Wednesday Racing: Raging Force stamps himself as one to watch in the spring

Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

Raging Force runs rivals off their feet

It may have been a midweek winter meeting at Kensington, but the Peter Snowden-trained Raging Force (Cosmic Force) made a serious impression, putting the writing on the wall with a dominant victory that hints at much bigger targets in the spring.

The exciting gelding had already signalled his potential with a soft win at Muswellbrook earlier this month in the Red Crown 2YO Handicap, and punters rallied behind him to deliver again at Kensington. That confidence was well placed as he cruised to a near four-length win, hardly asked for an effort by jockey Tommy Berry.

Drawn wide, Berry got Raging Force away swiftly before gradually crossing to lead in a compact field. The Magic Man (Showtime) held a prominent position outside the leader, while Just Legendary (Justify {USA}) was posted on pace, three-wide without cover. But as they straightened, it was clear who the winner would be, Berry hadn’t moved a muscle, and Raging Force surged clear with ease. He had nearly four lengths on Bryant (Brutal {NZ}) on the line, with Just Legendary battling on for a distant third, another four and a half lengths back.

Trainer Peter Snowden was quick to point out the progress the gelding has made.

“He wandered around at Muswellbrook when he won and that's why I gave him another trial the other day and just confirmed his education a bit more. The winkers have certainly made a big difference to him as well,” Snowden said.

“He's a talented horse with a good upside. We put him in the deep end with the Breeders' Plate and he had an injury that happened in that race, so he was out for quite an extended time.

“He's over it now, and he's come back out a brand new model of himself, and he's one to watch going forward for sure.”

Jockey Tommy Berry echoed Snowden’s optimism, praising the gelding’s progress and mental maturity.

“He's been building up to something like that. He's been a lovely horse at home for a long time, but he's had a bee in his bonnet at times and just needed to grow up a little bit,” Berry said.

“I think it's been a masterstroke from Pete (Peter Snowden) to take him these big long trips away; up to Muswellbrook was great as they get a good day out, and then the trip away to Wyong for a trial, he needed that because of his manners in the mounting yard. But today I was so confident going to the gates on him. He was just in a really good frame of mind.

“He's pretty fast, but he relaxes well enough to get 1400, although he’s a Cosmic Force, so he's bred to be fast. He's done a great job at stud.

“He's producing really precocious, fast types and this is another one, so full credit to Newgate and their team.”

Raging Force was purchased by Darby Racing for $150,000 from the draft of Mullaglass Stud at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He is the first foal out of Miss Loren (Stryker), a winner over 1200 metres who was also placed in the Listed Debutant Stakes.

While the page lacks deep black type, Raging Force may yet add to its depth. Miss Loren is a half-sister to seven individual winners, including Andamooka Gem (Quest For Fame {GB}), a winner on seven occasions, including once at metropolitan level in South Australia.

Since foaling Raging Force, Miss Loren has produced a yearling colt by Captivant, a weanling colt by Zousain, and is due to foal again to Zousain this coming October.

Wollzeile sails past her opposition in a powerful last-to-first victory

It was the charge of the light brigade in Wednesday’s 2-year-old fillies' event at Kensington, and it suited the progressive Kris Lees-trained Wollzeile (Tassort) perfectly, as she stormed home from last in a dominant performance to record her second career win, adding to her maiden success at Ipswich back in January.

Wollzeile brought strong form into the race, including a third placing behind Stardom (Zoustar) in the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone, and a solid fourth behind smart colt Hidden Motive (Capitalist) at Randwick at her last start. Both efforts signalled that another win was near, and on Wednesday she delivered in emphatic style.

Video: Watch race replay of Wollzeile, video courtesy of Racing NSW

The race was run at a genuine tempo, with Blinked (Frosted {USA}) leading and Saytara (Written Tycoon) applying pressure from the outside. The shape of the race changed dramatically just after straightening when the favourite Agatha (Capitalist) loomed ominously, but it was Wollzeile, ridden patiently by apprentice Benjamin Osmond, who swept down the outside alongside Sapphire Rose (Blue Point {Ire}).

In the final stages, Wollzeile pulled away strongly to win by just over two lengths, with Sapphire Rose grabbing second, narrowly ahead of Agatha. All three fillies look capable of measuring up in stronger company in the future.

“I thought she was good first-up from a spell at Scone. She ran really good that day and last time out, she didn't have a lot of luck in the early stages and got posted, so I still thought her run was credible,” said stable representative Danny Greer.

“I thought she was quite dominant today, especially the way she really put them away late.”

Wollzeile was purchased for $180,000 by Bahen Bloodstock and Kris Lees Racing from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She comes from a high-quality family. Her dam Figlmuller (Snitzel), though unraced, is a half-sister to Santos, winner of the G2 Skyline Stakes and now standing at Highview Stud in New Zealand, as well as Melagrana (Fastnet Rock), a seven-time winner in Japan including at Group 3 and Listed level.

Further down the page, it's an elite Emirates Park family, boasting notable Group winners like Mutawaajid, Adeewin (Snaadee {USA}), Fatoon (Snaadee {USA}), and Fat Al (Al Maher).

Since foaling Wollzeile, Figlmuller has produced a yearling colt by All Too Hard, who sold to Eddie Temple and Bevan Smith for $130,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. After missing to Written By in 2023, she is now in foal to Hanseatic and is due this October.

Lamassu paints a pretty picture late on debut

It’s not often that a James Cummings-trained juvenile first-starter in the famous Godolphin silks goes around at double-figure odds and wins with authority, but that was exactly the case at Sale on Wednesday, as the well-related Lamassu (Brazen Beau) surged late to snatch victory from long-time leader Una Gentle (Unite And Conquer) in the shadows of the post.

Una Gentle had set a solid tempo early, kicking up from her inside draw to take control of the race. The Lindsay Park-trained Talladega Girl (Alabama Express) pressed forward to sit outside the leader, forcing Cyssan (Pierata) three-wide with no cover after being unable to cross. Meanwhile, the favourite Yamashita’s Gold (Wootton Bassett {GB}) enjoyed a good trail behind the speed, but his luck ran out quickly after straightening when he was checked out of contention and finished fifth which was probably not a bad effort considering.

As Una Gentle looked to have skipped clear for a brave win, Lamassu, under a well-timed ride from Jake Noonan, found clear air and unleashed an eye-catching late sprint to claim a narrow but impressive debut victory. Redders (Star Turn), resuming from a spell, also ran on well into third and looks one to follow.

Lamassu hails from a strong family. He is a half-brother to the talented Pisanello (Ribchester {Ire}), a six-time winner and placed in the G3 Maurice McCarten Handicap. Deeper in the pedigree sits outstanding galloper Freemason (Grand Lodge {USA}), winner of the G1 BMW Stakes, G1 TJ Smith Classic, and the G1 Queensland Derby.

His dam Medaille (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) after foaling Lamassu, was purchased by Australian Bloodstock through the Inglis Digital Sale for $33,000. Since foaling Lamassu, she has produced a Harry Angel (Ire) weanling colt and a Supido weanling filly, and is due to foal to Bivouac this October.