work throughout to score by 0.32l from Gitalong, another son of Zoustar, who was closing well at the finish.

Back in fourth and getting the hang of things late was Hermitage Thoroughbreds’ Omelette - a special first-timer for Chris Waller being the first and only foal from their dual Oaks winner Egg Tart (Sebring), who died before having another foal, and by their very own five-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun.

Bred by Lustre Lodge, Thunderlips is the first foal from the Listed-placed Shapita (Foxwedge), and was a $450,000 purchase by her trainer and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is from the extended family of Newgate Farm’s young sire Brutal (NZ).