Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On Monday morning, Gosford hosted 14 trials on a Soft 5 track. The opening heat went the way of the David Atkins-trained Promitto (Divine Prophet). The 4-year-old gelding, ridden by Christian Reith, held a comfortable lead in the 1000-metre heat and dashed away to record a 1.89-length success over Dalaalaat (Written Tycoon).
The son of Divine Prophet won his first two starts as a 2-year-old, including the G2 Skyline S. Since then, things haven’t gone smoothly for Promitto, with his closest attempt to return to the winner’s circle being a third-place finish in the G3 Craven Plate, behind the now-retired Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
Promitto’s effort on Monday suggests he might be ready to turn a new leaf, having now won two trials consecutively.
Divine Prophet | Standing at Highview Stud
Adding intrigue to Monday’s program was the Nathan Doyle-trained Monty Be Quick (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). The Australian Bloodstock colour-bearer stepped out in Heat 5 over 1000 metres under Jean Van Overmeire. He settled fourth just off the fence and, turning into the straight, loomed on the outside and quickly put paid to the field, winning by 2.3l over Thebes (American Pharoah {USA}), with Dumbei (Lonhro) 4.01l away in third.
Monty Be Quick was an 18,000gns (AU$36,300) purchase by Australian Bloodstock, Ronald Rauscher, and Nathan Doyle Racing from the 2023 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale. The son of New Bay (GB) is from the Dansili (GB) mare Poyle Meg (GB), who is a half-sister to Poyle Sophie (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), the dam of Cachet (Ire) (Acclaim {Ire}), a victress of the G1 1000 Guineas and the G3 Nell Gwyn S.
Additionally, Monty Be Quick is a half-brother to the seven-time winner Whisper Not (GB) (Poet’s Voice {GB}), whose victories include the G3 Golden Gate San Francisco Mile S.
Capital dances to victory, as Kristilli’s sister second
Local trainer Gregory McFarlane sent out his twice-raced Capital Dancer (Capitalist) in Heat 10 over 800 metres. Ridden by Jess Taylor, the daughter of Capitalist defeated some well-related rivals.
Less than a length adrift of Capital Dancer, was Annabel Neasham’s Anarita (Hellbent), the unraced filly is a full sister to Neasham’s G2 Percy Sykes S. victress Kristilli, who will be sold as Lot 594 in Tuesday’s session of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Catching the eye finishing strongly in third was the Kris Lees-trained Lutetia (Justify {USA}).
Capital Dancer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Capital Dancer is from the Magic Albert mare Golly Molly. She is from the family of the Group 2 winner Silverstream (Al Maher) and Speedy Natalie, also by Al Maher and a Group 3 winner. Additionally, the Group 1-placed Bases Loaded (Deep Field) hails from this family.
Capital Dancer was a $70,000 purchase by Yolo Bloodstock from the draft of Noogee Park at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. She was reoffered by Sledmere Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but was passed in for $120,000.
Rebel fights back against Encore
Sara Ryan’s Rebel Rhapsody (Trapeze Artist) showed tenacity, under Reece Jones, to wrestle back the lead from Eclair Encore (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in Heat 4 over 1000 metres.
Finishing in third was Chillcuz (Churchill {Ire}) while Louisburgh (Zoustar) made late ground after the line to finish fifth.
Rebel Rhapsody is the fourth foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Indie Rock (GB). She is a full sister to Heavy Metal (GB), who won 15 races, including the G2 Richmond S. and the G2 Godolphin Mile.
Rebel Rhapsody as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Indie Rock is also a half-sister to Royal Meeting (Ire), a Group 1 winner, and sire of the G1 Blue Diamond S. victress Hayasugi.
Rebel Rhapsody was a $180,000 purchase by Domeland from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
No problems for Dipsy
Godolphin’s stakes-performed Dipsy Doodle (Lonhro) towered over the field in Heat 8 over 800 metres, and quickly took control of proceedings with a game Geewiz Johnny (Zariz) sticking soundly to the filly.
Dipsy Doodle, ridden by Ashley Morgan, comfortably bounded away from Geewiz Johnny under a hold, with Mon Pierre (Pierro) running into third, in a fairly uneventful heat.
“Dipsy Doodle towered over the field in Heat 8 over 800 metres, and quickly took control of proceedings with a game Geewiz Johnny sticking soundly to the filly.”
The daughter of Lonhro was placed in the Listed Woodlands S. at Scone as a juvenile, and has won twice from seven starts. Dipsy Doodle is the third foal from the well-related Aspen (Exceed And Excel), who is also the dam of the Group 3 winner Larkspur Run (Shamardal {USA}).
Storm pinned as one to watch
Newgate Farm’s first-season sire Tassort has sired two winners this week already and looks to have another one in waiting with Diamond Storm. The Matthew Vella-trained gelding stepped out in Heat 12 over 800 metres, ridden by Rachel King, was allowed to bowel along in front, followed by Red Spector (Red Henno) and Caravanserai (Blue Point {Ire}).
The three 2-year-olds dashed away from the remaining field, and stayed in their order, with Diamond Storm, under a little persuasion put 1.45l between him and Red Spector. Over 8l in fourth was Firework (Written Tycoon).
Diamond Storm as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Diamond Storm is the second foal from the 2-year-old winner Hailin’ Diamonds (Street Boss {USA}). The gelding is from the family of the G3 Blue Sapphire S. winner Run Harry Run (Written Tycoon) and his eight-time winning full brother Trump, whose victories include the G3 Gunsynd Classic.
The son of Tassort was a $25,000 purchase by DLF Racing Enterprises when offered by JJJ Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
