Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sixties dominates for the Waller–McDonald combination
It was nothing short of domination by Sixties (Flying Artie) in the second race of the day at Kensington on Wednesday, as the Chris Waller-trained colt, a younger full brother to dual Group 1 winner Artorius - bolted in by just over seven lengths under champion jockey James McDonald.
The well-bred Woodrow (Exceed And Excel) took up the running at a solid tempo, with McDonald content to sit just outside the leader aboard Sixties. The well-performed Sanctified (NZ) (Super Seth), Group placed as a juvenile, had an ideal run in the trail, while the well-backed Iniesta (Farnan) settled with cover in fourth in the small field.
Video: Watch Sixties race at Kensington, video courtesy of Racing NSW
As they straightened, Sixties loomed ominously and then burst away, annihilating his rivals in a dominant display. Sanctified chased gamely but was well beaten into second, while the Kris Lees-trained debutant Woodrow stuck on for third.
The win marked a strong progression for Sixties, who had finished eighth on debut at Gosford in June, before putting in a promising second behind Skyglider (Flying Artie) at Canterbury on 23 July. His third-up win was commanding and formed part of a four-timer for Waller on the day.
“Really good,” said Waller.
“He's improved with each run. We've always had a bit of time for him, but it's just taken a bit longer than we thought to show it.
“He's (Sixties) improved with each run. We've always had a bit of time for him, but it's just taken a bit longer than we thought to show it.” - Chris Waller
“But it was a good run last start and today James never panicked and just got him into a good rhythm, and he was really strong in the straight.”
When asked what might be next for the promising colt, Waller remained pragmatic.
“Ticking the box of the first win is always important. I never get too far ahead of myself, but I’ll go away a bit more excited.
Sixties winning the Maiden Handicap at Kensington | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“Naturally you would like to see a 1200 or 1300 metre handicap on a Saturday, well short of the good horses, so he can take a gradual step and maybe join up late spring.”
James McDonald was full of praise for Sixties following the dominant performance.
“It was spectacular,” enthused McDonald.
“He was very professional. He’s learned his craft well. I’ve taken this time with him, and he’ll shoot through the grades off that. He handled the ground well, which was pretty pleasing, so it opens up a lot of doors.”
James McDonald and Sixties after winning the Maiden Handicap at Kensington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
When asked about the colt’s scope in terms of distance, McDonald explained:
“He’ll run (seven furlongs), but I wouldn’t think he’d run much further. I think he’s a pretty fast horse, and when the penny starts to drop, he’ll get quicker as he learns what to do. But that was a great performance and a nice colt going forward.”
Sales information: Sixties was purchased for $350,000 by Aramco Racing from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He has been the most expensive yearling purchased by his sire Flying Artie.
Pedigree information: Sixties is a full-brother to the G1 Canterbury Stakes and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner and young stallion at Newgate Farm in Artorius. He also ran in the top four in another seven Group 1 races, including twice at Royal Ascot.
Sixties as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sixties is the sixth foal from the unraced mare Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to Delectation (Shamardal {USA}) who won the G1 Darley Classic, another top class performer in this family is Southport Tycoon who was a dual Group 1 winner and is about to stand his first season at stud at Widden Stud Victoria.
Since producing Sixties, Gracie’s Lass has produced a 2-year-old filly by Home Affairs, a yearling colt by Pinatubo (Ire), and is due to foal to Pierata in late October.
Godtfred Kirk booms home
Fresh off being announced last season’s Champion First-Season Sire, Ole Kirk has unearthed a promising 3-year-old, with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Godtfred Kirk (Ole Kirk) as the half-sibling to the G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman) powered home from well back to score stylishly at only his second start over 1400 metres at Sandown.
In the hands of Jamie Mott, the gelding settled well off the pace, improving nicely off his debut fifth at Sale a couple of weeks ago, where he also hit the line strongly.
There was good speed up front, with King Maywin (King’s Legacy) rolling along and Mini Angel (National Defense {GB}) sitting outside him. Rock Them Jools (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) was caught wide and working, while race favourite Miewa (Maurice {Jpn}) and Godtfred Kirk settled near the rear.
Rock Them Jools was brave, pouncing to the lead after a tough trip, but Mott had Godtfred Kirk travelling sweetly, and the big gelding let down powerfully to score by three-quarters of a length. Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun) ran on well for second, with Rock Them Jools holding third.
Stable representative Billie Rossa was pleased to see the big colt put it all together:
“He’s a horse we have always liked. He’s taken a fair bit of time to both physically and mentally mature, but it was good to see him get that win today.
“He’s (Godtfred Kirk) a horse we have always liked. He’s taken a fair bit of time to both physically and mentally mature, but it was good to see him get that win today.” - Billie Rossa
Godtfred Kirk showed promise on debut, and the stable was confident he’d improve with fitness and distance:
“We always knew that he would take a lot of improvement out of that first-up run. He’s quite a big horse as you can see, and albeit he is an Ole Kirk, he is going to get out over further.
“We knew he would benefit from that. Today he’s gone straight to 1400 metres and he’s managed to pick it up.”
Jamie Mott | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Jockey Jamie Mott was equally impressed with the win:
“Lovely horse, big strong boy. He has no real idea what he’s doing yet, so it’s quite exciting.
“Lovely horse, big strong boy. He (Godtfred Kirk) has no real idea what he’s doing yet, so it’s quite exciting.” - Jamie Mott
“I trialled him before he went to Sale, and he gave me a great feel, and I thought once he got to 1400 metres you would see the best of him. He got back today, but he felt like the winner the whole way. I think he’s got some nice ability.”
Sales information: Godtfred Kirk was a $150,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for PR Thoroughbreds from the Fairview Park Stud draft.
Pedigree information: A half-brother to the G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman), Cinch (Dundeel {NZ}) who won the G3 Auraria Stakes and the Listed Tasmanian Oaks and Mawahibb - Aramco (Sing.) (Magic Albert), who was a 11-time winner, including at Listed level in Singapore three times.
Godtfred Kirk as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Godtfred Kirk is the eighth live foal from the unraced mare Eye For Fun (Snitzel), a half-sister to Cat D’Antibes (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) who was a Listed winner. In recent times, Eye For Fun has left a 2-year-old colt by Ole Kirk, and is due to foal to Jacquinot this spring.
Planet Red remains unbeaten at Sandown
The promising Admire Mars (Jpn) gelding Planet Red kept his unbeaten record intact at Sandown, recording a narrow but classy win by just under half a length under Mark Zahra.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Planet Red jumped well enough, and Zahra settled him just outside the pacesetter Bingi (Snitzel), former New Zealander Vega For Luck (NZ) (Lucky Vega {Ire}) enjoyed a perfect run in fourth, travelling well, although a little keenly with cover behind Planet Red.
At the 300-metre mark, Planet Red loomed ominously, but as he looked to strike, Vega For Luck surged with intent. Despite the late challenge, Zahra always seemed to have things under control, and was soft on the gelding late as he scored nicely. Vega For Luck ran an excellent race for second in his Australian debut, while Bingi stuck on well for third, around a length and a half off the winner.
The Price-Kent Jnr stable rate Planet Red highly, and believe he is on a natural trajectory towards Stakes company.
“He will follow a natural progression and we'll keep stepping him up in grade,” Kent Jnr said.
“No doubt Stakes class beckons for him now.
“No doubt Stakes class beckons for him (Planet Red) now.” - Michael Kent Jnr
“The second horse ran second in the Karaka Millions and is no slouch, and there is a lot of Black Type about him as well, but we've got a Black Type horse, it’s just a matter of what level he fits into.”
With that effort and the scope he continues to show, the talented gelding appears likely to get over more ground in time.
“I really think he would enjoy taking a slight sit and finishing off, as we saw when winning on debut at Pakenham,” Kent Jnr said.
Michael Kent Jnr | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He's very versatile. It’s a great asset to have in Australia, to have tactical speed. I think he could get a mile. His sire was a champion miler. He looks like a miler and we’re going to find out.”
Jockey Mark Zahra was also pleased with the effort and explained how the race demanded a more assertive ride to maintain his position.
“Being Lakeside, I sent him forward, and he just wanted to relax,” Zahra said.
“It wasn’t the day for that, so I had to keep asking him every furlong, but he kept picking up and he’s done a good job as he was a little outside his comfort zone.
“I’m surprised the second horse got as close as he did, as I quickened up really well, but he was strong at the end.”
Planet Red as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sales information: Planet Red was originally a $100,000 purchase by Ohukia Lodge from the draft of Kenmore Lodge at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was then a successful pinhook when selling from the Ohukia Lodge draft for NZ$260,000 to Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Pedigree information: Planet Red is the third foal from the two-time winner Lucky Helmet (Helmet). She is well-related, being a half-sister to the three-time Group 3 winner Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), and a three-quarter-sister to the Listed winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel).
Since producing Planet Red, Lucky Helmet has produced 2-year-old and yearling colts by Admire Mars (Jpn), and is due to foal to Hitotsu in early October.
