Cover image courtesy of Racing Queensland
Race-Day Recap
Chris Waller’s Imperialist (Churchill) gave a strong performance in Saturday’s Listed The Phoenix at Eagle Farm to run down the hot favourite Aemelius (Hellbent).
Newgate Farm’s promising young sire, Cosmic Force, sired his seventh individual winner with Wonder Boy, upstaging his race-experienced rivals at Flemington on debut.
The Peter Robl-trained Genius Baby was successful on debut on the Gold Coast Poly Track, supplying Darley’s Too Darn Hot (GB) with his 12th individual winner from his debut Australasian crop.
Street Boss filly Madrina gave the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott a cause to celebrate early with her victory at Randwick over her stablemate Buckingham Palace (Written By).
The Tom Daberning-trained Hedonist (Headwater) won on debut at Swan Hill on Saturday. The juvenile is a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Tango’s Daughter (Redoute’s Choice) and the 14-time winner Tango Rain (Manhattan Rain).
Hanuni Farm’s former shuttler Belardo has been on run in New Zealand with his juveniles and added another new winner with Whiskey ‘N’ Roses, who broke his maiden at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Imperialist reigns in The Phoenix
Under a well-timed ride from James McDonald, the Chris Waller-trained Imperialist (NZ) (Churchill {Ire}) came from the clouds to nab the hot favourite Aemelius (Hellbent) in the Listed The Phoenix on Saturday.
The 1500-metre feature saw some action early, with Aemelius and Italian Dancer (Dundeel {NZ}) spacing the field early. By the time the field entered the home straight, Italian Dancer could go on more, while Aemelius showed plenty of tenacity to dig deep. However, she couldn’t hold off the charge of Imperialist, while Miss Trustful (Dubious) finished third.
After the victory, Waller told Sky Racing, “Imperialist and James (McDonald) did a great job. James settled him in the first half of the race, and then weaving a path at the end. Imperialist did the rest.
“It was great to see him cope with the trip away. He’s just a 2-year-old but he’s got a great future.”
Commenting on whether Imperialist will back up in next Saturday’s G1 JJ Atkins S. Waller said, “It wasn’t necessarily the ‘must-be plan’ but on the strength of his win today (Saturday) we’ll speak to the ratings people and the good form people to see what they think.
“I use the punters, the TAB and the betting prices as a good guide.”
Imperialist (outer) wins the Listed The Phoenix at Eagle Farm on Saturday in impressive fashion | Image courtesy of Grant Peters
Imperialist is from the Fastnet Rock mare Dancing Hare, a three-time winner from 1400 to 1600 metres. She hails from an outstanding international family, that includes the G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and Ireland’s Champion 3-Year-Old Stayer Honolulu (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
The son of Churchill was a NZ$170,000 purchase by Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the draft of Curraghmore at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Imperialism is the 25th stakes winner worldwide for Coolmore’s Churchill (Ire), who will return to Australia this spring at a fee of $19,800 (inc GST).
Seventh winner for rising Force
Jerome Hunter’s debutant Wonder Boy upstaged some race-experienced rivals at Flemington, providing Newgate Farm’s Cosmic Force with his seventh individual winner.
Ridden by Luke Currie, Wonder Boy, despite his inexperience under race conditions and the challenge of the vast Flemington straight, showed maturity and indicated a bright future. He surged strongly to deny the dual winner Pisces (Frosted {USA}) and Supernima (NZ) (Super Seth), a winner at Pakenham.
A stable representative from the Jerome Hunter stable told Racing.com, “First start up the straight is a big effort, because he hasn’t seen a straight track before.
“Very impressive, I think Wonder Boy has huge improvement to come when he learns what he’s doing. You could see early on he had his head up a bit and was looking around.
“When he knows what he’s doing and is able to focus, that looks like a Group horse in the making, I reckon.”
Wonder Boy is the seventh individual winner for Newgate Farm’s first-season sire, Cosmic Force, a son of Deep Field. Cosmic Force has made an outstanding start to his new career, with Wonder Boy joining the ranks of the Group 3-placed Stay Focused, Full Force, who placed in the R. Listed Karaka 2YO Million, Beer Baron, a placegetter in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery, and Devine Force and Astra Star, both dual winners.
“When (Wonder Boy) he knows what he’s doing and is able to focus, that looks like a Group horse in the making, I reckon.” - Jerome Hunter
Cosmic Force is standing the 2024 breeding season at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
Wonder Boy is the fourth foal from the Haradasun mare Beatniks, who won eight races, and was placed in the G3 Glenlogan Park S. She is a half-sister Sweet Cherub (Canny Lad), the dam of the talented Listed-winning juvenile Sweet Dolly (Real Saga).
Beatniks has a So You Think (NZ) colt, who was sold for $100,000 at this year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and then foaled a colt by Newgate Farm’s Wild Ruler before visiting the operation’s Extreme Choice.
Wonder Boy was a $125,000 purchase by Graebar Park when offered by Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale.
Hot train rolls on
Another day of racing, and another winner for Darley’s Too Darn Hot (GB). The son of Dubawi (Ire) sired his 12th individual Southern Hemisphere winner with the Peter Robl-trained Genius Baby on the Gold Coast Poly Track.
Genius Baby, a 2-year-old gelding, making his debut with Jag Guthmann-Chester in the saddle, got the upper hand over Helluva Teen (Hellbent) and Mishani Hercules (The Mission).
The son of Too Darn Hot (GB) is the final reported foal from Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock), who died in 2023. Planet Rock was crowned the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year, with victories in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the G2 Eight Carat Classic. To date, Planet Rock’s most successful produce has been the Street Cry (Ire) gelding Molten, an eight-time winner.
Genius Baby as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Genius Baby was a $150,000 purchase by Legends Bloodstock, McKeever Bloodstock and Andy Peng from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Too Darn Hot (GB), the sire of the G1 Champagne S. and G2 Sires’ Produce S. victor Broadsiding, and the outstanding Arabian Summer, will return Darley, Kelvinside for a fee of $110,000 (inc GST).
Waterhouse and Bott quinella opener
An early start at Randwick resulted in success for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, who saddled up the winner, Madrina (Street Boss {USA}), and the second-placed Buckingham Palace (Written By) in the juvenile contest held over 1100 metres.
The talented Street Boss (USA) filly Madrina had shown promise since her debut in December, placing at Kembla Grange and Canberra. In those contests she was beaten by Pisces (Frosted {USA}) and King Of Roseau (Capitalist), who recently placed in the R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic.
In this preparation, Madrina finished fourth in the Listed Dalrello S. and then placed at Canterbury carrying 59kg. On Saturday, with claiming apprentice Amy McLucas in the saddle, the filly enjoyed the drop in weight, leading throughout the 1100-metre event and holding off her stablemate. The fast-finishing favourite Shamadan (Tassort) got going late but couldn't catch Madrina.
Waterhouse and Bott stable representative Neil Paine told Sky Racing, “For a 1100-metre race they were walking, and it was beautiful to watch because we were running first and second. She’s been threatening to win a race, and it’s great Gai and Adrian claimed on her because Madrina isn’t a real big filly.
“Amy rode her a treat, and take nothing away from the second horse (Buckingham Palace); They’ll both go on and be nice horses. Buckingham Palace kept trying hard.
“It’s beautiful to get a winner at 10.30 in the morning.”
“Amy rode her (Madrina) a treat, and take nothing away from the second horse (Buckingham Palace); They’ll both go on and be nice horses. Buckingham Palace kept trying hard.” - Neil Paine
Madrina is the sixth foal from Armed For Action, a daughter of Exceed And Excel, who won the Listed Queen Adelaide S. and was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond S. She is the dam of the four-time winner Seductive Miss (Animal Kingdom {USA}), also a fourth-place finisher in the G3 Summoned S.
The daughter of Street Boss (USA) comes from a fantastic family, that includes the G2 Shannon S. and Group 1-placed Noire (Foxwedge), the G3 Breeders’ Plate winner Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) and the G1 Railway S. victress Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice).
Madrina bred by Glentree Pastoral and raced by Glentree Racing has a full sister by Street Boss (USA), who was passed in at that 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and a half-sister by Shamus Award. Her dam, Armed For Action, returned to Darley’s Street Boss (USA) last season. Street Boss (USA) will stand the 2024 breeding season for $66,000 (inc GST).
Well-related Headwater juvenile breaks maiden
Hedonist (Headwater) proved too good on debut at Swan Hill on Saturday. The Tom Dabernig-trained 2-year-old gelding, partnered by Jarrod Fry, defeated the well-supported Menzah One (Calyx {GB}), while over 3.3l away Over The Stars (Overshare) was third in the 975-metre contest.
The son of Vinery Stud’s Headwater is from the Anabaa (USA) mare Tango Fire. She won twice as a 2-year-old but has proven a fantastic producer. Tango Fire’s third foal, Tango’s Daughter (Redoute’s Choice) won five races, including the G2 Queen of the South S. and the Listed HC Nitschke S.
Tango’s Daughter was soon followed by Tango Rain (Manhattan Rain), who won 14 races, and was placed in the G3 San Domenico S. Tango Fire’s next two foals are by Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer, and she then was served by its G1 Blue Diamond winner Daumier.
Hedonist was sold by Twin Hills Stud to Quat Quatta Thoroughbreds for $58,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. He was reoffered by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where Dabernig Bloodstock and Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) secured him for $100,000.
Headwater is standing the upcoming season at Vinery Stud for $9900 (inc GST).
Another one for Belardo
Joanne Surgenor’s Whiskey ‘N’ Roses (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) improved on his debut second at Matamata to record his maiden victory at Ruakaka on Saturday.
The son of Haunui Farm’s former shuttler Belardo (Ire) struck to his task gamely to defeat, I’m All In (Zoustar) by 3.3l and turned the tables on Magice (NZ) (Savabeel), who defeated him on debut at Matamata.
Whiskey ‘N’ Roses bred P J and S G Walker, is raced by Ashford Lodge and Haunui Farm LP. He is from the Fully Fledged (NZ) mare Fullinbloom (NZ), a dual winner and half-sister to the Group 2 winner Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).
They are from the six-time winner Rodrigo Rose (NZ) (Rodrigo De Triano {USA}), a victress of the G3 Cuddle S. and a dual Group 1 placegetter.
