Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
It was a thrilling finish to the G3 Vain S. on Saturday with Ouroboros (Harry Angel {Ire}) serving it up to the G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), while I Am Unstoppable (I Am Invincible) caught the eye charging home into third.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Autumn Ballet made a statement on debut in the G3 Black Opal S. back in the autumn, on Saturday and the dawn of spring the daughter of The Autumn Sun made an even bigger one in the G2 Silver Shadow S. at Randwick.
A classy group of newly minted 3-year-old fillies contested the G3 Quezette S. on Saturday and Caulfield with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) and the Tony Gollan-trained Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready) fighting the race out.
The Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) emulated his victory at Ruakaka last start with another scintillating performance at the track in the G3 Northland Breeders’ S. over 1200 metres.
Cylinder refuses to lie down
It was a thrilling finish to the G3 Vain S. on Saturday with Ouroboros (Harry Angel {Ire}) serving it up to the G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), while I Am Unstoppable (I Am Invincible) caught the eye charging home into third.
Ouroboros and Cylinder left nothing on the track, with each horse giving their all and more in the finish and making the judge earn his pay when he had to split the two colts in a near-dead-heat photo finish. However, the royal blue silk bearer could put his name alongside Bivouac and Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}), who also bore the Godolphin blue to claim the Vain S.
Leading rider Blake Shinn was impressed by the tenacity shown by Cylinder, “He was a little bit rusty and full credit to the second horse; they made a real run of it and put it to us early and then late. Cylinder was slightly out of his comfort zone early, but when the chips were down and he was off the bridle, he showed great determination.
“I wasn’t sure if we got there, but his class really shined through, and he has a lot to offer this horse; he’ll improve throughout the preparation.
“He has credentials to target the best 3-year-old races around and this isn’t his main target. But this looks good on his CV. He’ll measure up in whatever James (Cummings) and the team aim him at.”
“He (Cylinder) has credentials to target the best 3-year-old races around and this isn’t his main target.” - Blake Shinn
It was a fair effort by Cylidner’s dam Circular (Street Cry {Ire}), who is also the dam of Parsial who claimed the G3 Toy Show Quality on Saturday at Randwick. Circular foaled a filly by Bivouac last year and was covered by Brazen Beau.
Autumn Ballet a special filly for The Autumn Sun
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Autumn Ballet made a statement on debut in the G3 Black Opal S. back in the autumn, on Saturday and the dawn of spring the daughter of The Autumn Sun made an even bigger one in the G2 Silver Shadow S. at Randwick.
The margin was narrow, but there was plenty of merit in the victory and a special moment for Adam Hyeronimus to deny Jamie Kah aboard Estriella (I Am Invincible) and Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) running into third.
“She’s always shown above-average ability,” Hyeronimus told Sky Racing.
“Autumn Ballet had been coming along nicely without flattering this preparation, but her work on Saturday morning was very good, and the stable (Waterhouse and Bott) had five in this Silver Shadow, but I was very happy to be on her.
“It was very pleasing, and the race worked out perfectly; it all went to plan.”
Adam Hyeronimus and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Autumn Ballet is the third foal from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Grisi. She is the granddaughter of Shadea (NZ) (Smart Strike {USA}), who is the dam of Champion Lonhro. Interestingly, this is the family of Circular, who was the dam of two Group winners on Saturday with Cylinder and Parisal (Astern).
Autumn Ballet was a $340,000 yearling purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The Autumn Sun will stand the 2023 breeding season for $66,000 (inc GST) at Arrowfield Stud.
The Autumn Sun | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Cream rises to the top in Quezette S.
A classy group of newly minted 3-year-old fillies contested the G3 Quezette S. on Saturday and Caulfield. Amongst them were the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) and the Tony Gollan-trained Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready).
Charm Stone claimed the G3 Ottawa S. as a juvenile before a minor issue saw her head to the spelling paddock, while Skirt The Law wrote her name on the honour roll of the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
Despite being lightly raced, they carried imperious CVs for the Quezette S. as history will tell, it was Charm Stone and Skirt The Law who fought the race out.
Ridden by in-form jockey Damian Lane, Charm Stone sustained a sprint and dug deep to hold off Ryan Maloney aboard Skirt The Law by 0.20l, while Sicilian (I Am Invincible) finished third.
“I really think she’s a little bit special,” Lane said, praising Charm Stone.
“She has really grown into her frame mentally, she’s always been a lovely filly, but she’s grown up.
“Around the 500 metres, I didn’t have a horse taking me into the race, so I had to circle the field and put the jets on. Her closing speed between the 500 and 100 metres was fantastic, and to dig deep when challenged, she’s very good.”
“I really think she’s (Charm Stone) a little bit special. Her closing speed between the 500 and 100 metres was fantastic, and to dig deep when challenged, she’s very good.” - Damian Lane
Charm Stone is the fourth foal from the Northern Meteor mare Najoom. She won the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas and the G3 Fred Best Classic.
Charm Stone is a full sister to Najmaty, who won twice at the Listed level.
The filly was a $1.5 million yearling purchase by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Crocetti continues unbeaten run
The Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) emulated his victory at Ruakaka last start with another scintillating performance at the track in the G3 Northland Breeders’ S. over 1200 metres.
The 3-year-old gelding was facing his toughest test to date on paper, taking on the likes of Trobriand (Kermadec {NZ}), but with Warren Kennedy in the saddle, Crocetti whacked his opposition by 4.5l from Dancing Dream (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), while Trobriand ran into third.
Crocetti is the third foal from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Gracehill (NZ). She was a dual winner and is a full sister to Killarney (NZ), who won at Group 3 level, and a half-sister to Crosshaven (Smart Missile), a winner of the G3 Carbine Club S., he was also placed in the G1 CF Orr S.
The gelding was co-bred by E Y Nakhle and D E Nakhle, the latter having remained in the ownership of Crocetti.
