Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Race-Day Recap
Newgate Farm's first-season stallion Tassort sired his Group 1 winner with the smart filly Manaal, who upstaged a quality field of colts to win the G1 Inglis Sires'
Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) became the 106th stakes winner and 15th Group 1 winner for his Champion Sire on Saturday in the G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce S.
The Andrew Forsman-trained Yaldi was a smart winner on debut at Pukekohe Park for his promising second-season sire Ardrossan.
Feroce (Super Seth) kept his unbeaten run in-tact at Caulfield and provided his young trainer, Dom Sutton, with a first metropolitan winner.
Espionage (Zoustar) missed the G1 Golden Slipper but showed his class with an impressive performance in the G3 Kindergarten S. at Randwick.
Gin A Tonic (Better Than Ready) made it two from two at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Diva Las Vegas provided her sire Bellevue Hill with his first winner at Newcastle.
Hamilton Brown became the third winner for Vinery Stud's Exceedance at the Gold Coast Poly Track on Saturday.
The Rosemont colours were to the fore at Morphettville in the Listed Dequetteville S. when carried to success by Lincolnshire (Starspangledbanner).
Manaal upstages boys
After a less than ideal trip in the G1 Golden Slipper, the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal (Tassort) made amends in the G1 Inglis Sires’ beating a high-class field in the 1400-metre feature at Randwick.
It wasn’t smooth sailing. Manaal, ridden by Jason Collett, had to chase down a game Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) and hold off the G1 Golden Slipper placegetter Coleman (Pierata). Meanwhile, race-favourite Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) failed to fire his best shot finishing fourth.
Manaal’s victory furthered the dominance by 2-year-old fillies in the Group 1 juvenile races this season - Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) won the G1 Blue Diamond and Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) saluted in the G1 Golden Slipper.
Freedman told Sky Racing, “Manaal is just an outstanding filly. She won the G3 Gimcrack S. on debut and then won the G2 Sweet Embrace S. in the autumn.
“She was a bit stiff in the G1 Golden Slipper, and now she’s won the Slipper. I am just full of praise for Manaal. It is wonderful to train a Group 1 winner for Emirates Park and Hussain (Lootah).
“She was a bit stiff in the G1 Golden Slipper, and now she’s won the Slipper. I am just full of praise for Manaal. It is wonderful to train a Group 1 winner for Emirates Park and Hussain (Lootah).” - Michael Freedman
“Hussain owns a share in the stallion, Tassort. He is an exciting stallion and hopefully we can get a few more in the stable.
“It’s just fantastic because I walked away from the Golden Slipper a little bit disappointed. I’ve always had faith in Manaal. I think she will run a mile whether that’s in the Champagne S. we’ll just let the dust settle.”
Manaal made amends in the G1 Inglis Sires’ | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Manaal is the first Group 1 winner for Tassort, a son of Brazen Beau, who stands at Newgate Farm. The filly was bred and retained by Emirates Park. She is from the Midshipman (USA) mare Red Lodge (USA), who won the Listed Colleen S. at Monmouth.
Manaal's third dam Memories Of Silver (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}) was a talented race mare, winning nine races and two Group 1 contests. She produced Winter Memories (USA) (El Prado {Ire}) also a victress of two Group 1s.
Tassort will be represented by Lot 408, offered by Emirates Park at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Vinnie and Te Akau strike gold
Te Akau Racing has achieved much success with the progeny of Australia’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible. The Yarraman Park Stud-based stallion is the sire of the tangerine army’s 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz.
On Saturday, Te Akau Racing and ‘Vinnie’ combined again with Move To Strike, who upset the applecart when winning the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.
The colt, ridden by Wiremu Pinn, avoided trouble and congestion that befell on the race favourite Velocious (Written Tycoon). Finishing second behind Move To Strike was Red Sea (Pierata) and the colt’s stablemate Captured By Love (Written Tycoon).
Move To Strike | Image courtesy of Race Images
Move To Strike was a $525,000 purchase by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Baramul Stud’s graduates enjoyed a sensational time on Saturday. In addition to Move To Strike, the farm also provided the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Espionage (Zoustar) and the smart Eagle Farm winner Gin And Tonic (Better Than Ready).
The colt is from the Shamardal (USA) mare No Evidence Needed. She won six races, including the G2 Let’s Elope S. and the G3 Southern Cross S. Additionally, No Evidence Needed was placed in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and the G1 Schweppes Oaks.
Move To Strike is the 106th stakes winner for I Am Invincible and his 15th Group 1 winner. The Champion Sire has 38 to be offered for sale at Inglis Easter.
Breeders’ Plate winner back on track
Espionage (Zoustar) was an impressive winner of the G3 Breeders’ Plate on debut in September last year but did not resume until the G2 Silver Slipper S. where the fellow Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Straight Charge (Written By) beat him on that occasion.
Connections intended to have the son of Zoustar lining-up in the G1 Golden Slipper S. but that was not to be. Instead, Espionage was re-routed to the G3 Kindergarten S. on Saturday.
Despite the Heavy 9 conditions, Espionage, ridden by Tommy Berry, showed his class to defeat Roselyn’s Star (Shalaa {Ire}) and Hallett (Deep Field).
Co-trainer Adrian Bott told Sky Racing, “The timing of the Golden Slipper didn’t work for Espionage, so it was great to get him back on track today (Saturday).
“The Kindergarten S. is a nice consolation for him to show his class. The testing track (Heavy 9) may not have been ideal but with his fitness and foundation it helped.
“Tommy (Berry) was able to position him beautifully and he was able to show his class. Without speaking to James (Harron) I think this is enough for Espionage this preparation.
“We could focus on the early 3-year-old races, as I believe he’ll make a lovely Coolmore Stud S. horse.”
“We could focus on the early 3-year-old races, as I believe he’ll make a lovely Coolmore Stud S. horse.” - Adrian Bott
Espionage is the third foal from In Times Of War (Street Cry {Ire}). She won three races and is a daughter of the star juvenile Military Rose (General Nediym). The colt was a $1 million purchase by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
In Times Of War’s fourth foal, a filly by Snitzel was purchased for $1.4 million by TFI, Moody Racing and James Harron Bloodstock from this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The filly has subsequently been named Conscience.
Zoustar has 33 yearlings offered for sale at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling.
Lincolnshire impresses on debut
Not long after the Rosemont Stud colours were carried to victory at Caulfield by the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Legacies (Justify {USA}) her stablemate, Lincolnshire (Starspangledbanner) stepped out for the first time in the Listed Dequetteville S. at Morphettville.
Lincolnshire showed plenty of tenacity to hold a margin over the fast-charging Karavas (Alabama Express) and All Woke (All Too Hard). The filly is the second foal from the unraced Furnival (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}).
Furnival is a daughter of Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}), a 10-time winner, including of the G3 Millie Fox S. and the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup. At stud, Wild Queen produced the handy performer Varda (Lonhro).
Furnival is from the family of the Group 1 winner Kementari (Lonhro) and the Listed winner Telperion. The dam’s first foal, Rampant Lion (Frankel {GB}) was placed in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) and the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S.
Lincolnshire is the 39th stakes winner for Starspangledbanner.
Feroce remains unbeaten
Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) dug deep despite his relative inexperience to keep his unbeaten record in-tact on Saturday at Caulfield.
The 2-year-old continued the brilliant start made by Super Seth, who stands at Waikato Stud. That famous nursery also celebrated earlier on Saturday when Super Seth’s barn mate Ardrossan sired a debut juvenile winner - Yaldi (NZ).
Feroce provided young horseman, Dom Sutton, with his first winner when he won at Pakenham and his first metropolitan winner on Saturday. Ridden by Billy Egan, Feroce sustained a late charge from Perspiration (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Meanwhile Bisdee (Grunt {NZ}) held third.
Commenting on the special milestone Sutton told Racing.com, “It’s hard to put words, it’s pretty surreal.
“Even more special that my father is here. I was very impressed with Feroce’s performance, and I loved the way he dropped his head and came back under Billy (Egan).”
Feroce is the sixth foal from the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Corinthia (NZ). She is a half-sister to De Beers (NZ), a victor of the G1 Rosehill Guineas. Corinthia is the dam of the Listed winner Siracusa (NZ) (Sebring).
Feroce (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bruno Cannatelli
The gelding’s third dam is the brilliant mare Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who won 11 races, including the G1 Sires’ Produce and the G1 Australasian Oaks. Feroce was a NZ$160,000 purchase by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Super Seth is represented by three lots at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Hamilton gives Exceedance three winners
Vinery Stud’s first-season sire Exceedance sired his third winner courtesy of the Lee Freedman-trained Hamilton Brown at the Gold Coast Polytrack.
Hamilton Brown, ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester, won by 1.3l from Zephyrz Zoom (Gold Standard) and Blind Desire (Dubious). The gelding is the first foal from the unraced No Nay Never (USA) mare Never More Lady. She is a half-sister to the talented Excelorada (Exceed And Excel), a victor of 10 races, including the Listed Summer Scorcher and the Listed RS Crawford S.
The son of Exceedance was a $60,000 purchase by Slade Bloodstock from the draft of Kitchwin Hills at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Exceedance, a Group 1-winning son of Exceed And Excel is represented by two lots at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
First winner for Bellevue Hill
In a fitting result the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Diva Las Vegas provided Bellevue Hill with his first winner as a sire on Saturday at Newcastle.
Gai Waterhouse trained the son of Pierro to win the G3 The Schweppervescence as a 2-year-old. Initially retired to Aquis in Queensland, Bellevue Hill was later transferred to Platinum Thoroughbreds in Victoria, where he stood for $3300 (inc GST) in 2023.
Bellevue Hill has 21 foals from his first crop, of which only two have raced resulting in one winner.
Diva Las Vegas, ridden by apprentice Amy McLucas, defeated Collerette (Zousain) and Glorioso (Epaulette) in the 900-metre event.
The filly was bred by Twin Hills Stud and is raced by W P Manning, R L Roulston, C R Hancock and Woodburn. Diva Las Vegas is the third foal from the dual winner Vegas Strip (Snitzel). She foaled a full sister to Diva Las Vegas in August last year.
Vegas Strip is from the family of Shadow Hero (Pierro), who claimed the G1 Spring Champion S., the G1 Randwick Guineas, the G3 Gloaming S. and the Listed The Phoenix before he was sent to Hong Kong.
Tonic dominates at Eagle Farm
Gin A Tonic (Better Than Ready) kept his unbeaten run going with an impressive 1.92l success at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Bevan Laming-trained 2-year-old colt won on debut at Doomben in March over 1200 metres and struck again at the distance.
Michael Cahill struck with the colt, and again they got the better of Run Lucy Run (Divine Prophet). Meanwhile Jemoma Alpilage (Lean Mean Machine) was 2.24l adrift in third.
Gin And Tonic, like Espionage (Zoustar) was a graduate of Baramul Stud’s 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. The son of Better Than Ready was purchased for $120,000 by Bevan Laming.
He is the fifth foal from the Fastnet Rock mare The Quick One. She is a daughter of the New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old IL Quello Veloce (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}).
Smart Ardrossan winner on debut
Waikato Stud’s promising second-season stallion Ardrossan looks to have sired a smart prospect when his 2-year-old son Yaldi (NZ) was successful on debut at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
The Andrew Forsman-trained gelding, ridden by Kozzi Asano, defeated Wind Rush (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Osteria (NZ) (Ribchester {Ire}) in the 1200-metre event.
Yaldi is the fourth foal from the Per Incanto (NZ) mare Luroel (NZ). She is the dam of Sky Heart (NZ), who is also by Ardrossan and has won in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, Yaldi is from the family of Hammer Down (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), a six-time winner, including of the G3 Cambridge Breeders’ S.
Yaldi was a NZ$50,000 purchase by Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Ardrossan has sired 14 individual winners from 32 runners. He will be represented by one lot at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Lot 480, a colt offered by Elsdon Park.
