Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Race-Day Recap
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Zoukerette (I Am Invincible) with John Allen aboard scored a tough on-pace win in the Listed Tattersall's Life Members S.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Outback Miss (Rubick) became the first galloper to record a victory on the refurbished Caulfield track on Saturday.
The James Cummings-trained and Godolphin-owned Shako (Epaulette), with Christian Reith in the saddle, had to fend off a protest from Heavelon Van Der Hoven aboard Starmae (Zoustar) to secure the 900-metre maiden at Newcastle on Saturday.
Murray Bridge-based trainer Justin Pickering sent out the debutant Free Beer, a colt by Astern, in a 2-year-old maiden plate on Saturday at Morphettville and with Jacob Opperman aboard, the colt ran out a narrow but surprise winner.
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained Move On (NZ) (Ghibellines) won on debut at Riccarton Park over 1000 metres.
‘Catch me if you can tactics prevail for Zoukerette
Irish-born, Victorian-based jockey John Allen took luck out of the equation aboard Zoukerette (I Am Invincible) in the Listed Tattersall’s Life Members S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Jumping from barrier three aboard the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Zoukerette, Allen sent the daughter of I Am Invincible to the lead and dared her rivals to run her down; despite getting tired at the end of the 1400-metre journey, Zoukerette called on all her reserves to record a gritty victory by 0.37l from Right To Party (Zoustar) and Infancy (Wandjina) further away in third.
Zoukerette records a gritty win in the Listed Tattersall's Life Members S. at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
It was the second win from six starts for Zoukerette, a last-start fourth in the Listed Oxlade S, behind her stablemate Namesake (Maurice {Jpn}).
The filly is the sixth foal from the Hussonet (USA) mare Walk With Attitude. She was a dual winner and was placed in the Listed Morphettville Guineas.
Zoukerette is a half-sister to the Snitzel pair Zoukerino and Spend. The former has won the Listed The Rosebud H., and the latter was placed in the G3 Zeditave S,
The filly becomes the 96th stakes winner for the Champion Sire I Am Invincible. He will stand the 2023 breeding season at Yarraman Park for a fee of $302,500 (inc GST).
Zoukerette as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Zoukerette was an $800,000 yearling purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Milburn Creek at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Outback Miss flies on refurbished Caulfield track
Racing returned to Caulfield for the first time in seven months, and it will go down in history and remain a good piece of trivia that Outback Miss (Rubick) was the first galloper to record a victory on the refurbished track.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly was sent out as one punter’s elects in the 1000-metre The McCafe H. after a resounding victory on debut by 3l a Bendigo earlier in the month.
The filly, with Blake Shinn aboard, put the field away with relative ease in a visually impressive victory winning by 2l from Scorsese (Written By) and Malaboom (Spirit Of Boom) finishing third.
After the filly's success, co-trainer Mick Price spoke to Racing.com, “Outback Miss has held her condition. She has been clipped as it’s pretty wintery. However, the biggest problem for Outback Miss is she’s got a little growth on her throat which we have been monitoring.
“It is too early to say whether I will push on; I’d like to scope her and treat the growth more intensively,” Price shared.
“Outback Miss is pretty smart, and she’s smart enough for me and Michael (Kent Jnr) to think she could go into black-type races after this if she didn’t have that growth. She’s a lovely, strong, sound Rubick filly.
“Outback Miss is pretty smart, and she’s smart enough for me and Michael (Kent Jnr) to think she could go into black-type races after this if she didn’t have that growth.” - Mick Price
“Once we get that throat issue sorted, she’ll be a good filly.”
Outback Miss is the third foal from the Real Saga mare Outback Saga. She was an eight-time winner and hails from the family of Snippets Land (Snippetson). The latter twice won the G3 BRC Sprint H. and the Listed National Sprint H..
The filly was a $150,000 yearling purchase by Mick Price Racing and Breeding and The Osher Group from the draft of Glenlogan Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Outback Miss as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Rubick, the sire of Outback Miss, will stand the 2023 breeding season at Swettenham Stud for $27,500 (inc GST).
Shako survives protest to win maiden
The James Cummings-trained and Godolphin-owned Shako (Epaulette), with Christian Reith in the saddle, had to fend off a protest from Heavelon Van Der Hoven aboard Starmae (Zoustar) to secure the 900-metre maiden at Newcastle on Saturday.
Van Der Hoven alleged interference from Reith and Shako passing the 100-metre mark, and given the official margin only had 0.11l to spare between first and second, Van Der Hoven felt Starmae should have won.
Racing NSW stewards deliberated and ultimately dismissed the protest, allowing the 2-year-old colt Shako to keep the race.
The colt is the second foal from the Lonhro mare Gloriette. She was a winner and placed in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate. Shako is a half-sister to Arcaded (Street Boss {USA}), who was crowned the Champion 2YO Filly in Australia in 2020/21.
Furthermore, Shako hails from the family of the multiple Champion Sire Snitzel and the late Hinchinbrook.
Free Beer blows punters away
Murray Bridge-based trainer Justin Pickering sent out the debutant Free Beer, a colt by Astern, in a 2-year-old maiden plate on Saturday at Morphettville.
With Jacob Opperman aboard, the colt ran out a narrow but surprise winner from Shadowfax (Pride Of Dubai) by 0.10l and the favoured Ouroboros (Harry Angel {Ire}).
For lucky punters who backed the Pickering-trained colt would have been rewarded with $81 for every dollar invested.
Free Beer is from the Tough Speed (USA) mare Wyuna. She was a dual winner and related to the late Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}), who claimed the G1 Kingston Town Classic.
Free Beer was passed in at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds.
Free Beer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Astern will stand the 2023 breeding season at Darley, Kelvinside, for $22,000 (inc GST).
Family result prevails at Riccarton Park
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained Move On (NZ) (Ghibellines) won on debut at Riccarton Park over 1000 metres.
The 2-year-old filly was bred and is owned by the Anderton family making the result all the sweeter.
With Courtney Barnes aboard, the filly prevailed from Cliodhna Maeve (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) and Empress Suiko (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), finishing third.
Move On is from the Danzighill mare Turn The Page (NZ). She was a five-time winner and placed in the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup.
Move On is a full brother to Ranger (NZ), who was placed in the Listed Champagne S.
The Group 1-producing sire Ghibellines will stand for the 2023 breeding season at White Robe Lodge for NZ$8000 plus GST.
