Juvenile Summary: Sunrays was arrogant and dominant in the Bill Carter Stakes

Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography

Powerful finish propels Sunray to stakes success

There were a few nervous moments for punters who backed Sunrays (Hellbent) into odds-on favouritism in Saturday’s Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben as she settled well back in the field. But any concern quickly turned to confidence as the Kelly Schweida-trained filly surged from what initially looked an impossible position to score an arrogant and dominant win under Tommy Berry.

Sunrays was always travelling strongly despite giving away a significant head start and Berry timed his run and rode a patient race, peeling wide on the turn and unleashing a powerful finish to win by just under two lengths.

The tempo up front was solid, which suited the winner as she was able to show her class. Chatterley (Snitzel) boxed on gamely for second, while Don’tdoubthelady (Dubious) ran a credible third. Ha’penny Hatch (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) was brave finishing fourth after covering extra ground throughout.

The win took Sunrays’ record to four wins from five starts and pushed her earnings past $270,000.

“It was arrogant, really, at the finish,” said trainer Kelly Schweida. “She got back a bit further than we might have wanted, but she looked like she was smoking.

“They were hooking along early, so you knew she was going to be strong late. He (Tommy Berry) looked like he had them covered on the corner.”

Reflecting on her previous run, a second in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast, Schweida noted that the wet conditions played a part.

“I think at those sorts of tracks, it’s more the kick-up that doesn’t suit these types of horses. She was strong late when there was no kick-up. She was very nice today and she does like Doomben.”

As for what’s next, options are open.

“We thought about the Sires’, but it’s too close. There’s a 1500 metre Show A Heart race in a fortnight, or we could pay a late fee for the JJ Atkins. I’ll talk to Pete (Peter Moran the owner). He didn’t want to do a lot with her this prep. She’s done a good job.”

Jockey Tommy Berry was full of praise for Sunrays post-race and said he was confident heading in, despite some unknowns.

“I said to Kelly and the owners before the race that I didn’t know where I was going to be, these lightly raced 2-year-olds stepping up in trip can be unpredictable. I thought I’d be fourth at worst, but the speed was on after two furlongs, and she’s very versatile.

“She’s got a great turn of foot and she was a different horse on this ground today. Last start, I think she was a bit nervous, first time away from home being at the Gold Coast. She’s done all her racing here and at Eagle Farm.

“She’s bombproof and adaptable, and she really put them to the sword. She still had a bit of a stargaze when she got to the front, so there’s more improvement to come.”

Sunrays became the seventh stakes winner for Hellbent, who stands this season at Yarraman Park Stud for $38,500 (inc GST). The son of I Am Invincible continues to make his mark, siring top-class fillies such as Group 1 winners Benedetta and Magic Time.

Sunrays is the first live foal from her dam Hiccups (Fastnet Rock), an unraced mare with an impressive extended pedigree. Her third dam is the outstanding racemare Staging (Success Express {USA}), a 10-time winner including eight stakes victories. Staging went on to be a top broodmare, producing Group 1 performed race horses and stallions Duporth, Excites, and Tickets.

Since foaling Sunrays, Hiccups has produced a weanling colt by Written By and was served last year by King’s Legacy.

Notably, Sunrays was withdrawn from Book 2 of the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, an omission that’s looking more significant with every run.

Agarwood too sharp for her opposition at Randwick

The very promising Wootton Bassett (GB) filly Agarwood maintained her unbeaten record and made it two from two with a commanding all-the-way victory against the colts over 1200 metres on a Heavy 9 surface.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the talented juvenile was confidently handled by Adam Hyeronimus and never gave favourite punters a moment’s concern. Jumping quickly to the lead, she travelled sweetly before kicking clear at the top of the straight, powering to an impressive victory.

Her victory continued a strong run for Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett, who sired three of the first four home. Wootton Bassett returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a service fee of $385,000 (inc. GST) and is expected to be in high demand.

Agarwood was strong to the line, defeating the Godolphin-owned Lonhro colt Matima, who ran a brave second after racing on the pace. The Chris Waller-trained Wootton Bassett colts Providence and Regulated Affair rounded out the placings running third and fourth with strong closing efforts.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott and jockey Tim Clark had noted Agarwood’s immaturity ahead of her debut win at Warwick Farm on 7 May, where she appeared fired up and unsettled pre-race. However, she showed none of that behaviour this time around.

“She was very professional,” Hyeronimus said. “She was a bit anxious the other day when Tim rode her, behind the gates and a few little things, but she’s really improved mentally. She controlled the race and was much too good today.”

Stable representative Neil Paine was understandably pleased with her performance.

“It was a very easy watch, Adam controlled it in front. The track’s beautiful and it’s great to get a winner at 11 o’clock on a Saturday morning, get that monkey off the back early,” he said.

“We’ve got one on the board early. What a terrific win by this filly, only her second run, we know she handles the wet now, so that’s a box ticked, and she was drawing away on the line. Terrific win and terrific ride.”

When asked whether the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm could be a target, Paine said a decision had yet to be made and he hadn't spoke to the bosses (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott) about it.

“It would be an ideal race for her, but we’ll see how she pulls up. It’s always a worry running on these heavy tracks and then backing up. Gai and Adrian will decide from there.”

Agarwood was a $420,000 purchase by Waterhouse, Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to Lilac (Justify {USA}), a dual stakes winner including the G3 James HB Carr Stakes.

She is the third winner from as many foals to race out of Paulownia (Fastnet Rock), a Group 2 placegetter in New Zealand and a full sister to Group 1 winner and sire Foxwedge, as well as Listed winner She’s A Fox (Fastnet Rock).

Coolmore sold a Home Affairs colt out of Paulownia at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $180,000 to Archibald & Neasham Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock, a purchase highlighted by The Thoroughbred Report as a “Value Buy”.

Paulownia is currently in foal to Justify (USA) after travelling to the United States last year. The foal will be a full sibling to the talented Lilac.

Miss Ole stylish at Sandown

Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk continues to make waves with his first crop, notching his 12th winner of the season as Miss Ole stormed home stylishly to score at Sandown on Saturday.

The Clinton McDonald-trained filly showed promise on debut when finishing fifth behind Mrs Iglesia (Dirty Work) in the $125,000 VOBIS Gold Strike at Warrnambool. After closing well from last that day, and following a tick-over jump out at Cranbourne on 12 May, she was primed for a forward showing and she delivered emphatically.

The noted speedster Saluted (I Am Immortal) who had already won two races jumped fast and held the rail early, while Frostnip (Frosted) surged across from a wide gate to take up the running at a strong tempo. When Frostnip rolled off tand Saluted pushed through underneath on the rail in the straight, the race looked over. But out wide, Miss Ole was hitting top gear and swept past them late to win stylishly by three-quarters of a length.

“She’s learning all the time,” said McDonald. “From the run at Warrnambool to today, what she’s shown us at home is that she’s really come on big time.

“We were very confident coming here today. We just thought she had to get it right, and she did. She was still a little bit fierce early, but we knew she’d be very strong late.”

McDonald indicated that a spring campaign is likely, although one more winter run remains on the table.

“She might have one more start on 7 June. I think she’s a stakes horse for sure.

“What she shows us at home, she keeps improving. Obviously, the stallion is a gun, Ole Kirk. This filly is another of his progeny that’s shown real ability.”

Miss Ole was a $360,000 purchase by McDonald Racing and Shane McGrath from the Gilgai Farm draft at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

She is out of Tune Doubt (Not A Single Doubt), an unraced three-quarter sister to Group 3 winner Jukebox. Her granddam Jestatune (Rory’s Jester) was a Listed winner in Perth and is a half-sister to 12-time winner Ihtsahymn (Ihtiram {Ire}), his wins included the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic.

Since foaling Miss Ole, Tune Doubt has produced a colt by Dundeel (NZ), who sold for $600,000 to Yulong Investments at the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She also has a weanling by Written By and missed to Ole Kirk last season. On today’s performance, a return visit to the in-form stallion looks highly likely.

Ole Kirk is currently Australia’s leading first season sire by winners, stakes winners and earnings. His service fee has been lifted to $99,000 (inc. GST) for the 2025 season.

Too Darn Stormy impresses on debut for Morton and Pike

The very well-bred Too Darn Stormy (Too Darn Hot {GB}) made a strong impression on debut at Belmont, producing a powerful late run under a tactically astute ride from William Pike. Jumping from a wide gate, Pike initially looked at risk of being caught deep, but he was able to slot the colt in with cover before peeling out at just the right moment to surge to the front and win narrowly but impressively by just over half a length.

The race was run at a genuine clip, with Queen Selyse (Universal Ruler) and Moonwalk (Bondi) setting a solid tempo up front. As they straightened, the pair were still going strongly, but Too Darn Stormy was already winding up out wide. He let down with a sharp turn of foot to reel them in, with Moonwalk fighting on gamely for second and Playin’it Sweet (Playing God) closing off well for third.

Trained by Daniel Morton, Too Darn Stormy had shown promise in his trials, finishing second in both appearances at Belmont and Ascot.

He was well supported in betting and delivered in style, suggesting he could be another exciting prospect by his sire Too Darn Hot (GB), who returns to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 (inc GST) after missing the 2024 Australian breeding season. With his progeny continuing to impress, there is no doubt Too Darn Hot will serve an elite and top-class book of mares this year.

Too Darn Stormy is the final foal from Stormy Nova (Metal Storm {Fr}), a highly talented mare who won seven races, including two at Group 3 level and two at Listed level in Perth.

As a broodmare, she has been outstanding, producing nine individual winners. Among them are Superstorm (Sebring), who captured the G1 Cantala Stakes, G2 John F Feehan Stakes and Listed Challenge Stakes, Cosmic Storm (Street Sense {USA}), a Group 3 and multiple Listed winner, as well as Mikimoto (Sebring) and Royal Command (Street Sense {USA}), both Listed winners in Perth.

Offered by Milburn Creek at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Too Darn Stormy was passed in short of his $400,000 reserve. That decision may now prove a good decision, with the colt shaping as another high-quality product of a deep and proven family.