Wyong: Listed Mona Lisa S., $200,000, 1350m
It was a longshot winner of this Wyong feature for mares, Mirra View (More Than Ready {USA}) doing best after engaging in a late battle with fellow roughie Sanstoc (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
A homebred for Bennelong Bloodstock, Mirra View is the 221st stakes winner for her late sire and the second for her G3 Tattersall's Cup-winning dam Mirrasalo (Redoute's Choice) - also dam of the G3 Angst S. winner Mirra Vision (Lonhro).
Not having a great deal of luck at stud in recent years, Mirrasalo has not had a foal since 2020 - that 3-year-old being the promising Mirra Impact (Lonhro) who saluted at his Newcastle debut in late July.
The dam of another four winners, Mirrasalo is one of the six winners produced by the dual Listed winner St Therese (Dehere {USA}) who was well-represented by another two stakes winners - Arrowfield Stud's dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio and the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile).
Also grandam of the stakes winners Precious Memories (Stratum) and Hussy By Choice (Hussonet {USA}), St Therese is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Planet Ruler (Kaoru Star).
The seventh stakes winner (from 63 winners/86 runners) by More Than Ready (USA) out of a Redoute's Choice mare, Mirra View can boast amongst her relations the stakes winners Aroma (Turf Ruler), Pleasant Air (Danehill {USA}), Andrella (Dehere {USA}), Tomelilla (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Viktor Vegas (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Listed Wyong Gold Cup, $240,000, 2100m
A couple of tough greys fought out the finish of this valuable Country Cup with Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}) getting the upperhand late to break through for his first success at stakes level on the back of four stakes placings including a G1 ATC Derby second.
The 23rd stakes winner for his Westbury-based, G1 French Derby and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S.-winning sire, Benaud was bred by Kevin Hickman and purchased by John O'Shea Racing and Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) for $280,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
He is the third stakes winner for his winning dam Baggy Green (Galileo {Ire}), also dam of the Group 1 winners Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and No Compromise (NZ) (Pins).
Served last spring by Ocean Park (NZ), Baggy Green is one of the six winners for Starspangled (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) who was also represented by a pair of Group 1 horses - Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) and Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Bred on a 3 X 3 cross of Sadler's Wells (USA), Benaud is a great-grandson of the star mare User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}), the five-time Group 1 winner who produced eight winners including the Group 3 galloper Downtown (Ire) (Danehill {USA}).
