Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
The James Cummings-trained and Godolphin-owned Kin (Impending) picked up her second Listed victory in the Gai Waterhouse Classic.
Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) caused a major upset as he picked up the Listed Ipswich Cup in the hands of Ron Stewart, breaking a long winning drought for the rising 10-year-old veteran.
The consistent Headley Grange (Exosphere) picked up the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick for trainer Joseph Pride and jockey Jason Collett.
The Melissa Kelly-trained Oughton (More Than Ready {USA}) was impressive winning the Listed Eye Liner Stakes in the hands of Robbie Dolan.
Cork (Authorized) picked up her first stakes victory, carrying on her love affair with wet tracks and the Tauranga course.
Kin too strong in the Gai Waterhouse Classic
The frantic early pace of the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich once again set up the race for a swooping finish, and it was the consistent mare Kin (Impending) who capitalised in style.
Ridden expertly by Angela Jones, Kin settled in a perfect position mid-field and saved valuable ground before peeling wide at the top of the straight. With blinkers on for the first time, she showed an impressive turn of foot to burst clear and win by a length, defeating fast-finishing pair Countyourblessings (I Am Invincible) and Gerringong (Blue Point {Ire}), who both earned valuable black type.
Trainer James Cummings’ stable representative Camille Fitton, was delighted with the mare's performance, noting the gear change and race setup proved decisive.
“She was really good today. She had the perfect ride,” Fitton said.
“We were thinking that she would be sharper today, but she just needed a little boost with blinkers, and it just worked out really well for her.
“Angela has been helping us out a lot, and she deserved that win. She does some gallops for us and some trips to the beach, so we’re happy that she got the win today.”
Jockey Angela Jones was thrilled to land a Listed win in the Godolphin blue and praised the mare’s professionalism.
“Very grateful to have rides in these colours, let alone on chances in Listed races,” Jones said.
“The blinkers really sharpened her up today. She had a good gate, and I felt my job was done when she was travelling well in the early stages.
“She had a beautiful turn-of-foot and she put them away impressively.”
“She (Kin) had a beautiful turn-of-foot and she put them away impressively.” - Angela Jones
Kin comes from a deep Woodlands/Darley Stud family rich in proven stallion influences such as Night Shift (USA), Quest For Fame (GB), Commands, Lonhro, and Impending himself.
Her dam, Kinshachi (Commands), was a Listed winner and is a half-sister to Aichi (Strategic), winner of the G3 Danehill Stakes and the Listed Gosford Guineas.
Since foaling Kin, Kinshachi has produced a 2-year-old colt named Yuki (Frosted {USA}), a yearling filly named Aijin (Brazen Beau), and a weanling colt also by Brazen Beau. She is due to foal to Blue Point (Ire) in October this year.
Age no issue for Flash Aah
There was a major upset in the Listed Ipswich Cup on Saturday as rising 10-year-old Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ire}) flew late to narrowly, but impressively, claim the feature.
The veteran gelding was making his 47th career start. His last victory came at Bendigo in April 2022, following a Listed win back in 2021 - meaning it had been over three years between drinks. In the interim, Flash Aah had passed through the hands of three different trainers. But on Saturday, it was Toowoomba-based trainer Troy Pascoe, who is also in the ownership - who got to celebrate a long-overdue big win.
As is often the case around the tight Ipswich circuit, the pace was genuine. Warp Speed (Star Witness) worked hard early to sit outside Akrotiri (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}), who held the lead throughout much of the race. The tempo remained consistent until Mark Du Plessis made a sharp move on Felix The Scat (Mendelssohn {USA}), circling the field before the turn and surging to the lead at the 200-metre mark. But just as victory looked certain, Flash Aah powered down the outside and nabbed him late. Raf Attack (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) closed well for third.
The win takes Flash Aah’s career tally to eight victories, including two at Listed level, and lifts his prizemoney haul to just under $700,000.
Trainer Troy Pascoe was elated post-race and said the gelding had endured a run of poor luck in recent starts.
“He’s been terribly unlucky. Every start they’ve just walked and made it impossible for him to run home,” Pascoe explained.
“I never lost faith in him. I kept saying that this was the race I wanted to get him in. I absolutely thought he could win it. I was blown away at the price. Couldn’t believe it.”
“I never lost faith in him (Flash Aah). I absolutely thought he could win it. I was blown away at the price. Couldn’t believe it.” - Troy Pascoe
Pascoe was quick to give credit to his team:
“My staff have done an amazing job. As a 9-year-old now, he ran third in this race four years ago, to come back as a nine, rising 10-year-old, they should take a bow.”
When asked about the nearly 1,000-day gap since Flash Aah’s last win, Pascoe grinned:
“I wasn’t counting them. I knew that every day was closer to his next win.”
“I wasn’t counting them (1,000-day gap). I knew that every day was closer to his next win.” - Troy Pascoe
Jockey Ron Stewart was also full of praise for the old boy, saying the signs had been positive heading into the race.
“His run the other day was really promising. I think this prep he’s really had a great prep going into a race like this,” Stewart said.
He explained how the race unfolded perfectly in transit:
“Fortunately today with the draw, I was able to get into a good spot. I was following Diablo Bolt and, in all fairness to Robbie (Dolan), he got held up around the corner.
It really unfolded nicely for us. Had plenty of room and just kept building in his gears. I thought I was going to get there comfortably but he had a look around – still, he got the job done.
I was surprised he was the price he was. He got rolled the other day and it was the way the race was run – but I thought he was definitely a chance from a good draw, and we just needed the right run.”
Flash Aah is out of Never Despair (Hotel Grand), who in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old colt named Mean King (Worthy Cause) and a weanling filly by Barbaric. She is currently in foal to Alpine Edge, and is due in October this year.
Headley Grange’s consistency rewarded with Listed Civic Stakes success
It was a well-earned breakthrough at stakes level for the ultra-consistent Headley Grange (Exosphere), who took out the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Trained by Joseph Pride, the gelding has not missed a place in over a year and now boasts an impressive record of eight wins from 18 starts, with prizemoney just shy of $600,000.
In a full field of 16 runners for the $200,000 Sydney feature, the tempo was genuine throughout as Cool Jakey (Pierro) went very hard early with Winchat (Russian Revolution) applying pressure outside him, setting things up perfectly for the backmarkers.
As the leaders began to tire, Headley Grange pounced, finishing strongly under Jason Collett to defeat Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}), with Astero (Zoustar) running third and the eye-catching Raikkonen (Shalaa {Ire}) closing late for fourth.
Jockey Jason Collett, who secured a treble on the day, praised the gelding’s turn of foot and determination.
“He’s a nice horse,” Collett said. “The tempo of that race was different to last start. It was genuinely run. He has quickened off it and then he’s had to tough it out. He just found another gear. When they came to him at the 150 metres, he went again, so that’s a really good sign.”
Headley Grange winning the Listed Civic Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Trainer Joseph Pride was thrilled to see his stable stalwart rise to the occasion in stronger company and is already plotting a lucrative path forward.
“Nice to see him step up to that higher grade today,” Pride said. “That’s never easy to do in a high-pressure race with plenty of opposition.
“Nice to see him (Headley Grange) step up to that higher grade today, That’s never easy to do in a high-pressure race with plenty of opposition.” - Joseph Pride
“He’s come back particularly well this preparation, and we’ll go to the South Grafton Cup next. We’ll try and qualify him for one of the ‘Dances’.”
Headley Grange was purchased for just $120,000 by HDB Bloodstock at the 2023 Inglis Digital November Sale, and has proven a shrewd investment for his connections.
Joseph Pride | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
His dam, Hard Go Jo (Hard Spun {USA}), has also produced Twisted Queen (Hallowed Crown) a 3-year-old filly who was a winner on debut at Kyneton, and a yearling filly by Churchill (Ire) before her passing in 2024.
Oughton loves Ipswich and picks up the Eye Liner
Oughton (More Than Ready {USA}) has proven a remarkably consistent performer for trainer Melissa Kelly since returning from a racing stint in Hong Kong just over a year ago. On Saturday, he added a second Listed victory to his record with a strong win in the Eye Liner Stakes, following up on his success in last year’s Listed Recognition Stakes.
The 6-year-old sprinter now boasts a record of seven wins and over $920,000 in prizemoney. He went into the race following a solid fifth-place finish in the G2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm behind Front Page (Magnus).
Much of the pre-race attention was on hot favourite Warnie (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}), who was luckless after being trapped on the fence with no clear running room, finishing fifth. Rockribbed (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) set a strong pace in front, with Lost In Transit (Spieth {NZ}) applying pressure outside him. The early tempo proved costly for the leaders, opening the door for the backmarkers to launch late.
Oughton, finishing strongly under Robbie Dolan, got the better of the field to score by half a length over Sha Of Gomer (Shalaa {Ire}), with Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet) running on well for third.
Oughton winning the R. Listed Eye Liner Stakes | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Trainer Melissa Kelly was thrilled with the effort and noted Oughton's affinity for the Ipswich track.
“He won here last year over 1350 (metres), so this was his fifth go at it and he’s won four now,” Kelly said. “We thought stepping up that he’d go really well.
“He always had ability and we thought at Warwick we’d give him that confidence booster, and then on Derby Day, he just got beaten for second over 1200 metres before coming back here and winning.
“He gets a little bit cocky, he knows when he’s run and when he’s run a good race.
“He (Oughton) gets a little bit cocky, he knows when he’s run and when he’s run a good race.” - Melissa Kelly
“He was a little bit soft because he was a month between runs and just knocked up. We knew he was going in a lot fitter.”
Jockey Robbie Dolan was full of praise for both the horse and the trainer after the win.
“Good win. I had a bit of faith in this horse,” Dolan said. “I said after his last start that he’d run in this race and be a good chance. That means a lot to these trainers. That’s their Melbourne Cup.
“He’s had a lot of problems over the years. He came back from Hong Kong and it didn’t go to plan in the race. I ended up down the rail but I could see Warnie down in front of me and I had my eyes set on him.
“Once I got to the outside, albeit he wanted to lay in, he found the line very well. My horse lays in a lot, so Ipswich suits him because it’s such a tight turning track. A horse that lays in, he goes with the track.
“If he missed the kick, I was going to drop and find the fence and ride for a bit of luck. Thankfully that happened.”
“If he (Oughton) missed the kick, I was going to drop and find the fence and ride for a bit of luck. Thankfully that happened.” - Robbie Dolan
Oughton was purchased for $900,000 by Spendthrift Australia from the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds. He raced in Hong Kong under the name A Pal (H.K.) before returning to Australia.
He boasts a deep pedigree, being closely related to Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), the brilliant filly who claimed the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. His dam, La Flourescent (NZ) (General Nediym), raced only twice but is a half-sister to the Group-winning brothers Addictive Nature and Savvy Nature (NZ) (Savabeel).
Oughton as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In recent seasons, La Flourescent has produced both a yearling and a weanling colt by Spirit Of Boom, and she is due to foal to the same sire again in August this year.
Cork pops for stakes success
Cork (NZ) (Complacent) has long been a wonderfully consistent mare, thriving on winter heavy tracks and putting together an impressive record of six wins. However, the big reason for her connections to celebrate came on Saturday when she secured valuable Listed success in the Tauranga Classic, adding black-type success to go with previous placings in the G3 Winter Cup and the Listed Opunake Cup.
Ridden by Sam Collett, who has recently returned home to New Zealand after a stint riding in Queensland, Cork settled midfield in running. Electric Time (Telperion) set a strong tempo up front, with Midnight Scandal (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) keeping her honest outside the leader. The well-supported Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) enjoyed a perfect run trailing the speed and burst through at the 300 metres, appearing poised to break through for her own stakes success.
But Cork was building momentum out wide, and in the final strides she proved too strong, surging past Lux Libertas to score, with Midnight Scandal sticking on gamely for third.
Trainer Pam Gerard was understandably thrilled post-race.
“She’s a great little mare,” Gerard said. “She’s been all over the country and just keeps giving us a thrill every time, We know that she’s very hard to beat when she’s fresh up over 1400 metres at Tauranga. We were obviously up against some good mares today, but she’s been unlucky in this race a couple of times before.
“She’s a great little mare, She’s been all over the country and just keeps giving us a thrill every time.” - Pam Gerard
“I’m really stoked for the owners. We’ve been trying to get that black type for so long, and finally we’ve got it today. Her work had been super leading into this. We’re lucky we got a very heavy track today, which she absolutely loves.
“It’s always hard taking on seasoned horses fresh up in these testing conditions, but I know what she can do and I was pretty confident she could be in the first three anyway.”
Cork (NZ) winning the R. Listed Tauranga Classic | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Jockey Sam Collett, who later completed a riding double aboard Kai Moana (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the last race, was full of praise for the mare and happy to be back in winning form in New Zealand after recent success at Matamata.
“It’s fantastic,” Collett said. “It’s a pretty heavy track, so it really tested my post-Queensland fitness!. This mare’s work had been very good during the week and she toughed it out so well today.
“It’s a pretty heavy track, so it really tested my post-Queensland fitness!.” - Sam Collett
“Pam and her team have done a super job. She presented in great order.
“I had to work on her a long way out, but I was able to find the fast strip in the straight and she was the toughest one there. She really gave me everything she had.”
Cork was purchased for $30,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables from the Blandford Lodge draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Book 2 Sale.
Pam Gerard | Image courtesy of Ballymore Stud
Cork is the second foal out of Little Bit Irish (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), an unraced half-sister to Bocce – Flying Sword (H.K.) , and Kona Breeze (Sebring), both of whom were stakes-placed performers.
Little Bit Irish has recently produced the 3-year-old filly Prudentia (NZ) (Proisir), an impressive maiden winner at Tauranga, as well as a yearling filly by Contributer (Ire). She is due to foal to Super Seth this spring.
