Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
As usual, the 2023 edition of the Cox Plate was one to behold with Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) showing the 'Aussies' his best to deny Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in a photo finish.
Tom Kitten provided Harry Angel (Ire) with his first Group 1 winner as a sire with an arrogant display in the G1 Spring Champion, and was one of several success stories on the day for the influence of Street Cry (Ire).
Te Akau Racing’s champion mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) was peerless again in the G1 Manikato S. at Moonee Valley.
Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds had a memorable Saturday, winning the $2 million The Invitation with Espiona (Extreme Choice) and Chrysaor (Better Than Ready) taking out the $1 million G2 Callander-Presnell.
What a spectacle the G2 Crystal Mile provided viewers! The brilliant Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) returned to her best after a tricky spring to defeat a brave Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}).
Skybird (Exosphere) put her hand up as a legitimate chance in the G1 Thousand Guineas with a nail-biting finish in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic.
The Lindsay Park-trained and co-bred Apulia (Fiorente {Ire}) was on the seven-day backup in Saturday’s G2 Moonee Valley Vase and, with an in-form Mark Zahra aboard, was too tenacious for Verdad (Justify {USA}).
Warrior prevails in a thrilling Cox Plate
Danny Shum was determined that his brilliant Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) was on course to be primed for the G1 Cox Plate following defeat in the G1 Turnbull S. earlier this month, and he’ll be glad that he wasn’t given a hard race that day in behind Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}).
Well accustomed to battling out tight finishes at Sha Tin, the 6-year-old was a courageous winner of the 2023 Cox Plate in one of the most thrilling finishes in the race’s history.
There was plenty of intrigue ahead of the race, with Fangirl (Sebring) having beaten Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the inaugural G1 King Charles III S., Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the form of his life, Duais (Shamus Award) returning to form and a crack pair of 3-year-olds to boot.
When Alligator Blood took to the front in the home straight, you could have been forgiven for thinking it was all over. But, with Mr Brightside nipping up his inside and James McDonald keeping close tabs on the pair, it was a three-way dive for the line, with the Champion Jockey producing Romantic Warrior ahead of Mr Brightside in a photo finish.
It was a tame showing from the two 3-year-olds in the race, with Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) finishing closest in eighth, whilst King Colorado (Kingman {GB}) came home last.
“This horse is pretty special to me,” said an ecstatic McDonald. “When I mentioned to come to the Cox Plate I thought he’d be the perfect horse - I meant what I said.”
McDonald also credited connections, including owner Peter Lau, with their bravery for venturing out of Hong Kong, where the horse is proven and there’s no shortage of prizemoney.
“I reckon he’s got more to come to,” he added. “He made significant amounts of improvement, like we thought he did, and he likes the bloody Valley!”
“This horse (Romantic Warrior) is pretty special to me. I reckon he’s got more to come to. He made significant amounts of improvement, like we thought he did, and he likes the bloody Valley!” - James McDonald
In between a series of embraces from various supporters, Shum added: “This has a big meaning for me. I couldn’t be happier.”
The victory marked a fairytale first stint outside of Hong Kong for Romantic Warrior, who had twice been partnered to Group 1 victory in Hong Kong by McDonald.
It was also another notable success in the race for the influence of the great Street Cry (Ire). In this case he is the sire of Romantic Warrior’s dam, the UK juvenile winner Folk Melody (Ire), whilst he’s also the sire of Street Boss (USA), whose mighty Anamoe won last year’s renewal. That’s not to mention four-time Cox Plate winner Winx, Street Cry’s most famous daughter, or that Street Cry popped up earlier in the afternoon as the broodmare sire of Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}).
Tom Kitten a facile first Group 1 winner on red-letter day for Harry Angel
Whilst Harry Angel (Ire) raced at 1200 metres in all but his first start (which was over 1000 metres), his son Tom Kitten more than found his groove over 2000 metres in the G1 Spring Champion S. Cruising to the front from his midfield position, he was devastating in the home straight under Adam Hyeronimus, bounding 3.68l clear of Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) by the time he hit the line.
Like his sire, Tom Kitten was a stakes-winning juvenile, last term taking the Listed Fernhill S. before finishing fourth in the G1 Champagne S.
Returning this season with a victory in the G3 Up And Coming S., over 1300 metres, there appeared plenty of spring options for the colt. Placed each time as James Cummings upped him in distance from September into October, the trainer’s decision to stretch further again was thoroughly vindicated on Saturday.
As a result of what he described as a messily run race, Hyeronimus noted: “I thought I exposed him too early, but he’s just got so much ability.”
“I thought I exposed him (Tom Kitten) too early, but he’s just got so much ability.” - Adam Hyeronimus
From the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Darley shuttler and former Champion 3-Year-Old Harry Angel, Tom Kitten becomes his sire’s first Group 1 winner worldwide. With a total of nine stakes winners to his name, Harry Angel has enjoyed a fair share of his success Down Under with the likes of G2 Danehill S. winner Stretan Angel and last season’s R. Listed Inglis Banner winner Arkansaw Kid.
That his first Group 1 winner was bred by Godolphin, out of the Street Cry mare Transfers, will be a delight for the blue army, and their success with Tom Kitten may be just the start for the Dark Angel (Ire)/Acclamation (GB) sireline which has proven one of Europe’s most prolific sources of speed.
Harry Angel (Ire) | Standing at Darley
Not only did Tom Kitten announce himself in elite company in style, but Harry Angel rounded off his momentous Saturday with a treble, after 3-year-old gelding Harcasion and 3-year-old filly Laugh With Me both shed their maiden tags to give their sire a total of 18 individual Australian winners.
Tangerine Queen Imperatriz: proves to be class above, again!
The Cox Plate was the headline act, but Moonee Valley was awash with connections and fans of the champion Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) after another devastating display by the Te Akau Racing-owned mare in the G1 Manikato S.
Opie Bosson confidently declared, “She’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. Things didn’t necessarily go to plan, but Imperatriz showed another dimension.”
“She’s (Imperatriz) the best horse I’ve ever ridden.” - Opie Bosson
There were a few nervous moments before the jump, with the 5-year-old building herself up with a few fidgety moments. Then, upon entering barrier four, Buenos Noches (Supido), drawn alongside her, played up in the barriers, which led to his withdrawal on the vet's advice.
Imperatriz bounced from the barriers and found herself in the unconventional leading role as the expected leader, I Am Me (I Am Invincible), at the back of the field. However, it really mattered very little to the superstar as she quickly went through her gears to the cheers of the sold-out Valley crowd and seventh victory at the elite level.
“I think she had it in the bag a long way from home,” co-trainer Mark Walker told Racing.com.
“It was a show of genius by Opie (Bosson). Imperatriz jumped so well, so why would you take that advantage away? It’s so great for all the ownership group who have been so understanding about not going to Sydney (for The Everest).
“We’re just thinking about her longevity, and I think this mare has kept Opie in the saddle, and that’s huge because he’s such a big part of our team.”
Bosson added, “This is up there with one of the best days I’ve had on the track. I don’t usually get nervous, but this morning (Saturday), I was up walking the box a little bit.
“The nerves got to me a little, but she pulls you through it. When we got to the front and nobody took me on, I thought, 'Oh well, that's what we were doing', she relaxed, switched legs, and I just needed to push the button, really.”
Opie Bosson and Mark Walker after winning the G1 Manikato S. at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Imperatriz will now head towards the G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
Star Thoroughbreds gain a valuable double
Saturday, October 28 will be a memorable day for Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds.
Combining with the Champion Trainer Chris Waller, the duo took out the $2 million The Invitation with Espiona (Extreme Choice) and Chrysaor (Better Than Ready) took out the $1 million G2 Callander-Presnell.
The 5-year-old mare Espiona came into The Invitation off a commendable seventh in the $20 million The Everest and stepping up to the 1400 metres of the fillies and mares event suited the daughter of Extreme Choice.
Partnered by Kerrin McEvoy, who has made The Invitation his own with victories aboard Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Promises Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was able to nurse Espiona across the line in a tight finish.
Running into second was the Group 1 winner Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), while Magic Time (Hellbent) was narrowly in third.
One race later, in Race 9, Chrysaor, ridden by Tyler Schiller, provided an upset of sorts when he took out the valuable Group 2. The son of Better Than Ready outmatched his stablemate Snowman (Snitzel) and the Michael Freedman-trained Ducasse (Trapeze Artist). The short-priced favourite Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}) was unplaced.
Chrysaor was a $60,000 purchase by Lionrock Bloodstock and Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the draft of Yarramalong Park at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale.
Bell River Thoroughbreds reoffered the colt at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) paid $115,000.
Chrysaor is the 10th stakes winner for Better Than Ready.
Denise Martin and Kerrin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Star Kiwi heading to Champions Day
Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) bounced back in a big way and showed Victorian racegoers her class for the first time and very likely not the last time at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
“We would have ideally liked to be running over a little further than the mile today (Saturday). But I think next year she’ll be back bigger and stronger, and hopefully we’ll be running in the Cox Plate,” Robert Wellwood, co-trainer of Prowess, proclaimed after the star mare took out the G2 Crystal Mile.
“I think next year she’ll (Prowess) be back bigger and stronger, and hopefully we’ll be running in the Cox Plate.” - Robert Wellwood
The Crystal Mile provided a thrilling spectacle with three outstanding horses nearly locked across the line. However, it was Prowess who narrowly got the better of the progressive Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and formidable campaigner Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}), holding on for third.
Wellwood advised that Prowess would likely push towards Champions Day at Flemington, with the G1 Champion S. over 2000 metres the likely next port of call.
Skybird spouts wings
Mitch Freedman has had an unforgettable spring thus far, becoming a Group 1 winner trainer. On Saturday at Moonee Valley, the young Ballarat-based horseman unearthed another big contender in the form of Skybird (Exosphere).
The untapped 3-year-old filly looked to be going nowhere fast when she found herself out the back of the field in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic. But a stoic Beau Mertens bided his time and saving ground along the fence set Skybird alight.
Skybird launched late to defeat Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Carina Queen (Fastnet Rock).
Freedman indicated the filly would likely head towards the G1 Thousand Guineas on November 18 at Caulfield.
Skybird was a $110,000 purchase by Mitch Freedman Racing from the draft of HP Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She is the seventh stakes-winner for Exosphere, who stands at Oaklands Stud in Queensland.
Connections of Skybird after winning the G2 Fillies Classic at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Apulia tenacious in Moonee Valley Vase
Apulia put his name in the bag for a tilt at the G1 VRC Derby with a tenacious victory in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase.
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained son of Fiorente (Ire) was given a peach of a ride by a flying Mark Zahra to get the better of the hot-favourite Verdad (Justify {USA}), while the other son of Justify (USA), Air Assault, held on for third.
It was a quick backup for Apulia, who only the Saturday prior finished fourth in the G3 Caulfield Classic over 2000 metres behind Sunsets (Dundeel {NZ}).
“Apulia is a big, strong colt who was very brave today (Saturday). It was a 10/10 ride from Mark Zahra,” JD Hayes told Racing.com.
“There was an influence to back him up here with a 50 per cent ownership owned by Dad (David Hayes). We bred and raced him in conjunction with the Garrett family; I’d dare say he’ll back up again (VRC Derby).”
“We bred and raced him (Apulia) in conjunction with the Garrett family; I’d dare say he’ll back up again (VRC Derby).” - JD Hayes
Apulia was bred by Meadowvale Pastoral and Revelstone Stud, who have retained an ownership interest in the 3-year-old colt alongside Lindsay Park Bloodstock. He is from the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Giannarelli, a $150,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Lindsay Park.
Apulia is the ninth stakes winner for the late Fiorente.