Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Race-Day Recap
The Peter Snowden-trained King Of Roseau (Capitalist) ventured down to Melbourne and was dominant down the Flemington straight in the G3 Aurie's Star Handicap.
Chase (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) may be a 9-year-old but he isn't showing his age as he delivered a career-best performance to win the 128th running of the G3 Winter Cup at Riccarton.
Crossbow (Better Than Ready) was impressive winning in 3-year-old company at Flemington, as he looks like another promising type to wear the Star Thoroughbred famous purple colours.
Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) returned as a 3-year-old in impressive fashion, as she won in soft fashion at Ruakaka for trainer Andrew Forsman, owners The Oaks Stud, and jockey Matt Cartwright.
King Of Roseau dominant in the G3 Aurie’s Star
It was the Peter Snowden-trained King Of Roseau (Capitalist) who put his rivals to the sword with a dominant display down the Flemington straight in the G3 Aurie’s Star Handicap.
The gelding, coming off a win at Benchmark 88 level at Rosehill, was partnered by jockey Michael Dee and showed his class with a commanding performance.
Closer to the grandstand side, it was Joyful Fortune (Nicconi) who set the early pace, with Marble Nine (Kobayashi) tracking just behind in second. King Of Roseau settled back, second-last in the field, while race favourite Splash Back (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) was last of all and a fair way from the leaders.
At the furlong mark, King Of Roseau loomed ominously and put the field away with ease, surging clear to record a soft victory by a length and a half.
Trainer Peter Snowden was full of praise for the 4-year-old’s effort.
“He’s been going through his grades quite well, and with the wet tracks up there (Sydney), it was a no-brainer for us to come down here, knowing that he ran well the last time he came down here,” Snowden said.
Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He always showed a fair bit and has run good races against good horses, but couldn’t quite win. We got to the point where he was lacking a bit of enthusiasm at the end of his races, so we gelded him. We went back to Benchmark races and he’s earnt his stripes. He’s got real grit now, and that came through again today.”
Looking ahead to the spring, Snowden added:
“Now we know he really likes Flemington, there’s no doubt we’ll be back at some point through the year. Not every horse handles the straight here, but this horse has a bit of an affinity with it now. That was a dominant win today, so we’ll definitely be back.”
“Not every horse handles the straight here, but this horse (King Of Roseau) has a bit of an affinity with it now. That was a dominant win today, so we’ll definitely be back.” - Peter Snowden
Sales Information: King Of Roseau was purchased for $95,000 by Pulse Racing Thoroughbreds and Pinhook Bloodstock International (FBAA) at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds.
King Of Roseau as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree Information: He is the second foal from Dominica (Choisir), who was a dual winner on the track. King Of Roseau’s grandam is the talented filly Danni Martine (Danzero), a four-time winner who claimed the G1 Coolmore Classic, the Listed Wiggle Handicap, and was placed at Group 1 level in the Doncaster Handicap and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Crossbow puts his rivals to the sword at Flemington
After enduring a luckless run last start at Randwick behind the promising Tomato Toastie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), the progressive Star Thoroughbreds-owned Crossbow (Better Than Ready) enjoyed a trouble-free trip and made no mistake in the 3-year-old Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1410 metres at Flemington on Saturday.
Our Chief (Tagaloa) set a reasonable tempo up front, with Hillier (Zoustar) settling outside the leader. The favourite Exit (Bivouac) dropped out to a clear last early in the small field, while Crossbow found a perfect position in fourth with cover.
There were few changes mid-race, but it was Ben Melham aboard Crossbow who made an early move at the 400-metre mark. He angled out with purpose, and the gelding travelled sweetly, never appearing in doubt, as he surged to victory by just over one and a quarter lengths. Hillier boxed on gamely for second, while Exit made up good ground for third, without ever truly threatening.
Melham was impressed with the performance:
“He looked like he'd been dying for a big track to stay out of trouble,” Melham said.
“Lovely horse, great nature, good action and good win. He's got a big action on him, so I was able to be comfortable on him, he did everything right.
“Lovely horse, great nature, good action and good win. He's got a big action on him, so I was able to be comfortable on him, he did everything right.” - Ben Melham
“He's a gentleman, and able to go through his gears nicely, rather than rushing the last minute like he had to do last start. He's a lovely horse moving forward.”
Melham also believes the gelding will thrive over further:
“He feels progressive to me and he's got a lovely nature,” he said.
“He was no dramas there, solid through the line at (1400m), he'll definitely get a mile and maybe further, I'll leave that to the expert (Chris Waller).”
Crossbow winning the Benchmark 70 Handicap | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Sales Information: Crossbow was purchased from the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $160,000.
Pedigree Information: Crossbow is the second foal out of Dreamarcher (USA) (Archarcharch {USA}), a Listed winner in America. Being by Better Than Ready, a son of More Than Ready (USA), and out of an American mare, Crossbow hails from a family steeped in American black-type influence. His pedigree features stakes winners such as Burn The Mortgage (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}), High Stakes Player (USA) (High Brite {USA}), and Lemon Muffin (USA) (Collected {USA}).
Since producing Crossbow, Dreamarcher has delivered a weanling colt by Better Than Ready, but unfortunately missed to Alpine Eagle last spring.
Crossbow as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Chase is ‘a gift from god’ for trainer Nickalls
It was a Central Districts domination in the 128th running of the G3 Winter Cup at Riccarton, with the veteran Chase (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) proving too strong at the end of the mile. Trained by Rangiotu-based Stephen Nickalls, the gelding led home a one-two-three-four finish for Central Districts-trained runners.
The speedy Beadman (NZ) (Pins), who has been in outstanding form, jumped straight to the lead, with Epee Beel (Epaulette) settling outside him. Beadman strung the field out as he poured on the pressure, but the race changed complexion quickly about a furlong from home. Beadman lugged out, and Chase, expertly ridden by Tina Comignaghi, pounced through on the inside and proved too strong for Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) who was rattling home and a game Bradman who battled on well.
Chase has now won eight races between 1400 and 1600 metres, earning NZ$413,398 in prizemoney. Saturday’s triumph in the Winter Cup marked his first stakes-level victory.
Trainer Stephen Nickalls was overcome with emotion after the race “I’m in tears, this is amazing, my little daughter is here, it just doesn’t get any better honestly, it's phenomenal seeing her lead him in.
“It is so amazing, he is a gift from god, he really is. We came down Wednesday, we go to the beach and my little girl rides him back from the beach and stuff, honestly it’s incredible.
“It is so amazing, he (Chase) is a gift from god, he really is.” - Stephen Nickalls
“We are an incredible family unit, Gary and Emma are at home doing all the hard work so I can bring Maia down. I told her principal she won’t get better life experience than coming to Riccarton.
“We love this track, we would race here every week if we could, it’s a pretty special track for us.”
Connections of Chase (NZ) after winning the G3 Winter Cup | Image courtesy of Race Images
Sales Information: Chase was purchased for just NZ$9,000 from the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Miss L Knight.
Pedigree Information: Chase is the sixth live foal out of Dantessa (NZ) (Danasinga), a six-time winner from 1600 to 2200 metres. She has been a consistent broodmare, having produced four winners, including Chase’s full sister Zentessa (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who won four races and was Listed placed. Zentessa has gone on to produce Lil Zena (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), who has been a winner over 1400 metres and is multiple Listed placed.
Cashla Bay too strong at Ruakaka
Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) showed her class and professionalism with a soft victory at Ruakaka. Resuming as a 3-year-old filly, the Andrew Forsman-trained runner was the most experienced in the field and used that to her advantage.
The filly had six runs as a juvenile, collecting a maiden win at Matamata along with placings at Te Aroha, Wanganui and Waverley. Now with two wins from seven starts, she looks to be a 3-year-old filly capable of making her mark in early-season black-type company.
Eliza James (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) set the tempo early, while jockey Matt Cartwright had Cashla Bay parked just off her flank. They rolled along at a solid tempo, but by the 200 metre mark it was clear the Forsman-trained filly had the race in hand. Soundwave (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) produced a strong finish out wide to grab second, while Eliza James boxed on bravely for third.
Jockey Matt Cartwright, recently returned to New Zealand after a working holiday in Melbourne, was impressed with the filly’s effort.
Cashla Bay (NZ) winning the 3-year-old Race at Ruakaka | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She probably had a little bit stronger form than most. She jumped very clean and ended up outside the leader, after doing no work.
“I let her be happy, and she quickened up good. Being first up off a freshen she was just that little bit vulnerable late, but she will improve off that.”
“I let her (Cashla Bay) be happy, and she quickened up good. Being first up off a freshen she was just that little bit vulnerable late, but she will improve off that.” - Matt Cartwright
Pedigree Information: Cashla Bay was bred and is raced by The Oaks Stud. She is the eighth foal out of Fastnet Lady (Fastnet Rock), a dual winner who also showed her quality when running fourth in both the Listed Wanganui Guineas and the Soliloquy Stakes.
Fastnet Lady has produced six individual winners, headlined by Five To Midnight – Home By Midnight (Aust.) (Domesday), an 11-time winner across New Zealand and Australia. His record includes two Group 3 wins, two Listed wins, and two placings in the Group 1 Auckland Cup.
Sadly, Cashla Bay was Fastnet Lady’s final foal, as the mare died in late 2022.
