Listed Ansett Classic won by Whisky On The Hill
A dive at the line gave Glen Thompson-trained 6-year-old gelding Whisky On The Hill (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}) an 0.3 length victory in Sunday’s Listed RM Ansett Classic at Mornington over 2415 metres. Adding black type to their records was second-placed Scary (NZ) (Shocking) and third-placed Banker's Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan).
“I thought he was in a lot of trouble, but it was good to see him get out and the best horse won,” Thompson said.
“He's a horse on the way up. It's good to get a result for a group of owners who have really backed me since everything went down.” Thompson was the training partner of the late Mike Moroney and went out on his own when Moroney’s stable was taken over by Lindsay Park.
It was the first stakes win for Whisky On The Hill who took his record to six wins from 20 starts with earnings over $300,000. He won three in succession in Ireland in 2023 and then was sold at the Tattersalls July Sale to Paul Moroney and partners for 135,000 gns (AU$289,000). Whisky On The Hill becomes the 11th stakes winner for his sire.
Apocalyptic improved ahead of G1 Flight Stakes
Fresh off a big Saturday, trainer Michael Freedman is keen to see his dual Group 2-winning 3-year-old filly Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) in Saturday’s G1 Flight Stakes. “She seems good, did a bit of striding work on Saturday morning and seems in good order so we are looking forward to next Saturday,” Freedman told racenet.com.au on Sunday.
Apocalyptic | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I would like to think (she will come into her own at a mile) but racing can throw up some funny scenarios sometimes. Whilst I really feel she is a filly that is shaping up to love the mile, you have to see them do it but she seems in great order.”
Begg makes case for Magic Time in Everest
With three slots still to be announced for the G1 The Everest, trainer Grahame Begg has made a case for Group 1 winner Magic Time (Hellbent). “There has been no offers but you wouldn't rule it out,” Begg told racing.com.
Magic Time | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She's in line. If something was to come, she's in line because there's a three-week buffer to that race, it gives us time to get her up to Sydney. She never runs a bad race.” She ran third in the G1 Manikato Stakes on Friday night.
“She went super. He (jockey Michael Dee) thought she didn't get around The Valley all that great; coming around the turn, she got her head up a little bit and didn't get really balanced up until she flattened out and switched over to her right leg. She's going in the right direction. I just reckon the last 10 days she's really started to hit her straps. She'll head up to Sydney in about a week and we'll work out where we go from there.”
Tentyris to resume in Danehill Stakes
Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman’s G2 Todman Stakes winner Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) will resume in Saturday’s G2 Danehill Stakes. “He's had a nice steady build up and come back a lot bigger and stronger… taken a little while to screw down and get fit,” Sam Freedman told racenet.com.au.
“But he's a very different horse to what we were dealing with as a 2-year-old, he's holding really good condition and seems to have strengthened up. It all bodes well for his spring preparation, the Danehill is going to be a difficult race, you're going to have a lot of race fit horses up and going (there).
“Our thinking really has been, the whole way through, to be the fresh horse on the scene for the Coolmore. He'll not blow the cobwebs out but have a nice run (Saturday) and build into his prep.”
Turnbull to determine Caulfield Cup option for Golden Path
The G1 Caulfield Cup is on the table for Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) depending on how he runs in Saturday’s G1 Turnbull Stakes. “We might have a try at the Caulfield Cup, if we were going that way, and I think we are, then the Turnbull is the likely leaning (on Saturday) … to be confirmed, but he'll definitely have a nomination,” Kent told racenet.com.au. He was third in the G1 Underwood Stakes last start.
Golden Path (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“The horse is arguably in career best form … our opinion is he's probably a couple of lengths shy of the best horses in these weight-for-age races over 2000 metres. His chance at winning a big race could be in a big handicap like the Caulfield Cup … he's in with a reasonable weight (54.5kg) and my gut feel is he'll enjoy the 2400 metres.
“It's a bit of a gamble … never been past 2000 metres but I think it's the right time to take that gamble.”
Dabernig’s Cavalry Girl wins again
A winner at two, 3-year-old filly Cavalry Girl (Bivouac) added her second career victory at Mornington on Sunday for trainer Tom Dabernig. Sold by Vinery Stud to Prime Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Cavalry Girl has earnings over $135,000.
She is the first foal of Islands (I Am Invincible), a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner Military Rose (General Nediym).
At the same meeting, Pat Carey and Harris Walker-trained 3-year-old gelding La Astro Chat (Star Turn) took his record to two wins from five starts with a 1.5-length victory. His trainers purchased him for $40,000 from Miranda Park’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft and he has earnings over $53,000.
Danny O’Brien-trained 3-year-old gelding Jett Smash (Brave Smash {Jpn}) won his maiden at his second start. He was a $26,000 purchase by Jenna Mahoney at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from Waylon J Stud.
Another winner for Doubtland
Second season sire Doubtland added winner number seven when Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 3-year-old gelding Wrigley Field won at Swan Hill on Sunday. He was resuming having had one start at two.
Wrigley Field is a half-brother to Listed winner Frankie Pinot (Your Song) and their dam, winning mare My Last Fling (Sebring), recently foaled a Written By colt.
At the same meeting, Henry Dwyer-trained 3-year-old gelding Different Gravy (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) won his maiden at start number five. By a former shuttle horse, Different Gravy is the first foal of unraced Venerated (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Two in succession for stakes-placed Missile
Stuart Gandy-trained 3-year-old filly Geegees Missile (Wordsmith) made it two in succession with a win at Devonport on Sunday. Geegees Missile was stakes-placed at two in the Listed Elwick Stakes and took her record to two wins from five starts with three placings.
A full sister to recently crowned Tasmania Horse of the Year Geegees Mistruth, both are out of Miss Mana (Jetball).
Kiwi jockeys released from hospital
The jockeys involved in the five-horse fall at Riccarton on Sunday have been released from hospital. No horses were hurt in the fall. “I have been in contact with all of the jockeys involved in this incident, and fortunately Brandon May, Jack Taplin and Bridget Grylls have all been discharged from hospital,” New Zealand Jockeys’ Association Executive Officer Andrew Lacy told Loveracing.nz on Sunday.
“Jack has shattered his wrist and has a possible fracture in his arm, he came out of hospital early on Sunday morning and is taking it as it comes at this stage.
“Brandon was quite sore in the lower back and pelvic area after being stood on by a horse, so he went to the hospital and fortunately everything came out clear in the x-ray. He has some internal bleeding on the muscle in that area, but is resting up and feeling very grateful as it could’ve been a lot worse.
“Bridget sustained a concussion and dislocated and possibly broke her finger, and also got stitches for a scratch on her knee.
“Brett was not injured in the incident and will be riding at the trials at Riccarton on Monday. Yogesh has also been cleared to ride after being checked at the meeting.”
G1 Sprinters Stakes gives jockey first Group 1
After 18 years in the saddle, jockey Kosei Miura won his first Group 1 in Sunday’s G1 Sprinters Stakes aboard Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}). Hong Kong-trained Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Swyenesse) finished in 11th.
It was also the first Group 1 win for Win Carnelian who ran second in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint two starts ago. He becomes the fourth Group 1 winner for Screen Hero, whose son Maurice (Jpn) stands at Arrowfield Stud.
Unquestionable to Rathbury for 2026
Grade 1 winner Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) has been sold to Rathbarry Stud and will stand his first season there in 2026, the stud announced on Saturday morning. Bred by Guillaume and Camille Vitse and their family, the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero sold to Mandore International Agency on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing and MV Magnier for €340,000 (AU$607,000) out of the 2022 Arqana August Yearling Sale.
The son of Strawberry Lace (Sea The Stars) debuted with a third in the Listed First Flyer Stakes and graduated by 4.25 lengths at second asking to kickstart his career. Second by only a nose to subsequent G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte in the G2 Railway Stakes, he was only a length second behind triple Group 1 scorer Rosallion in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere that October prior to his Breeders' Cup tally.
“We are delighted to add Group 1 winner Unquestionable to our roster,” said Rathbarry's Paul Cashman. “A very good-looking horse, he was a precocious 2-year-old who held his form throughout his successful juvenile campaign. He's supported by one of the best families in the stud book and we are confident that he will add to the legacy of his much-missed sire, Wootton Bassett. We look forward to supporting him strongly.”
Ballydoyle wins Goffs Millions
In the week that Wootton Bassett (GB) was lost, 2-year-old colt Dorset (Ire) demonstrated the void that he will leave for the industry in Saturday's Goffs Million. Fourth in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes earlier this month, the 17-2 shot had some of the best form in the line-up and was sent to the front by apprentice Jack Cleary before halfway.
“It's fantastic to win this race. Fair play to Goffs for putting up a pot like this, it's a major incentive to bring a good field and they got well supported today,” stable representative Chris Armstrong said. “His form has been in the book, in fairness, and he's just done a few things wrong. Today we took the hood off him, we thought with it on in the National Stakes the last day he just didn't show his true potential.”
Another Group winner for Wootton Bassett
Hawk Mountain won the G2 Beresford Stakes in front-running fashion at The Curragh on Saturday, his first stakes victory and the 52nd Group winner for the late Wootton Bassett. The Coolmore partners colour-bearer defeated G2 Futurity Stakes runner-up Geryon (Lope De Vega) by 3.25 lengths, with that rival just overtaking Al Haarith (Lope De Vega) by a head in the dying strides.
Chris Armstrong, representing the O'Brien stable, said, “He's a smashing colt. Obviously he's got the sire and the dam and he has plenty of size and scope. Whatever he does at two we think will be a bonus.
“Ronan (Whelan) gave him a lovely ride, he had his ears pricked the whole way around and there is plenty in there. He felt he was still green, even coming up to the line. It's a good sign and hopefully he'll improve again. He's in the mix for the Futurity Trophy in Doncaster or maybe he could go to France for the race in Saint-Cloud. He's one to look forward to for middle distances next year.
Mystic Dan back in winner’s circle
Just like he did beneath the Twin Spires on the first Saturday in May in 2024, G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) shot up the rail once again to a dramatic victory in Saturday's G2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs.
“This horse just exudes class. He acts like an old professional. A lot of credit goes to the Churchill team with Greg Geier and his exercise rider Robby Albarado. They got him into this race in great shape. All of us are thinking about Brian (Hernandez, Jr.) today and wish him the best in his recovery. This race was a great prep to likely the Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile. I'm sure we'll entertain both that and the Classic in the coming days with the owners. We're just going to enjoy this one and get him ready for the Breeders' Cup,” said trainer Kenny McPeek.
Maximum Security to relocate for 2026
Champion 3-year-old Maximum Security (USA) (New Year's Day {USA}) will relocate to Breakway Farm in Dillsboro, Indiana in 2026, the farm announced via X Saturday.
Previously standing at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, the 9-year-old colt accounted for a quartet of Grade 1 victories–the Florida Derby, Haskell Invitational, Cigar Mile and Pacific Classic. During his racing career, the bay also crossed the wire first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby and the 2020 Saudi Cup and was subsequently disqualified.
