Daily News Wrap

Justify loses Santa Anita Derby

Five years after he initially won, Justify (USA) has been stripped of his 2018 G1 Santa Anita Derby victory, as a result of a positive reading for scoplamine.

The Triple Crown-winning stallion, who took American racing by storm in his 3-year-old season, has lost his Derby win to the second horse past the post, Bolt D’Oro (USA).

While there is no current suggestion of Justify losing any of his Triple Crown, the disqualification creates intrigue, as he may not have been able to compete in the G1 Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, had he not won at Santa Anita.

Brave Action a strong debut winner

The recent success of Brave Smash (Jpn) continued in the opening race at Morphettville on Saturday, with Brave Action negotiating a difficult barrier to record a debut win for trainer Grant Young.

Jumping from barrier 11 (after scratchings), Brave Action was able to travel throughout under jockey Samuel Payne, recording victory on the line by 1l.

Now boasting 22 individual winners, Brave Smash stands at Yarraman Park for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).

Magnus rules the roost at Caulfield

Saturday provided a sublime result for the late Magnus, siring consecutive stakes winners at Caulfield, as well as a quinella at Group-level.

Success was first tasted in the G3 Eclipse S., with a workmanlike performance from Just Folk, giving Mark Zahra a Group 3 victory on his final day of riding for the calendar year.

Settling off the speed, the pair quickly took leader Keats (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), before staving off a late challenge from Danish Fortune (Magnus), who was making strong late ground as the post loomed.

It’s the sixth win from 36 starts for Just Folk, who was a $199,000 Inglis Digital purchase for Mailbag Bloodstock and first Group 3 winner for his trainer Gavin Bedggood.

Some 40 minutes later, King Magnus (Magnus) continued the joy, stealing a break from Unusual Culture (NZ) (Unusual Suspect {USA}) to find the line 0.8l clear. Odds-on favourite Vilana (Hallowed Crown) loomed ominously with 250 metres to go, but peaked on his run to finish in third place.

King Magnus has endured a frustrating preparation for co-trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, who have been enjoying a fruitful run as of late thanks to the deeds of horses like Najem Suhail (Starspangledbanner).

Trapeze brings up 21

Widden Stud’s second-season stallion Trapeze Artist sired his 21st winner on Saturday when Wallenda broke his maiden at Yarra Glen.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt won by 2l from Just Bolts (Winning Rupert) and Bella Cinque (Magnus).

Wallenda’s dam Lady Circles (Ascot Knight {Can}) is a half-sister to the outstanding performers Elvstroem and Haradasun, as well as the star broodmare Hveger (Danehill {USA}), dam of the Group 1 winners Highland Reel (Ire) and Cape Of Good Hope (Ire). Wallenda is a half-brother to the G3 Standish H. victor Decircles (Encosta De Lago). The colt was a $160,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Acquitted gives Lees Queensland success

Newcastle-based trainer Kris Lees isn’t afraid to send his gallopers north of the border, with Acquitted (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) validating the decision by roaring away with the Listed Tails S.

Positioned ideally by James Orman, who has increased his global reputation in recent months after a dominant riding display in the United Arab Emirates, the 7-year-old gelding extended away nicely when called upon, claiming his fifth win from 26 career starts.

The victory takes his career prizemoney to over $300,000 across the journey.

Fruitful mission for Mastercraftsman gelding

Another start, another win for Military Mission (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) at Caulfield over 2400 metres, who collected the G2 Zipping Classic to sit alongside his G2 Herbert Power S. trophy from October.

Positioned at the rear of the field under Jye McNeil, the striking grey gelding commenced a sustained run before the corner, blitzing his rivals to win by 2.8l.

Also a winner of the G3 Newcastle Cup and G3 Hobart Cup in the calendar year, Military Mission bounced back from a midfield finish in the G1 Melbourne Cup to return to the winner's stall.

Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) was a game second, while Duke De Sessa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) held third.

Sheaf shows staying ability

The Kevin Myers-trained Sheaf (NZ), a daughter of the Brighthill Farm-based Eminent (GB), showed her appreciation for a trip breaking her maiden over 2040 metres at Wanganui on Saturday.

Sheaf is the third winner for Eminent, a Group 1-performed son of Frankel (GB). The 3-year-old is from the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Canashito (GB), who is from the family of the hugely influential stallion Danehill (USA).

Sheaf is owned by her breeder M D N Wallace.

Vale Nathan Stanley

The racing community is in mourning after the death of popular industry figure Nathan Stanley, who passed away on Friday aged 47.

Finishing riding in 2015, the popular jockey had made travel his staple, riding winners and winning premierships all around the country. He also went abroad through Asia, riding winners in Korea and Malaysia.

His brother, Brent Stanley, is another beloved figure in Victoria, while his nephew Jett is quickly rising through the ranks as an apprentice jockey in New South Wales.

Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland said, “We are incredibly sorry to hear of Nathan’s passing and he will be sorely missed by many people in racing.”

Widdup enjoys a Rosehill festival

Leading from barrier to post proved a winning formula for Phearson (Exosphere) in the G3 Festival S. at Rosehill on Saturday, leading his rivals a merry dance under Tom Sherry.

Taking advantage of a lack of objection to leading, Sherry rolled forward and kept a nice tempo for his mount, surviving a late dive (and subsequent protest) from Williamsburg (Snitzel), who endured a checkered path in the home straight.

Jockey Tyler Schiller attempted to have the result reversed in the stewards' room, who although sympathetic to the interference the 4-year-old entire, did not believe the winner was the primary cause.

Stewards instead pointed to Rustic Steel (Deep Field) as the reason behind the interference, with no change made to the final finishing order.

Dragonstone shines in Starlight

The ever-consistent Dragonstone (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) earned a major victory on Saturday, storming down the outside to claim the Listed Starlight S. at Rosehill.

Having to go back to the rear of the field from barrier 10, jockey Sam Clipperton was standing his rivals a big start when the leader, Malkovich (Choisir) wheeled around the bend to greet the judge.

Despite the mountain to climb, the 5-year-old gelding was up to the task, ripping down the centre of the track to claim both Malkovich and Meritable (Snitzel), who had snuck through to second at $101 on official prices.

Dragonstone now boasts five wins from 28 career starts, although he is seldom far away, recording 20 top-three finishes along the journey.

Zoustyle returns to his best in George Moore

Talented sprinter Zoustyle (Zoustar) relished the Queensland sun on his back, winning the G3 George Moore S. at Doomben.

Aggressively ridden by jockey Ryan Maloney to find the front, the 8-year-old gelding progressed to the front, and responded when his old sparring partner Rothfire (Rothesay) loomed up to challenge him.

After looking like he was going to find the 1200 metres a shade too far, he dug in for the fight, repelling Rothfire to finish 0.5l in front.

The win gives Zoustyle his 10th win from 27 career starts, and second success in this race, having come out victorious in the 2021 edition.

Stockman too strong in Christmas Cup

Consistent gelding Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) got into the holiday spirit at Rosehill on Saturday, storming down the centre of the track to take out the 2023 running of the Listed Christmas Cup.

Settling towards the rear of the field as Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran along the field at a genuine tempo, Stockman emerged to the centre of the track after turning into the home straight, with plenty to offer under Reece Jones.

He dashed up quickly to claim the front, and withstand a late challenge from Little Mix (Mahisara) to cling on to a narrow victory.

Now a winner of nine races from 49 starts, Saturday provided him his first win since the St Leger at Randwick in October 2022.

Ghaanati swoops in Doveton

Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Ghaanati added to her late sire's legendary stallion record, claiming the Listed Doveton S. to round out the Saturday program at Caulfield.

Given a smart ride by Jamie Kah, the 4-year-old mare showed plenty of grit in a close finish, outlasting Our Redente (Redente), Semillon (Shalaa {Ire}) and Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) in a blanket finish, the first four home separated by just 0.5l.

The victory gave Peter and Paul Snowden a running double to conclude the program, having also enjoyed success with Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution).

Soldier Rising out of Hong Kong Vase

Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was set to become the first American-based participant since 2017 at the Longines Hong Kong International Races in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase a week from Sunday, will instead remain stateside and receive a break before returning to action in 2024.

“We worked him on Sunday (over the Belmont main track) and I was not satisfied with the work,” trainer Christophe Clement said of the 5-year-old gelding, campaigned by Madaket Stable, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso. “He came back and I don't think he is as good as he could be–not bad, but when you go for such a long trip and such a prestigious race, you want to make sure everything is okay. I wasn't comfortable about it, so we'll give him a break and bring him back next year.”

It has been 30 years since Clement ran his first horse in Hong Kong when Adam Smith (GB) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) finished eighth in the race then called the Hong Kong International Cup. Since then, he has started another half-dozen horses, the last coming with Winchester (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) in the 2010 Vase.