Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
The popular Mr Brightside (Bullbars) was the star of the show once again, claiming the G1 Memsie S. in fabulous fashion.
Remarque (Snitzel) puts his name in the frame for a $20 million The Everest slot with a super victory in the G3 Concorde S. However, the race also served as the final race for the Champion sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi), whose retirement was officially announced on course.
Godolphin and James Cummings look to have a big chance in the upcoming G1 Epsom H. when the Pericles (Street Boss) capped a super Saturday for Zac Lloyd in the G2 Tramway S.
Henry Dwyer’s speedy mare Asfoora (Flying Artie) returned in good style to win the G3 The McCafé 1100 S. at Caulfield.
The Jason Warren-trained Benedetta (Hellbent) won her maiden stakes in the G3 Cockram S.
David Payne hailed Navajo Peak (Territories) as one of the most underrated gallopers in Australia last start. He was justified on Saturday when the 5-year-old ran a surprise albeit determined winner of the G2 Chelmsford S.
The imported Athabascan, a half-brother to an Australian Group 1, flagged his future over the staying trips with a relentless display in the Listed CTC Cup at Randwick.
Cult horse joins Memsie's honour
The G1 Memsie S. on Saturday embodied everything a racing fan loves about the sport.
A field of 14 quality gallopers lined up in the Caulfield barriers, there would be only one winner, and to the delight of racing fans around Australia, it was the cult horse Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who added his third Group 1 victory to his outstanding CV.
Given a gun ride by regular partner Craig Williams, he was able to hold off the game Princess Grace (USA) (Karakontie {Jpn}) and the brilliant I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), after fighting off the courageous Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) who held strong to finish fourth.
In adding his name to the Memsie S. honour roll, Mr Brightside joins some of the greatest gallopers to grace our tracks - Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), Ajax, Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) and Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) to name a few.
It was also fitting to see the Hayes brothers, now three - Ben, Will and JD - officially enjoy a Group 1 success together.
Will, Ben and JD Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
After winning his fourth Memsie, Williams told Racing.com, “I walked the track before the Memise, and I felt it wouldn’t be a disadvantage to him if he sat a bit wider rather than on the rail. I thought I had two options in the race, and Mr Brightside rewarded me with my decision.
“He was very tough, and it was very good; I just love how he sticks his head out and pins back his ears; he had no favours. We had Alligator Blood drawn to our inside, and it was good, but I know that horse doesn’t go down quickly, and I couldn’t see behind to know where I Wish I Win was, but I’m just very proud of my horse.
“He’s going to be the best miler in Australia.”
“... I just love how he (Mr Brightside) sticks his head out and pins back his ears; he had no favours. He’s going to be the best miler in Australia.” - Craig Williams
Concorde marks a change of the guard in sprint ranks
The G3 Concorde S. won by the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Remarque (Snitzel) will be remembered as the grand galloper Nature Strip’s (Nicconi) last career start.
It wasn’t the fairy tale farewell fans hoped for the Champion, but he heads to retirement a healthy and happy horse.
An emotional Waller, surrounded by some of Nature Strip’s owners, including Ron Lyons, announced to Sky Racing shortly after the conclusion of the Concorde.
“I’m announcing Nature Strip’s retirement on behalf of the owners… It’s only fitting that we announce it as soon as the decision has been made,” Waller said.
“He came to the race sound and was trialling well; there had been no indication that race ability wasn’t there, but he wasn’t the same horse in the race today. The spark and acceleration weren’t there. He’s been such a Champion horse.”
“I’m announcing Nature Strip’s retirement on behalf of the owners… he wasn’t the same horse in the race today.” - Chris Waller
For Remarque, it was a show of ability he always had inside, ridden by Tyler Schiller, the 5-year-old gelding narrowly held a fast-finishing In Secret (I Am Invincible) and Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai).
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Remarque; he lost a shoe before the loading of the barriers and had to wait for several minutes for the farrier.
“It wasn't an ideal scenario losing the shoe. However, I knew Michael, Wayne and John (Hawkes) had the horse well and happy, and his trials showed that,” Schiller told Sky Racing.
Remarque demonstrates his prowess to win the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He came out today (Saturday) and put himself on speed, and I allowed him to, even though it wasn't the best speed, three deep with no cover. But he showed he was the best horse today. The big question is, would he get the 1200 metres? I think drawing a nice gate would aid him in that quest.”
Remarque is the sixth foal from the Charge Forward mare Response. A dual Group 1 winner on the track, she is also the dam of the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab (Snitzel).
The gelding is the 136th stakes winner for Snitzel, who is standing the 2023 breeding season at Arrowfield for $247,500 (inc GST).
Lloyd caps super Saturday
Zac Lloyd, the prestigious Bart Cummings Medal recipient, is fast becoming a name on the lips of racing fans. The young gun enjoyed another productive day in the saddle when James McDonald gave up the ride on Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) in the G2 Furious S. Lloyd had the talent to pick up the ride and deliver a valuable Group 2 on the filly.
Lloyd was then narrowly denied aboard the James Cummings-trained In Secret (I Am Invincible) in the G3 Concorde S. It only took one race later for Lloyd to get back on the board for Cummings, and it was in the G2 Tramway S. on Pericles (Street Boss {USA}).
Lloyd put Pericles on speed in a prominent position, and it was he and Skyman (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) who scorched away to fight the race out, with Lloyd and Pericles gaining a 0.95l advantage over Skyman, while the Kerry Parker-trained Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) ran third.
Cummings indicated to Sky Racing that Pericles was trending in the right way to tackle the G1 Epsom H.
“He’s on track for the Epsom. Full credit to Zac Lloyd, who got Pericles into a beautiful rhythm from the barrier, and the horse has just come back in great fashion.
“He may have one more, or we may go straight to the Epsom. He’s come back as a more mature horse, and he’s still getting better and growing.”
“He’s (Pericles) on track for the Epsom. Full credit to Zac Lloyd, who got Pericles into a beautiful rhythm from the barrier, and the horse has just come back in great fashion.” - James Cummings
Pericles hails from a deep family, a son of the Singspiel (Ire) mare Accessories (GB), the dam of the Group 1 winners - Helmet and Epaulette.
Pericles is also a half-brother to the late Group 2 winner Pearls (Exceed And Excel) and Bullbars, a Group 3 victor and the sire of Mr Brightside.
Asfoora lets fly at Caulfield
Henry Dwyer’s gun sprinter Asfoora (Flying Artie) returned to her best form in the G3 The McCafé 1100 S.
Mitchell Aitken partnered with the 5-year-old mare and was 1l winner from Midwest (Zoustar) and Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}).
Asfoora has won seven races, including the G2 Caulfield Sprint and the G3 Furphy Sprint; in addition, she has been placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and was fourth in the G1 The Galaxy.
The daughter of Flying Artie was passed in of her $30,000 reserve when offered by Noor Elaine Farm at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. So, she was retained by Noor Elaine Farm and has won over $900,000 in earnings.
Asfoora is the first foal from the I Am Invincible mare Golden Child.
Asfoora proves too quick fresh and claims the G3 The McCafe at Caulfield | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Flying Artie is standing the 2023 breeding season at Blue Gum Farm for a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Benedetta shows she’s the real deal
Jason Warren’s smart mare Benedetta (Hellbent) showed she’s the real deal with a victory in the G3 Cockram S. on Saturday at Caulfield.
Daniel Stackhouse was back in the saddle and outmuscled a classy Parsial (Astern), while Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) finished third.
The 4-year-old mare has won six of eight starts and was winning her first black-type race on Saturday.
She is the third foal from the Domesday mare Whatalovelyday. She was placed in the G2 The Roses and is the dam of the Group 2-placed Whatafox (Foxwegde).
Benedetta is the $75,000 purchase by Eales Racing Syndications from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Benedetta storms in to win the G3 Cockram S. at Caulfield | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The mare is the third stakes winner for Hellbent, who is serving for a fee of $38,500 (inc GST) at Yarraman Park Stud.
Underrated Navajo Peak springs surprise
David Payne’s 5-year-old gelding Navajo Peak (Territories {Ire}) surprised a few bar his trainer when he bounded to success in the G2 Chelmsford S. at Randwick.
Payne had been praising the son of Territories (Ire) for some time. Still, it wasn’t enough for bookmakers or form gurus to send him out with a serious chance of knocking off the Group 1 winners, such as Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) and formerly Payne-trained Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) and Duais (Shamus Award) amongst others.
However, at the end of the 1600-metre race, Chad Schofield, in the saddle of Navajo Peak, reigned supreme over Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) with Think It Over in third.
“People didn’t see Navajo Peak’s run the other day. He must have been running 14-wide, pulled to last, and beaten by 5l. I knew there was about 3l improvement in this horse,” Payne told Sky Racing.
“I think he’s one of the most underrated horses in Australia; he has unbelievable form.”
“I think he’s (Navajo Peak) one of the most underrated horses in Australia; he has unbelievable form.” - David Payne
Navajo Peak is the second and last foal from the late Authorized (Ire) mare Ship Rock. She won once over 2000 metres and is a three-quarter-sister to Pounamu (Authorized {Ire}), a winner of the G1 Kingston Town Classic.
The gelding is the 11th stakes winner for Territories stands at Darley, Europe, and did not shuttle to Darley, Australia, for the 2023 season.
Athabascan flags future over a trip
The John O’Shea-trained Athabascan (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) went into Saturday’s Listed CTC Cup at Randwick as a winner of one race. However, under Tom Sherry, the OTI colour-bearer was relentless over the 2400-metre journey, beating Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 2.44l, while Verona (NZ) (Belardo {NZ}) finished third.
It was the first stakes victory and only second success for Athabascan. However, the 4-year-old gelding was placed thrice at the Listed level in France and was placed in the Listed Canberra Cup in Australia.
The gelding is from the Dansili (GB) mare Alzubra (GB), a Listed winner, and the dam of the G1 Tancred hero Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Athabascan is the 10th stakes winner for Almanzor (Fr), currently serving at Cambridge Stud, New Zealand, for NZ$50,000 (plus GST).
