Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Break-out box
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) was dominant out in front to claim his third G1 Makybe Diva Stakes in a row in the hands of Crag Williams.
Lazzura (Snitzel) made sure Chris Waller didn't leave Flemington empty handed as she was a determined winner of the G2 Let's Elope Stakes.
Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) took her unbeaten record to six in a row with an arrogant victory in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes.
Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) hadn't won since last year’s G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, but he made it back-to-back victories taking out this year’s edition.
The classy Manaal (Tassort) won the G2 Sheraco Stakes under a masterful ride by Jason Collett.
Mr Brightside makes it three in a row in the Makybe Diva
In a clash of the titans, it was Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who once again proved his class, prevailing in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes under a canny ride from regular jockey Craig Williams. Allowed to dictate a moderate tempo, he slipped clear at the top of the long Flemington straight and left his rivals chasing.
It was the kiwi Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) who eventually settled in second position, with Aeliana (Castelvecchio) holding the rail for third and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) in fourth. Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) both settled well back and never threatened.
In the end, the Hayes-trained superstar claimed his third consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes and, incredibly, his 10th career Group 1 victory. With Aeliana chasing hardest to place second 1.5l behind the winner, and Via Sistina claiming third, just shading Antino in fourth.
Trainer Ben Hayes was ecstatic with the performance which also bought up a stakes treble for the stable after Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Cafe Millenium (Not A Single Doubt) were successful earlier in the afternoon, praising both horse and rider.
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It turned out beautifully. It was a 10-out-of-10 ride. Tactically he got an easy time early and because he got an easy time, they couldn’t catch him, a champion like him. To win three Makybe Divas and make it 10 Group 1’s, he’s an amazing horse and we’re so lucky to have him.”
“It turned out beautifully. It was a 10-out-of-10 ride. Tactically he (Mr Brightside) got an easy time early and because he got an easy time, they couldn’t catch him, a champion like him.” - Ben Hayes
“We thought he had gone the right way. He paraded beautifully, it was typical Mr B. His coat has come on, but the good thing is, he’s got improvement to come and we’re going to have fun placing him at his next couple of starts. I’m so proud of him and for him to come back and win, to show how good he is, makes us so proud. For JD and Will and I, he’s the most special horse we’ve ever had. We’re just the front men, but Ross (trackrider), Will (strapper), he means a lot to everyone and the whole team.”
Mr Brightside (NZ) winning the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Williams was equally proud and grateful for the opportunity to partner the stable star.
“I’m very blessed, very privileged to be a part of this horse, a part of his development which gives me great pride. The Hayes boys, I rode for their father, their uncle, their grandfather and what they’re doing with these equine stars is amazing and again, with myself and my team around me, I can’t do it without them.
“This horse, he just carries so many racing fans and people, if you love the song you’ve got him as well, he’s just really captivated people around Australia. He’s the best, or one of the best milers in Australia on his day, he’s the best on his day and one of the best when he’s not. He’s just a marvel, three Makybe Diva’s, when I walked up with my wife today I said ‘we’ve got the Makybe Diva statue now, hopefully he wins three they’ll give him his own bronze statue as well.”
Craig Williams after winning the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sales Information: Originally purchased for NZ$22,000 by Phil Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the draft of Phoenix Park at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May Sale, the son of Bullbars was then picked up by Ralph Manning for NZ$7750 through the Gavelhouse Auction site in 2020.
Pedigree Information: Mr Brightside is the best of six winners produced by the Tavistock (NZ) mare Lilahjay (NZ) who was unraced on the track. Further back in the family is the dual Group 1 winner Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine).
Lazzura shows her grit in the Let’s Elope
The Chris Waller–James McDonald combination had to wait until lae in the day at Flemington to strike, after finishing third with the great mare Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes. But they found success in style when Lazzura (Snitzel) dug deep to claim the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes in determined fashion.
The Snitzel filly enjoyed a lovely run just off the speed and, when she loomed at the 300 metres, the race looked all but over - particularly as the well-favoured On Display (So You Think {NZ}) struck severe traffic problems on the rail and was eased out of contention.
Lazzura quickened, but she had to show plenty of grit late to hold off the fast-finishing Oh Too Good (All Too Hard), who ran an excellent second. Abounding (Rich Enuff) was close-up in third, while the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) - now also trained by Waller, charged home strongly from the back for fourth.
Trainer Chris Waller was pleased with her determination.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“She's tough. She puts herself in the race, James gave her a lovely ride. She gave a good kick at the 300 metre mark. It got close, but she's tough. She was good over the concluding stages. She's building a good resume.”
As for future plans, Waller is keeping his options open.
“Very open minded. She’s still in the mix for an Epsom, also a Toorak, then you’ve got the Golden Eagle as well, and obviously Group Ones you want to put on the CV as well. The mile will certainly suit, so it’s a good problem to have and there’s a lot to think about.”
Lazzura winning the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Winning jockey James McDonald was equally complimentary.
“She’s got so much quality, gives her all and she’s so nice to ride, she’s a pleasure.”
“She’s (Lazzura) got so much quality, gives her all and she’s so nice to ride, she’s a pleasure.” - James McDonald
Sales Information: Lazzura was purchased for $500,000 by B2B Thoroughbreds from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Pedigree Information: Lazzura is the third foal from Laguna Azzurra (Jpn), a daughter of Japan’s Champion Older Horse, Heart’s Cry (Jpn). The late sire is is celebrated in Australia through the deeds of his outstanding daughter Lys Gracieux (Jpn), who stunned crowds with her G1 Cox Plate victory.
Lazzura as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Laguna Azzurra is a half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winner Seewind (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while Laguna Azzurra’s first foal, Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt) has been a winner at 1600 metres, and placed in the Listed Lonhro Plate as a juvenile.
Since producing Lazzura, Laguna Azzurra has left a 3-year-old colt by The Autumn Sun, a yearling filly by Snitzel, and is due to foal to Farnan any day now.
Autumn Glow keeps on winning
Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) did what she does best in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes – she kept on winning. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the Chris Waller-trained filly was dominant, scoring by just over two lengths.
It was an easy watch for punters as the favourite jumped well and settled into a prominent position, while Espionage (Zoustar) set a solid pace up front. McEvoy wasn’t going to be caught out by traffic, peeling her out early before the turn and coasting away for a comfortable victory, with General Salute (Russian Revolution) in second and Pier (NZ) (Proisir) running on strongly from the back of the field for a solid third – a nice rehearsal for the Epsom.
Stable representative Charlie Duckworth praised the filly’s performance:
Autumn Glow winning the G2 Theo Marks Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I think she might have almost given Kerrin a fright how quickly she quickened up rounding the home turn. She is just electric. Obviously, she is very versatile in terms of how to be ridden. She has got bags of speed. Her optimum distance range, who knows. She is just very, very good.
“She (Autumn Glow) is just electric. She has got bags of speed. Her optimum distance range, who knows. She is just very, very good.” - Charlie Duckworth
“I don’t think he even asked her. He might have been just thinking about asking her and she took off. She is awesome. She is the best horse in training who hasn’t won a G1 yet. I’m sure that will come with time. Chris mentioned plotting a path towards an Epsom. Weight will obviously be a factor in that, but she is certainly – hopefully – going to be winning more G1s than just a Handicap G1.”
Sales Information: Bred by Newhaven Park Stud, Autumn Glow was offered by them at the 2022 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, where Silverdale Farm purchased her for $600,000. They presented her at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where she topped the sale at $1.8million to the bid of Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Connections of Autumn Glow after winning the G2 Theo Marks Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Pedigree Information: Autumn Glow is a three-quarter sister to the G1 Golden Rose winner and now stallion In The Congo (Snitzel), their dam Via Africa (Saf) (Var {USA}) was rated South Africa’s Champion Sprinter in 2013/14 with 10 wins including three at Group 1 level. Her first foal, Pleasant Endeavor (Redoute’s Choice) has won six races in Hong Kong, while she’s been very unlucky since Autumn Glow’s birth, failing to produce a live foal.
Arkansaw Kid goes back-to-back in the G2 Bobbie Lewis
Having run four seconds in his past five starts, few would begrudge the ever-consistent Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) his second win in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality. Remarkably, it was his first victory since defeating Skybird (Exosphere) in the same race last year.
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding settled midfield down the straight while Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner) and Media World (Written Tycoon) rolled forward to set the tempo. The key moment came when Blake Shinn opted to switch to the inside, and Arkansaw Kid burst through for a decisive win by half a length over Star Patrol, with Media World fighting on for third. Royal Insignia (Written Tycoon) was an eye-catching fourth and looks a black-booker going forward.
Co-trainer JD Hayes was delighted with how the race unfolded.
“It was a beautiful watch. He finally drew a barrier when he was able to sit a bit closer. He’s run terrific in his last two but he’s had to go back from bad draws and today it was just a beautiful watch. He was really travelling well at the clock tower and it looked llike Blake had plenty of horse there and he was strong to the line. It was a well overdue win for the ownership group who have been incredibly patient. He’s been a bit of a bridesmaid so it’s good to get the result.”
Arkansaw Kid winning the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Shinn said he always felt confident during the run.
“I was. He gives you a lot of confidence travelling, he’s run a lot of seconds, it’s just a matter of timing your run, we were fortunate today, barrier two, the horses are coming down the rail side so we got on the back of Media World which I was confident was going to drag me as far as I needed to go.
“I said to the Hayes boys and the owners, we’ll just count to ten, wait for the clock tower to push the button and it was nice. The winkers were applied today and it might’ve just given that extra spark to savage the line and big congratulations to the owners, they’ve been very patient, to get a winner on a big Group One day like today is really special.”
Hayes brothers and Shinn Blake after Arkansaw Kid won the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sales Information: Arkansaw Kid was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing for $190,000 from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Pedigree Information: Arkansaw Kid is the sixth foal out of Florabella (Exceed And Excel), who was a winner over 1200 metres on the track.
She has left six winners on the track and also has a very strong pedigree. She is a three-quarter-sister to the stakes-winning stallions Shinzig and Strada, while the talented stakes winners Alfolk (Lonhro) and Garibaldi (I Am Invincible) also feature on the page.
Arkansaw Kid as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
In recent times, Florabella has left 2-year-old and yearling fillies by Harry Angel (Ire), and is due to foal again to the same stallion this October.
Manaal strong in the Sheraco
The high-class Manaal (Tassort) has proven a super filly throughout her career, winning a Group 1 as a 2-year-old, adding a Group 2 at three, and on Saturday she extended her record as a 4-year-old mare with another Group 2 success for Emirates Park.
Luck hasn’t always been on her side, but Jason Collett produced a peach aboard the Michael Freedman-trained mare. With plenty of pressure up front as favourite Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon) was trapped three wide on the pace with Lilac (Justify {USA}) and Spicy Martini (Justify {USA}).
Collett bided his time before exposing Manaal late. She powered through to score by half a length over the roughie Dark Glitter (Spieth {NZ}), who ran a slashing race, with Gangsta Granny brave in third. The top-class Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) was sound resuming in fourth.
Trainer Michael Freedman had nothing but praise for his mare.
“She is a great mare. It’s been a little while between drinks for her. I was just saying before last preparation she had wretched luck with barriers. We drew off the track I don’t know how many times. She was running well without much luck. Seemed to come back in good order this preparation.”
Manaal winning the G2 Sheraco Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
When asked what may come next, he said:
“There are lots of good options for 4-year-old mares in the Spring. You have The Invitation, being a 4-year-old the Golden Eagle wouldn’t be out of the equation. I think we just pick our way a little bit from here. I’m just really heartened by the fact I can see she is back in good form.”
Winning jockey Jason Collett was equally pleased.
“It was great, I loved that. Obviously (she was) really disappointing in Melbourne. We weren’t 100% sure why but to come back and the feel she gave me then, that was great.”
Connections of Manaal after winning the G2 Sheraco Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Pedigree Information: Manaal was bred and retained by Emirates Park. She is from the Midshipman (USA) mare Red Lodge (USA), who won the Listed Colleen Stakes as a juvenile at Monmouth.
Manaal's third dam Memories Of Silver (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}) was a talented race mare, winning nine races and two Group 1 contests. She produced Winter Memories (USA) (El Prado {Ire}) also a victress of two Group 1 races. In recent years Red Lodge has left a 3-year-old filly named Rajwa (I Am Invincible) who has only raced once, a 2-year-old filly by Zoustar, a yearling colt by Justify (USA), and she missed to Tassort last spring.
