Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Coolmore-backed Private Life victorious in Caulfield Guineas

Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth paid Coolmore Australia the ultimate compliment after Private Life’s (Written Tycoon) all-the-way win in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

After Switzerland’s (Snitzel) earlier salute in the G2 Roman Consul S., the powerhouse operation was at it again in the mile feature worth $3 million, with jockey Damian Lane showing all his experience to hold off runner-up Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) and prevail by 0.15l.

“Coolmore are fantastic supporters of Chris and the whole team, whether it’s at Flemington, the Gold Coast, Macedon or in Sydney,” Duckworth said.

“They all play a vital part in making sure we can be successful for 52 weeks a year.”

A $650,000 purchase for Tom Magnier from Arrowfield Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft last year, Private Life is raced by Coolmore in partnership with Wynaus, Westerberg, Mr J Poulin, Sir Peter Vela, Lynque, Woppitt Bloodstock, Peachester Lodge, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Mr K MacLennan, Aristia Park Bloodstock and Meridian Bloodstock.

His dam Aliyana Tilde (Snitzel) returned to her home stud after winning the G3 Epona S. and narrowly missing out on victory in three Group 1 contests, including second 0.2l in the G1 ATC Oaks. Her unraced daughter Double Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) has produced the Listed winner Noah ‘N’ A Deel (Maurice {JPN}), and she is a full sister to G3 Widden S. victress Teaspoon (Snitzel) and half-sister to Smytzer’s Trish (Geiger Counter {USA}), dam of Listed winner Swish Trish (Redoute’s Choice).

Another half-sister Stella Artois (Geiger Counter {USA}) produced the G2 SAJC Breeders’ S. winner Freestyle (Snippets), grandam of the globetrotting stakes winner The Astrologist (Zoustar).

Private Life is a product of Written Tycoon’s single season standing at the elite Hunter Valley nursery Arrowfield Stud, and Aliyana Tilde has since missed to Admire Mars (Jpn) and Castelvecchio before foaling a colt by Admire Mars last month. Double Deel is expecting a full sibling to Noah ‘N’ A Deel this spring.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Private Life is the second Group 1 winner (Velocious the other) and third stakes winner (from 17 winners/31 runners) by Written Tycoon out of a daughter of Snitzel, a cross which results in the duplication of the great mare Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}).

He is the now Yulong-based Written Tycoon’s second Caulfield Guineas winner (Ole Kirk his first), his 16th Group 1 winner and his 65th stakes winner.

Despite Godolphin favourite Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) going for a third-consecutive Group 1 title, Lane - who toasted his first Caulfield Guineas victory - said he believed he could hold off the star colt.

“Every horse is beatable. You just have to go out with the mindset of riding your horse as best as you can,” he said.

“It got desperately close on the line. I was just hoping - I thought I held on, but you never want to crow it.

“It’s obviously a race with great prestige. I’ve been close a few times, so to win one is great just to repay a bit of faith in Chris Waller and Charlie Duckworth and the ownership group is a big thrill.”

Coolmore faces Everest decision after Switzerland’s dominant Roman Consul win

Coolmore now has a headache it would like to have after Switzerland’s comprehensive win from the inside in the G2 Roman Consul S. at Randwick.

Do they nominate Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) or Saturday’s 1200-metre sprint winner for their slot in the world’s richest sprint race The Everest, now with G1 status, on October 19?

Coolmore Australia’s principal, Tom Magnier, paid credit to master trainer Chris Waller, who never lost faith in his gifted sprinter after finishing last in the G2 Run To The Rose last start on September 14.

The result - with Nash Rawiller aboard - gives him a tough decision regarding The Everest, but one he is happy to deliberate over.

“Chris has had a huge opinion of this horse all the time. Obviously in the Slipper he got injured (finishing eighth),” Magnier said.

“We came here today with belief… It’s definitely given us something to think about.

“Tonight, we’ll go home, we’ll have a good think about it, and we’ll make a decision.”

Bred by Arrowfield Group/Cloros Bloodstock, Switzerland is one of his Arrowfield Stud-based Champion Sire’s 148 stakes winners.

He is the first foal of G3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf S. victress Ms Bad Behavior (Can) (Blame {USA}), and Magnier went to $1,500,000 to secure him from Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft last year, offering a quick return on the US$600,000 paid for the mare at Fasig-Tipton’s November Mixed Sale in 2019.

Ms Bad Behavior is one of three stakes winners from Cumulonimble (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}), two-time winner of the Listed Arlington Park Lincoln Heritage H., along with Listed winners One Bad Boy (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) and Blessed Truly (USA) (Souper Speedy {USA}). Fifth dam All The Crown (USA) (Chief’s Crown {USA}) was a half-sister to Personal Hope (USA), whose two seasons in Australia yielded the G2 Up And Coming S. and G2 Pago Pago S. winner Paris Dream.

Ms Bad Behavior has remained wedded to Snitzel and since produced two full brothers to Switzerland, one of which was acquired by TFI for $550,000 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She awaits the arrival of another full sibling this spring.

Master trainer Waller never gave up on Switzerland’s potential after the Run To The Rose disappointment.

“In our eyes he never went anywhere. He just lost his confidence. He got very worked up prior to the race, which is not him,” he said. “He’s actually a very quiet horse. We just had him back fresh, and with these colts every race is so important.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

“I think we just overdid the freshness and we rode him too close. It wasn’t one of my proudest moments. So getting him back on track - it was a soft trial and he’s enjoyed himself, he’s enjoyed life and he showed it today.

“He’s back on track.”

Bellatrix Star eyes G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes

Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) stormed down the middle of the track to take out the G2 Schillaci S. by 0.5l for Mark Walker with jockey Craig Williams bringing up a brilliant hat-trick at Caulfield.

Purchased for NZ$80,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Phoenix Park of behalf of her Victorian breeder Rob Dunnett, Bellatrix Star had her first five starts over the Tasman, where she was victorious in the G2 Eclipse S.

One of her Widden Victoria-based sire’s 25 stakes winners, she is a granddaughter of G1 New Zealand S. victress The Party Stand (NZ) (Thorn Park), dam of the stakes placed Petition (Foxwedge) and Just Party (Justify {USA}), second in the Listed Tapp-Craig earlier on Saturday. Her half-sister Raadisi (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) is the dam of four-time Group 1 winner Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante).

Her lightly raced dam Alana’s Party (Exceed And Excel) missed to Dundeel (NZ) last spring, foaling a Nicconi colt last October. Her 2-year-old Royal Rendezvous (Royal Meeting {Ire}) was purchased by Te Akau for $280,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Stable representative Ben Gleeson is now “daring to dream” that his 3-year-old filly can give the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington a shake on November 2.

She also showed she is not just a wet-track specialist.

“Dare to dream - Coolmore. She deserves a crack at it now,” Gleeson said. “Credit to Mark and John Galvin. They thought she’d measure up and brought her over here.

“It was a big jump to make and coming off the back of an injury there’s a question mark how they come back. But once she got through that first month of settling in, she just thrived, got a win on the board (Cap D’Antibes S. at Flemington on September 14) and confidence was up.

“Clearly now she doesn’t need a wet track. She can do it on any ground.”

El Castello dominates Gloaming Stakes, now a Spring Champion contender

El Castello (Castelvecchio) rattled home in the last 100 metres to comprehensively win the G3 Gloaming S. by 1.82l, becoming his Arrowfield Stud-based dual Group 1-winning sire’s first stakes winner.

It was El Castello’s third win in a row, well ridden by Josh Parr for Anthony Cummings, and he has firmed in the betting for the G1 Spring Champion S. over 2000 metres at Randwick on October 23.

“All of these runs have been like a training gallop towards the Spring Champion,” Cummings said.

“He'll be better over 2000 metres and even better again in Melbourne.”

“Today, I think, is probably the first time he's really shown himself properly, professionally, and this day has been coming,” he said.

Following his Gloaming S. win, El Castello is at $4.50 across markets for the Spring Champion S.

Cummings paid $220,000 for El Castello at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year, where he was offered by his breeder Cambridge Stud. His dam Word Games (Fastnet Rock) was a winner at 1550 metres and is a half-sister to two-time Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand). Her grandam Cross Words (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) is a full sister to G1 Sydney Cup victor Cross Swords (NZ), out of Listed winner Quibble (NZ) (Ruling {USA}), half-sister to three stakes winners, chief among them being the triple Group 1 winner Solveig (NZ) (Imposing).

Word Games has produced Almanzor (Fr) fillies at her last two years at stud, the latest of those making her way into the world in early September.

Raziah secures back-to-back stakes wins

Raziah (NZ) (Niagara {NZ}) produced a brilliant turn of foot to make it back-to-back victories at stakes level when she took out the G3 Barneswood Farm S. at Ashburton.

Fresh off a victory in a slogging finish to the Listed Canterbury Belle S. at Riccarton last month, the Tony Pike-trained filly looked to be struggling when back on the fence and 6l off the leaders rounding the turn for home.

But jockey Sam Wynne kept the progeny of Niagara (NZ) well balanced, before storming along the inside of Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard) and When Stars Align (Zoustar) to win by 1l.

Retained to race by breeders The Oaks Stud, Raziah is the third named foal from juvenile winner Justa Secret (NZ) (Sakhee’s Secret {GB}), and her second stakes winner along with half-sister Drakaina (NZ) (Ace High), winner of the Listed Otago Breeders’ S. Justa Secret is a daughter of G1 Levin Classic victress Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper), notably half-sister to Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}), NZ Horse of the Year 2006-2008 for her seven top-flight wins and also the grandam of Coolmore Stud’s The Everest prospect Storm Boy. Keepa Cruisin produced Listed winner Espresso Martini (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and is the grandam of Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}), who was victorious at Moonee Valley in the G2 Alister Clark S. earlier this year.

The Oaks Stud General Manager, Rick Williams, said he was quietly confident after watching Raziah parade before the race.

“She looked absolutely fantastic, and I thought had improved by three or four lengths off her Riccarton win,” he said.

“She was really tough that day and she has the same sort of grit and toughness that Seachange had, which will stand her in good stead as she gets up in distance.

“I was quietly confident although when she copped the bump just into the home straight it knocked me a bit, however she had her momentum up and she charged home like a good filly.”

Anode bounces back with narrow Listed Tapp-Craig victory

Anode (I Am Invincible) bounced back to form in thrilling fashion, hanging on to win the Listed Tapp-Craig by 0.12l in a brilliant front-running ride by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

The colt held off a fast-finishing Just Party (Justify {USA}) by a bob of the head at the post after a last-start finish of eighth in the G1 Golden Rose on September 28.

It was the 3-year-old’s first victory at black type level.

Bringing his sire’s total up to 104 stakes winners, Anode passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by breeders Evergreen Stud, who now race him in their colours.

He was the second stakes winner for dam Mysterious Light (Fantastic Light {USA}), after Listed Singapore Derby winner Han Xin - Ozzie Star (Sepoy). Grandam Cirque De Soleil (Danehill {USA}) was a full sister to Fastnet Rock, and left two Group 2-placed stakes performers behind among five winners, Emotional Circus (Elusive Quality {USA}) and Twirl (Lonhro).

Through her unraced granddaughter Dream Cirque (Dream Ahead {USA}), she features on the pedigree of Darling View Thoroughbreds’ young stallion Lightsaber.

Anode was a first-up second to Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) in the G2 Run to the Rose, before finishing unplaced on a soft track in the G1 Golden Rose.

But on a Good 4 track on Saturday, and given a courageous ride by Tim Clark, Anode led for home and was too good in saluting by a head over Justify (USA) colt, Just Party.

“I was always confident he would be able to find plenty under pressure,” Bott said.

“He got a little bit lost when he quickened so nicely and was out there in front by himself, but I knew he would find, and he did.

“We always thought he could get further so we’ll look to take him to the mile and go to the Callander-Presnell in a couple of weeks.”

Snitzel filly impressive in Murray Bridge juvenile contest

It was a two-horse race in the end of the juvenile event at Murray Bridge, where the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hiatus (Snitzel) skipped away to a 0.7l victory over Meisho (Tagaloa), with 7l stretching back to the rest of the field. The classy 2-year-old filly ran home in 32.88s for her last 600 metres of the 900-metre contest, more than justifying being second favourite in the betting.

Her trainers teamed up with Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) to pay $350,000 for the daughter of the four-time Champion Sire of 2-year-olds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this year, where she was offered by Arrowfield Stud on behalf of breeder Pacific King Pty Ltd.

Dam Albanilla (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was imported unraced in early 2016, and Hiatus marks her third winner as well as her final foal before passing away last year. She descends from blue hen Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), who counts triple Group 1-winning Albanova (GB) (Alzao {USA}) and 2022 G1 Prix de l’arc de Triomphe victress Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) among her descendants. Alpinista won six Group 1 races among nine stakes victories, and delivered her first foal, a filly by Dubawi (Ire), earlier this year.

Capitalist’s 66th juvenile winner denies stablemate at Ascot

Capitola (Capitalist) turned the tables on his Luke Fernie-trained stablemate Kings Court (Time To Reign) when they met again at Ascot for the (Drummonds Golf) 2YO Initial Plate. Having run second when they trialled together, Capitola comprehensively put the $2.90 race favourite away with a 1.02l victory in the 1000-metre juvenile contest. He is Capitalist’s sixty sixth individual 2-year-old winner, and his first for this racing season.

Fernie paid $110,000 for the son of Newgate Farm’s flagship stallion in conjunction with his father Peter at this year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, where he was offered by breeders Amelia Park Racing & Breeding. Dam Rio Del Mar (Magnus) won the G3 WATC Gimcrack S. at her second start and descends from the family of G1 Emirates S. winner Titanic Jack (Encosta De Lago) and G1 Toorak H. victor Sober Suit (Noalcoholic {Fr}). She visited Western Australia’s premiere sire Playing God last spring and foaled a colt by him in September. Capitalist stands for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm this year and is anticipating another triple digit crop to be born this spring.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything and Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Brave Antino and Shinn deliver seventh G1 for Gollan

Fortune favours the brave, and fortune favoured Blake Shinn, who blitzed the field aboard Antino (NZ) (Redwood (GB)) to win the G1 Toorak H. by 6.5l at Caulfield.

Shinn’s ride was a masterclass, racing to lengths in front at the 200-metre mark and bursting through the final furlong to further widen the gap at the finishing post.

It was a deserved maiden Group 1 triumph for the 6-year-old gelding, who was a game third last start in the G2 Feehan S. at The Valley on September 2.

“I am really delighted to get the win on Antino today. He’s been knocking on the door to get that Group 1, and we were hoping today would be the day,” Shinn said.

“We just trusted the horse. He stepped a bit slow, but I just rode him conservatively and brought him into the race when I thought the speed was slackening a bit.

“And God, he was strong to the line.”

It was Queensland trainer Tony Gollan’s seventh Group 1 win, his third in Victoria and his first at Caulfield.

“It means a lot. It was a race of mixed emotions,” he said.

“We were back last earlier, and I thought we were in a lot of trouble, but what a masterful ride by Blake.

“He took off at exactly the right time.

“The first thing we said the other night at Moonee Valley when he raced against Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai); he can sustain and build pressure in a race.

“No matter where we landed today, we just wanted to travel and use that long sustained run, and that was what he did.”

Bred by Blossom Trading and Breeding Company Ltd, Antino was offered at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale by Cheltenham Stables, where New Balance Racing purchased the gelding for NZ$27,000 and imported him to Australia.

He won his first start for Adam Campton, before transferring to the stables of Tony Gollan, where he won seven of his next eight starts.

His dam Mahamaya (NZ) (Bahhare {USA}) was unraced but is a daughter of Listed-winning Shock Attack (NZ) (Inviting {Ire}), making her a full sister to G1 Captain Cook S. victor Hurrah (NZ) and Listed Sha Tin Trophy winner Carlisle Bay - Best Gift (NZ).

Shock Attack counts Baloctane (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}), dam of the speedy Regal Shot who started his career at Monomeith Stud, and Whinny (NZ) (Sumayr {Ire}), dam of Macau stakes performer Best Season (Bahhare {USA}), as her half-sisters. Since Antino, Mahamaya has produced a yearling filly by Westbury Stud’s Tarzino (NZ) and missed to Satono Aladdin (JPN) last spring.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Antino is the third Group 1 winner for his Westbury Stud-based sire, a Group 1-winning son of High Chaparral (Ire).

Bigger things are now in store for Antino.

“He can sustain a good gallop for a long period of time, and what a dominant display,” Gollan said.

“I might go to the G1 Rupert Clarke S. and then Hong Kong, but we’ll just play it by ear.

“The horse is at the peak of his powers now... it’s just about holding him in that condition.”

Deny Knowledge denies all in a mighty G1 victory for Yulong

Mark Zahra led by as much as five lengths at the 800-metre mark, before holding on to win by 0.75l aboard Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) in the G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield.

It was the star hoop’s third triumph in this event, and he said it was always the idea to open up a big early lead on the 7-year-old mare.

“That was the plan. She actually jumped well today, and I was able to get there,” he told racing.com.

“She wasn’t overdoing it. She was just happy, and I just wanted her to slowly pick up around the 800-1000 (metres).

“I wanted her flat out coming around the bend. When she straightened up, I gave her one and she responded.

“All credit to her it was a good win.”

Originally a €26,000 (AU$42,100) purchase for Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock at the Goffs Ireland Sportsman’s Yearling Sale, Deny Knowledge won two races in England before being imported to Australia in 2021 and picking up two stakes victories for Michael Kent, on her way to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale earlier this year.

Offered by Newgate Consignment, she was sold to the bid of Yulong Investments for $500,000, and was transferred to Anthony and Sam Freedman, collecting the Listed Grafton Cup at her second start for her new owners.

Deny Knowledge’s dam is a half-sister to G1 Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), and a granddaughter of Almaaseh (Ire) (Dancing Brave {USA}), dam of Hong Kong Horse Of The Year & Champion Middle Distance Horse Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) and Champion 3YO Sprinter in Ireland in 1996 and sire Almaty (Ire). The family also features Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), a stakes race winner in the UK, Ireland, and Hong Kong, and runner-up in the G1 Melbourne Cup three times in five attempts at the race.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Sam Freedman said he did not have to do much with the 7-year-old after acquiring her from the Michael Kent stable.

“She arrived to us in great order from Mick Kent. She’s a well-performed mare,” he said. “She obviously is a G2 Matriarch winner… so we had a very good product to work with.

“We just tinkered with a few things in her training, just to get her to switch off and relax.

“That’s been the key; we know she’s got an engine. She’s shown that in the past but getting her to relax and be able to time her run a little better (has been key).

“Mark executed that perfectly.”

Sam Freedman is now looking at next Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup for his mare.

“She’s a high-energy mare. She’s pretty sound, she handles her racing really well, and we’ll monitor her closely over the week and see how she comes through it,” he said.

“But all being well, she’ll certainly line up here. We just haven’t got a jockey completely locked away.”

Bred by Mylestown Farms, Deny Knowledge is the fifth Group 1 winner for her Coolmore Stud-based dual Group 1-winning sire.

“One of the biggest thrills ever” for winning Livamol Classic co-owner

Co-owner Jo Lindsay described winning Saturday’s G1 Livamol Classic (2040 metres) at Te Rapa as “one of the biggest thrills ever” after Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) saluted by 3.5l.

It was her weight-for-age debut and maiden appearance at Group 1 level, and the 5-year-old mare had to jump from gate 15 against a high-class field.

But Snazzytavi rose to the occasion in incredible style, announcing her arrival among the elite category of New Zealand’s racehorses.

“That’s one of the biggest thrills ever,” Jo Lindsay said.

“Her finish really was something spectacular.”

Offered by Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale on behalf of breeders Suncroft Bloodstock, Snazzytavi was withdrawn, and is now raced by Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

Her dam, the Listed winner Ritzy Lady (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) has also produced the stakes-placed Le Societe (Anabaa {USA}), dam of Listed Geelong Classic winner Grand Pierro (Pierro).

Ritzy Lady’s dam Ever Clever (NZ) (Centaine {NZ}) is well related, a half-sister to stakes winners Hancock Park (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}), Clever Zoe (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}), and Playful Fingers (NZ) Defensive Play {USA}).

Served last spring by Divine Prophet, Ritzy Lady had the previous season off; her most recent foal being a colt by Ace High.

Snazzytavi is the eighth Group 1 Tavistock (NZ) winner out of a Zabeel (NZ) mare, a cross which has produced 26 stakes winners amongst 219 stakes winners from 297 runners.

Snazzytavi exploded down the outside of the track, hitting the front 150 metres from home, before going on to comfortably salute.

“That was pretty special,” winning rider Warren Kennedy said.

“She had to step up to weight-for-age level today, and didn’t she do that? She quickened really smartly.”

Attrition victorious in engaging Hill S. straight battle

Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) registered his first victory since he saluted in the G1 Toorak Handicap on October 14 last year, and he had to work for it - holding off Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) by a neck to prevail in the G2 Hill S.

Winning jockey Beau Mertens summed up his 5-year-old stallion’s intentions perfectly, according to trainer Mitchell Freedman.

“I think he (Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) was just a bit sick of chasing,” he said.

“He’s a 5-year-old stallion now and I think he was just a bit sick of chasing and those faster tempos, he was just sick of it all. We just wanted to flow forward today.”

Bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust, Attrition was offered by Mill Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where Mitch Freedman bought him for $180,000. One of his Coolmore Stud-based sire’s 28 stakes winners and three Group 1 winners, he is the second stakes winner for Queen’s Kiss (French Deputy {USA}), born seven years after her Listed CS Hayes Memorial Cup winner Royal Rumble (New Approach {Ire}). His granddam Queensgate (Danehill {USA}) is a half-sister to With Love (Favourite Trick {USA}), dam of stakes winner and producer Hoss Amor (General Nediym).

The Trust have returned Queen’s Kiss to Churchill (Ire) three times since Attrition, for two misses and a 2-year-old colt named Wealthy Winston, bought on the Gold Coast this year by Macdonald Gluyas Racing for $150,000. She also has a yearling filly by Earthlight (Ire); a $150,000 purchase for Macdonald Gluyas Racing at the Magic Millions.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

It was only the second ride at Rosehill for Mertens.

“Me and Harry Coffey went and walked the entire track to get a good guide on it. We had a few talks about it and how it is a bit of a tricky track to ride,” he said.

“He just jumped so well from the gates, I was able to take him across.

“He did no work, and I'm not going to lie, it turns a bit this track so I was getting a bit lost. But once he tracked up from the 600 metres on the bridle, I just knew he was going to be hard to catch."

Herman Hesse on path to scale more heights after Herbert Power S. win

Triumphant Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher believes Herman Hesse (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is set for a big spring after his 1.25l win in the G2 Herbert Power S, with Declan Bates aboard.

It was Bates who gave his 8-year-old gelding a great ride from barrier one, cutting the corners brilliantly.

“He’s a lovely horse. He has his quirks, but he’s hitting some good form now,” the winning hoop said.

“I was really confident from the good gate he’d be right in the mix here, and as it happened, he won really well.”

Bred by Lady Bamford of Daylesford Stud, Herman Hesse is one of three stakes winners by Frankel (GB) out of G2 Prix de la Nonette victress Dream Peace (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), who was multiple times Group 1-placed in both France and North America.

His two full siblings are G1 Epsom Oaks winner Soul Sister (GB) and the G3 Saint-Cloud Prix Thomas Byron victor Dreamflight (GB), who made his way to Australia after Bjorn Baker, Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA), and Avenue Bloodstock paid €275,000 (AU$445,500) for him at the 2022 Arqana Arc de Triomphe Sale.

Originally purchased by trainer David O’Meara for €24,000 (AU$38,900) at the 2020 Arqana Deauville Vente d’Eté Sale, Herman Hesse travelled down under after the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale, where Australian Bloodstock and Ronald Rauscher paid 75,000gns (AU$152,300) for him. His grandam Truly A Dream (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) also won Group races at Woodbine and Saint-Cloud, and features on the pedigree page of this year’s Listed Santa Barbara S. victress Musical Rhapsody (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).

Herman Hesse is one of his Juddmonte-based sire’s 150 stakes winners, 18 of whom have been successful on Australian soil.

Maher said the switch to a beach and sand environment had worked wonders for Herman Hesse, who can take a lot of work to get into good condition.

“There's been plenty of times where some owners have been like, ‘Oh, Herman this and Herman that’,” he said.

“But, you know, I'm glad he's put a couple together. He's probably in career best form. He looks fantastic and they (the owners) are going to have a great rest of the spring carnival as well.

“Australian Bloodstock, we've scaled the heights - hopefully Herman's on the way to scaling some more heights; they're a great team to work with.”

Olentia smells future G1 success after The Nivision salute

Olentia (Zoustar) showed a devastating turn of foot in the G3 The Nivision, adding a third Group win to her tally. The winner of seven of her 15 starts, the Chris Waller trained 5-year-old mare was first up having finished midfield in a Warwick Farm trial last month.

She was kept safe on the outside of the field in the home turn, but needed little urging from Tommy Berry to come sweeping down the straight for a 1.15l victory over Danny’s St Darci (All Too Hard). She previously won the G3 James Carr S. and added the G2 Emancipation S. last preparation, before a midfield effort in Zougotcha’s (Zoustar) G1 Queen Of The Turf S.

“She's a special horse,” Waller said. “She's had an injury, had time off and come back really well. She deserves to win a Group 1 race. I'm not sure when that will be or where it will be. The Invitation is in two week’s time, she'll probably get one (invitation) on the back of (today); it's a big race.”

He was bullish about her prospects after Saturday’s performance, noting that “she won with a bit of arrogance, and that's what a Group 1 horse should be winning like.”

“There's not one person in that stable that hasn't not come to me and said, 'This mare is flying',” Tommy Berry said. “I can't repeat Chris's instructions before the race, but pretty much it was just 'win!’

“So even though she was underdone, as in she's had a long time off, she's got such a great fresh record and she just feels a bigger and better version than she was last prep.”

“I just wanted to ride her like the best horse and not go for her too early, realising that we've hopefully got an Invitation. If anyone’s out there and wants to give us one, because she's the perfect horse for it!”

Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) paid $310,000 for Olentia at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Tyreel Stud on behalf of breeder Bob Hannon.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

One of three stakes winner from Mabkhara (Anabaa {USA}), a descendant of Easy Date (Grand Chaudiere {CAN}), she is a half-sister to Wandabaa (Wandjina) and Malkovich (Choisir), as well as stakes-placed Seewhatshebrings (Sebring).

Mabkhara’s dam Bukhoor (Jeune {GB}) produced two stakes performers; the 11-time winner Out To Win (Headwater) and the seven-time winner Lucky Eighty Eight (Lucky Owners {NZ}), but more notably is a half-sister to G1 Rupert Clarke S. victress Rewaaya (Singspiel {Ire}) and to Saywaan (Zabeel (NZ), dam of G1 Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion (Street Sense {USA}).

Mabkhara passed away last year, leaving behind a yearling filly by I Am Invincible. She had missed the previous season, with her latest named foal being the Bjorn Baker-trained Shirvington (Capitalist), a Magic Millions $140,000 graduate from the draft of Attunga Stud who won a Warwick Farm trial in August. Olentia is one of the 58 stakes winners for her Widden Stud-based sire, who stands for $275,000 (inc GST) this season.

Aviatress flying into Cup Week after big Northwood Plume Stakes win

Morphettville trainer Richard Jolly believes Aviatress (Smart Missile) could be set for a big Melbourne Cup week, before setting her for next year’s G1 Robert Sangster S., after her impressive 2.75l win in the G3 Northwood Plume S.

The 4-year-old pulled away on the straight to salute comfortably, with Craig Williams aboard, notching up her first win in five starts, and fifth from 10 for her career.

“She’s been hampered by bad barriers. She hasn’t had much go right, so she’s always been at this level,” Jolly told Racing.com. “But we just had to work her way there.

“I think we could go to the well once more in Cup week. There are a couple of races we can choose from.

“I think definitely then she’d be spelling, and certainly then we’ve got some races in Adelaide, obviously our Sangster and the mares’ races.

“She’s going to really fall into them well.”

A homebred for Price Bloodstock, Aviatress is the 25th stakes winner for her Twin Hills-based sire Smart Missile.

Her dam Twin Star Rocket (Bel Esprit) was a winner at 1500 metres, and is a half-sister to the Listed PJ Bell S. victor Ever The Same (Canny Lad).

Twin Star Rocket is dam to seven named foals, five to race, all winners, including the Hong Kong-based, three-time winner Green ‘N’ White (Smart Missile).

Aviatress is a descendant of the influential broodmare Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}) via her granddaughter Dancing Show (USA) (Nijinsky II {USA}), dam of Umatilla (NZ), Hurricane Sky and the outstanding broodmare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad). Twin Star Rocket missed last spring with her previous foal by Smart Missile dying. She had slipped and missed at her two previous years at stud, making Aviatress her most recent live foal.

Grinzinger Belle Jewellers Vase salute a thing of beauty

Leading jockey Damian Lane timed his ride to perfection, guiding Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) home by 0.4l in the G3 Jewellers Vase (1600 metres) for Danny O’Brien at Caulfield.

In her familiar front-running position, the 4-year-old mare held off a fast-finishing The Autumn Sun mare Private Legacy by a neck.

O’Brien said the mile might be her ideal length.

“She's been beaten a head in two-mile races previously and just gobbled up late,” he said.

“I think that's as far as she wants, obviously, but she got the right conditions, she did a really good job there.”

Purchased by Victoria based John Wheeler for NZ$32,000 from the draft of Windsor Park Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Grinzinger Belle is the first foal of Ripsomemore (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), half-sister to G3 Chairman’s Cup winner Golden Parachute (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her grandam Maxamore (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) won the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. at her second start and is a half-sister to G2 Hawkes Bay Cup winner Maxam (NZ) (Gaius {Ire}). The family tracks back to Brown Satin (NZ) (Mellay {GB}), dam of the South African dual-G1 winner Be Noble (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}). Ripsomemore produced a filly by Turn Me Loose (NZ) last spring and is due to foal to Shamexpress’s (NZ) barnmate Vanbrugh this year.

The only stakes winner line-bred (3 X 3) to Volksraad (GB), Grizinger Belle is one of her Windsor Park Stud-based, G1 Newmarket H.-winning sire’s 13 stakes winners.

Hocquard toasts first Group win, with triumph in G3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint

Spencer (NZ) notched up a decisive victory in the G3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400 metres) at Te Rapa.

Retained to race by his breeders A D & K J Schumacher, Spencer is the third stakes winner for the Grangewilliam Stud-based G2 Arrowfield 3YO Spring S. winner Derryn and is the first foal from the unraced mare Darcistar (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

Darcistar was not served last spring, last November foaling a filly by Wyndspelle (NZ) who is also the sire of her yet to be named 2011 born filly.

Darcistar’s dam and grandam were also unraced but her grandam Mini Mandy (NZ) (Long Row {GB}) performed better in the breeding barn, producing the G1 Easter H. victress Aimee Jay (NZ) (Famous Star {GB}) and the stakes placed, 5-time winner The Twister (NZ) (Famous Star {GB}).

The Erin Hocquard-trained 5-year-old gelding won three times in a row during the winter before finishing runner-up in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400 metres) back in July, but for the conditioner this victory tops the lot.

It was her first training triumph at stakes level in a limited career that commenced in the 2016-17 racing season, after spending time working for Aidan Schumacher, who co-bred and part-owns Spencer.

“That is just so good, too good,” Hocquard said.

“It’s awesome as it is just little old me from Waverley with the first Group race I’ve been in.”

Yellow Brick maps out a road to the Five Diamonds

Yellow Brick (The Mission) earned a crack at next month's $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill with a 2.22l win in the Listed Members Cup for Tony and Maddysen Sears.

Any doubts about the 5-year-old gelding’s ability to step up to 1400 metres were dispelled by the length of his triumph, after an excellent ride by Andrew Mallyon.

Withdrawn from the Gold Coast National Weanling Sale by Aquis Farm in 2020, Yellow Brick was offered by Waylon J Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale the following year, where his trainers bought him for $20,000 in partnership with long-time collaborator Paul Moroney Bloodstock. Yellow Brick is the third stakes winner for Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), behind G3 Rough Habit Plate winner Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) and G3 Premier’s Cup victress Splendiferous (Pride Of Dubai), who delivered her first foal, a filly by Justify (USA), earlier this spring. Magical Mist is a half-sister to G1 Levin Classic winner Distill (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) and the dual Listed-winning Mr Tipsy (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}). The family traces back to Boardwalk Angel (Bletchingly), dam of G1 Railway H. winner Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express {USA}), herself the dam of Group 3 winner Activation (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). And further back to Raphis (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), a full sister to the legendary Phar Lap (NZ).

Yellow Brick is one of two stakes winners for his Aquis Farm-based sire The Mission, who stands for $4400 (inc GST) this season.

Now a member of the Yulong broodmare band, Magical Mist was served by three of their stallions (Alabama Express, Written Tycoon and Tagaloa) last spring having last year foaled a colt by Maurice (Jpn).

Her 2-year-old Open Fire (Smart Missile) was purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $400,000 at the Magic Millions and is a member of the Price and Kent Jnr stable.

“We were quietly confident coming into today,” Maddysen Sears said.

“He is a very good horse and we always say how different he is on a good track compared to a wet track and he just put them away quite easily today.”