Saturday summary: Dom To Shoot nabs Zaaki in pulsating finish

Written by

Jesse Dart and Keely Mckitterick

7 min read

The G1 Northerly S. was taken out spectacularly by Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win), narrowly denying a game Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in the closing stages. While across the ditch, Desert Lighting (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) won the G1 TAB Classic.

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Race-Day Recap

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In a pulsating finish to the final Group 1 of the season, Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) dove to snatch victory from Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in the Northerly S. at Ascot.

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Pride Of Dubai sired his fourth individual Group 1 winner with Desert Lightning’s (NZ) success in Saturday’s G1 TAB Classic at Trentham on Saturday.

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Lonhro’s son Loch Eagle soared from the clouds to secure the G2 The Ingham and a ticket into next year’s G1 Doncaster H. at Randwick.

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Talented 3-year-old gelding Lupo Solitario (NZ) provided his sire Satono Aladdin (Jpn) with a seventh stakes winner in the G3 Bonecrusher S. at Pukekohe.

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Slicing up the inside proved a fruitful decision for Regan Bayliss aboard Recommendation in the Listed Razor Sharp H. at Eagle Farm.

Dom To Shoot fires in Northerly

Jockey Jarrad Noske enjoyed the biggest win of his career at Ascot on Saturday, descending on Champion Jockey James McDonald and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) to claim the G1 Northerly S. aboard Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win).

Having to extricate off the fence from barrier one, Noske was determined to keep Zaaki in his sights, who was kept off the fence by Marocchino (Maschino). With a number of lengths separating the pair at the 200-metre mark, Dom To Shoot had to knuckle down and throw everything he had at chasing his Group 1-winning rival, finding one last burst of energy to find the front in the final stride.

Bred by Wally Daly, who has enjoyed tremendous success in the Western Australian racing industry, the gelding secured his first elite-level victory. By Shooting To Win out of Pins mare Princess Rogue (NZ), who has also produced Cavallo Red (So You Think {NZ}), also owned by Daly and trained by Sean and Jake Casey. The combination enjoyed a successful day out, with Hanchi (Squamosa) winning the previous race thanks to an ice-cool Chris Parnham ride.

It wasn’t quite to be for Zipaway (Playing God), who was sticking his nose between the quinella late, while stablemate Bustler (Playing God) made good late ground for fourth.

Connections of Dom To Shoot after winning the G1 Northerly S. at Ascot | Image courtesy of Western Racepix

Lightning strikes at Trentham

Coolmore Stud’s Pride Of Dubai has made a terrific start to the new racing season, namely through the deeds of his star daughters Pride Of Jenni and Bella Nipotina winning feature races during the spring. On Saturday at Trentham his talented son Desert Lightning (NZ) made his 4-year-old stakes debut a winner in the G1 TAB Classic.

The Peter and Dawn Williams-trained galloper, ridden by Vinnie Colgan, defeated Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) and Malt Time (Adelaide {Ire}), while the Australian Group 1 performers Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) finished fourth and sixth respectively.

Desert Lightning, already a Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed prior to Saturday’s success, is the fourth individual elite-level victor for his sire, a son of Street Cry (Ire). Desert Lightning’s dam, Isstoora, an unraced daughter of the late Coolmore sire High Chaparral (Ire) is from the family of this season’s G1 Spring Champion S. winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Vinnie Colgan returns to scale aboard Desert Lightning (NZ) after winning the G1 TAB Classic | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Pride Of Dubai’s results with High Chaparral's daughters suggest he gels well with them. Pride Of Dubai's Group 1 placed and performed daughter’s She’s Fit and Splendiferous from daughters of High Chaparral.

Desert Lightning was a NZ$150,000 purchase by PJ and DM Williams from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Eagle soars in Ingham

Sara Ryan’s in-form Attractable (I Am Invincible) hit the front and looked to have Saturday’s $2 million G2 The Ingham in his keeping but proved to not have enough in reserve to hold the Kris Lees-trained Loch Eagle (Lonhro) in the concluding stages.

Loch Eagle, a fourth emergency for the $2 million carrot that also holds a ballot-free exemption for next year’s G1 Doncaster H. took plenty of riding, by Dylan Gibbons, to get his nose in front of Attractable. While the Group 1 winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) finished in third.

It was the sixth success for Loch Eagle from 26 starts and built upon his strong second-placed effort in The Gong last start. His dam the unraced Shamardal (USA) mare Song Street (Ire) is a half-sister to Miss Right Note (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}), the dam of the Champion Pierro.

Pierro, like Loch Eagle, are sons of the pensioned Lonhro, who plied his trade at Darley. Pierro an 11-time winner including the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 George Ryder, was placed in the G1 Doncaster H. behind the dual winner Sacred Falls (NZ), Loch Eagle by winning the G2 The Ingham will receive an opportunity to better his close relation in the prestigious event.

Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) purchased Loch Eagle for $230,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The gelding is the 97th stakes winner for Lonhro.

Jockey, Dylan Gibbons with trainer, Kris Lees | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club

Shortly after Loch Eagle’s success, the Lees’ stable saddled up Dream Hour (Dawn Approach {Ire}) to an easy success, ridden by Andrew Mallyon, in the $300,000 The Star Gateway. The race holds a golden ticket to the 2024 G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm.

Dream Hour is the best performer from the five-time winning Aussie Rules (USA) mare Ambivalent. The 4-year-old was a $170,000 purchase by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and HAOH Co from the draft of HP Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Dream Hour was reoffered by Griffiths de Kock Racing on the 2022 Magic Millions Online March Sale selling to PTKC Racing for $65,000.

Lees rounded out the Saturday winning the last at Randwick with Brudenell (Russian Revolution), ridden by Gibbons.

Lupo toughs out Bonecrusher

Dancia Guy’s talented 3-year-old Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) was a doubtful starter on Friday with a small setback causing concern. However, come Saturday the son of Satono Aladdin (Jpn) found himself in the barriers contesting the G3 Bonecrusher S. at Pukekohe Park and ran out a tenacious winner.

A winner of two races and placed in the G2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial S. The G3 Bonecrusher S. is the first stakes victory for Lupo Solitario, who is the seventh individual stakes victor for Rich Hill Stud’s Satono Aladdin.

Bred by Rich Hill Stud, Lupo Solitario was offered by them as part of their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale and sold to L J Howl for NZ$82,500.

The gelding’s dam She’s Aloof (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) is a half-sister to the prolific winners Include (Gallant Guru) and Sharp Princess (NZ) (Pins).

Recommendation secures Razor Sharp

In a thrilling finish to the eighth race on the Randwick program, Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}) found the line narrowly ahead of Insurrection (Russian Revolution) in a pulsating finish to the Listed Razor Sharp H.

Tracking Insurrection everywhere he went, Recommendation slipped up along the inside to make his run, driving to the line under Regan Bayliss to snatch victory in the final stride. The 4-year-old gelding, who won earlier in his campaign when sent out at $1.50, reversed the 2.2l margin Insurrection held over him in The Warra at Kembla Grange.

By Shalaa (Ire), who is building a strong profile with over 300 individual winners credited to his name, Recommendation is out of unraced Street Cry (Ire) mare Adviso (USA). She has also produced the versatile Mon Amore (Sebring), who has posted wins from 1100 metres to 2350 metres across her career.

Now a winner of six races from 12 career starts, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding won the G3 Zedative S. at Sandown Lakeside in February 2023.

Saturday summary

Desert Lightning

Pride Of Dubai

Loch Eagle

Lonhro

Kris Lees

Shalaa

Recommendation

Lupo Solitario

Satono Aladdin

Juvenile summary: Odinson thunders to Inglis Nursery success

Written by

Jesse Dart and Keely Mckitterick

11 min read

A huge Saturday of 2-year-old racing saw some outstanding performances by the new generation. Among the standouts was the tenacious effort by Odinson (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the $500,000 R. Listed Inglis Nursery. Darley's first-season sire Too Darn Hot (GB) sired an emphatic winner of the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic in Arabian Summer.

Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

Race-Day Recap

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Odinson (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) provided his 2024 Magic Millions bound Zoustar half-brother a timely update with a courageous victory in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick on Saturday.

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Darley’s Too Darn Hot (GB) has made a sizzling start with his first Southern Hemisphere runners. The son of Dubawi (Ire) was represented by his first winner earlier in the week and his stakes-performed daughter Arabian Summer proved a cut above her rivals in the valuable Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic.

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Barbie’s Sister (Spirit Of Boom) emulated her full sister Outback Barbie’s deeds by winning the Listed Calaway Gal S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday. It was also a productive Saturday for her sire, Spirit Of Boom, who sired three stakes winners.

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Captured By Love proved a dominant victress of Saturday’s G2 Challenge S. at Trentham, providing her Champion Sire Written Tycoon a 59th stakes winner.

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Travelling to the City of Churches after a brave performance down the Flemington straight in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S., Wolfgang (Exceed And Excel) broke through with an impressive display at Morphettville.

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Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) took the entire straight of Eagle Farm to claim the Listed Pehlan Ready S. earning a spot in next month’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast.

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Given a patient ride by Shaun McGruddy, Ducimus filly Define Beautiful was able to storm over the top of Sinful Living (Safeguard) to collect the opening race at Ascot on Saturday.

Odinson provides timely update for half-brother

Night Of Thunder’s (Ire) exciting juvenile and R. Listed Inglis Nursery victor Odinson provided his already impressive pedigree page a further update and a timely one for his Zoustar half-brother, who is set to be offered by Widden Stud as Lot 722, at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Click here to view Lot 722

The Neil Osbourne-trained Beer Baron (Cosmic Force) looked to have the $500,000 feature for the taking, however, ridden by Tyler Schiller, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Odinson wore down the other colt to claim a narrow albeit strong success. Running into third for Stephen O’Halloran was Nymphadora, a daughter of the first-season sire Yes Yes Yes.

Beer Baron scored the $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus for being the first eligible runner home in the Inglis Nursery. The colt's majority owner is Denise Osborne.

Odinson’s dam Good Vibes (GB), a daughter of Due Diligence (USA), was bred by Whitsbury Stud and won three races as a juvenile including the G3 Cornwallis S. at Newmarket and the Listed Marygate S. at York.

She was offered at the 2019 Tattersalls December Mares Sale where David Redvers Bloodstock paid 390,000gns (AU$780,900). Odinson, bred by Qatar Bloodstock, is Good Vibe’s first foal, while she has two colts by Zoustar including the half-brother to be offered in January.

Odinson as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Good Vibes is a half-sister to Yakushima (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), a Listed winner in Tokyo. Odinson is the 43rd overall and seventh Australia stakes winner for Night Of Thunder, who stood one season at Darley, Victoria.

Odinson, a 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate consigned by Widden Stud was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $320,000.

Arabian Summer a dominant winner of the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic

In conditions reflecting the antithesis of her name, Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) enjoyed the gloomy conditions at Ballarat, running away with the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic.

Taken straight to the front by Harry Coffey, who is enjoying a strike rate of almost 20 per cent when partnering with trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the filly spun the corner with plenty in the locker, and was able to accelerate away to record a 3.5l win.

Filling the placings behind Arabian Summer, was Godolphin's $600,000 yearling purchase Parkour (Extreme Choice) and Vianarra (Shalaa {Ire}).

Her time of 56.70s pushed the track record, which has stood for 18 years, an almighty effort for a 2-year-old having her third career start on a rain-affected surface.

“It (the track) didn’t feel soft, that’s what it felt like, she was very quick and moved well throughout,” Coffey said after the race, the second leg of a treble to commence the program, all in collaboration with the McEvoys.

“She really let down nicely, she got to the front easily and controlled it, so you’d expect her to quicken well, but she moved well in those soft conditions.”

“She (Arabian Summer) really let down nicely, she got to the front easily and controlled it, so you’d expect her to quicken well, but she moved well in those soft conditions.” - Harry Coffey

The second winner in three days for shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot (GB), the filly may head north for the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January. She is her sires 28th winner overall, out of a winning daughter of Street Cry (Ire), Maraam. Purchased for $220,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud, she has finished in the placings at all three of her career starts to date.

Coolmore offers a Wootton Bassett (GB) half-sister to Arabian Summer at the Magic Millions in January (Lot 914).

Click here to view Lot 914

Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley

Sister lives up to name

The debut of Barbie’s Sister (Spirit Of Boom) at the Sunshine Coast in November created plenty of hype given she is a full sister to the talented and tough Outback Barbie.

The Tony Gollan-trained 2-year-old was denied on that occasion by Poster Girl (Alabama Express). Taking plenty of experience from that occasion Barbie’s Sister put it to good use on Saturday running out a dominant winner of the Listed Calaway Gal S. at Eagle Farm.

The victory gives Barbie’s Sister a spot in January’s $3 million R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast and emulated her sister's success in the Calaway Gal in 2017.

Despite still showing inexperience towards the end of the race, Barbie’s Sister under James Orman, had plenty in hand to hold El Morzillo (Star Witness) and Satin Stiletto (Written Tycoon).

Outback Barbie, trained by Gollan, was an outstanding performer over several campaigns. Retiring a winner of five races and placings in the races the quality G2 Silver Shadow S. and was placed in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas.

Barbie's Sister as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Barbie’s Sister is the second individual stakes winner from six foals for the General Nediym mare Pure Purrfection, a winner of the Listed Bribie H.

Harvey Black paid $300,000 to secure Barbie’s Sister from the draft of Eureka Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Eureka Stud stands the brilliant Spirit Of Boom, sired an incredible three stakes winners with his 5-year-old daughter Chatty Lady winning the Listed Just Now S. and his son All That Pizzazz also claiming a Listed race.

The triple brings Spirt Of Boom's stakes tally to 25.

Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud

Challenge Stakes no obstacle for Captured By Love

Opie Bossom was able to make the 55kg to ride Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), and the effort proved fruitful, with the filly powering away to claim the G2 Challenge S. at Trentham on Saturday.

Having broken her maiden in comfortable fashion at Tauherenikau in mid-November, the filly was respected on bookmakers’ boards, and quickly put herself in the lead after a swift exit from the barriers.

Out of Snitzel mare Moldova, who was twice a winner as a 2-year-old in Australia, Captured By Love is the first of her foals to race. The family has had plenty of success in winning juvenile races, Moldova’s half-sister, La Girl (Not A Single Doubt) was also a winner at two.

Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) looked set to feature in the finish as the field turned to greet the judge, but racing manners proved troublesome, the gelding racing erratically and keeping jockey Vinnie Colgan busy. He was still able to hold down second, from Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard), who looked to be doing her best work late.

The arrogant performance gives Written Tycoon stakes win number 59, and sets her on the right path to reclaim the $525,000 paid for her at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with David Ellis of Te Akau Racing taking her from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Captured By Love as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Workmanlike for Beau Dazzler

The Listed Phelan Ready S. wasn’t an easy watch for backers of the race favourite Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) with the Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained 2-year-old lunging late to deny Mishani Explorer (Top Echelon) and Butwedid (Performer) at Eagle Farm.

In securing a success in the Listed Phelan Ready, Beau Dazzler becomes the first winner in Australia for Waikato Stud’s second-season sire Ardrossan, and his third stakes winner overall.

Ardrossan, a son of the great Redoute’s Choice, was a Group 3 winner on the track and has proven a promising young sire with eight winners from 23 starters.

Beau Dazzler was sourced by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman alongside Sears Racing for NZ$85,000 from the draft of Mapperley Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

The colt is the second stakes winner from a daughter of Pentire (GB) on Saturday, with the G3 Bonecrusher S. victor Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) also from a daughter of the sire.

Beau Dazzler (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Beau Dazzler’s dam Pwerfect (NZ) was unplaced in her career but descends from the family of the Champion Sire Fame And Glory (Ire), a winner of 14 races including the G1 Irish Derby, the G1 Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the G1 Coronation Cup.

While the dual Group 1 winner Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is also a relative.

Beau Dazzler is eligible to push on towards next month’s R. Listed Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Classic.

Ardrossan | Standing at Waikato Stud

Wolfgang howls in blustery Morphettville conditions

Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans enjoyed their first metropolitan winner in official partnership, with Wolfgang (Exceed And Excel) negotiating the challenging Morphettville conditions to record his first win.

Previously seen competing in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. at Flemington in October, the colt relished a drop in class, and being the only horse with race experience in the six-horse field, leading his rivals a merry dance under Dominic Tourneur to win by 1.8l.

By Exceed And Excel, who continues his glistening record as a producer of 2-year-olds, he is out of Star Witness mare Serenade, who was twice victorious as a 2-year-old. He is also related to G1 Kingston Town Classic (now Northerly S., also run on Saturday) winner Stratum Star and talented sprinter Prague, who stands at Kia Ora Stud.

Purchased for $500,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Kennewell Racing, Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) and Matt Holdsworth, he graduated from the draft of Bhima Bloodstock.

Define Beautiful scores professional win at Ascot

Given a patient ride by Shaun McGruddy, Ducimus filly Define Beautiful was able to storm over the top of Sinful Living (Safeguard) to collect the opening race at Ascot on Saturday.

With a howling easterly playing into the minds of the riding group, a frenetic speed was on from the word go, with William Pike on Sinful Living and Damien Oliver on Big Shots (Sizzling) eager to position as prominently as possible.

The Trevor Andrews-trained filly finished strongly when called upon by McGruddy, storming to the lead in the concluding stages and widening the margin through the line to win by 0.75l.

She is the fifth winner from 13 runners for Ducimus, out of unraced War Chant (USA) mare Renegade Girl. She has already had success as a producer in Western Australia, with Who By Fire (Cohen) a winner over 1600 metres.

Define Beautiful as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Purchased for $70,000 out of the Alwyn Park Stud draft by Trevor Andrews Racing at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, her last-to-first victory on Saturday over 1000 metres positions her nicely for the autumn 2-year-old features at Ascot, including the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Juvenile summary

Arabian Summer

Too Darn Hot

Captured By Love

Written Tycoon

Wolfgang

Exceed And Excel

Odinson

Night Of Thunder

Beau Dazzler

Ardrossan

Barbie's Sister

Spirit Of Boom

Define Beautiful

Ducimus

Black type results: Ascot, Trentham, Pukekohe and Eagle Farm

11 min read

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Ascot: G1 Northerly S., $1,500,000, 1800m

A classy and tough campaigner who had been in the thick of things at his first two runs this campaign, Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) is a new Group 1 winner with his previous success at stakes level being the G3 Northam S. in April.

A homebred for Mr HW Daly, he is one of the 10 stakes winners for his Oakland Park Stud-based, G1 Caulfield Guineas-winning sire and his second Group 1 winner - his first on Australian soil (his other Mascarpone {NZ} a winner in New Zealand).

Bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Fappiano (USA) - the 41st Group 1 winner line-bred to him - Dom To Shoot is out of the placed Princess Rouge (NZ) (Pins), full sister to the Listed Bunbury S. winner Pin Rouge (NZ) (Pins).

In September foaling a colt by Playing God having missed the two previous seasons, Princess Rouge has a 3-year-old Capitalist filly called Princess In Red. Also a member of the Sean and Jake Casey stable, she was second in a recent Belmont trial.

The Caseys also train Princess Rouge's 4-year-old Cavallo Red (So You Think {NZ}) who broke his maiden at Belmont in July; finishing second in a Belmont trial on the same day as Princess In Red.

Dom To Shoot can count amongst his relations the Group 1 winners Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Espiona (Extreme Choice).

Listed GA Towton Cup, $125,000, 2200m

It was a good race for the Pearce stable with a one/two finish, Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) finding plenty to defeat Queen Alina (Mahuta).

A five-time winner from 18 starts, Black Fantasy - who won two Listed races last year - is one of his late sire's 48 stakes winners.

Bred by Scenic Lodge Thoroughbred Stud and purchased from their draft by Pearce Racing for $36,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale (Book 2), Black Fantasy hails from his G1 VRC Derby-winning sire's final crop.

He is the second foal produced by the Ascot winner Dreamalong (Southern Image {USA}) whose first foal is the Belmont 2000-metre winner Frequent Friar (also by Blackfriars).

Missing the last two years, Dreamalong has the yet-to-race 2-year-old Runalong Way (Magnus) in the Takahide Ikenushi stable.

Dreamalong's dam is the talented Listed Bolton Sprint winner Cool Business (Key Business) who did such a great job winning 13 of her 29 starts.

All six of her foals to race were winners including the dual Group 3 winner Shining Knight (also by Blackfriars) and the stakes-placed Intimidator (Flying Spur).

This is one of Western Australia's most prolific families, its other members including the stakes winners Marasco (Scenic {Ire}), Hot Shot Brother (Key Business), Siesta Bay (Scenice {Ire}) and Electric Light (Vital Equine {Ire}).

Black Fantasy is bred on the highly successful Danehill (USA)/Halo (USA) cross that provides for duplications of the prolific mother and daughter Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}).

Trentham: G1 Captain Cook S., NZ$400,000, 1600m

A good Pride Of Dubai can sure be hard to run down and Desert Lightning (NZ) just kept finding as he recorded his first win at the elite level on the back of G2 Avondale Guineas success in February.

Bred by the Mahoenui Partnership, he went through the Little Avondale Stud draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale - fetching NZ$150,000 to the bid of PJ and DM Williams.

One of the 21 stakes winner for his Coolmore Stud-based, dual Group 1 winner who enjoyed a good spring, Desert Lightning is one of the two winners (from three to race so far) for the unraced Isstoora (High Chaparral {Ire}) - also dam of the handy Singapore galloper Opunake (I Am Invincible) and the recent Moonee Valley winner Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).

Also dam of a couple of yet-to-be-named Per Incanto (USA) colts (again served by that stallion last year), Isstoora is out of the G3 SAJC Breeders' S. winner Murjana (Giant's Causeway {USA}) from the Dancing Show (USA) (Nijinsky II {Can}) branch of the prolific Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}) family.

Bred on a 3 X 4 Danehill (USA) cross with duplications of Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}), Desert Lightning can count amongst his relations the big-race winners Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain, Al Maher, Gathering (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), Umatilla (NZ), Hurricane Sky, Platinum Scissors, Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) and In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

G2 Wakefield Challenge S., NZ$175,000, 1100m

Too professional and too fast for her rivals, the promising Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) made it two from two with this dominant performance.

Bred by Makybe Racing & Breeding and sold by Milburn Creek to David Ellis for $525,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she is the 59th stakes winner for her Yulong-based Champion Sire.

She is the first foal for the lightly raced Bendigo and Flemington winner Moldova (Snitzel) who produced her third foal - a filly by Toronado (Ire) in late September with her second being a colt last year by Too Darn Hot (GB).

Moldova is out of the lightly raced La Fluorescent (NZ) (General Nediym) and that dam of another three winners is a half-sister to the G2 Moonee Valley Vase and G3 Spring S. winner Savvy Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) and the G3 Ming Dynasty H. winner Addictive Nature.

Captured By Love's fourth dam is the dual Listed winner La Lagune (Danehill {USA}), grandam of the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas heroine Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel).

The second stakes winner (from 18 runners/nine winners) for Written Tycoon out of a Snitzel mare, Captured By Love is bred on a cross (via Try My Best {USA} and Redoute's Choice) of the wonderful mare Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}).

Pukekohe: G3 Bonecrusher S., NZ$120,000, 1400m

It may not have been a big winning margin, but it was a game win by the odds-on favourite Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who kept digging when strongly challenged over the final stages by Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel).

It was the third win from four starts for the up-and-coming 3-year-old who is the seventh stakes winner for his Rich Hill-based sire.

Bred by Rich Hill and sold by them to LJ Howl for NZ$82,500 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2), Lupo Solitario is the third foal and first winner for the placed She's Aloof (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).

Served last spring by Proisir after foaling a filly by that same stallion with her previous foal an Ace High filly, She's Aloof is a half-sister to the Listed winners Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and Sharp Princess (NZ) (Pins).

This is the family of the Group 1 gallopers Slight Chance (NZ) (Centaine) and Brambles (NZ) (Savabeel) and the Group winners Salgado (Danewin), Dane Shadow, Legsman (NZ) (Pins), Lincoln Blue (NZ) (Savabeel) and Traitor (Mossman).

Eagle Farm: Listed Calaway Gal S., $200,000, 1000m

She was odds-on and she won like it, Barbie's Sister (Spirit Of Boom) racing away to an easy win at just her second outing.

Bred by Eureka Stud with the Paynter family, Barbie's Sister was sold by them to Harvey Black for $300,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The 24th stakes winner for her Eureka-based sire, she is - as her name suggests - a full sister to her four-time Listed-winning stablemate Outback Barbie who won this same race six years ago.

Their Listed Bribie H.-winning dam Pure Purrfection (General Nediym) has also produced the city winners Purroni (Pierro) and Frosty Mango (Hinchinbrook) and she is one of the nine winners (from as many to race) for the dual Listed winner She's Purring (Flying Spur), also dam of the Listed Canterbury Classic winner Global Warning (Agnes World {USA}).

Barbie's Sister's third dam is also a stakes winner - the Listed William Crockett S. winner Ringside Lady (NZ) (Clay Hero).

Pure Purrfection produced a full brother to her stakes-winning daughters in early September, missing the previous season. Her yet to race 3-year-old Coastal Barbie - also by Spirit Of Boom - is a yet to race stablemate.

Barbie's Sister is the fifth Spirit Of Boom stakes winner (from 51 runners/36 winners) line-bred to Without Fear (Fr), the 12th (253 runners/171 winners) line-bred to Danehill (USA) and the seventh (142 runners/93 winners) line-bred to Bletchingly.

It is also interesting to note that she hails from the prolific Paraffin (GB) (Blair Athol {GB}) family - as do the sire (Sequalo) and dam of Spirit Of Boom.

Listed Phelan Ready S., $200,000, 1000m

Favourite on the back of a fast finishing second at debut, Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) had only three rivals but did show good heart getting the upper hand late to earn black type at just his second outing.

Bred by the Dewar Partnership, he was sold by Mapperley Stud for NZ$85,000 at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2) - purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Catheryne Bruggeman and Sears Racing.

He is the fourth stakes winner for his Waikato Stud-based, G3 Concorde H.-winning sire, a son of Redoute's Choice. And what a great job Ardrossan is doing with this, his first crop... his four stakes winners coming from his first seven winners.

Beau Dazzler is the third foal and first winner for the unplaced Pwerfect (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) whose imported dam A Shower Of Roses (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) is out of the stakes-placed Guaranda (GB) (Acatenango {Ger}) - also dam of the G3 Lillie Langtry S. winner Gravitation (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and grandam of the German Group 3 winner Good Donna (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}).

The European Champion Stayer Fame And Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and the European Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) are also members of this family.

Pwerfect has visited Adrossan at each of her last four years at stud, last spring foaling a full brother to Beau Dazzler.

Listed Bribie H., $160,000, 1000m

The second leg of a stakes double for Tony Gollan and Spirit Of Boom, All That Pizzazz was strong to the line recording the seventh win of his 14-start career - and his second at stakes level.

One of his Eureka Stud-based sire's 24 stakes winners, he is out of the unraced Pizzazz (Encosta De Lago), full sister to the dual Listed winner Order Of The Sun (successful in Melbourne and Singapore) and half-sister to the Listed winners Beauty (Smart Missile) and Get To Work (Snippets).

Bred by Stud Consultants Pty Ltd, Packaging Investments Australia, Haltrow Pty Ltd and the Bray family All That Pizzazz was a $70,000 purchase for Gollan Racing and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Glastonbury Farms draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

His dam - whose 3-year-old daughter Kaboom Kaboom (Smart Missile) broke her maiden at her latest run in Tasmania late last month - is now in New Zealand, in late September foaling a colt by Hello Youmzain (Fr) with her previous foal being a filly by Farnan.

Boasting crosses of the lovely mares Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}), Thong (USA) (Nantallah {USA}) and Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), All That Pizzazz can count amongst his relations the stakes winners Excitable Boy (More Than Ready {USA}), Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), Scintillation (Danehill {USA}), Risk Aversion (Encosta De Lago), Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), Northwest Passage (So You Think {NZ}), Man From Uncle (Uncle Mo {USA}) and Head Of State (American Pharoah {USA}).

Listed Just Now H., $160,000, 1300m

Making it a trio of winners for her Eureka Stud-based sire, Chatty Lady (Spirit Of Boom) is a mare who knows how to find the line, this success her seventh from 19 starts.

Bred by Raheen Stud's Nolan family, she was passed in at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale with a reserve of $35,000.

The 25th stakes winner for Spirit Of Boom, she is out of the Eagle Farm winner She Can Command (Commands) who has also produced the city winners Georgie's Pride (Better Than Ready) and Boom Dot Com (Spirit Of Boom).

Foaling a full sister to Chatty Lady in early September, She Can Command had a Better Than Ready colt last year and an Heroic Valour filly the year before.

Chatty Lady - whose dam is bred on a Danehill (USA)/Bletchingly/Bold Lad (USA) cross (noting that Spirit Of Boom is Bold Lad/Danehill/Bletchingly) - is the first black-type performer in her family for several generations with her closest stakes-winning relation being her Listed Royal Ascot Princess Margaret S. winner Abanilla (GB) (Abernant {GB}).

Eagle Farm

Ascot

Black type results

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Job Board

1 min read

On today's Job Board

•

Widden - Stud Administration

Widden - Stud Administration

Widden Stud is currently seeking a highly motivated person to join our team of passionate staff in a Stud Administration role on a full-time basis.

The role will involve:

- Data entry of horse procedures into Ardex software.

- Communicating with various stakeholders in the industry.

- Dealing with client queries.

- Other administrative tasks as directed.

The successful applicant should:

- Possess strong organisational and communication skills.

- Be capable of working in a team setting and independently.

- Be punctual and reliable with a strong work ethic and eye for detail.

- Previous experience with Ardex or in a similar role would be preferable.

Widden offers the perfect opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and plays an integral role in raising some of the world’s best bloodstock, while simultaneously providing a fun and rewarding experience in the most spectacular surroundings.

An attractive salary package will be offered as well on-farm accommodation, if required.

If you would like to discuss further or send your resume, please contact Andrew Swales – andrew@widden.com

Job Board

Black type results: Randwick, Ballarat and Morphettville

6 min read

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Randwick: G2 The Ingham, $2,000,000, 1600m

It was an apt win by Loch Eagle, son of Lonhro - one of the best and most popular horses raced by the Ingham family.

Successful at stakes level for the first time having been Group 3-placed in the 2022 Gunsynd S., the consistent 5-year-old was coming off a second in The Gong.

The 96th stakes winner for his now retired sire, Loch Eagle is one of the three winners produced by the imported mare Song Street (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) whose dual Group 1-winning half-brother Laverock (Ire) was the best horse sired by Lonhro's sire Octagonal (NZ) in Europe.

This is a family that has done well with this sireline on another occasion as well - Loch Eagle's dam being a half-sister to the dam of Lonhro's Coolmore Stud-based, five-time Group 1-winning son Pierro.

Song Street has not had much luck at stud of late with her most recent foal being a yet-to-be-named 2-year-old full sister to Loch Eagle.

Bred by Nick Vass, Loch Eagle was sold by Newgate Farm to Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for $230,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He boasts duplications of the outstanding mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Special (USA) (Forli {Arg}), Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Ire}) and Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).

R. Listed Inglis Nursery, $500,000, 1000m

Putting in the big strides to claim victory at just his second outing, Odinson (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was game claiming the longshot Beer Baron (Cosmic Force) late.

Bred by Qatar Bloodstock, he was sold by Widden Stud to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $320,000 at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The 43rd (and seventh in Australia) for his sire who shuttled just the once to Darley, Victoria, Odinson is the first foal for the G3 Cornwallis S. and Listed Marygate S. winner Good Vibes (GB) (Due Diligence {USA}).

Foaling a Zoustar colt in early October - and a full brother to that youngster last year - Good Vibes is a half-sister to the Listed Crocus S. winner Yakushima (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) from the family of the G3 Ballyogan S. winner Age Of Chivalry (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Listed Razor Sharp H., $200,000, 1200m

Holding on gamely after getting up along the inside, Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}) was tough recording the sixth win of his 12-start career - and his second at stakes level on the back of his G3 Zeditave S. success in February.

One of the 15 stakes winners for his Woodside Park-based sire, he was bred by Pacific King and withdrawn from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

His dam is the unraced Adviso (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) whose dam is the four-time Group 1 winner Proviso (GB) (Dansili {GB}), also dam of the dual Listed winner Sailing Solo (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}).

Proviso's dam is the wonderful broodmare Binche (USA) (Woodman {USA}), also dam of the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. winner Byword (BG) (Peintre Celebre {USA}), the triple Group winner Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the Listed winner Baratti (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Binche is also grandam of Woodside Park's G3 Prix Daphnis winner Delaware (GB) and the Listed Prix de Bagatelle winner Environs (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

Adviso foaled a filly by The Autumn Sun in late September having last year produced a full sister to Recommendation. Her 2-year-old Runjeet - also by Shalaa (Ire) - is a yet-to-race member of the John Sargent stable.

Recommendation, his sire Shalaa and his dam sire Street Cry (Ire), are all descendants of the influential Prunella (GB) (Highflyer {GB}).

Listed Santa Cup, $200,000, 2000m

Baby Rider (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) recorded his first local victory - in the winner's circle for the first time since his G3 Prix Greffulhe success at Saint-Cloud in May 2021.

One of the 30 stakes winners (and the second in Australia) for his Coolmore Ireland-based sire, he is out of the stakes-placed Gyrella (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a half-sister to the G1 Epsom Derby hero Wings Of Eagles (Fr) and the Listed winner Orendina (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

Baby Rider was bred by the Forien family, originally sold as a yearling (2019 Deauville) for €220,000 (AU$360,000).

A descendant of the legendary matriarch Pretty Polly (GB) (Gallinule {GB}), he can count amongst his relations the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Belle Et Celebre (Fr) (Peintre Celebre {USA}), the Italian Champion 3-Year-Old Whortleberry (Fr) (Starborough {GB}) and the Scandinavian Champion Appel Au Maitre (Fr) (Starborough {GB}).

Ballarat: Listed Ballarat Cup, $500,000, 2000m

Handling the deteriorating conditions in a somewhat messy race, Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel) was somewhat the last man standing in a race in which there were four late scratchings due to the track downgrades.

The 137th stakes winner for his Waikato Stud-based sire, Captain Envious is a homebred for Ultra Racing. His dam is the G3 Balanchine S. winner My Central (Ity) (Central Park {Ire}) who has also produced the metropolitan winners Under Oath (Star Witness) and Winning Faith (Star Witness) as well as the dam of the Group 3-placed dual city winner Umgawa (Shamus Award).

A half-sister to the Italian Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Lui Rei (Ity) (Reinaldo {Fr}) and the Listed winner Ragiam (Ity) (Martino Alonso {Ire}), My Central died in New Zealand a couple of years ago. This is also the family of the Italian Champion Older Female Miler Party Goer (Ire) (Intense Focus {USA}) and the Listed winner Wide Sea (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}).

Morphettville: Listed Christmas H., $120,000, 1200m

Recording his first stakes win at three - the Listed Morphettville Guineas - Struck By (Barbados) was able to enhance his record with his second stakes success at the age of six.

Bred by Ducatoon Park's Toole family who stand his sire, a Canterbury maiden-winning son of Redoute's Choice, Struck By was sold by them to trainer Travis Doudle for $26,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

One of his sire's three stakes winners, he is out of the Balaklava maiden winner Cheers Rihanna (General Nediym) who - also by Barbados - has produced the city-placed, two-time winner Tropical Lightning.

Served last spring by Anders having missed the previous year, Cheers Rihanna is out of an imported daughter of the stakes-placed Coragil (USA) (Metfield {USA}) who produced the Group winners Softly (USA) (Binalong {USA}) and Coragil Cat (USA) (Forest Wildcat {USA}).

This is the family of this year's G1 Arkansas Derby winner Angel Of Empire (USA) (Classic Empire {USA}).

Struck By is one of the 19 stakes winners combining Redoute's Choice and General Nediym (who appeared in the pedigrees of another three of today's stakes winners) - noting that Redoute's Choice's damsire Canny Lad has some nice things in common with General Nediym's sire Nediym (Ire) whose fourth dam Diableretta (GB) (Dante {GB}) is the sire of Canny Lad's second damsire Coeur Volant (GB) whilst Canny Lad's third damsire Jambo (GB) Is a half-brother to Diableretta.

Randwick

Morphettville

Ballarat

Black type results

Daily News Wrap

Baroque Road takes out Magic Millions 3YO and 4YO Classic

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s progressive Baroque Road (Caravaggio {USA}) made it three on the bounce in Saturday’s Magic Millions 3YO and 4YO Classic at Ballarat. The lightly raced 4-year-old, ridden by Jamie Mott, defeated Stupendo (Supido) and A Little Deep (Deep Field).

Mott told Racing.com, “I jumped Baroque Road out two weeks ago and he was quite impressive, and I came here full of confidence. He handles soft ground which is another tick.”

Baroque Road was a $100,000 purchase by Dynamic Syndications and Dean Watt Bloodstock from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Baby Rider enjoys Randwick festivities

Last seen running fifth in The Beauford at Newcastle, Baby Rider (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) picked up his first Australian victory in the Listed Max Brenner Santa Cup on Saturday at Randwick.

Finding the breeze outside of public elect I’mintowin (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), Rachel King timed her run to perfection, taking the favourite and building an unassailable margin to hold off King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) and Wineglass Bay (Ire) (New Bay {GB}).

Trained by the in-form Bjorn Baker, who last week tasted Group 1 success with Overpass (Vancouver) in the G1 Winterbottom S., the 6-year-old gelding picked up his fourth win with his 0.6l success.

Winner for Frosted written in the stars

James Cummings took 2-year-old son of Frosted (USA), Pisces, out to Kembla Grange for his first look at a racecourse, and he was able to secure a narrow maiden win under the urgings of Koby Jennings.

Sent out as the second elect for the Godolphin operation in public markets, Jennings was able to let down the colt down the expansive straight, narrowly getting over the top of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Madrina (Street Boss {USA}).

The win of Pisces gives Frosted his 60th Australian winner.

Rivals envious of Preusker gelding in Ballarat Cup

Amidst winteresque conditions, Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel) powered through the Heavy 9 surface to claim the Listed Ballarat Cup for trainer Paul Preusker.

Given a quiet ride at the back of the field, jockey Michael Dee collected plenty of stray mud as the field ambled along, before pulling out and unleashing with a powerful finish.

The turn of foot was enough to go straight past Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who encountered some bother when Just Folk (Magnus) shifted out into his running line.

Paul Preusker and Captain Envious (NZ) after winning the Listed Ballarat Cup | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

Captain Envious is now a stakes winner, and has enjoyed a successful preparation, finishing no worse than third, and also collecting the Murtoa Cup in October.

Race favourite Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) failed to handle the conditions, settling at the rear of the field and finding herself unable to make headway in a race dominated by those with wet-track affinity.

Pearce brothers Perth Cup fantasy continues

Comeback galloper Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) stamped his G2 Perth Cup ticket with a dogged victory in the Listed GA Towton Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

Sent to the lead by William Pike, the 5-year-old was headed turning into the corner by Neufbosc (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who fleetingly looked like he was going to break a winless streak approaching 1100 days.

Enter a vigorous ride from Pike, who regained the lead and denied stablemate Queen Alina (Mahuta) to stamp his credentials as a genuine Perth Cup contender, giving Dan and Ben Pearce an imposing hand in the 2400-metre handicap.

Having faced a 15-month layoff after winning an RTG78+ H. in July 2022, the Listed Aquanita S. and Listed Belmont Classic winner was able to add a third black-type win to his impressive resume.

While Black Fantasy shapes as one of the key Perth Cup contenders from the local contingent, he may face stiff competition from the likes of Zoumon (Zoustar), who will look to bounce out of his midfield finish in the G1 Northerly S. when stepping up in distance.

Coffey and McEvoys dominate first three

Ballarat’s showcase day was dominated by the locally based Tony and Calvin McEvoy, with the father and son duo training the first three winners on the card, all ridden by Harry Coffey.

Calvin and Tony McEvoy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

The trio combined to score the opener with the 3-year-old filly Sunset Dreaming (Impending) and then secured a dominant victory with the smart juvenile Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the featured Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic. The team then secured success with Give Giggles (NZ), a 4-year-old daughter of War Decree (USA).

Mercurial books Group 1 tilt

Underrated sprinter Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) booked himself a ticket to the G1 Sistema Railway at Pukekohe with a tenacious all-the-way win over the same course and distance on Saturday.

A ballot exemption for the New Year’s Day feature added extra value to the NZ$65,000 Happy Milestone Birthday David Ellis, and it was Mercurial who stood up and took advantage.

The 5-year-old jumped from the second-to-outside gate in the small field and was sent forward by jockey Craig Grylls to take the lead inside the first 100 metres. He was soon joined by the high-class mare Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}), and the pair had the race to themselves from that point on.

“I’m rapt with that performance,” Mercurial’s trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He was so determined and tough and got the job done really well. He really rose to the challenge.

“This race carries a ballot exemption for the Railway on New Year’s Day. Coming into it, my thinking was that if he could put his hand up today and be competitive against a good sprinter like Bonny Lass, we should have a crack at the Group 1. He’s definitely done that with a very good win, so we’ll press on and run him in the Railway. Why not? He’s earned that opportunity with such a good performance today.

“We don’t have a rider booked for the Railway yet, but I’m hoping a few jockeys might be putting their hands up after that win today.”

Waller’s Victorian presence to grow?

The shocking announcement by Racing NSW that racing and training will cease at Rosehill in the future has its biggest tenant the Champion Trainer Chris Waller options outside of the state. Waller flagged provincial training centres such as Pakenham, Cranbourne and Ballarat as options.

“I just think there is so much to think about and it makes me think about Victoria a lot and how well the infrastructure is down there,” Waller told RSN927’s Saturday Raceday.

Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“Little tracks like Pakenham, you’ve got some really good young trainers down there that have invested in their own properties, some maybe renting, and they’ve basically built up something that they own and the industry owns.

“Then you’ve got Cranbourne, that’s getting bigger. Ballarat’s gone from a dark, cold place to a vibrant training centre, which pumps out a lot of winners.

“I think the big thing is a trainer needs an asset at the end of the day and we’ve got properties but don’t have as much skin in the game as I’d like, so there’s so many pros and cons.”

Sweet result for Justify

The progeny of Justify (USA) continue to turn heads across all pockets of the globe, with 2-year-old colt Valentine Candy (USA) an authoritative winner of the Advent S. at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

Finding a prominent position in the early stanza of the race, the striking chestnut grabbed control of the race when turning to greet the judge, extending powerfully to win the 1100-metre race by 6.7l for trainer Steven Asmussen.

“Steve didn't give me any instructions. (Valentine Candy) is a nice horse. I just had to guide him,” rider Ramon Vazquez said in the aftermath.

Super performance by former Australian resident

Formerly trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, I Am Superman (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) broke through for his first win since the G2 Ajax S. in March 2021, winning on the all-weather surface at Dundalk.

The gelding, who has raced in four countries and three continents across his career and is now trained by Michael O'Callaghan, took out the 1600-metre contest in emphatic fashion.

It marks his best performance since returning to the Northern Hemisphere, he'd previously put in a bold showing at Meydan in the G2 Zabeel Mile. The win is his seventh success across 38 starts.

Sire of sires, WinStar Farm's Champion Speightstown euthanised

Speightstown (USA), Eclipse Champion Sprinter in 2004 and among the leading sires of the past 15 years, had to be euthanised Friday, December 8, due to foot issues from old age, WinStar Farm announced in a press release Friday. Speightstown, a Taylor Made/WinStar stallion, was 25 years old.

Speightstown (USA) | Image courtesy of WinStar Farm

“Speightstown was a foundational sire for WinStar and helped stamp our legacy as a sire-making farm,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I want to thank Larry McGinnis and his team for all the love and care they gave “Speighty” as he was lovingly called. They helped him through three colic surgeries, and he had none in the last 13 years. His progeny ran on dirt, turf, six furlongs to 1 1/4 miles, and they always showed their grit. Like with any family member, he will be truly missed. We are fortunate to have his son Nashville in the shedrow, and we look forward to seeing Speightsown's legacy continue through him, and as a broodmare sire.”

WinStar's longtime Stallion Manager Larry McGinnis said, “We've been through a lot together in the last 19 years. We'll miss our friend.”

'No panic yet' – Arqana boss optimistic about ending the year on a high

Arqana boss Freddy Powell says he is optimistic the sales company can end the year on a high as leading vendors Gwen Monneraye of la Motteraye and Charles Brière of the Fairway Consignment reported strong footfall on the eve of the breeding stock sale.

The sales figures for the breeding stock sales in Britain and Ireland took a dip on the whole this year.

However, while Powell agrees that Arqana is not immune to the struggles facing the bloodstock industry as a whole, he outlined French premiums, Brexit, and the strength of the euro as some of the reasons why he expects the middle to lower tiers to hold up over the next few days.

Freddy Powell | Image courtesy of Arqana

He said, “We are yet to have a bad sale this year. Touch wood, it continues. It has been a bit of a strange year for the bloodstock industry in general. We are lucky that, when the market is getting patchy in other places, we have a system in France which helps to keep things together a little bit better.

Powell added some reasoning into why Arqana has been resilient in the face of the market correction in the bloodstock industry, “Brexit has also changed the dynamic for some buyers. Buying in euros is quite a good selling point to people from, say, Australia, America and Japan. Also, the French horses have been doing really well in recent years. This year we had Paddington and Ace Impact and people can recognise that.”

Breeding right in Blue Point to be auctioned on Darley website

Another breeding right in Darley's standout first-season sire Blue Point (Ire), who is already fully booked for 2024, will be auctioned on their website on Wednesday, December 13 to Thursday, December 14.

The son of Shamardal (USA) has been represented by 51 individual winners so far and is the sire of a pair of colts to strike at the highest level–G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Rosallion (Ire), and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs (Ire). His tally of stakes winners stands at five, and he has an additional quintet of black-type performers led by GI Natalma S. third Dazzling Star (GB).

The 9-year-old's 2024 fee was listed at €60,000 (AU$90,100) at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - December 10

Hawkesbury, Race 3, 2.50pm AEDT, Linmark Airconditioning Mdn, $45,000, 1300m

Preordain, 3-year-old colt (Maurice {Jpn} x IL Mio Destino {Nadeem})

Arrowfield Stud's Maurice (Jpn) will be represented by his son Preordain, who will look to become his next race winner at Hawkesbury on Sunday.

The Gary Portelli-trained 3-year-old colt ran third on debut over 1200 metres at Gosford in November, Preordain will be the benefactor of an extra 100 metres on Sunday.

His dam IL Mio Destino was a tough and talented performer winning nine races.

Preordain as a yearling | Image courtey of Inglis

Preordain is related to the Listed-placed Royal Esprit (Bel Esprit), while further down the page this is the family of outstanding Songbird (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), a 13-time winner of races the calibre of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and was a narrow second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff behind the Champion Beholder (USA) (Henny Hughes {USA}).

Preordain was a $250,000 purchase by Portelli Racing from the draft of Cannon Hayes Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Werribee, Race 3, 2.35pm AEDT, Wyndham City Council Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1400m

The Autumn Belle, 3-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Winning Belle {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})

Henry Dwyer’s The Autumn Belle is set to have her second career start on Sunday at Werribee in Victoria. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was third at Swan Hill over 1200 metres in August this year.

The Autumn Belle is the penultimate foal from Winning Belle (NZ). A G2 Queensland Guineas-winning daughter of Zabeel (NZ). Winning Belle also recorded places in the G1 Australian Cup and the G1 Chipping Norton S. and the G1 Queensland Oaks, in addition she ran fourth in the G1 Queensland Derby.

The Autumn Belle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

The Autumn Belle is a half-sister to the Mossman mare Plucky Belle, a victress of the G1 Coolmore Classic and placegetter in the G2 Millie Fox S.

Henry Dwyer Racing paid $210,000 to secure The Autumn Belle from the draft of Tartan Fields at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Looking back

Parkour (Extreme Choice) ran on strongly from last at Ballarat to grab second, while Jupiter Hills (Exceedance) and Naughty Nurse (Russian Revolution) were unplaced at Randwick and Eagle Farm respectively.

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Debutants

1 min read

First-time starters lining up on Sunday, December 10

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Saturday, December 9

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Sunday, December 10

First Season Sire Results

First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Saturday, December 9

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Sunday, December 10

Second Season Sire Results

Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results