Written by Kit Gow
Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
A host of Victoria's best racehorses had significant hit-outs on Wednesday morning, with Mr Brightside preparing to launch his autumn campaign in the G1 CF Orr Stakes. Several spring stars have Group 1 goals in mind, and Tycoon Star warmed up ahead of carving a path to the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Brightside bounces through Geelong trial
Eight-time Group 1 winning Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) did not disappoint in his Geelong trial on Wednesday morning, fending off Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - a last start third in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight - by 0.46l to win his heat. Lindsay Park’s star 7-year-old previously jumped out at Werribee earlier in the month, finishing third. Co-trainer Ben Hayes was pleased with his return.
“It worked out well," he told racing.com. “They rolled along a bit and he was able to peel out wide. That horse (Arabian Summer) is a very good trialer and doesn't often get beaten in trials, so it was the perfect horse for him to run down.
“He had something to chase down and he went really well. Craig (Williams) was thrilled with him.”
“He (Mr Brightside) had something to chase down and he went really well. Craig (Williams) was thrilled with him.” - Ben Hayes
Hayes confirmed that Mr Brightside is aimed to start first up in the G1 CF Orr Stakes, and will most likely tackle the G1 Futurity Stakes and G1 All-Star Mile next.
A $22,000 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale graduate for Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ), Mr Brightside is one of five winners from five runners for unraced Tavistock (NZ) mare Lilahjay (NZ), from the family of G1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}). She delivered a colt by Satono Aladdin (Jpn) in the spring.
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Prelude to kick off for Tycoon Star’s Diamond dreams
G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon) led home a juvenile trial at Geelong on Wednesday morning, beating home Odessa (Zoustar) by 0.46l. The Lindsay Park-trained colt had a jump-out at Werribee a fortnight ago where he finished second.
“He’s freshened up beautifully and, off today, he looks like he’s come back really well,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racing.com. “He was a little naughty in the gates and missed the start, we had Mark Zahra on board, who just rode him nice and quiet. I just love the way he joined in, hit the line and pricked his ears.”
Hayes confirmed that the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (colts & geldings) is his intended start for the preparation.
Bred by the Iskander Racing Syndicate, Tycoon Star was a $400,000 purchase for Lindsay Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with vendor Yulong staying in the ownership. He is the first foal from G3 Begonia Belle Stakes-placed Miss Iano (Equiano {Fr}), whose yearling colt by Home Affairs was purchased for $475,000 by Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing at the Gold Coast earlier this month, where he was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds. She has a colt by Written Tycoon at foot and was covered again by the Champion Sire in November.
Tycoon Star as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Group 1 goals for Discreet filly
G2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot {GB}) returned to the trials at Geelong on Wednesday, finishing second to last start $1 million The Supernova winner Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) in a red hot heat. Trainer Dan O'Sullivan spoke to racing.com on Tuesday, and confirmed that the filly’s autumn goal is the G1 Australasian Oaks, a race won by her dam. She is likely to kick off her autumn campaign in the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington in mid-February.
Bred by David Peacock from his prolific Discreet family, Too Darn Discreet was retained to race by her breeder. A full brother to Too Darn Discreet sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month for $550,000 to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, and Bk Racing, when offered by Mill Park Stud.
Queensland Derby victor readies for autumn carnival
G1 Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) returned to the trials on Wednesday morning in the opener at Geelong, and finished a comfortable third in the 1200-metre heat. It was the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained 4-year-old's first public outing since finishing eighth in the G1 Caulfield Cup in October.
Connections at OTI Racing have indicated that he will kick off in the G3 Carlyon Cup on February 8, and will build towards the G1 Tancred Stakes on March 29, before the G1 Sydney Cup.
A $75,000 Karaka purchase for Prima Park and Bevan Bloodstock, Warmonger is a half-brother to Blue Solitaire (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who was third-placed in the G1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas.
Isthmus en route to Newmarket
Last start G3 Begonia Belle Stakes winner Isthmus (I Am Invincible) fought to the line in a Balnarring jump-out on Wednesday morning. The 4-year-old mare, who has won five of her 11 starts for Anthony and Sam Freedman, has the G1 Newmarket Handicap on her agenda for the autumn.
Bred and retained by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock, Isthmus is the first foal of three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock). Shoals has a yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn), who is catalogued as Lot 156 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale this year, and a full sister to Isthmus at foot. She was covered by Zoustar in November.
Daughter of Xilong nears debut
Excenia (Exceed And Excel), the first foal of G2 Euclase Stakes winner Xilong (Deep Field), won her trial at Geelong on Wednesday morning by 0.25l over stablemate Flirt (Blue Point {Ire}). Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the 2-year-old filly has had three previous jump-outs as she prepares for an autumnal debut. She is nominated for both the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
Excenia was a $250,000 purchase for Cambridge Stud, McEvoy Mitchell Racing, and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) from Newgate Farm's draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. At the Gold Coast earlier this month, Neasham and Archibald Racing, Kia Ora Stud, and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $500,000 to secure her half-brother by Stay Inside. Xilong, a daughter of G3 Silver Shadow Stakes winner Pane In The Glass (Testa Rossa), delivered a colt by Stay Of Rest (Ire) in the spring and was served by Ozzmosis.
