Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Tentyris set to stamp stud credentials in the Coolmore
The Godolphin racing team have been in fine form in recent times, and they will be hoping that continues onto this weekend as the talented Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) takes aim at the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. The powerful Street Boss (USA) colt looks to secure a Group 1 victory before likely heading to stud at Darley upon retirnement, whenever that may be.
It shapes as a second-time lucky chance at elite-level glory for Tentyris. As a 2-year-old, he was a leading contender for the G1 Golden Slipper after an impressive win in the G2 Todman Stakes, only to be scratched on raceday after pulling up lame in a hind leg - a setback that forced the talented colt to the paddock.
Despite having only four juvenile starts, his record was exceptional, featuring victories in the Listed Talindert Stakes and the G2 Todman Stakes, along with a very brave second in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Tentyris | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Tentyris resumed from his injury-enforced spell with a solid third down the Flemington straight in the G2 Danehill Stakes behind race-rival Mcgaw (I Am Immortal), before producing a dominant performance to win the Listed Gothic Stakes over 1100 metres at Caulfield on October 18.
Form expert Nic Ashman summed up that victory in glowing terms, noting:
“Tentyris didn’t just look good; he was good. He stopped the clock five lengths inside standard for 1200 metres, with his final 400 metres nearly seven lengths faster than par.”
Godolphin holds a very strong hand in this year’s edition of the premier 3-year-old sprint. Beiwacht (Bivouac) comes into the race following an eye-catching win in the G1 Golden Rose over 1400 metres by more than four lengths. His sire excelled down the Flemington straight, and Beiwacht looks the hardest to beat.
“Tentyris didn’t just look good; he was good.” - Nic Ashman
The depth doesn’t end there in what shapes as a very even and high-quality race. Beadman (Snitzel) was luckless last start and appears ready to peak, Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk) still looks untapped, and Raging Force (Cosmic Force) is sure to give a bold sight with his forward-running pattern down the straight.
Can Maurice provide another Victoria Derby winner?
The two Group 1 races for 3-year-olds at Flemington this weekend could not be more different in what they demand of their competitors. The G1 Victoria Derby is more than twice the distance of the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, and naturally attracts a very different type of horse.
Fifteen individual sires are represented in the Derby field, including the four emergencies, and it’s an interesting mix of profiles and staying potential. Could a son of Maurice (Jpn) upset the applecart and pose the biggest threat to the deserved, warm favourite, Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}).
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Arrowfield Stud’s Japanese star Maurice already has his name on this race thanks to Hitotsu, who stormed to victory in 2021. It's no surprise, then, to see three of his sons lining up in Saturday’s edition.
Miewa (Maurice {Jpn}), one half of Nick Ryan’s Derby assault, comes into the race off the back of two stakes placings, the most recent being a strong second to fellow Derby contender Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun) in the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes in mid-October.
“He’s got an electric turn of foot,” Ryan told racing.com. It may seem an unusual attribute to highlight for a Derby horse, but Hitotsu proved how valuable acceleration can be even over 2500 metres. In his Derby win, he was 15th with 800 metres to run, improved to ninth at the 400, and powered clear late to score by 1.75 lengths.
“He’s (Miewa) got an electric turn of foot.” - Nick Ryan
“He’s had the perfect prep,” Ryan continued. “He’s peaking at the right time and we’re really happy with him. He had his final main gallop yesterday (Wednesday), he worked really well, he’s right where I want him, and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
Miewa is bred for the task. His dam Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) won a Group 3 in New Zealand over 2000 metres, and is a half-sister to dual Group 1 Oaks heroine Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Miewa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ciaron Maher also saddles two gelded sons of Maurice: Norman Robinson third Amazake, and Matsuda, who broke his maiden over 1744 metres before finishing fourth in the Listed Geelong Classic over 2200 metres at his last start.
“Amazake is a genuine stayer,” Maher told SEN on Thursday. “I know he’s still a maiden, but they went early in his last run, and I thought he toughed it out very well. A genuine 2500 metres would probably lend itself to him.”
Regarding stablemate Matsuda, Maher’s main concern is giving him room to move - something barrier 19 might actually help with.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s a big horse and if he gets crowded, I don’t think he enjoys it, so it mightn’t be the worst gate for him,” Maher said.
Should Matsuda prevail, he would add a second Victoria Derby to his pedigree page, as he is out of a half-sister to 2009 Derby winner Monaco Consul (NZ).
Waller’s Empire Rose quartet ready to bloom
Champion trainer Chris Waller has a strong quartet of quality mares set to line up in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington over the mile on Saturday.
All four runners present genuine winning chances, led by Fangirl (Sebring), who will benefit from dropping back from open Group 1 Weight-for-age level to a mares Group 1.
Fangirl | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn), a former G1 New Zealand Oaks winner, ran a very good third in the G1 Toorak Handicap at her last start, Lazzura (Snitzel) has already claimed two Group races this preparation, and Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), while her recent form isn’t as strong, is more than capable of featuring.
Waller commented on his CWR Weekly Preview:
“Kerrin McEvoy rides Fangirl, we have got a pretty good draw, her mate Pride Of Jenni is in the race. Everyone knows - and Fangirl knows - that you don’t let Pride Of Jenni get out of your sight. If you do that, it makes it hard to sustain a long run. Fangirl knows that, Kerrin knows that, we have the right horse and she is ready to go.”
On Leica Lucy, Waller said:
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Lucy will appreciate a good draw. She was very unlucky in the Toorak - first up she drew wide. She will appreciate tempo, she will love Flemington, and blinkers go on.”
“Lazzura will appreciate going back to Flemington also. Caulfield was firm this year, just bad luck with the wins - no one’s fault. Flemington is a bit more forgiving on this day and she will appreciate that.”
Regarding Firestorm, the stable’s roughest chance in the race, Waller added:
“Firestorm is screaming out for a mile. She will run better than her odds.”
“Firestorm is screaming out for a mile. She will run better than her odds.” - Chris Waller
Linebacker sets his sights on the Golden Eagle
The talented Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) bounced back in emphatic style last start, winning the $1 million Silver Eagle by just over two and a half lengths. That performance followed a very public, high-profile trial victory on October 7, where he defeated Overpass (Vancouver) and the subsequent G1 The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).
Co-trainer Tom Charlton, who prepares the gelding alongside John O’Shea, pointed to Linebacker’s strong form at Randwick as a key indicator ahead of the $10 million Golden Eagle.
Linebacker (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“His best form is at Randwick; he won the Randwick Guineas, which is not too dissimilar to the Golden Eagle, and obviously he won last start over 1300,” Charlton told Racing and Sports.
“Being at Randwick we're very happy about and now we just need a few things to go our way.”
“Being at Randwick we're very happy about and now we just need a few things to go our way.” - Tom Charlton
Asked about his last-start victory, which was over slightly shorter than his optimal distance, Charlton added:
“He was a little bit fresh before the race, which was good to see, so there would be no doubt there should be a bit of improvement getting to a trip where he should be most effective. Everyone seems so happy with him at home and we're looking forward to it.”
Tom Charlton | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
The Golden Eagle always attracts a big field, with 16 runners going head-to-head. The unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) is clearly the one to beat. The Chris Waller-trained mare has won all seven of her starts, including a commanding victory in the G1 Epsom Handicap at her last run.
Japanese raider Panja Tower (Jpn) (Tower Of London {Jpn}) adds international interest, having won at Group 1 and Group 3 level in his past two starts. Among the local challengers, the ever-consistent Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) - runner-up in the G1 Toorak Handicap behind Transatlantic (Snitzel) at his last start could feature again, while Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) has the class to produce an upset for trainer Ciaron Maher.
Star sprinters on show and chasing the bonus in the Russell Balding
There are bonuses galore for the winner of the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes, which will be held at Randwick on Saturday over the rarely used feature-race distance of 1300 metres.
The lucrative prize pool for the race is a hefty $1,725,000, but as part of the Sportsbet Bet With Mates Sprint Series, a further $1 million in bonuses is on offer for horses that ran in either The Everest or Sydney Stakes and finish among the top points scorers from the series races.
The bonus system is points-based, with Briasa (Smart Missile) leading on nine points, Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) on eight, Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}), on five, Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) on four, and Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) on two.
Bella Nipotina winning the Russell Balding Stakes 2024 | Image courtesy of Sportpix
The Russell Balding Stakes itself is worth double points, with a top-five finish offering 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 points respectively.
An additional $1 million is available for horses that contested either The Everest or Sydney Stakes, with $700,000 for the winner, $200,000 for second, and $100,000 for third.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar looks extremely hard to beat, coming off a brave third in the G1 The Everest at Randwick last start.
“He’s nice and bright,” Maher said on SENTrack.
“That extra distance is ideal for him. His ideal trip is probably 1400, and we just keep him fresh to run shorter distances than that. I think there’s a bit to like about him on Saturday.”
Jimmysstar (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Everest runners appear to be the main threats. Lady Shenandoah has faced some setbacks but 1300 metres will be no issue, while Briasa is always a horse to respect. Outside of The Everest runners, the one to watch could be the tough, classy Private Eye (Al Maher), who claimed the G3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield with ease at his last start.
