Estriella almost breaks record in Sunlight Classic
The Listed Sunlight Classic was won by 3-year-old filly Estriella (I Am Invincible) in 1:02.31, only 0.16s off the track record set by Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) in 2013. “She is a horse that has got so much in front of her,” trainer Ciaron Maher told RSN.net.au.
Estriella | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Depending on how she pulls up, Estriella will head to either the G2 Arrowfield S. over 1200 metres at Randwick on April 13 or the G1 Robert Sangster S 1200 metres at Morphettville on April 27. Estriella took her record to four wins from seven starts with earnings over $1million. A $750,000 purchase from Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by trainer Ciaron Maher, Estriella is the third foal of a full sister to Pierro (Lonhro).
Queen reigns supreme at Ascot
Trained by Justine Erkelens, Own The Queen (Awesome Rock) won Saturday’s feature at Ascot, the G3 WA Oaks (2400 metres), to extend her winning streak to five races following her Listed Natasha S. victory a fortnight ago.
Produced from the rear of the field by Troy Turner, she crossed the line at a 0.5l advantage over Miss Skyhigh (Harry Angel {Ire}), with Flash Of Dallas (Tavistock {NZ}) the same distance away back in third.
Bred by Clive Atwell, Own The Queen was a $57,500 purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale by John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) in conjunction with her trainer from the draft of the Western Breeders Alliance.
New stakes winner for The Brothers War in Star Kingdom
With the G3 Star Kingdom Handicap only a stepping stone to his target, Bandi’s Boy (The Brothers War {USA}) flew home down the centre of the track to win by a neck. “He wasn't wound down for this race. Obviously he was in today for next week which is our Grand Final (in the Country Championships Final). Look, the horse just keeps going to another level. He keeps lifting the bar and obviously the 1400-metres is going to suit him better than the 1200,” trainer Danny Williams told Racingandsports.com.au.
Bandi’s Boy | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
It was the first stakes win for Bandi’s Boy, who becomes the second stakes winner for The Brothers War, who is a son of War Front (USA).
Derby winner takes out Neville Selwood
The Waterhouse/Bott team charged onwards on Saturday with their 2020 G1 Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) winning the G3 Neville Sellwood S. “This was the call from (part-owners) Nick and Lloyd Williams to be here today and they've certainly pulled the right rein in that regard,” co-trainer Adrian Bott told Racingandsports.com.au
“He might be getting a little bit more difficult to place from here, whether we do throw him a little bit in the deep end now. I just had a quick chat with Nick then and we threw up a few ideas, but we'll leave it to them and we'll just try to get the horse fit and get it on the right day.”
Serpentine has now won two in succession, and brings his record to five wins from 25 starts with earnings over $1.1million.
Olentia makes it a hat-trick for Berry
Jockey Tommy Berry made it a hat-trick of stakes wins at Rosehill on Saturday when 4-year-old mare Olentia (Zoustar) took out the G2 Emancipation S. He had previously won the G3 Baillieu H. on Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) and the G2 Tulloch S on Wymark (NZ) (Savabeel).
“I guess I had a bit of redemption there from a couple of starts back. I owed (syndicator) Denise (Martin) and connections and Chris one and I'm glad we were able to do it today. She deserves more success than what she's been given so far,” Berry told Racingandsports.com.au.
Olentia and Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Trainer Chris Waller mentioned that he will look at the G1 Queen of the Turf S. as a future option for Olentia. A $300,000 purchase by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) from Tyreel Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Olentia took her record to six wins from 13 starts and earnings over $550,000. She won four of her first five starts at three including the G3 James HB Carr S.
Four in a row for Sans Doute
Te Akau Racing’s 4-year-old mare Sans Doute (Not a Single Doubt) made it four in a row in winning the Listed Bob Hoystead S. at Flemington on Saturday. “She's flying this prep and she can't do anything wrong. To win like she did, I'd love to see her sectionals for the last 600 (metres),” jockey Mick Dee told Racingandsports.com.au.
“Who knows, she might end up in Adelaide as well.”
Group placed at her second start, Saturday’s win was Sans Doute’s first stakes win. With four wins in succession, Sans Doute has now won seven of her 15 starts, with earnings over $380,000. She was purchased by David Ellis and Andrew Williams Bloodstock from Arrowfield Stud at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $300,000.
New stakes winner for Shocking in Roy Higgins
The Listed Roy Higgins S. offers the winner a ballot free place in the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup so it was fitting that the winner, Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), is a son of a Melbourne Cup winner. Coming off a third placing in the G2 Auckland Cup, Mark Twain showed his stamina in winning over 2600m on Saturday at Flemington.
Mark Twain (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Fourth in the G1 New Zealand Derby last season, Mark Twain took his record to four wins from 12 starts with earnings over $460,000. He becomes the 24th stakes winner for Shocking.
Consistent Celsius Star adds to Zoustar’s record
Celsius Star (Zoustar) found a pathway through the middle of the pack to win the Listed Oakbank Railway S. on Saturday to become the 52nd stakes winner for Zoustar. Trained by Phillip Stokes, 5-year-old gelding Celsius Star has now won three of his last four starts.
He took his record to eight wins and six placings from 23 starts with earnings over $320,000. Passed in twice as a yearling, Celsius Star is owned by Tara Farm.
Pearl Series final goes to Grey Haze
The inaugural Pearl Series Final over 1400 metres at Ellerslie on Saturday went the way of 3-year-old filly Grey Haze (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}). “I’m not often very confident, but we were today,” trainer Stuart Manning told Loveracing.nz.
Grey Haze now has two wins from seven starts with her other win coming in this series, beating subsequent G1 New Zealand Oaks placegetter Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}). Grey Haze was sold via gavelhouse.com for NZ$2500 as a yearling to Robert Good and now has earnings over $99,000.
Ausbred Flirt and Strait Acer into Country Final
The Wyong Country Championships qualifier went to Ausbred Flirt (Maurice {Jpn}) on Saturday with second placed Strait Acer (Headwater) also booking a place in the Final on April 13. Ausbred Flirt is trained by Brad Widdup for Chris and Lynne Lawlor and Yes Bloodstock, while Strait Acer is trained by Edward Cummings for owner R Wade.
Great Maximus remains unbeaten at Oakbank
3-year-old gelding Great Maximus (Magnus) took his record to two from two at Oakbank on Saturday. Trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, he is out of a city winning half-sister to Group 1 winners Denman (Lonhro) and Preserve (Canny Lad) and Listed winner Rio Osa (Canny Lad).
He was $60,000 purchase by his trainers at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from Maluka Thoroughbreds.
Sister to Graff wins
The 3-year-old full sister to Group 2 winner and young sire Graff (Star Witness) has won her first start for her new owners, Cornerstone Stud. True Gem was purchased in December 2023 at an Inglis Digital Sale for $7000 and won over 1100 metres at Clare for trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor.
Originally sold by Widden Stud for $200,000 at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Bjorn Baker Racing, All Winners Thoroughbreds and Golden, True Gem failed to finish in her first start as a 2-year-old, then had three starts as a spring 3-year-old, with her best being a fourth at Queanbeyan. After that she was sold and the trip to South Australia appears to have been the change she needed.
Impressive field for Japan Group 1
Sunday's 2000 metre G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin boasts five Group 1 winners in the 16 horse field. Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) is favoured to win. “His appetite has been good, and better than it was before the Arima Kinen, so he's healthy and in good condition overall,” trainer Noriyuki Hori told TDN Europe.
4-year-old mare Harper (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) kept running into Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {}) last season but with the star galloper in Dubai, this might be her chance to break through at Group 1 level. “She had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, with this next race in mind,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi.
