Cover image courtesy of Perth Racing

Jojo rises to the Challenge

John Thompson’s Jojo Was A Man (Al Maher) was a surprise winner of Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge S. at Rosehill. Having not won since December 2021, the 6-year-old, with Reece Jones in the saddle, was sent out as an outsider.

Yet where it mattered, the son of Al Maher, dug deep to hold out the fellow outside More Secrets (More Than Ready {USA}), while Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}).

The Winter Challenge S. is the eighth victory and first stakes success for Jojo Was A Man, who had placed in this race in previous years, and recorded placings in the Listed Ladies Day Cup and the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

“He has been going well so it has been pretty frustrating,” Thompson admitted to Racingsnewsandsport.

“It has been too wet. He gets through it alright but all his gallops going into his last runs were on really heavy grasses and Reece (Jones) galloped him on Tuesday on a somewhat drier grass and the difference was incredible.

“Even Reece said, ‘He will be hard to beat on Saturday.’ You could see him today, he accelerated, that’s the difference.”

Jojo Was A Man was bred by Hoboken Stud Syndicate, the Tait family, A Warner and S Munro. He is the first foal from the Reset mare Jojo Girl, who won six races and was fourth in the Listed WJ McKell Cup.

Jojo Girl has a colt and filly by Shamus Award and was served by Kermadec (NZ) in the spring. Jojo Was A Man is the 39 stakes winner for Al Maher.

Weeraechoux takes out Belmont Classic

Brian Kersley’s Weeraechoux (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) was placed in the Listed Aquanita S. last start but got his own taste of stakes success in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Classic. With Chris Parnham in the saddle, Weeraechoux defeated the hot favourite Petrouchka (More Than Ready {USA}) and Manzor Magic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}).

The Listed Belmont Classic was the third win from 15 starts for the son of Jimmy Choux (NZ), who was bred by T Rodwell. He is the second foal from the unraced Pentire (GB) mare Rae’s Rae (NZ), who is also the dam of the winning Queensland Diesel (Maschino).

Weeraechoux is from the family of the G3 Port Adelaide Cup winner Voodoo Beat (NZ) and Savanna Amour (Love Conquers All), who won the G2 Angus Armanasco S. and the G3 Cockram S. among her seven victories.

Rae’s Rae has been practically married to Jimmy Choux, her last two foals are by the stallion and was served by him in the spring. Weeraechoux is the sixth stakes winner for Jimmy Choux (NZ).

Zebra back with a bang

The son of Rip Van Winkle (Ire) stepped up to 1700 metres in the VRC Member Michael Murphy Trophy after finishing fourth last start.

Trained and Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained 4-year-old gelding, ridden by Damian Lane, Le Zebra (NZ) defeated My Roca Fella (NZ) (El Roca) and Pariah Pearl (Pariah).

“We’ve got a brilliant ownership group involved with this horse,” Emma-Lee Browne told Loveracing NZ.

“They’ve had to be very, very patient and they’ve stuck it out through some ups and downs. It’s just fantastic to see the horse back doing what he should be doing.

“David rides him every day and has done a huge amount of work to try to get him to settle better and do things right. It’s been a real team effort.

“Damian (Lane) gave him a beautiful ride to get into that spot, and he won very well. We’re over the moon.

“We’ll just take him home now and look after him, and hopefully we can keep him going into the spring.”

Le Zebra was a NZ$60,000 purchase by Sparta Racing from Windsor Park Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is out of the My Halo (Arg) mare Angel Del Dinero (NZ), who was placed in the G3 Desert Gold S. She is also the dam of Le Zebra’s stablemate Bifrost (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}).

Angel Del Dinero has a colt by Turn Me Loose (NZ) and was subsequently served by Circus Maximus (Ire).

Progressive filly scores in the City

Cameron Crockett’s Lonhro’s Queen (Lonhro) came from the back of the pack to secure her third victory from seven starts in Saturday’s TAB Highway H. (Class 2) at Rosehill. The 3-year-old filly, with Jason Collett in the saddle, launched late and ran away from Consenza (Zoustar) and Super Norwest (Rich Enuff).

Bred and owned by Gooree Park Stud, Lonhro’s Queen had previously won at Mudgee and Tamworth before Saturday’s metropolitan breakthrough. She is the final foal from the Danehill (USA) mare Queen Of The Hill, who won the G3 Thoroughbred Club S., the G3 How Now S., and the Listed Talindert S.

The well-related Queen Of The Hill is a half-sister to the late Northern Meteor and Comical Smile (USA) (Comic Strip {USA}), who is the dam of Smart Missile and the Listed winners Kiss From A Rose (Encosta De Lago) and Surge Ahead (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Additionally, this is the family of the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara victress Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}).

Consecutive victories for Llanddwyn

Three-year-old filly Llanddwyn (Deep Field) posted back-to-back victories on Saturday for the Chris Waller stable. Llanddwyn came into the Rosehill contest, having won in BM72 company at Canterbury over 1250 metres on a Heavy 9.

Encountering a better surface (Soft 7) at Rosehill, the daughter of Deep Field dug deep for Tommy Berry to post a 1.9l success over Jewellery (Lonhro) and Acappella Sun (Sebring Sun). Llanddwyn’s success was also significant, as it was the first for Berry, who has been out of the saddle since June 29.

“It’s pretty blustery today (Saturday) so she got a bit of cover out of that wind and it was a confident ride from Tommy (Berry),” Waller told Racenet.

“He got her out into clear running and rounded them up. She has come a long way in her 3-year-old year, she has continued to take steps and here we are in the middle of winter, running for really good prizemoney.

“The filly has done a great job for Sir Owen Glenn and the team. I’m hopeful we can run in some black-type races when she turns four.”

Llanddwyn was a $340,000 purchase by Go Bloodstock from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is from the Listed winner Caricature (NZ) (Power {GB}), who was fourth in the G1 New Zealand Oaks, and is also the dam of this season’s 2-year-old stakes winner, Depth Of Character (Deep Field).

Caricature comes from a family that includes G2 Wakefield Challenge S. victress Pussy Willow (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who claimed the G3 Sunline Vase and the G3 South Australia Fillies Classic, and was placed in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.

She has a filly by Zoustar and was served by Russian Revolution last spring.

Daughter of Oaks winner breaks maiden

Laspirit Deeler (Dundeel {NZ}) broke her maiden at start two on Saturday at Wyong. The Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained filly was seventh on debut at Hawkesbury over 1500 metres, but improved stepping up to the 1600 metres and on a Soft 7 surface.

Ridden by Mitchell Beel, Laspirit Deeler, defeated Ta Set Neferu (American Pharoah {USA}) and Annoint (The Autumn Sun).

The filly is the second foal and winner from Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau), who thrilled when she led all the way to win the G1 VRC Oaks over 2500 metres at Flemington. She was also placed in the G1 Chipping Norton S. and the G3 Australian Oaks.

Her first foal, Pogacar (Pierro) won as a 2-year-old, and his full brother was sold to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Byron Rogers for $300,000 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Lasqueti Spirit has a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and was served by Anamoe last spring.

Cover image courtesy of Race Images

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Colmar provides Strasbourg with a stakes winner

Colmar was sensational in winning Saturday’s G3 Sires’ Produce S. at Morphettville. The son of Strasbourg, trained by Ron Daniel and Trish Stanbury, burst to the front and was uncatchable in the 1400-metre feature.

With Samuel Payne in the saddle, Colmar finished 5.8l ahead of the second-placed Snoopy Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), with a further 6.2l to the third-placed Supercilious (Written Tycoon).

The success was the first Group 3 victory for the training partnership of Daniel and Stanbury.

Daniel’s told Racing.com, “He’s a really good horse; best 2-year-old I have trained. Today (Saturday) was his eighth start, and I had heard the knockers say he had been in work for too long.”

The gelding also provided Samuel Payne with his first Group 3 victory in the saddle.

Colmar was bred by the Phelan-Tribel Partnership and is the last reported foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Rapala. The gelding was set to be offered by Stockwell Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale but was withdrawn.

Coming into Saturday’s contest, Colmar had won two races from eight starts and was caught late in the Listed Oaklands Plate S. last start, behind the promising Femminile (Dundeel {NZ}).

Colmar is the first stakes winner for Rosemont Stud’s Strasbourg, a son of I Am Invincible, who is standing for a private fee.

First Settler conquers Flemington

After making an impression on debut at Caulfield, where co-trainer Mick Price announced his intention to target the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in the spring, the smart colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) headed to Flemington to get a look down the famous straight.

With Michael Dee in the saddle, First Settler was exposed early but kept to the task to hold off the late charge from Landmark (Nicconi). Finishing third was Skipjack (Rubick), defeating Loving Gaby’s (I Am Invincible) daughter Just Like Gaby, who was on debut and showed some inexperience.

Mick Price was on course and told Racing.com, “He was always going to be exposed and there was always going to be something sitting there doing no work, and that was the second horse (Landmark), which is fine.

“I thought First Settler was okay. He’ll have a little breather now and will go out. He’ll be lined up for the nice 3-year-old races, which are probably the Poseidon, Danehill, and the Coolmore Stud S., all three or two.

“It was good to see him win again. I thought it was a tough win. He was there to be beaten, and he had horses sitting off him. I didn’t want to complicate it for Michael (Dee) before the race. Ride him like the best horse, and if he gets beat, he gets beat.

“I think the 1200 metres will be better for him. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse and has got a good set of lungs.”

First Settler is the third foal from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Graciousness, who is also the dam of the Listed Twilight Glow S. and Silver Eagle winner Vienna Princess (Snitzel). The colt is from the family of Best Of Bordeaux and the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Prince Fawaz.

Graciousness is a daughter of Lady Capel (Last Tycoon {Ire}), the dam of G1 Chipping Norton S. winner Casino Prince. Her colt by Snitzel was passed in short of his $250,000 reserve at this year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She foaled a colt by Zoustar last spring and was served by Snitzel.

First Settler was a $750,000 purchase by Yulong and Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Mayfair and J-Mac combine for Saturday success

Rosehill meeting marked the return of James McDonald to the saddle on a Saturday after missing several meetings due to illness. McDonald was aboard the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) in the opening race.

The 2-year-old colt was having his second start, following a debut placing behind the exciting Brave One (Exceedance). Showing tenacity and class, Mayfair secured a 0.44l victory over Mawjood (Tassort) and Mergeila (Justify {USA}). Catching the eye, was the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Getafix (Calyx {GB}) finishing fourth.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course and told Sky Racing, “Mayfair has plenty of quality and toughness. His class took him a long way today. He was just able to take his time getting there, but there was still a bit of pressure in the mid-stages of the race, so there was plenty of merit to him digging deep.

“I think without a doubt getting back on top of the ground will help. Mayfair is a relatively casual type of horse, and I feel he’ll just do what’s needed. So, every time he’s pressured, I’m sure there’s a bit more there and enough of a response.”

Bott added regarding Mayfair’s first run, “We thought he had come on from his debut, and it was encouraging to see. We expected him to improve with race experience and having some control today.

“There is more upside, and he should appreciate getting out a little bit more. I think we can try and mark out some nice races in the spring. Henry Field is here today to see him win on behalf of the Newgate team and the connections. We can have a discussion and see what those spring targets might be, but Mayfair certainly can measure up to that grade.”

Mayfair was a $625,000 purchase by China Horse Club, Go Bloodstock, Trilogy Racing, and Newgate, who presented him through its 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. The colt is from the Violence (USA) mare Cicatrix (USA), who won twice, including the Listed Glitter Woman S. at Gulfstream Park. She is from the family of star runners Cavorting (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) and Clairiere (USA) (Curlin {USA}).

Newgate Farm, alongside SF Bloodstock, paid US$230,000 (AU$344,100) to secure Cicatrix from the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Sale. Her first foal, Ode To Joy (Written Tycoon), won twice, and her colt by I Am Invincible was passed in at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Cicatrix foaled a filly by Extreme Choice and returned to the Newgate Farm-based stallion last spring.

Ryan holds Derby Ace

Nick Ryan looks to have a G1 VRC Derby prospect on his hands with his smart colt, Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}), who stayed best to win the Byerley H. over 1800 metres at Flemington. With Jamie Mott in the saddle, Red Aces was strong to the line, holding off his paternal sibling, Politely Dun (Dundeel {NZ}), while the Deep Field colt, Stay Silent, was 1.10l away in third.

Speaking to Racing.com after the victory, Ryan shared his assessment, “We were originally going to head to a maiden over the mile at Seymour on Monday, but Red Aces came on so much from his debut run.

“We always thought we had a Derby colt. That’s why my stepfather, JJ Gordon, purchased him as a staying type. He’s taken a little while, but the penny has really dropped. It was a big jump from 1300 to 1800 metres today (Saturday) at just his second start.

“I just loved the way he knuckled down, and his breeding probably kicked in over the last furlong. We’ve got a nice staying colt on our hands.”

Ryan added, “We galloped Red Aces on Tuesday, and with the small nominations, it was a no-brainer. Flemington is our home track, so we just walked him over the road. He was aided by a brilliant ride. He did no work, but he’s got an abundance of improvement to come.

“I haven’t even really got at him. He’s very exciting. The VRC Derby is the aim. We’ve got 15 weeks, so I’ve already been thinking about it. We’ll put him away, but not for too long, because he might be a bit of Munhamek. He’s a really good-doing, gross colt.

“He’s pretty special, and I think now, winning this ballot-exempt race, we have the pleasure of just focusing on the Derby.”

Red Aces is the last foal from the Encosta De Lago mare, Cardiac, who is closely related to the G1 VRC Oaks winner, Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and her daughter, Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who emulated her dam in the Oaks. Arapaho Miss is also the dam of the eight-time winner, De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago), whose victories included the Listed Andrew Ramsden S.

Cardiac is the dam of G3 Chairman’s S. winner, Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War {USA}), and the stakes-performed Man Of Heart (Reliable Man {GB}).

The son of Dundeel (NZ) was a $380,000 purchase by Nick Ryan Racing from the draft of Musk Creek Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Six for Dubious

Kitchwin Hill Stud’s first-season stallion Dubious sired his sixth winner, when the Tony Gollan-trained Outta Control saluted on debut at Toowoomba. The 2-year-old gelding, with Leslie Tilley in the saddle, defeated Just Cliffy (Cliff’s Edge) and Explosive Tycoon (Written Tycoon).

Outta Control did not meet his reserve of $80,000 when offered by Lucas Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale. He is from the Sequalo mare Cariad, who won the Listed Nudgee H. and the Listed Bright Shadow H.

He is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Cardiff (Snitzel), who has won four races. Cariad’s King Legacy filly was sold to Brett Dodson for $70,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has a filly by Exceed And Excel and was served by The Autumn Sun.

Sir Beats older horses

Darryl Hewitt’s 2-year-old colt, Sir Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), was dominant, beating older horses in the second race at Morphettville. With Margaret Collett riding, Sir Now finished 1.2l ahead of Zanthron (Thronum), while Emmooki Magic (Regal Shot) was 2.9l away in third.

Sir Now is the second foal from the unraced Fighting Sun mare Yamnaka, who is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed Stella Lante (Starcraft {NZ}) and Lady Alaska (Reset), the dam of the G2 Western Australian Derby victor Alaskan God (Playing God).

Yamnaka has a filly by Sir Prancealot (Ire) named Miss Prancealot. Unfortunately, her foal by Valentia was born deceased, and she missed to Star Witness in the spring.

Debut winner for Rommel

Simon Miller’s Horcrux (Rommel) made his debut, a winning one at Belmont on Saturday. Jordan Turner partnered the 2-year-old gelding to a 0.70l victory from Supido Express (Supido) and Mean Machine (Maschino).

Horcrux was a $105,000 purchase from Simon Miller Racing from the draft of Mogumber Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. He is the third foal from the winning Stratum mare Magic And Danger, who has also produced a full sister to Horcrux, named Romming Danger, a dual winner.

Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Railway H. and Listed Soliloquy S. winner Imananabaa (Anabaa {USA}). Magic And Danger had a Safeguard filly, who was sold for $30,000 to Commercial Bloodstock Services and Easthope Racing at this year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. She was served by Marine One last spring.

Impressive trial form translates to racetrack success

After winning a trial at Hawkesbury by 5.5l, the Blake Ryan-trained He’s In Like Flynn (Showtime) took that form to his debut at Wyong on Saturday. Ridden by Andrew Adkins, the 2-year-old gelding was a 4.1l victor over his paternal sibling Show County (Showtime) and Gunther (Dundeel {NZ}).

A veteran of the sale ring, He’s In Like Flynn was first offered by Barador Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, where Maluka Thoroughbreds paid $50,000. Maluka Thoroughbreds presented the son of Showtime at the following year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, selling him to T Nolen for $80,000. Nolen then presented him under his Nolen Racing banner at the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, where He’s In Like Flynn was purchased for $350,000 by Newgate Bloodstock.

He’s In Like Flynn is the third foal from the Domesday mare Damselle, who won twice from 1100 to 1300 metres. The son of Showtime hails from the family of the Champion Australian Sprinter Yell (Anabaa {USA}) and Microphone, who earned the title of Australia’s Champion 2-Year-Old after winning the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and the G2 Skyline, alongside placing in the G1 Golden Slipper S.

Astapor wins again

The Clinton Taylor-trained Astapor (Tassort) returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday at Eagle Farm, recording his third victory. Astapor had his regular partner Justin P Stanley in the saddle, and defeated Star Ambition (Star Turn) by 2.1l, while Suprise Honey (Extreme Choice) was third.

I was kicking stones all week when the barriers came out, but once the scratchings came out of the race, it wasn't too bad,” Taylor told Racenet.

“I thought (jockey) Justin (Stanley) could go to the front on him and control the race that way.

“We have a big opinion of him, hence why we went to Listed level and then dropping back in grade today, he was terrific.

“I have had the carnival in Rocky on so I haven't been able to be here in Brisbane much with him, Desleigh (Forster) has done a great job with him, as she always does.”

Astapor burst onto the scene, winning by a big margin at Rockhampton, and followed that success up with a 3l victory at Doomben. He was then fourth in the G3 B.J McLachlan S. behind Storm Boy (Justify {USA}).

He returned to racing with a fifth to Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the $1 million R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic and fourth last start to Megastar Heart (Star Turn) in the Listed Oxlade S.

Astapor was a $38,000 purchase by the Livistona Grazing Company from the draft of Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is from the three-time winner Black Mink, a daughter of Lonhro and the stakes-winning Jasminka (NZ) (Sakura Seeking {NZ}). Black Mink has colt’s by Sidestep and Cosmic Force, and was served by The Odyssey last spring.