Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Caulfield: G2 Zipping Classic, $750,000, 2400m
Horses coming off a G1 Melbourne Cup run have a good record in this race, one enhanced on Saturday by Military Mission (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who came with a strong run out wide to salute off a Cup 10th.
Also a winner of the G3 Newcastle Cup, the G3 Hobart Cup and the G2 Herbert Power S., the imported galloper was bred by Boocock Trading and purchased for 65,000gns (AU$130,000) by Cathy Grassick at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.
One of the 98 stakes winners for his late sire, Military Mission is out of the three-time winner Atlantic Isle (Ger) (Tamayuz {GB}) who carried out her racing in Germany.
She is one of the five winners produced by the winner All Time Great (GB) (Night Shift {USA}), also dam of the Group 3 placegetter Atlantic High (GB) (Nashwan {USA}) and grandam of the Listed placegetter Teofilo's Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).
Military Mission's Group 2-placed third dam Someone Special (GB) (Habitat {USA}) did a great job with her nine winners including the G1 York International S. winner One So Wonderful (GB) (Nashwan {USA}) and three other stakes winners.
Ancestress of this family is the legendary mare Sceptre (GB) (Persimmon {GB}), the fourth dam of Petition (GB) who appears in the pedigree of Mastercraftsman's great-grandsire Danzig (USA).
G2 Sandown Guineas, $300,000, 1600m
It was a dominant victory for a well-related and valuable filly, Serasana (Snitzel) impressive stepping up to the 1600 metres for the first time.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, who earlier in the day, as an owner, enjoyed Listed Merson Cooper S. success with Eneeza (Exceed And Excel), Serasana was purchased by Griffiths de Kock Racing, MDK International and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) for $400,000 from the Kia Ora draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The 38th stakes winner for her Arrowfield Stud-based Champion Sire, Serasana is raced in partnership by Kia Ora Stud with Drakenstein Stud, Mike de Kock and Larry Nestadt.
She is the fourth foal produced by the classy Testa Rossa mare Twilight Royale, winner of the G2 VRC Sires' Produce S. and the R. Listed Inglis Nursery.
Also dam of the stakes-placed, eight-time winner Royal Hale and the city winner Royal Banquet - both full siblings to Serasana - Twilight Royale foaled an Exceed And Excel filly in early October and a Farnan filly last year.
Twilight Royale is one of the eight winners produced by the lightly raced Royal Season (Royal Academy {USA}) whose Group 3-winning grandam Bubinka (USA) (Nashua {USA}) is out of a half-sister to the acclaimed broodmare Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}) - fourth dam of Snitzel's sire Redoute's Choice.
Meaning that Serasana is bred on a 7 X 6 cross of her own sixth dam Stolen Hour (USA) (Mr Busher {USA}).
She also boasts a 6 X 4 cross of Nijinsky (Can) and a strain of that stallion's three-quarter brother The Minstrel (Can) - noting that they are descendants of Stolen Hour's influential third dam Torpenhow (GB) (Torpoint {GB}).
G3 Summoned S., $200,000, 1600m
A stakes winner at two, three and now at four, Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) dug deep in a tight and exciting finish.
Bred by China Horse Club Racing and purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $195,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Snowden-trained mare is the one of the eight stakes winners for her Newgate Farm-based, G1 The Galaxy and G1 Oakleigh Plate-winning sire.
She is the fourth foal and one of two stakes winners for the stakes-placed Purcentage (Onemorenomore) whose son Equation (Press Statement) won the 2021 Listed Canberra Guineas.
Last spring paying a return visit to Russian Revolution after foaling a Savabeel colt in early October, Purcentage has a 3-year-old full brother to Revolutionary Miss, a $250,000 Inglis Easter graduate now named Hampton Palace being a member of the Danny O'Brien stable.
Purcentage is a daughter of the Listed Gimcrack S. winner Spurcent (Flying Spur), half-sister to the G1 Hong Kong International Mile winner Glorious Days (Hussonet {USA}) and the Listed Dunedin Guineas winner Bangalore Bullet (Hussonet {USA}).
A descendant of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Sanderae (NZ) (Oncidium {GB}), Revolutionary Miss boasts a 5 X 6 cross of her sire's high-achieving fourth dam Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}) - the third dam of Purcentage's damsire Flying Spur.
Putting a seal on a lovely pedigree, Revolutionary Miss is also line-bred to the great mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}).
G3 Kevin Heffernan S., $200,000, 1400m
A couple of setbacks ended up working in the favour of King Magnus (Magnus), the oh so tough performer who due to differing circumstances missed runs in two Country Cups (Cranbourne and Kilmore) last weekend.
Disappointing at the time for connections but all that was forgotten as the 8-year-old dug deep to record the 10th win of his 34-start career and his second at stakes level on the back of his 2021 Listed Cranbourne Cup success.
Part of a good day for his late sire who had one/two in the previous race (Just Folk and Danish Fortune in the G3 Eclipse S.), King Magnus (one of his G1 The Galaxy-winning sire's 28 stakes winners) was bred by John Pratt.
He is one of three winners (from as many foals) produced by the Flemington winner Influential Miss (Carnegie {Ire}) whose other Magnus is the Moonee Valley winner Influential Girl.
Influential Miss is one of the five winners for the imported winner Perilla (Fr) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) whose Listed-winning dam Persian Secret (Fr) (Persian Heights {GB}) is the third dam of the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).
King Magnus' pedigree brings together the close relations Wilkes (Fr) and Norseman (Fr), providing for a cross of Tara (Fr) (Teddy {Fr}).
G3 Eclipse S., $200,000, 1800m
What a grand galloper Just Folk (Magnus) has been, this determined victory his seventh from 35 starts and his third at Group level.
He and Danish Fortune (Magnus) provided their late sire with a feature-race quinella - Just Folk being one of his 28 stakes winners.
He was bred by the Dwyer family out of their unraced mare Fast Ruby (Desert Sun {GB}), a half-sister to the G1 Emirates S. winner Tears I Cry (Lacryma Cristi {Ire}).
Purchased in July by his trainer Gavin Bedggood (who also cheered home the third-placed Keats (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for $199,000 online after his previous trainer Josh Julius took a break from racing, Just Folk was bred by Bedgood's grandparents.
A granddaughter of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Weekend Delight (NZ) (Racing Is Fun {USA}), Fast Ruby foaled a full sister to Just Folk in late September with her previous foal - a 2021 filly - also being by Magnus. By that stallion she has also produced the city-placed, five-time winner Highclass Harry.
The sire and dam of Just Folk are bred on the same Danzig (USA)/Sir Ivor (USA)/Tudor Melody (GB) cross.
Listed Merson Cooper S., $175,000, 1000m
The benefit of race experience was apparent as the exciting filly Eneeza (Exceed And Excel) raced clear to an easy win at her second start.
Game when second to the unbeaten Karavas (Alabama Express) at her debut in the G3 Ottawa S., she is stakes winner number 2014 for her remarkable sire - the Darley stalwart who has produced this stakes winner in his 17th crop.
Bred by Grant Bloodstock, she was sold by Silverdale Farm to Kia Ora Stud for $1.1 million at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is the second live foal produced by the G2 Euclase S. and dual Listed winner Sweet Sherry (Bel Esprit) who recorded one of her stakes victories at her debut at two.
Her first foal is the yet-to-race 3-year-old Madeira (Snitzel). Also an expensive yearling - fetching $1.35 million - she is a member of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable.
Sweet Sherry foaled a Snitzel filly in mid-August and an I Am Invincible colt last spring. She is one of the four winners for the stakes-placed, multiple city winner Amoroso (Revoque {Ire}).
And her other three - all by the late Dash For Cash - also earned black type - the triple Group winner Arinosa and the stakes-placed metropolitan winners Onerous and Andaz.
Amoroso is a granddaughter of the Listed Analie H. winner St Bridget's Well (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}) whose eight winners include the G2 Bill Stutt S. winner Sarson Trail (Royal Academy {USA}).
Eneeza is the 10th runner by Exceed And Excel out of a mare by Bel Esprit - and the 10th winner. Exceed And Excel's second damsire Watch Your Step (USA) is a half-brother to Bolero (USA), the damsire of Bel Esprit's sire Royal Academy... a cross which provides for the duplication of the high-class broodmare Stepwisely (USA) (Wise Counsellor {USA}).
Listed Twilight Glow S., $175,000, 1400m
Atoning for such a narrow defeat in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. at her previous outing, Miraval Rose (Grunt {NZ}) was cheered home by a big group of owners.
Bred by Yulong and sold by them to Rohan Hughes and Grahame Begg Racing for $250,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is the second stakes winner for her Yulong-based, dual Group 1-winning sire.
She is the second stakes winner for her city-placed winning dam Gypsy Tucker (Zabeel {NZ}) whose daughter Gypsy Kingdom (Not A Single Doubt) won three times at Group level.
Gypsy Tucker is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Silk Pins (NZ) (Pins) and to the dam of Kooringal Stud's dual Group 3 winner Finance Tycoon.
Miraval Rose hails from - and is line-bred to - one of the great international families with her sixth dam Reply (USA) (Teddy Wrack {USA}) being the fourth dam of Grunt's (NZ) damsire Van Nistelrooy (USA).
Also 4 X 2 Zabeel (NZ), Miraval Rose can count amongst her relations the local success stories Flying Spur and Encosta De Lago.
Listed Doveton S., $175,000, 1200m
It was a valuable black-type victory for the well-related Ghaanati (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a homebred for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
The 201st stakes winner for her late, great sire, she is the fourth stakes winner for the wonderful broodmare Al Anood (Danehill {USA}), the stakes-placed dual city winner whose other runners include the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 ATC Sires' Produce S. winner Pride Of Dubai, the South African-based dual Group winner Enaad (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the Listed Gothic S. winner Al Aneed (More Than Ready {USA}).
In early September foaling a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), Al Anood had missed the previous season with her latest named foal being the yet-to-race Snowden-trained 2-year-old colt Vaafee (American Pharoah {USA}).
Al Anood is a half-sister to the G1 French Oaks winner Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), dam of the Group 1-winning, high-class stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire) and the successful stallion Kodiac (GB).
Boasting crosses of the terrific mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Deep Impact's (Jpn) ancestress Feola (GB) (Friar Marcus {GB}), Ghaanati can also claim amongst her relations the big-race winners Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Chinese White (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Uni (GB) (More Than Ready {USA}) and Darley's Pinatubo (Ire).
Doomben: G3 George Moore S., $200,000, 1200m
Only the third horse to win this race on multiple occasions, Zoustyle (Zoustar) had been out of the winner's circle since taking this out in 2021.
A homebred for Desharon Bloodstock and Stableboard Bloodstock, he is one of the 47 stakes winners for his in-form Widden Stud-based sire.
His dam is the imported stakes placegetter Fashion (Ger) (Anabaa {USA}) who has also produced the Hong Kong winner Perfect Peach (Sebring).
Missing last spring to The Autumn Sun, she has fillies by Biouvac and Dundeel (NZ) coming through whilst her latest named foal is her 3-year-old Zougo Boss (Zoustar), a yet-to-race member of the Tony Gollan stable.
Fashion is out of the Listed winner Felina (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) whose Group 3-winning daughter Felicity (Ger) (Inchinor {GB}) produced the German Champion Older Miler Felician (Ger) (Motivator {GB}) and the Listed winner Fly First (GB) (Big Shuffle {USA}).
A bit further back this is the same family as Northern Dancer's (Can) outstanding sons Nijinsky (Can) and The Minstrel (Can).
Listed Mode S., $160,000, 1200m
Double-figure odds rising in class, West Of Dalby (Santos) won in the style of a horse much shorter in the market!
Bred by Aquis Farm, he made his way through the sales ring on two occasions - in 2021 fetching $55,000 when sold by Segenhoe to Valencia Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, the following year sold by Bhima to ML Racing for $115,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
The second stakes winner for his Highview Stud-based, G2 Skyline S.-winning sire (a son of I Am Invincible), West Of Dalby is out of the dual Listed winner Chinchilla (Exceed And Excel) who has also produced the Group 3-placed Lanigera (Denman) and the Hong Kong winner Telecom Speed (Street Boss {USA}).
Hailing from the family of the Group winners Jar Jar Binks (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Chettak (NZ) (Almutawakel {GB}), Chinchilla was served late last year by Pierro having foaled a colt by him the previous spring.
Listed Tails S., $160,000, 1600m
Enjoying the step up to the mile at only his second run for the campaign, Acquitted (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was one of many of today's winners to enjoy stakes success for the first time.
The 42nd stakes winner for his former Darley shuttling sire, he is out of the lightly raced Blameless (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) whose dam is the dual Group 1 winner Crystal House (Chi) (Golden Voyager {USA}) who earned the titles of Chilean Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.
The dam of the Dubai Group 2 winner Desert Fire (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Crystal House is out of Cristalline (Chi) (Northair {USA}) who was also crowned Chilean Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.
And she produced yet another winner of that title - the G1 Chilean Oaks winner Crystal Clear (Chi) (Golden Voyager {USA}) whose grandson is the Group 1 winner Califat (Chi) (Until Sundown {USA}).
This is a prolific Chilean family, one which has also produced the Champion 2 and 3-Year-Old Colt Crisantemo (Chi) (Fappavalley {USA}) and the G1 Gran Premio El Derby hero Cefalu (Chi) (Dushyantor {USA}) who ventured to Australia, winning the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
Bred by Lannister Holdings, Acquitted boasts a cross of the terrific mare Where You Lead (USA) (Raise A Native {USA}) via her descendants Deploy (Ire) and Rainbow Quest (USA) - noting that he is the 37th stakes winner bred on this Dubawi (Ire)/Rainbow Quest combo.
Wanganui: Listed Wanganui Cup, NZ$80,000, 2040m
Breaking through for her first stakes victory having been twice Group-placed, Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) was tough getting the upper-hand late.
A homebred for F J and H T O'Leary, she is the 15th stakes winner for her Rich Hill-based sire.
She is the final foal for her stakes-placed, two-time winning dam Floridita (NZ) (Fasliyev {USA}) who has produced another three winners.
Floridita's dam is a half-sister to the Singapore-based Listed winner Supreme (Ire) (Law Society {USA}) from a family that has been well-represented at the elite level - by the likes of Pierro, Dr Devious (Ire), Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Suzuka Phoenix (Jpn) and Gold Front Thoroughbreds' Awesome Rock.
Kelly Coe is bred on a 6 X 4 cross of the aptly named matriarch Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}) via her grandson Fairy King (USA) and son Nureyev (USA).
Listed O'Learys Fillies S., NZ$80,000, 1340m
She was up in class but just too good, Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) following up an impressive maiden victory with another big win.
Bred by Diamond Park Breeding and Racing, she was sold by them to Highline Thoroughbreds and Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $85,000 at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale - and by Highline onto trainer Stephen Marsh for $220,000 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
The 58th stakes winner for her Yulong-based Champion Sire, Glamour Tycoon is the second foal and second winner for the lightly raced Glamour Gal (Foxwedge) who in early September foaled a colt by Captivant.
Not served in 2020 with her 2022 foal being a filly by North Pacific, Glamour Tycoon is out of the stakes-placed Pink Siris (Encosta De Lago) whose other five foals to race all won including the G2 The Roses winner Estana (Shamus Award) and the two-time Group 3 placegetter Echo Gal (Stratum).
Pink Siris is out of the imported Listed winner Miss Helga (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), dam of the Hong Kong-based Listed winner Liberator (Encosta De Lago) and grandam of this year's Listed Oaklands Plate winner Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun).
