Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Race-Day Recap
The G1 Tattersall’s Tiara was a race of firsts. It was the first elite-level success as a trainer for Chris Munce, who sent out Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}) for a maiden Group 1 with Kyle Wilson-Taylor in the saddle, who was also tasting Group 1 success for the first time.
The Les Kelly-trained Noah ‘N’ A Deel, a daughter of Maurice (Jpn), showed her staying capabilities to beat a competitive field of older mares in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown over 2137 metres on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Sydney-based jockey Tim Clark enjoyed a Group double on Eagle Farm on Saturday. Winning the G3 Tattersall's Cup on Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) then rounded out the day winning on Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) in the G3 WJ Healy S.
Palaisipan bows out on top
The G1 Tattersall’s Tiara was a race of firsts. It was the first elite-level success as a trainer for Chris Munce, who sent out Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}) for a maiden Group 1 with Kyle Wilson-Taylor in the saddle, who was also tasting Group 1 success for the first time.
Munce is no stranger to riding a Group 1 winner, having ridden 42 of them, including partnering with Savabeel in the 2004 G1 WS Cox Plate.
Palaisipan bolts in to win her first Group 1 in the Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
But since taking his trainer’s licence out to train at Eagle Farm, Munce has tasted success but never at Group 1 level until now.
Munce was emotional after Palaisipan provided him with his first Group 1 winner as a trainer, “You have no idea the emotions right now,” he said to Sky Racing presenters.
“This has been a ride of a lifetime with a mare like her. We paid nothing for Palaisipan, and she’s been all up and down the East Coast for us, performing at the top level in every race she contested.
“This has been a ride of a lifetime with a mare like her. We paid nothing for Palaisipan, and she’s been all up and down the East Coast for us, performing at the top level in every race she contested.” - Chris Munce
“Mr Yoshida liked her and wanted to buy her, reluctantly we accepted his offer, and I said to all the owners she’s at the right age, and she’s been a fantastic mare and had a tremendous career. It’s great to see her bow out on top.
“It’s hard to find the right words because so much goes into training horses, to mould and develop them. All the staff work so hard. It’s a team effort.”
The 5-year-old mare Palaisipan carrying the colours of her owner Katsumi Yoshida has been a headline horse for Munce. She has won six races, including the G2 Dane Ripper S. and was previously placed in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara.
With Kyle Wilson-Taylor in the saddle, Palaisipan hit the front and was able to hold off the herd, including a fast-finishing Roots (Press Statement) and the game Challiot (Al Maher) to retire in no better fashion.
Chris Munce and Kyle Wilson-Taylor after winning their first Group 1 as trainer and jockey respectively, in the Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Wilson-Taylor was also lost for words after the victory of Palaisipan, “I just can’t believe it,” he said, trying to hold back his tears from Sky Racing presenters.
“It just goes to show that it will happen if you want something in life and you’re willing to put in the hard work to achieve it. I can’t thank Chris and the connections enough. This is the greatest moment of my life.
“I wasn’t taking any prisoners, and she’s just so tough. Everybody forgot her in the lead-up to this race.”
“It just goes to show that it will happen (winning a Group 1) if you want something in life and you’re willing to put in the hard work to achieve it. I can’t thank Chris and the connections enough. This is the greatest moment of my life.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Bred by Gooree Park, the mare is the only foal from the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Touch Of Red. She was a three-quarter sister to Smart Missile and descended from the outstanding broodmare, Explosive (USA) (Fappiano {USA}), who was the dam of the late Northern Meteor.
Palaisipan was passed in at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and was offered in 2020 at the Magic Millions Gooree Stud Reduction, where Munce Racing bought her $40,000.
The mare becomes the 11th individual Group 1 winner for So You Think (NZ), who is enjoying a marvellous season with his runners.
Palaisipan as a 2-year-old | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
So You Think stands at Coolmore Stud Australia and will be available for $99,000 (inc GST).
Sweet sixteen for Maurice
The Les Kelly-trained Noah ‘N’ A Deel, a daughter of Maurice (Jpn), showed her staying capabilities to beat a competitive field of older mares in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown over 2137 metres on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
The 3-year-old filly, before Saturday’s victory, was placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks behind Amokura (Kermadec {NZ}).
Sean Cormick partnered with her and showed that the Queensland Oaks form holds weight when she denied the classy Princess Rhaenys (Iffraaj {GB}) by 0.12l and Pretty Amazing (American Pharoah {USA}) further away in third.
Noah 'N' A Deel relishes the drop back in class and distance to win the Listed Tattersall's Gold Crown at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Noah ‘N’ A Deel is a genuine Arrowfield Stud product. She is the first foal from the unraced Dundeel (NZ) mare Double Deel, a daughter of Aliyana Tilde (Snitzel). The latter won the G3 Epona S. and was placed in the G1 Australian Oaks, the G1 Sydney Cup and the G1 Vinery Stud S.
The filly becomes the 16th stakes winner for Maurice, who is enjoying a fabulous Queensland winter carnival, seemingly chalking up a new stakes winner weekly.
Maurice will return to Arrowfield Stud this spring and will be available for $82,500 (inc GST). Noah ‘N’ A Deel also becomes the first stakes winner for Dundeel as a broodmare sire.
Noah 'N' A Deel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly was a $100,000 yearling purchase by Waverley Park Lodge from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Clark rides scores Group double at Eagle Farm
The Robert Heathcote-trained Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) is racing in brave heart this preparation, scoring another Group victory.
Allotted with 60kg, it proved no obstacle for the 4-year-old gelding, guided by Tim Clark, the G3 WJ Healy S. finished much the same way as the G2 Moreton Cup last start, his rivals unable to catch him, recording a 2.18l success over The Big Goodbye (Host {Chi}) and Quantico (I Am Invincible) running into third.
Prince Of Boom storms home to win the G3 WJ Healy S. at Eagle Farm | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
After the race, assistant racing manager for Robert Heathcote, Leah Kilner, said, “The preparation has been enormous for Prince Of Boom. We avoided going to the Stradbroke on Tim’s (Clark) advice, and he was proven right, and Prince Of Boom came here and won this race.
“What a preparation and what a career Prince Of Boom has had. On top of that, getting The Big Goodbye to run into second, just a brilliant result.”
Prince Of Boom was a bargain $20,000 yearling purchased by Adrenaline Thoroughbreds from the draft of Eureka Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Prince Of Boom as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Spirit Of Boom stands at Eureka Stud and will be available to breeders for $38,500 (inc GST) in 2023.
The G3 WJ Healy S. capped a fantastic day for Clark having earlier scored the G3 Tattersall’s Cup aboard the Kris Lees-trained Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}).
The imported stayer ran out a dominant victor by 2.25l from Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), running into third.
It was the first stakes success for Luncies and a well-deserved one, having recorded placings in the G2 Zipping Classic, the G3 Queen’s Cup, and several other race Group races.
Tim Clark | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
The gelding is from the Fantastic Light (USA) mare Under The Rainbow (GB). She was a dual winner and recorded placings in the G2 Lancashire Oaks and the G3 Middleton S. Luncies becomes the 94th stakes winner for the former shuttler Iffraaj (GB).
