Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Race-Day Recap
Damian Lane partnered the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Robrick (Invader) in the VRC Member Matthew Hodder Plate over 1410 metres to a decisive success at Flemington on Saturday.
The Kembla Grange meeting on Saturday produced three winners that look worth following into the spring. The John O'Shea-trained Capital Heart (Capitalist) broke his maiden, while the Michael Freedman-trained Pushy (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Chris Waller-trained Ring Me Up (American Pharoah {USA}) scored on debut.
On Saturday at Riccarton Park, Kevin Myers sent his progressive 3-year-old filly Bozo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) out in Race 3 over 1200 metres. She was ridden by apprentice Lily Sutherland improved on her third debut at Wanganui to break her maiden.
The Danny Walker and Aaron Tata-trained Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) proved he was a galloper to watch when he took out the Fireco 3YO at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Rockhampton-based trainer Tom Smith looked to have a smart galloper in his care when Acres Away (Top Echelon) showed he’s up to city class on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Lane’s triumph in return
Globe-trotting jockey Damian Lane returned to Australian soil to ride for the first time since the autumn after an international sojourn that saw him take out the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) aboard Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}).
Lane partnered the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Robrick (Invader) in the VRC Member Matthew Hodder Plate over 1410 metres to a decisive success at Flemington on Saturday.
Robrick brought good recent form into the event, having finished second to the progressive Mollynickers (Pierro) at Moe before disappointing behind his stablemate Ouroboros (Harry Angel {Ire}) at Caulfield.
Sporting the blinkers for the first time on raceday in hopes of bringing out the best of the 3-year-old gelding, the typical gear change did the trick, with Robrick defeating the debutant City Thunder (Starspangledbanner) by 2.75l and Gangitano (Written By) back in third.
Saturday’s event has proven to be a good guide to the future, with Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) winning in 2022. However, Kent Jnr kept a diplomatic view.
“It was a fantastic victory. I think having a bit of room and up in trip and blinkers on, in addition to a lovely ride by Damian (Lane), contributed,” Kent-Jnr said.
“Robrick has exceeded our expectations, no doubt. I think we will just get him home and make a plan; it’s only his first preparation.”
“Robrick has exceeded our expectations, no doubt. I think we will just get him home and make a plan; it’s only his first preparation.” - Michael Kent Jnr
Robrick is the second foal from the unraced Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Dorotea. She hails from the family of Alizee (Sepoy), the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia in 2017/18, retiring a three-time Group 1 winner. This is also the family of the G1 Golden Rose victor Astern.
The gelding was a $220,000 yearling purchase by Ontrack Thoroughbreds from the draft of Valiant Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange produces three to follow?
It pays to take notice of the action at Kembla Grange. The track has been a launching pad early in the careers of some class gallopers, including Ace High and Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}). On Saturday, Kembla Grange produced three gallopers that may be set for bigger races in the spring.
In Race 1, the John O’Shea-trained Capital Heart (Capitalist) put it all together at start five to win his maiden over 1000 metres.
Capital Heart | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The 3-year-old gelding brought some strong juvenile form to Kembla Grange. He was placed behind the smart Libertad (Russian Revolution) at Randwick-Kensington and was only beaten 2.84l by Bases Loaded (Deep Field), who placed at Group 1 level.
Capital Heart was ridden by Alysha Collett and won by 0.80l from Lady Jezam (Written By) and Sunchyme (Zoustar).
The gelding is the fourth foal from the Testa Rossa mare Rosslago. She is a full sister to Testamezzo, who won the Listed Raconteur S. and ran fourth in the G1 Winterbottom S. Rosslago has produced the six-time winner Celebrity Witness (Star Witness) at stud.
The son of Capitalist was a $220,000 yearling purchased by Jonathan Scully, John O’Shea Racing and Heartland from the draft of Kitchwin Hills at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Capital Heart as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Following the victory of Capital Heart in Race 3 was the Michael Freedman-trained Pushy (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) over 1200 metres.
The 3-year-old gelding was on debut and partnered by Rory Hutchings to win the maiden by 0.80l from Hanau (Snitzel) and Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready).
Pushy is the second foal from the Anabaa (USA) mare Angel Child. She was a four-time winner from 1400 to 2100 metres. Angel Child’s first foal Kronenbourg (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), has won four races.
Pushy hails from the family of the G3 Blue Sapphire S. winner Extreme Warrior. He was bought for NZ$60,000 by Mick Wallace from the draft of Wentwood Grange at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
In Race 4 over 1200 metres Champion Trainer Chris Waller debuted Ring Me Up (American Pharoah {USA}).
Grant Buckley rode the 3-year-old filly in the Ingham Racing cerise silks to a 0.50l win from Manhattan’s (Hellbent) and Champ De Mars (Deep Field) in third.
Ring Me Up was bred and raced by Ingham Racing. She is the fourth foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Hoybell. She was a three-time winner and a $690,000 yearling purchase by Ingham Racing from the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Hoybell | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital
Ring Me Up hails from the family of Rangirangdoo (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), a 10-time winner who claimed the G1 Doncaster H. and the G1 George Ryder S.
This is also the family of the G1 Vinery Stud S. and G1 Empire Rose S. victress Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt).
Satono Aladdin starts the new season with a bang
The Rich Hill Stud-based Satono Aladdin (Jpn), fresh off being crowned Champion New Zealand Second Season Sire and Champion New Zealand 2-Year-Old Sire, has started the new season with a bang.
On Saturday at Riccarton Park, Kevin Myers sent his progressive 3-year-old filly Bozo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) out in Race 3 over 1200 metres.
Bozo, ridden by apprentice Lily Sutherland, improved on her third debut at Wanganui to break her maiden from Voice Over (NZ) (U S Navy {USA}) and Roca Mile (NZ) (El Roca) in third.
The filly is raced by Rick, Sandra and Anne Hill. She is the third foal from the High Chaparral (Ire) mare So Ard.
Bozo hails from an extensive black-type family. Among her relatives are Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Great Britain in 2011 and the multiple Group 1 winner Saxon Warrior (Jpn) and the G1 Emirates S. hero Awesome Rock.
Satono Aladdin will stand the 2023 breeding season for NZ$45,000 plus GST.
Satono Aladdin (Jpn) | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
Exciting Crocetti continues on winning ways
The Danny Walker and Aaron Tata-trained Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) proved he was a galloper to watch when he took out the Fireco 3YO at Ruakaka on Saturday.
The 3-year-old was ridden by Warren Kennedy to a 5l victory from Dancing Dream (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and Just As Sharp (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the 1100 metre event.
Crocetti’s co-trainer, Walker, had been expecting a good performance from his charge, which he rates highly.
“He is pretty smart,” Walker said.
“We gave him a decent break after his first run so he could mature, as he had a few growing pains along the way.
“He has some improvement to come, but I thought he would be hard to beat, and he finished winning with his ears pricked.
“He (Crocetti) has some improvement to come, but I thought he would be hard to beat, and he finished winning with his ears pricked.” - Danny Walker
“Warren (Kennedy) came in and said he did it easily, so you have to be pleased to see him go so well, and it augurs well for what we may want to do with him during the spring.”
Walker will now sit down with Nakhle to look at their options in the coming months before committing to a plan of action.
“We don’t really know where we want to go just yet,” he said.
“There is a good chance we will be back here for the Northland Breeders’ S. in a fortnight, but it is up in the air after that.
“I suppose the 2000 Guineas is a target for anyone with a promising 3-year-old, but we are a long way away from deciding whether that is a goal for him.”
Crocetti (NZ) winning at Ruakaka | Image courtesy of Therese Davis (Race Images)
Crocetti is the third foal from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Gracehill (NZ). She is a full sister to the G3 White Robe Lodge S. victor Killarney (NZ) and a half-sister to Crosshaven (Smart Missile), who also won at the Group 3 level.
Acres Away extends winning streak
Rockhampton-based trainer Tom Smith looked to have a smart galloper in his care when Acres Away (Top Echelon) showed he’s up to city class on Saturday.
Smith saddled up and legged Les Tilley aboard the 3-year-old gelding at Eagle Farm in the National Jockeys Celebration Day 3YO BM70 H.
It proved to be a winning move, with Acres Away scoring by 0.42l from Kitri (Invader) and Crimson Warning (Defcon).
It was the third consecutive win for Acres Away, having scored at Mackay twice and running third at Rockhampton before that.
Acres Away was bred by Mr M Power and is owned and raced by the Power family.
The gelding is the second foal from the Choisir mare Hoywedge. She was a four-time winner and is a half-sister to Sizzling Ace (Sizzling), who placed in the G2 Sires’ Produce S.
