Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On Friday, Warwick Farm saw 18 heats unfold in comfortable conditions, while Newcastle also hosted noteworthy heats, featuring the return of a G1 Queensland Oaks winner in the opener.
Trained by Kris Lees, Amokura (Kermadec {NZ}) made her comeback in Friday’s 1000-metre heat at Newcastle after a brief spring campaign, which concluded with a third-place finish in the G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington.
As a 3-year-old, Amokura showed her talent by progressing from a maiden victory at Newcastle to clinching Queensland Oaks glory with the now-retired Damien Oliver in the saddle. Under the guidance of Darryl McLellan, she comfortably secured a 1.23l victory over Much Much Better (Stratum) on Friday.
At Warwick Farm, Joe Pride’s talented sprinter Private Eye (Al Maher) made a promising return to action after his unplaced finish in the G1 The Galaxy. In Heat 4, ridden by James McDonald, Private Eye showcased his form with a comfortable 1.7l victory over Kalino (Pierro). Additionally, his stablemate, Besty’s Flag (Astern), secured a third-place finish in the same heat.
Two for Brutal
Newgate Farm’s first-season sire, Brutal (NZ), also had a prosperous morning at Newcastle, with two of his progeny claiming heats.
The first winner was the Kris Lees-trained Brutal Bowler in Heat 3 over 1000 metres. Ridden by Dylan Gibbons, Brutal Bowler impressively won by 3.37l over Listins Lass (Capitalist) and Dance Dance Dance (Highland Reel {Ire}).
The 2-year-old colt is the fifth foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Refer, a three-time winner who also achieved placings in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic and the Listed Ethereal S. He was purchased for $240,000 by Lees Racing and Bahen Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Newhaven Park draft.
Brutal (NZ) | Standing at Newgate
Brutal’s second winner was the Nathan Doyle-trained Harlem Queen in Heat 6. Ridden by Koby Jennings, Harlem Queen triumphed over Wobbly Boot (Pierata) by 0.37 lengths. The filly, hailing from the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Harlem River, is also a daughter of Fastnet Rock.
She is the dam of the R. Listed Inglis Banner-placed Lady Harlem (Sebring) and is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winner In Her Time (Time Thief) and The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes. Lady Of Harlem was acquired for $180,000 by Calibre Racing Group from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bargain buy to turn to Gold?
Fresh off siring his first Group 1 winner, Tassort seems to have another promising prospect in Cashaway Gold, trained by Gary Portelli. Despite an unplaced debut in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery in December, the 2-year-old filly showed potential when she placed in a trial behind the talented Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
Cashaway Gold returned to action on Friday morning in Heat 8 over 819 metres. Under the guidance of Rachel King, she comfortably clinched victory by 0.11 lengths. However, several notable performances unfolded behind Cashaway Gold.
Frosty Girl (NZ) (Super Seth), who finished third, was not pushed until the final strides. Meanwhile, Hell’s Vixen (Hellbent) and Tarragon (Blue Point {Ire}) ran home soundly, despite being minimally asked.
Tassort | Standing at Newgate
Tassort, Cashaway Gold’s sire, stands at Newgate Farm and currently leads the Australian First Season Sires’ list. The filly is the third foal from the unraced Magic Albert mare My Gold Gamble, and she is a half-sister to Luskintyre Lass (Snitzel), a winner of three races and placed in the G3 Aspiration.
Cashaway Gold was a bargain purchase of $4500 by V Ferraro from the Parsons Creek draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Yes Yes Yes!
Two first-season sires made a significant impact at trial meetings across New South Wales on Friday morning. Brutal, from Newgate Farm, and Yes Yes Yes, from Coolmore Stud, each sired two winners.
At Warwick Farm, the Marc Conners-trained Shezasiren (Yes Yes Yes) secured victory in Heat 9. Under the guidance of jockey Zac Lloyd, she surged ahead early, leading the race and claiming a 1.19l victory. Idolised (Zoustar) and Jellicious (Snitzel) finished closely behind in the second and third, respectively. Needing Attention (Zousain) also caught attention with a strong performance.
Shezasiren is the third foal of Siren’s Song (Ire), a mare by Azamour (Ire) who triumphed in the Listed Salsabil S. at Naven. She was acquired for $35,000 by M C Conners Racing from the Parsons Creek draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Shezasiren as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
In Heat 10 at Warwick Farm, the Chris Waller-trained She’s A Barbie emerged victorious over the 819-metre distance. With jockey Tommy Berry aboard, she cruised to a comfortable 1.16l win, with her ears pricked. Leovanni (NZ) (Proisir) claimed second, followed by Kaelabella (Casino Prince) in third.
Bred and owned by Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Let’s Go Barbie is the first foal of Gayatri, a Pierro mare who won five races ranging from 1400 to 2400 metres. Let’s Go Barbie is from the family of Daisies (Sebring), winner of the G2 WH Stocks S., and Zou Tiger (Zoustar), a Listed race victor.
The Yulong-based Pierata also sired a winner when the Gregory Hickman-trained Prorata in Heat 11 over 819 metres. The colt is the sixth foal from Miss Beauty World (God’s Own). She is a half-sister to the stakes winners, Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) and Ducimus.
Prorata ridden by Rachel King, defeated Sleuth (Spieth) and Omnic (NZ) (Proisir). The colt was a $200,000 purchase by Gregory Hickman from the draft of Valiant Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Megastar outbattles Pisces
The Annabel Neasham-trained Megastar Heart (Star Turn) emerged victorious over the James Cummings-trained Pisces (Frosted {USA}) narrowly. The duo left the rest of the field behind, with Huka Falls (Headwater) finishing third 4.45l adrift,
Friday marked Megastar Heart's second trial, following a fifth-place finish at the same venue in late March. The colt is owned by Hong Kong-based Pato Leung, who acquired Megastar Heart for $825,000 from the KB Bloodstock draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Megastar Heart as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Megastar Heart is the second foal of Commonwealth, a Foxwedge mare. Notably, Commonwealth hails from the family of the exceptional Criterion (NZ) and the Group 1 victor Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock).
Initially offered by Fairview Park Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Megastar Heart was purchased by Solari Bloodstock for $120,000.