Saturday Summary: Willaidow and She's Bulletproof earn first black-type wins

15 min read
She’s Bulletproof (Shooting to Win) provided Charlotte Littlefield with her first Group winner at Sandown, while at Rosehill Willaidow (Shamus Award) claimed his first black-type victory in the G3 Southern Cross Stakes. In New Zealand, Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) remained on target for the G1 New Zealand Derby, while Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) scored a popular local victory with a stunning win in the G3 Taranaki Cup (1800 metres) at New Plymouth.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Littlefield feeling Bulletproof after G3 Geoffrey Balmaine Stakes

Just a month after claiming her first black-type win with Regal Vow (Swear) in the Listed Lord Stakes at Caulfield, trainer Charlotte Littlefield has celebrated an overwhelming inaugural Group race victory with stable star She’s Bulletproof (Shooting To Win), who triumphed in the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200 metres) at Sandown on Saturday.

It was a deserved reward for Littlefield who had decided on a tougher training regime after She’s Bulletproof disappointed behind Romantic Choice (Toronado {Ire}) in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong on January 4.

“You can probably see my heart pumping through my chest at the moment because it is a lot to take in,” Littlefield said.

“This horse is very special to us. It is owned by a big group of special friends and family. It’s just really rewarding to get this horse to win this race today. She didn’t just win, she won very well.

“You can probably see my heart pumping through my chest at the moment because it is a lot to take in.” - Charlotte Littlefield

“We’ve just changed a few things around to get her to peak today and it has all come to fruition.

“We noticed she got away from us a little bit in the Geelong race where she ran a very gallant second and she just struggled to pick that other horse up and that’s not like her.

“It was really, really hard to get that weight off her because she is such a good doer. We had to strip her feed right back. She was on 6kg of grain a day and now she is on 4kg of grain a day. It’s not a lot to give a horse that does demand more food. A bit more ruffage in the feed, a lot more swimming and work her harder. I’m not normally known as a trainer that works them too hard but she has been worked pretty hard, we had to. Every horse is different and you have to tailor your training to each horse. I think she has taught me a lot this horse.

“I’m so proud of her and so proud of my team. I just think it’s brilliant.”

Charlotte Littlefield | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Sent out the favourite under Mark Zahra, She’s Bulletproof raced to a 2.75l length win from Fancify (NZ) (Niagara), with Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) a further 0.75l away third.

Littlefield indicated that she would take time to celebrate the victory on Saturday and let it settle in before determining the future course for She’s Bulletproof, who would continue to race on.

“She is going that well and you never tip out a mare that is in form,” Littlefield said.

“We’ll just keep her ticking along and pick up something in another four weeks, I’m not sure what that will be. Off that you’d think she’d be going pretty well again.”

She’s Bulletproof has only missed a place once in 11 starts, recording four victories and earning almost $400,000 in prizemoney.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

She’s Bulletproof is the first stakes winner from Offshore Sham (Shamardal {USA}) who has also produced G3 Canonbury Stakes-placegetter Exceltic (Excelebration {Ire}). It is also the extended family of Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner Hucklebuck (Elvstroem).

Unfortunately, Offshore Sham is yet to have a recorded foal since She’s Bulletproof, however was served by Cylinder last Spring.

Bargain buy Willaidow takes G3 Southern Cross Stakes

While the G3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200 metres) was touted as a two-horse show down between the highly promising Accredited (All Too Hard) and Disneck (Trapeze Artist), it was $7000 Magic Millions online purchase Willaidow (Shamus Award) who spoiled the party with a breakthrough stakes victory at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Marc Conners-trained gelding produced a career defining performance with a tough, on-pace victory where he was forced to dig deep to fend off all challenges late in the $250,000 event.

Willaidow stalked the leader Hard To Say (Exceed and Excel) under Tyler Schiller before quickly hitting the front at the top of the straight as a wall of horses emerged as winning chances. He looked destined to be run down late as Brudenell (Russian Revolution) and Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) loomed ominously but ultimately found again to scramble home by 0.13l.

The first-up victory continues Willaidow’s remarkable journey after Conners plucked him from an online dispersal sale sight unseen.

Marc Conners | Image courtesy of John Tapp Racing

“He was an untried three-year-old gelding who had never been broken in so nobody had had their hands on him,” Conners said.

“He was by Shamus Award so a little bit of pedigree.

“I have done it half a dozen times since and they’ve done nothing. That’s what this game is about. There are no rules.”

While Conners has not determined a precise plan for his stable star this autumn, he shared his aspiration to have the horse compete in the G1 Doncaster Mile.

“I have done it half a dozen times since and they’ve done nothing. That’s what this game is about. There are no rules.” - Marc Conners

“There is no set plan. There are plenty of options for him. We will take our time, every two or three weeks there is a race and I think he will be better when he gets to 1400m and 1500m,” Conners said.

“I’d love to get him to the Doncaster but there are other options. He loves the wet tracks and if it happens to rain in Melbourne, he might go to Melbourne.”

Given his relaxed nature at home, Conners was unsure of how the 6-year-old would perform first-up since October.

“He’s a hard horse to get a line on because he’s a terrible trackworker, he falls-in in his trials, he sweats up badly before a race, he gets around like a crab. But he gets out there race day and just finds another gear,” Conners said.

“He wants a fight. The closer they get to him, the harder he fights.”

“He (Willaidow) wants a fight. The closer they get to him, the harder he fights.” - Marc Conners

As regular jockey James McDonald could not fulfill the 54kg weight for Willaidow, Tyler Schiller assumed the ride and noted his pleasant surprise at the horse's ability to rally under pressure.

“I thought he was all-out the last 100 but he just kept finding. He’s so tough,” Schiller said.

“The lightweight, I think it helped, but he has beaten some nice horse. Some in-form horses.”

Saturday’s win took Willaidow’s record to eight wins from 17 starts, with prize money now exceeding $580,000.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

Bred by Serene Lodge, Willaidow is the sole winner from Stimulated (Casino Prince). His grand dam is the stakes-placed Provokes (Octagonal {NZ}) who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Aquiver (Danehill {USA}).

Willaidow has become the 26th stakes winner for Shamus Award, who is currently standing at Rosemount Stud at a service fee of $38,500 (including GST). This spring, he was once again visited by Stimulated.

Hinekaha on NZ Derby path after Listed Oaks Prelude

Punters were spot on when supporting Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) into odds-on favourite in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800 metres) at New Plymouth Raceway on Saturday.

Hinekaha was backed into a prohibitive odds-on favourite following a pair of placings at Ellerslie, including in Listed grade in the Armacup Stakes (1500 metres) two back.

The 3-year-old never looked in doubt over the 1800 metres, sitting in a perfect stalking position right behind the leader before working into the clear under Craig Grylls in the straight to overhaul Eye Candy (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and win by 0.5l, with a further 1.8l back to This Time Girl (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}). However, there was a slight concern from Grylls that he may run into some dead ends.

“They didn’t go real hard as I thought they would, but that might have been the lack of numbers in the field,” Grylls said.

“It had me sweating on a run for a while but I could see when we straightened up that the horse outside the leader was starting drop off so I just had to wait for that to happen. When I angled one-off, she did it pretty easily after that.

“She has a lot of class and it is very exciting to be on a filly of this quality. She has the best attitude and when we were coming back I couldn’t even get her to trot. She was just walking along and taking it all in.

“She just has that lovely, relaxed demeanour about her.”

“She (Hinekaha) just has that lovely, relaxed demeanour about her.” - Craig Grylls

Hinekaha (NZ) is now the second favourite for the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400 metres) on March 8 behind Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}). She also fills the same position in the Fixed Odds market for the G1 New Zealand Oaks (2400 metres) at Trentham behind current favourite Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn).

While the daughter of Savabeel is entered for both three-year-old blue riband staying events, trainer Andrew Forsman indicated she is on a path toward the G1 New Zealand Derby.

Interestingly, moments before Hinekaha (NZ) hit the line at New Plymouth, Willydoit (NZ) cemented his Derby favouritism with an emphatic 2.5l win, defeating the older horses, in a Rating 75 at Ellerslie over 1600 metres, setting up a mouth-watering clash between the pair.

Bred by co-owner Christoper Grace, Hinekaha is the first foal out of the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) winner Hinerangi (NZ) (Fastnet Rock). It’s also the extended family of New Zealand Oaks placegetter Lady Annaliese (NZ) (Groom Dancer {USA}).

Hinekaha becomes the 146th individual stakes winner for champion sire Savabeel, who stands at Waikato Stud at a fee of $100,000 (Plus GST).

Hinekaha (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images

El Vencedor primed for another Group 1 tilt following Fulton Family Stakes win

El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) solidified his love for Ellerslie racetrack when fighting off all challengers under a big weight to claim the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500 metres) for Marsh Racing on Saturday.

Despite carrying a challenging weight of 61kg, while nearly all his competitors carried just 53kg, El Vencedor scored his third black-type win from just four starts at Ellerslie. Previously, he had secured remarkable victories in the G1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000 metres) and the G3 Balmerino Stakes (2000 metres), while his sole defeat at the Auckland venue came on Boxing Day, where he finished a commendable third behind star mares Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) in the G1 Zabeel Classic (2000 metres).

The performance was a significant improvement for the son of Shocking, who had finished last in the G1 Mufhasa Classic (1600 metres) at Trentham just three weeks prior but now looks well set-up for the upcoming G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000 metres) at Te Rapa which will be his eighth assignment at the elite level.

“I couldn’t have asked for more as a Herbie Dyke lead-up,” Marsh said. “Now we’ll just keep him happy for seven days and head to Te Rapa.

“I was a bit nervous before the race today, but he’s a great horse who just keeps on winning. Jeez, he loves Ellerslie.

“I was a bit nervous before the race today, but he’s a great horse who just keeps on winning.” - Stephen Marsh

“It all panned out beautifully. When Rory angled him out in the straight and hadn’t even moved, you had the feeling the race was over a fair way from home. We’re thrilled.”

Bred and raced by David Price and Mark Freeman, El Vencedor is the eighth foal out of the late Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). He is a full brother to Chocante (NZ) (Shocking), who won the G2 Brisbane Cup and placed in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap. His half-brother, Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was the Champion 4-year-old in Hong Kong and won seven races, including the Hong Kong Derby and the G3 Lion Rock Trophy.

El Vencedor (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Herbert scores local victory in G3 Taranaki Cup

On Saturday, the John Wheeler-trained Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) scored a popular local victory with a stunning win in the G3 Taranaki Cup (1800 metres) at New Plymouth on Saturday.

It was a deserving victory for Herbert’s loyal owners, including ex-Taranaki Racing Incorporated Chief Executive Carey Hobbs, who has steadfastly supported the 4-year-old, despite a frustrating run of five second-place finishes before finally breaking through for his maiden win at his eleventh career start.

Herbert has since gone from strength to strength, with Saturday’s 0.8l win marking his fifth career victory and his first at Stakes level.

Rider Harry Grace had him positioned perfectly, trailing behind the leaders Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) and Solidify (NZ) (Redwood {GB}). After finding clear air on the turn, Herbert was able to hold off the late challenge from Midnight Blue (So You Think {NZ}) for a satisfying win for connections.

Carey Hobbs | Image courtesy of Taranaki Racing Club

“That takes a lot to beat as to win your hometown Cup is unbelievable,” Hobbs said.

“Wheels has had massive faith in this horse, but he hasn’t always delivered. He’s just a big kid and what a huge thrill.”

Grace was delighted with how his mount performed after behaving perfectly on his way to the start.

“The team have obviously done a great job with him as when he was going around to the gates, he was half asleep,” he said.

“He had a good win last start and that obviously brought him on for today.

“It felt like there was plenty of tempo on, which was perfect, as it didn’t give him the chance to think too much until he straightened up and he already had the job done by then.”

Herbert (NZ) winning the G3 Taranaki Cup | Image courtesy of Race Images

Bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Ltd, Herbert is the first named foal and first winner from Ze One (All American), which is a three-quarter sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).

Herbert (NZ) has now won five of his 21 starts and over $211,000 in prizemoney.

Yorkshire wins again as O’Shea eyes big payday

The lightly-raced Yorkshire (Snitzel) continued to build upon his impressive record with another metro win on Saturday, this time at Rosehill over 1500 metres.

The son of Snitzel was sent out a long odds-on favourite in the last race of the day after bolting in at Wyong in a metro meeting last start and didn’t let punters down. The 4-year-old, ridden by James McDonald, settled in fifth position as the field became strung out, driven by a strong tempo from Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon). McDonald urged Yorkshire into action early, leading to a sustained run that culminated in a late surge down the centre of the track, resulting in a convincing victory by 0.91 lengths, which was against the pattern of the day.

“We haven’t got anywhere near this horse’s ceiling,” McDonald said.

“He’s a gorgeous horse and he covers the ground really well. I thought he did a really good job because it was probably the first time he’s gone amongst horses and had to do things properly. He’s got a high cruising speed and he sustained a long gallop into the straight and stayed on well. I don’t think many horses would have done that today.”

Trainer, John O’Shea was impressed with the victory but will aim to keep Yorkshire’s rating down as he targets some high prizemoney races later this year.

“I’m just going to keep him going along steadily,” O’Shea said.

“I’d love to give me a run at a mile at Randwick and if he was successful and it looks like he’ll run the trip, then we can set some targets for him later on in the season – The Big Dance or The Villiers – they are worth a bunch of money. He’s down in the ratings, he’s down in the weights and we will just protect him until then.”

Gallery: Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

The Big Dance (1600 metres) will be held on Tuesday November 4 and is worth $3m while The Ingham (formerly Villiers) (1600 metres) is a Group 2 worth $2m and is set down for December 13.

Yorkshire has now won five of his seven career starts and has earnt almost $300,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by S F Bloodstock, Yorkshire was a $575,000 purchase from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by PR Funds and is the first winner from stakes-winning American mare Chanteline (USA) (Majesticperfection {USA}).

She's Bulletproof
Sandown
Rosehill
Willaidow
Ellerslie
Hinekaha
El Vencedor
Herber
New Plymouth
Yorkshire