Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
Bodyguard, a $1.6 million son of I Am Invincible, was an extremely impressive victor of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington on Saturday for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership.
He was one of three stakes winners on Saturday for reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible. One of his talented juveniles from last season, King’s Gambit returned to the winner's enclosure as a 3-year-old as he reigned supreme in Saturday’s G2 Roman Consul S. However, it was at Murray Bridge that Vinnie gained a new stakes winner, with Jack The Lad bringing up his 100th worldwide.
An exciting Saturday of racing across Australasia saw the first-season sires Super Seth (Waikato Stud) and Alabama Express (Yulong) sire their first winners. Poetic Champion (NZ) got Super Seth off the mark at Hawera, while Karavas gave Alabama Express a flawless start at Murray Bridge.
Stretan Angel booked herself a ticket to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. when the daughter of the second-season sire Harry Angel (Ire) upstaged the boys in the G2 Danehill S.
The impeccably bred Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) showed her best ability to score the G2 Edward Manifold S. for Godolphin at Flemington on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) blasted into Derby calculations with a 5.5l victory in the Listed Super Impose S. at Flemington on Saturday.
The inexperienced but clearly talented Makarena (Snitzel) claimed the second running of the $500,000 Tapp-Craig for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes.
Bodyguard explosive in Maribyrnong Trial
After being scratched from the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick, won by Espionage (Zoustar), due to a wide barrier, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) debuted in Saturday’s Listed Maribyrnong Trial S.
And what an impression he made! Ridden by Craig Williams, Bodyguard showed no immaturity when he surged to the front, pricked to an explosive victory from Cerons (Street Boss {USA}) and Altermatum (Zoustar).
Bodyguard was purchased by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $1.6 million from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
It has been a fantastic start to the new season for the James Harron purchases, with Espionage taking the Breeders Plate, as mentioned earlier.
Harron, trackside for Bodyguard’s victory, told Racing.com, “It’s great to see Bodyguard do that today (Saturday).
James Harron with Bodyguard and his strapper after winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He was initially going to the Breeders’ Plate because he trialled up very nicely. However, we were plagued with barrier 13 and Peter and Paul (Snowden) thought that he had the right mind and constitution to travel to Victoria for this race.
“Bodyguard is a magnificent horse, his price-tag indicates that. But the attitude and mind is the most impressive thing about him.
“We’ll get him back to Sydney and discuss the next move. I always thought he would be one that would progress more with time. He should be a lovely horse for the autumn.”
“Bodyguard is a magnificent horse, his price-tag indicates that. But the attitude and mind is the most impressive thing about him.” - James Harron
Williams added, “This horse has an unbelievable attitude.”
“Very professional, he’s precisely what Peter (Snowden) said he’d be and showed from the moment he stepped into the yard after being educated.
“The form from the Breeders’ Plate stood up, and Bodyguard was very impressive here.
“He is what a jockey wants to ride. I love his attitude, ability and scope. He just has so much more of a future.”
Craig Williams with Bodyguard | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bodyguard is from the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Tumooh. She is the daughter of the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Mossfun (Mossman).
The colt became the 99th stakes winner for his Yarraman Park-based Champion Sire.
First-season sires strike!
Waikato Stud had plenty to smile about early on Saturday when the Tony Pike-trained Poetic Champion (NZ) provided Super Seth with his first winner as a sire at Hawera.
Craig Grylls rode Poetic Champion and was an incredible 6.5l victor over Skymax (NZ) (Ferrando {NZ}) for the 950-metre journey.
The 2-year-old gelding was passed in when he failed to meet his reserve of NZ$80,000 at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale when offered by Haunui Farm.
Jonathan Munz of GSA Bloodstock, who also raced Super Seth, bred Poetic Champion and after the 2-year-old gelding failed to meet his reserve of NZ$80,000 at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale when offered by Haunui Farm, Munz elected to race him.
Poetic Champion is from the Royal Academy (USA) mare Regally Blonde. She is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Starspangledbanner.
Super Seth | Standing at Waikato Stud
Super Seth, a son of Dundeel (NZ), won the G1 Caulfield Guineas, the HDF McNeil S., and the Manfred S. at Group 3 level before retiring to Waikato Stud in New Zealand.
Super Seth has had four runners to the track and stands the 2023 breeding season for NZ$35,000 (plus GST).
Shortly after Poetic Champion’s victory for Super Seth, it was another first-season sires’ turn on the podium - Alabama Express!
The Yulong-based son of Redoute’s Choice was represented by the Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Karavas at Murray Bridge.
The 2-year-old filly was sent out as favourite in the 900-metre race with Jake Toerok aboard and showed too much tenacity to hold Yes Yes Tess (Yes Yes Yes) at bay.
Karavas was a $260,000 purchase by Richard and Chantelle Jolly Racing from the draft of Yulong at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The filly is the second foal from the Pierro mare All Of Me. She is a half-sister to the outstanding Solicit (Street Cry {Ire}).
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong Stud
Alabama Express won the G1 CF Orr S. and is standing for $22,000 (inc GST) in 2023.
Harry’s girl books Coolmore ticket
The G2 Danehill S. was billed as a race for the boys, with the I Am Invincible colt, I Am Unstoppable, attracting much of the pre-race attention. However, they were all upstaged by the Phillip Stokes-trained Stretan Angel, a daughter of Harry Angel (Ire).
The lightly-raced 3-year-old filly won, ridden by Damian Lane, outgunned I Am Unstoppable, while Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) held on for third.
Stokes told Racing.com, “I was surprised Stretan Angel was closer today (Saturday). She usually is out the back of the field, but she jumped well.
“She took a lot of improvement from her first-up run, and we came to the Danehill knowing how much more improvement had to come.
“Her coat has come on, and she spent the week at our farm, and she’s really starting to bloom now.
“She’s done a super job. It’s very exciting going into her next run, which will be the Coolmore Stud Stakes.”
“She’s (Stretan Angel) done a super job. It’s very exciting going into her next run, which will be the Coolmore Stud Stakes.” - Phillip Stokes
Saturday proved to be an exceptional day for the Godolphin/Darley operations, with Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) claiming the G2 Edward Manifold a race earlier for Godolphin, while Darley stands the second-season sire Harry Angel, who has made every post a winner in Australia.
In winning the Danehill S. the filly joins the likes of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Snitzerland (Snitzel) as the seventh filly to claim the valuable contest.
Stretan Angel won at Listed level as a juvenile but became the son of Dark Angel’s (Ire) first Group 2 winner in the Southern Hemisphere.
Connections of Stretan Angel after winning the G2 Danehill S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The filly was a $64,000 purchase by Phillip Stokes and Rick Connolly Bloodstock from the draft of Raheen Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
King rules in the Roman Consul
Newgate supremo Henry Field called it when he described the G2 Roman Consul as a ‘race for the ages’ and comparable to the 2016 edition that saw the high-class colts and now sires - Russian Revolution (Newgate), Astern (Darley) and Capitalist (Newgate) clash.
On Saturday at Rosehill, eight well-regarded gallopers took to the starting gates, including the unbeaten Ozzmosis (Zoustar) sporting a new set of silks from the China Horse Club. However, another high-class colt, King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible), staked his claim to the throne.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 3-year-old caused a massive impact on debut when he claimed the Listed Debutant S. by 5l and then placed in the Golden Slipper. Since then, it’s been a matter of forgiveness and patience for his owners and trainers as the untapped colt learns to conserve his energy.
So, when the son of I Am Invincible, ridden by Tommy Berry, surged to the front of the valuable contest to score from Mexico (Capitalist) and Ozzmosis, a relieved Peter Snowden greeted the media.
“Finally! But I still feel we have only seen 50 per cent of what King’s Gambit can do,” Snowden told Sky Racing.
King's Gambit storms up the inside to win the G2 Roman Consul S. at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He still did a few things wrong, and he had been good all day (Saturday) until the last 10 minutes when we put the saddle on him, he got wounded up.
“But we’ve done a lot of work with him, and if he showed no improvement, we’d be scratching our heads. However, to see him win a Roman Consul, it’s very, very pleasing.
“The Coolmore is the race Henry (Field) and the team want to win with him; I was sceptical at first, but now the more racing he has, the better he’ll be.
“He’s very talented.”
“The Coolmore (Stud S.) is the race Henry (Field) and the team want to win with him (King's Gambit); I was sceptical at first, but now the more racing he has, the better he’ll be.” - Peter Snowden
King’s Gambit was bred by Gooree Park, who have remained in the ownership alongside Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club, Go Bloodstock Australia and others.
Zardozi bounces back
The impeccably bred daughter of Kingman (GB), Zardozi had no luck last start at Sandown-Hillside.
Showing all the signs to James Cummings and the Godolphin team that she had taken no ill effects from the run, Zardozi backed up in Saturday’s G2 Edward Manifold S. and, with clear air, reminded all of her talent.
The 3-year-old filly ridden by visiting Sydney-based jockey Chad Schofield ran over the top of Aprilia (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) and Amazonian Lass (More Than Ready {USA}).
Godolphin representative Sean Keogh was on track for media obligations, “It was worth thinking about the Edward Manifold after she was unlucky at Sandown (Hillside).
“She started her career beautifully for James (Cummings), racking up those victories, and after two disappointing runs up in grade. James saw the Sandown race as an ideal to get some confidence back. However, she had no luck, but we were happy with how Zardozi performed, and we thought she pulled up super, ate and had a good week.
Zardozi powers home to win the G2 Edward Manifold S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It all lined up super, and we’re thrilled to get a Group 2 here.”
Schofield added, “She’s turned into a lovely filly. I always thought she would be a nice horse.
“It was an impressive victory here (Flemington). I loved how she came through her gears, and I think it would be worth considering an Oaks preparation with her because she just wants to relax in her races, and she’ll give herself every opportunity to run the trip (2500 metres).”
“It was an impressive victory here (Flemington)... I think it would be worth considering an Oaks preparation with her (Zardozi) because she just wants to relax in her races, and she’ll give herself every opportunity to run the trip (2500 metres).” - Chad Schofield
Zardozi is from the unraced Dubawi (Ire) mare Chanderi (GB). She is the daughter of the Group 2 victress Silk Sari (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}).
The filly is the 72nd stakes winner for the Juddmonte Farms-based Kingman.
Riff Rocket blasts away in Super Impose
Champion Trainer Chris Waller made the trek to Melbourne on Saturday and struck early when his progressive galloper Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) took out the Listed Super Impose S. over 1800 metres.
Riff Rocket, ridden by James McDonald, streaked away to a 5.5l victory from Sunsource (Zoustar) and Fistoffury (Dundeel {NZ}).
The son of American Pharoah (USA) was bred and raced by Woppitt Bloodstock and was having his fourth start after breaking his maiden at Kembla Grange in Class 1 company in September.
Waller noted that Riff Rocket had significantly improved this preparation, “The staff back in Sydney advised Riff Rocket had gone to a new level after his run at Rosehill (last start),” he told Racing.com.
“He did an excellent job in Victoria during the winter, and today (Saturday), he’s done a great job and a beautiful ride by James McDonald, which he’s very good at, isn’t he!
Riff Rocket storms home to win the Listed Super Impose S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Naturally, you would go through to a Derby; whether Riff Rocket has another city run or goes to Geelong for a Derby Trial, I’m not sure.”
McDonald added, “This is the first time I’ve sat on Riff Rocket, but I don’t think I’ll get off him.
“I love that for such an immature horse he popped away from the stalls and relaxed beautifully.”
“This is the first time I’ve sat on Riff Rocket, but I don’t think I’ll get off him. I love that for such an immature horse he popped away from the stalls and relaxed beautifully.” - James McDonald
Riff Rocket is the 39th stakes winner for Coolmore’s Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah.
Makarena emulates Opal
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes declared earlier in the week that Makarena (Snitzel), despite her inexperience, was a talented proposition. And so he was proven correct when the daughter of Snitzel took out the second running of the $500,000 Tapp-Craig, giving the girls a clean sweep, with the inaugural running won by the pocket rocket Opal Ridge (Rubick).
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the 3-year-old filly was ridden by Tyler Schiller to a comprehensive success over Razors (Sidestep) and Snapback (Snitzel).
The filly is from the Starcraft (NZ) mare Wecansay Mak and is a half-sister to the Group 3 victress Missile Mantra (Smart Missile).
Makarena was a $250,000 purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
