3-year-old Summary: Zahra and Godolphin steal the show in Flemington 3-year-old Group 1 blitz

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Electrifying Tentyris claims the Coolmore Stud Stakes

It was a scintillating performance by the Godolphin-bred and raced Tentyris (Street Boss), who claimed the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes by just over two lengths in the hands of Mark Zahra, who was on fire at Flemington, picking up his third win for the day.

Zahra was content to sit towards the back of the field after a slightly slow start, as Beadman (Snitzel) and Mcgaw (I Am Immortal) raced prominently up front, with Mcgaw out by himself on the grandstand side, while Beiwacht (Bivouac) shadowed Beadman everywhere he went.

It soon became clear the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt had plenty to offer. Tentyris began picking off runners from the back of the field with ease.

When Zahra pushed him between runners into clear air, he exploded, hitting the front before the clock tower and powering away to win by just over two lengths from the lone filly in the race, My Gladiola (I Am Invincible), who followed Tentyris into the race, while Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk) ran a very good third. Beiwacht battled on fairly after racing prominently and appearing under pressure early.

Tentyris stopped the clock in 1:08.10, a new race record, shaving 0.20 of a second off Switzerland’s mark from last year.

Co-trainer Anthony Freedman commented about the imposing colt:

“I think he’s very good. Today was dominant, he didn’t have all the favours but when produced showed an electric turn of foot.

“We may run next Saturday, we’ll see how he does, but he’s a very big tough colt.

“Privileged to train for Godolphin and get horses like this. Credit to all the staff here. Particularly credit to Sam. I’m now living in Sydney and he’s shouldered everything and produced him here perfectly.”

Sam Freedman added:

“It is special, and Godolphin, they’ve been amazing supporters of ours for a very long time and this colt has been with us since Day 1 and he’s showed a lot the whole way through.

“To do it with dad, he’s the reason I’m here today, so without him I’d be nothing. So it’s incredibly special.”

Winning jockey Mark Zahra explained how he was instructed to trust the horse:

“Anthony said don’t panic, just trust the horse. He was right and I just trusted the horse. I got on the back of Beiwacht and that other Snowden horse (Raging Force). The way he improves each start and the further the race went, the more he came up underneath me. He let rip when I first let go and then he thought ‘where am I’ and he started to stargaze. He’s a very good colt and what a win.

“I had the pick of a few (rides) early, but I have ridden a lot of big winners for them, and I trust them and we’ve had a lot of luck, so I was happy to stick for sure.”

Sales info: A homebred for Godolphin, who stand his sire Street Boss (USA) who has 83 stakes winners, including 10 at Group 1 level.

Pedigree info: Tentyris is the second foal of Exceed And Excel mare Deity, who won three times, and whose first foal Dios (Lonhro) won twice. Deity has 2-year-old filly Parcae (Blue Point {Ire}) and had a filly by Anamoe earlier this spring.

Deity is a half-sister to Listed winner Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}) and stakes placed La Pieta (Redoute’s Choice). Four-time Group 1 winner Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky) is the dam of Deity, and this is also the family of Group 1 winners Baraqiel (Snitzel) and Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun).

Godolphin claim their first Victorian Derby with Observer

It was a history-making day at Flemington as the powerful Godolphin outfit picked up their first G1 Victorian Derby, in the same year they claimed their first G1 Kentucky Derby.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), a colt from the first Australian crop of their stallion Ghaiyyath (Ire), showed his class, leading all the way under a masterful ride from Mark Zahra, who was incredibly claiming his fourth win for the day - including both Group 1 3-year-old features - in the famous royal blue of Godolphin.

It was a clever ride, with Zahra on and off the accelerator throughout, and Observer looked the winner at the 300 metre mark. Still, he had to show his toughness to hold off the brave Arcora (Justify {USA}), with Deal Done Fast (Dundeel {NZ}) finishing well for third.

On how good Observer is, Maher said: “I think the sky's the limit for this colt, he's just so adaptable. He was unlucky in a Guineas, he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.

“I'm rapt with our team, Mark (Zahra) is a great mate, he's riding on a real crest of a wave and there’s nothing better than to win the Derby on Derby Day. It's what it's all about.”

On winning the race and training for Godolphin, he added:

“To be given a horse like Tempted to run in an Everest and run so well and to have such a progressive colt like this, I can't thank Andy (Makiv), Jason (Walsh), Ross (Cole) and the whole team. The whole Godolphin team, they're an elite outfit, and I can't thank them enough.”

Jockey Mark Zahra, asked about his incredible day, said:

“What a day. It’s great riding for the best trainers. They do their job, I do my job and what a great day.”

On the tactics for the race, Zahra explained:

“I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence. I heard him say he’ll run it, so if you want to lead, just do it. He never switches right off, he’s always on the bridle, but he’s tough. He’s just like his old man and late, when they got to him, he found again. It was a very good victory.”

Sales info: Observer is a homebred for the Godolphin operation and becomes the first Group 1 winner for their stallion Ghaiyyath. He was a top-class stayer in Europe, winning four Group 1 races including the Eclipse Stakes, International Stakes, Coronation Cup and the Grosser Preis von Baden, all of these races were between 2000 and 2400 metres.

Pedigree info: Observer is a half-brother to G3 Newcastle Stakes winner Sandpaper (Snitzel), Observer’s dam Smooth (Lonhro) has always had great expectations on her shoulders, being an unraced full sister to Pierro. She has dutifully visited Anamoe since, producing a colt in 2024 by the Champion, and was due to produce a foal by Cylinder last month.

Getta Good Feeling dominant in the Wakeful

It was exactly what connections and punters wanted to see, the odds on favourite, Getta Good Feeling (So You Think {NZ}) was put into the race by jockey Mark Zahra, travelled comfortably on-speed, and won with ease by just over a length without really getting out of second gear, in what was a perfect G1 Victorian Oaks trial.

The Danny O’Brien-trained and Pinecliff Racing-owned filly brought strong form into the Wakeful, having won the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes and then running a slashing third in the G1 Thousand Guineas behind Ole Dancer (Ole Kirk).

She relished the rise in trip and showed her class, settling on the rump of Freedom Flame (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who ensured only a moderate tempo. It was clear Getta Good Feeling had the race in her keeping as she cruised up under a hold at the 400 metres, and Zahra never needed to fully ask for an effort.

She got the job done stylishly and, visually at least, looked to have plenty left in the tank for next Thursday’s Oaks.

Trainer Danny O’Brien has always had a big opinion of the promising stayer.

“We’ve made no secret of our respect for this filly from her first start in Geelong we’ve had this week in mind for her.

“It doesn’t always play out as smoothly as what it has for her this spring but so far so good.

“She’s going to go to the Oaks in great shape. She’s a filly that is big and strong by So You Think. He won a Mackinnon Stakes on this day about 15 years ago and he’s passed away so it is great to see his filly turning up and winning this, and hopefully the Oaks on Thursday.”

Zahra was equally impressed.

“She’s a very nice horse to ride. Flew the start, then I was able to sit outside the leader on a moderate tempo, relaxed really well, she stargazed pretty much all the way up the straight, she did it effortlessly.”

“She’s a good barrier horse. A nice horse to ride. Quick out and was able to sit outside the leader and was just strolling along out there and using no effort at all. Only problem was when I took it up halfway up the straight, she had a good look around and with a bit of urging she focused a bit, and it was just the sort of win you hope for going into an Oaks.

“On the Saturday and most of them going to the Oaks, if you do that (shake it up) you can ruin your horse. I think everyone rode their race and the best horse won.”

Sales info: Bred by Phoenix Broodmare Farm, Getta Good Feeling was sold by them at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $400,000 to Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA). She was offered through Milburn Creek’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft where Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock purchased her for $525,000.

Pedigree info: Getta Good Feeling is a So You Think (NZ) half sister to G3 CS Hayes Stakes winner and dual Group 1-placed Elliptical (Dundeel {NZ}), Getta Good Feeling is one of four winners for winning mare Marquise Da Rossa (Testa Rossa). Marquise Da Rossa has a 2-year-old full sister to Getta Good Feeling named Diamond Bloom, and a yearling filly by Alabama Express. She unfortunately slipped from her mating to Pierata last year.

Panova too strong in the Carbine

Champion trainer Chris Waller has made the G3 Carbine Club Stakes a launching pad for talented fillies in recent years, and the next to potentially follow that path is the exciting Trapeze Artist filly Panova.

It didn’t come easily for Panova and jockey Tommy Berry, who settled well back in the field as favourite Regal Award (Ole Kirk) strung them out, making it a genuine staying test. Lachlan Neindorf drastically upped the tempo halfway through the race, and Berry had Panova out in the open improving steadilly throughout.

When Regal Award kicked hard in the straight, Panova still had plenty to do, but she gradually built through her gears and had the race in her keeping by the 100-metre mark, drawing clear to win softly out wide by just under two lengths. Regal Award lost no admirers in second, while Single Choice (Anders) was sound in third a further length and a half away.

Waller has won this race with Fangirl (Sebring) and Aeliana (Castelvecchio) in recent years, with both fillies going on to become Group 1 winners. Notably, both had also won the G3 Reg Allen Stakes at their previous start, with Fangirl scoring when it was still a Listed race.

Chris Waller's stable representative Charlie Duckworth said following the win:

“Chris has got an excellent record in the race so continuing on from the great horses that have won it. It was an excellent ride from Tommy and when the race separated into two separate divisions early in the race I was a little bit worried – it could have been a bit of an issue.

“The tactics were similar to how we rode her last start in Sydney. We were relying on her good turn-of-foot and we were confident that she would stay out the distance.

“She’s going to stay very well. They think she’ll easily get 2000 (metres), so she’ll be a real force to be reckoned with in autumn. But she’s, obviously, building a nice record and adding some all-valuable black type to her page.”

When asked about the strong tempo, Tommy Berry explained:

“It really (the pace) brought my filly out of her comfort zone quite a bit, but that happened last start as well.

“And by the time she got to the corner, she grabbed hold of the bit and showed a good turn of foot, and even today, I had pressure from the inside coming to the corner, wanting to push me out of the way.

“I just didn't want to get into a bumping duel, because she's a filly that loses balance quite easily. So I let that horse sort of take me where he wanted, and I knew it was a long straight, and we had plenty of time to pick them up, she won with plenty of authority, and Chris, he knows what horses to bring for this race, that's for sure.”

Sale info: Presented by Kenmore Lodge at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Panova was purchased by Ciaron Maher for $325,000.

Pedigree info: Panova is the first foal of Love Me Quietly (Trusting) who has a 2-year-old colt by Castelvecchio and a yearling filly by The Autumn Sun, and is due to foal to Ozzmosis this spring.

Love Me Quietly won three races, one at two, and is a half-sister to G3 Red Anchor Stakes winner Charge (Zoustar). This is the family of Group 3 winner Niagara Falls (Danehill {USA}), dam of G2 Reisling Stakes winner and G1 Golden Slipper-placed Elite Falls (More Than Ready {USA}).

Sheza Alibi bursts through to score in the Vanity

It’s not often a G3 winner at Flemington during Cup Week begins their career by being beaten in a maiden at Rockhampton, but that’s the story of Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) now in the care of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

After running a good, battling third in Listed company behind subsequent G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy as a late 2-year-old, the decision was made to move her south, and it has proven a masterstroke.

The speedy Stardom (Zoustar) crossed the field from a wide gate and led at a strong tempo, with the field bunched in behind. Sheza Alibi was buried in the run under Luke Nolen and, for a moment, looked set to be a hard-luck story.

But once Nolen found clear air, the filly quickened sharply and charged through to win dominantly by just under two lengths. Teine Aulelei (Tagaloa) picked up valuable black type in second, while Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}) ran her usual honest race in third, a further two and a half lengths away.

Co-trainer Peter Moody was impressed with the performance and said the signs were there after her previous run.

“She laid the foundation of Caulfield with a very good effort in a strong race behind two very good colts, out to a more suitable 1400 (metres) she looked well-placed.

“Well done to connections, Freddie Noffke, the owner, and the handsome team up in Rockhampton that had this filly through her early days.

“She’s gone through Townsville and Rockhampton and places like that, and to see her come here and perform on Derby Day on the biggest stage, congratulations to all involved, and Katherine and my team, we've had her down here for a good few months now, and she's done nothing but please us, so a well-deserved victory today."

Sales info: Sheza Alibi was purchased by Fred Noffke for $10,000 from the 2023 Inglis Digital June Sale.

Pedigree info: Sheza Alibi is by the former Coolmore Stud shuttling stallion Saxon Warrior, and is the fourth foal out of Sheza Gypsy (Shaft), who was a six-time winner up to 1300 metres.

She is a half sister to Rom Baro - Kingsfield (H.K.), he was seven-time winner in Australia and Hong Kong, and among those wins was the Listed Canberra Guineas before he was exported to Hong Kong.

The talented Beethog (Shovhog) who was successful at Group 3 and Listed level features further down in the page, and she also left the G2 Reisling Stakes winner Glistening (Zoustar).