Impulsive Reaction on track for Derby
In winning the G3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Impulsive Reaction (Shamus Award) is on track for the G1 South Australian Derby. Second place went to the filly Boomaroo (Wootton Bassett {GB}) with Flying Brant (Flying Artie) in third. “He gave me a beautiful ride around. He's a very relaxed horse and that's going to obviously aid him over a bit further,” jockey Zac Lloyd said.
Now the winner of two of his four starts, Impulsive Reaction has earnings over $115,000. Owned by Ultra Thoroughbred Racing, he is the first foal of unraced Impulsive Liaison (Savabeel).
New stakes winner for Capitalist
Peter Snowden-trained 3-year-old filly Akaysha (Capitalist) won Saturday’s Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm to become the 31st stakes winner for her G1 Golden Slipper winning sire. Akaysha, who hadn’t won since her debut this time last year as a 2-year-old, had three stakes placings in her 10 start career. She took her earnings over $410,000.
“She was suspect on a heavy track but (Chad Schofield) gave her a gun ride. He saved ground and cut the corner, got her on the better part of the track and then saved her for the last 200m and she was really good late,” Snowden said.
“This filly had been knocking on the door and getting really close lately so it's good to see her win a black-type race. She won with a bit of authority.” Bred and owned by Macquarie Stud’s David Baxter, Akaysha is a full sister to Listed winner Ka Bling. She’s the last foal of Group 3 winner Zingaling (Redoute’s Choice).
Time honoured Listed St Leger to Toronado filly
The 170th running of the Listed St Leger went to Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 3-year-old filly Silvasister (Toronado {Ire}) in a 3.5-length victory for jockey Luke Currie. “She’s a lovely filly and we weren’t sure whether she would stay, given her pedigree,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“She put up a great run behind Salty Pearl (finishing second in the Vobis Guineas) over a mile, but then she went to Adelaide (in a Listed race) and disappointed us. We brought her back in class and she won at Donald over 2200 metres; she looked to nearly be at the end of it, but we wanted to test her here over the distance with a view to the 2500-metre race for fillies in Adelaide.
“It was a beautiful ride from Luke; it couldn’t have worked out any better.” Finance Merchant (Merchant Navy) was second with Chillies (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in third. Silvasister becomes the 51st stakes winner for Toronado (Ire) and is out of Silver Tiara (Ferocity) whose first foal is Listed winner Silvera (High Chaparral {Ire}). Silver Tiara is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Shoot Out (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Group 3 winners Cassandara Shadow (Johannesburg {USA}) and I’m A Princess (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Third stakes win for Spicy Lu in Princess Stakes
A stakes winner at two, and winner of the G3 Ethereal Stakes in the spring, Nick Olive-trained 3-year-old filly Spicy Lu (Tagaloa) added the Listed Princess Stakes on Saturday at Eagle Farm. The consistent filly had been out of sorts this autumn but put it together to win from She Moves Too (Zousain) and Nightline (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).
Now the winner of five of her 13 starts, Spicy Lu has earnings over $450,000. She was purchased by her trainer for $30,000 from Vinery Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
One of three winners for winning mare All Salsa (Charge Forward), whose 2-year-old filly has been named Added Spice (Victor Ludorum {GB}).
Listed Brisbane Handicap won by Kronenbourg
Tony Gollan-trained 7-year-old gelding Kronenboug (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) won his first black type race in Eagle Farm’s Listed Brisbane Handicap on Saturday. He took his record to 10 wins from 32 starts with earnings over $560,000.
Sold by Wentwood Grange for NZ$45,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, his dam, Angel Child (Anabaa {USA}) has also produced stakes placed Top Gun (NZ) (Time Test {GB}).
New stakes winner for Super Seth
Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday went the way of Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Perlino (NZ) (Super Seth). Perlino won by over a length from Sweetheart (NZ) (Vanbrugh) and Voguish (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}).
“It was a really cool, calm and collected ride by Bruno (Queiroz) as he was probably a few pairs back (during the running) than we expected,” assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said. “They went a bit hard in front, so I wasn’t that worried, and she has been a quality filly going forward. The team here have done a great job with her and it is good to get one on the board down here for everyone.”
Perlino becomes Super Seth’s ninth stakes winner, and has three wins from her seven starts. She is the second winner for Palomino (Exceed And Excel) who is a half-sister to Listed ATC Cup winner Malice (Teofilo {Ire}).
The Western Front lands omen bet on ANZAC Day
Casual punters at Flemington’s ANZAC Day meeting who chased The Western Front (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) for his name were rewarded when the omen bet won the first on the card for Lindsay Park. Co-trainer Ben Hayes will think about the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 16 which is a G1 Melbourne Cup Win and You’re In race. “It’s something we’ll definitely have to talk about,” Hayes said.
“He’s a fit and in-form stayer, so it would be a nice race to look at with him, and it would be pretty fun for all of us if we could qualify him for a Melbourne Cup.”
Racing returns to Lark Hill on Sunday
After two decades without racing, the Lark Hill track in WA will host their first meeting on Sunday. Jockey-turned-trainer Misty Bazeley will run Wayne The Pain (Oratorio) in the Lark Hill Cup. Named for Bazeley’s husband Aaron’s late brother Wayne, Wayne The Pain is coming off a last start third. “His nickname was ‘Wayne The Pain’ because that’s what he was. I was pretty close to Wayne, he was a cool guy and now I love this horse,” Bazeley told racingwa.com.au.
“He’s taught me a lot, this horse, but he is so quirky and is a pain in every which way. When we first got him, he’d bark and bite you and he even broke my nose once when I was riding him in the round yard.
“Lark Hill is now home to us and it feels fitting to be supporting the club. It’s only 20 minutes down the road from our place, so happy days. I just wish I was still riding, but it’s the next best thing. And the horse is going good … it’s the best prep he’s ever had.”
I Am Invincible filly stays unbeaten
In Perth, Dan and Ben Pearce-trained 2-year-old filly Cos I Am (I Am Invincible) took her unbeaten record to two with a tight victory over Dan Morton-trained gelding Mark The Sky (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) at Ascot on Saturday.
Sold by Silverdale Farm for $500,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Pearce Racing, Yarradale Stud, and Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), Cos I Am is the first live foal of three-time winner L’Cosmo (Lonhro).
Cool Gent wins at Sunshine Coast
Shane and Adam Barling-trained 2-year-old gelding Cool Gent (Winning Rupert) won at the Sunshine Coast’s Saturday meeting. He debuted as a pre-Christmas juvenile and this was his second start. Adam Barling purchased him for $9000 from Marlou Park’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft.
A half-brother to stakes placed Butwedid (Performer), Cool Gent is out of winning mare Snip Me Not (Not A Single Doubt).
Tiger Of Malay filly wins at Armidale
Second season sire Tiger Of Malay enjoyed a second crop juvenile winner when Melissa Dennett-trained Tigella won at Armidale on Saturday. Her trainer purchased her from Mullaglass Stud’s draft at the Inglis HTBA Sale for $8000. She is the first live foal of Thrillology (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}).
Tassort juvenile wins at Gosford
On Saturday, Richard and Will Freedman-trained 2-year-old filly Seductra (Tassort) won at Gosford at her third start. Sold by Amarina Farm at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $140,000 to Sledmere Stud and Cangon Farm, she was pinhooked to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where her trainers paid $370,000 for her.
Seductra is the fourth winner for The Seductress (Snitzel) who was a 2-year-old winner at Caulfield.
Sire doubles around the nation
Written Tycoon had a stakes double at Morphettville with Tycoon Star and Cilacap, and also had a stakes winner as a damsire at the same meeting with Verzain (Zousain) who was TTR’s Buy Of The Weekend recently.
Too Darn Hot (GB) celebrated a double at Randwick with 2-year-old filly Bangkok Hottie and 3-year-old filly Cantiamo who took her record to four wins from eight starts.
Toronado (Ire) sired a double at the Sunshine Coast with Toro Chase and Lovecats. Jukebox sired a double at Dalby with Gluttony and Yes I’m Ugly.
Khanshe kicks off big weekend for Auret
Fraser Auret is becoming best known for breeding Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) who attempts to make it 20 wins in succession on Sunday at Sha Tin. On Saturday, Auret trained Khanshe (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) to victory in the G2 Travis Stakes. “She has just got such a will to win and a lovely turn of foot, so it was phenomenal,” Auret said.
“There were some very good horses in that field so to finish it off like that was so good. It’s her third stakes win after just 20 starts so there is a lot to look forward to as winning over 2000m opens up so many doors for her. She has been up a long time so we might pull stumps now and look after her for another campaign later in the year.”
Bred and raced by the estate of the late Rick Orr, Khanshe took her record to six wins from 20 starts with earnings over NZ$350,000. Her dam is unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Folies Bergere (NZ) who has also produced Listed winning 3-year-old filly Circus Dancer (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) who ran mid-field in the G3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes on the same card.
Juvenile winner for Ole Kirk in New Zealand
Ole Kirk added a juvenile winner at Te Rapa when Te Akau Racing’s System Of Play won on debut. The 2-year-old colt was purchased by David Ellis for NZ$480,000 from Ohukia Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale. Ohukia Lodge had bought him from Baramul Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft for $180,000.
System Of Play is the second foal for Group 3-placed Statuesquely (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) who has an Exceedance yearling filly and an I Am Invincible weanling filly to come.
Big day for White Robe Lodge
White Robe Lodge and trainers Brian and Shane Anderton combined to win two of the three stakes races on the card at Riccarton on Saturday. Bauble (NZ) (Ghibellines) won the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup and Inflamed (NZ) (Ghibellines) won the Listed Great Easter Stakes. But it was a poignant victory as Inflamed’s dam Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru) died on Friday. “It was a very special win,” jockey Corey Campbell said.
“She has been such a great mare for the stable for all these years now, so it was nice to get another black-type win on her, especially after they lost the mare yesterday. She has just been an absolute marvel, not many horses can win on bottomless Heavy10s up to a Good3. It has been a pleasure to be a part of her racing career.”
New stakes winner for Hello Youmzain
Saturday’s G3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes was won by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained 3-year-old filly Drops Of God (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) to become his 12th individual stakes winner. The exciting filly took her record to three wins from four starts with earning over NZ$130,000. Over 2.5 lengths in arears was Hanseatic filly Platinum Pantheon with Little Black Dress (Snitzel) in third.
“She is an exciting filly on the way up,” assistant trainer Reece Trumper said. “She was faultless in her first preparation, she led up in her first two victories and things didn’t go right for her in the Almanzor Trophy, but she was brave when running third in that.
“(Australia) has been spoken about, but no races have been discussed yet. Ben Thompson (Australian jockey) rode her on Karaka Millions night in the Almanzor Trophy and he said she was certainly well up to that grade, so you take advice from people like that.”
Bred by Greg Tomlinson under his Nearco Stud banner, Drops Of God is raced by Tomlinson in partnership with Raptors Thoroughbred, and is the fifth stakes winner for her dam Distinctive Lass (Orientate {USA}). Her other stakes winners are Group 1 winner Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), and Listed winners Southern Lad (Ocean Park {NZ}), Kuro (NZ) (Denman), and Distinctive Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). She has also produced Group 3-placed Wairau Cove (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) among her nine winners.
Opera Ballo does it again
Godolphin's G1 Jebel Hatta hero Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) was like greased lightning exiting the stalls in Friday's G2 Bet365 Mile and, having stolen a march on his five rivals, made all to defeat G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Kingman) by a mightily impressive three lengths in a stellar renewal of the Sandown feature.
“William (Buick) and I were chatting away yesterday and there wasn't a pace angle declared, so we said let him do what his father did and jump and run,” explained Charlie Appleby. “This horse is electric out of the gates and Will has always said he'll take two or three lengths out of them out of the gates. It was a great ride from Will there and a track you could do that on.
“Our plan was always to step back up to [an extended] nine furlongs for the [May 21 G1] Prix d'Ispahan and I would imagine that's where we will go. The Lockinge is of course there for us, but Notable Speech is on course for that.”
Baaeed’s brother wins Classic Trial
Tricky in the preliminaries but as professional as it gets in the race itself, Shadwell's key 3-year-old Raaheeb (Sea The Stars) stamped his class on Friday's G3 Sandown Classic Trial. Staying on powerfully to the line, the 5-1 second favourite, who like his other full-sibling Hukum hails from the Owen Burrows stable, had 3.25 lengths to spare over Godolphin's Al Zanati (Dubawi) there, with another 1.25 lengths back to the Gosdens runner Wise Prince (Ghaiyyath) in third.
Burrows is not entirely convinced about the Derby. “I couldn't fault him in the race, we just need to iron out that thing going to the stalls but I'd like to think that won't be a problem,” he said.
“He pleasantly surprised me there, as I would have been happy to make the frame but I still wouldn't want to commit to the Derby too soon,” he concluded. “There is Royal Ascot and potentially the Irish Derby, so we'll see how he comes out of this and make a plan.”
Raaheeb is the ninth foal out of Shadwell's star mare Aghareed (Kingmambo), whose Baaeed and Hukum took longer to mature and win their Group races. The former, whose brilliant career featured six Group 1 wins from a mile to a mile and a quarter, contrasted with Hukum who was a strong-staying mile-and-a-half performer as he proved in his soft-ground King George. Interestingly, her son of Nathaniel, Naqeeb, was a Group-placed stayer.
The Listed-winning Aghareed is a daughter of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and Flower Bowl Invitational-winning champion Lahudood (Singspiel), who also produced the dual New Zealand Group winner Mahrajaan (Kitten's Joy).
Pinatubo's Saddadd wins Gordon Richards
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Roger Varian trainee Saddadd (Pinatubo), who hit the board in September's Listed Foundation Stakes at Goodwood when last seen, found the necessary gears to claim a career high in Friday's G3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown.
“He's an absolute darling of a horse and has the most delightful attitude,” claimed trainer Roger Varian.
“I think we'll stay at 10 furlongs for now and we have to dream he's a Group 1 horse, but his next race will tell us more. I would love to perhaps end up at Ascot in a [G1] Champion Stakes, we know he'll handle cut in the ground and he's going to get better throughout the year. I think we'll digest today and see where the ladder is going. He's in the (G1) Tattersalls Gold Cup and we would love to come back here in the summer for the (G1) Eclipse. It's just a question of which race we go for.”
Hong Kong partner with France in commingling
HKJC Horse Race Betting Limited will participate in France's “World Pool by PMU”, a partnership launched by its overseas partner Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), starting with the Prix Ganay World Pool by PMU race on April 26.
The initiative further enhances the World Pool branding, created by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club), in continuing to provide racing fans with strong international liquidity.
The Club has maintained a close partnership with PMU over the years. Since 2019, the Club and PMU have worked together to offer Win and Place outbound commingling on French races. Under the new “World Pool by PMU” brand, the overall operation of the outbound commingling will remain unchanged for customers, with the respective pools operated by PMU and governed by local regulations in France.
Unbeaten 3-year-old tops Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale
Jethorse LLC paid US$375,000 (AU$524,000) for General Graham (Omaha Beach), a 3-year-old undefeated ridgling who won in starter allowance company Keeneland on April 8, to post the highest price of Friday's April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale which followed the races on closing day of the Spring Meet.
“We're delighted with General Graham,” consignor Eddie Kenneally said. “Two for two, hasn't done anything wrong–beautiful, big horse. He's a horse that we bought in a package as a yearling, and the intent was to sell. That's kind of what we do. We run these horses. Try to get some success at the track and sell them when they appear as though they're moving forward. (General Graham) certainly does appear as though he's moving forward. I think he's got a big career ahead of him.”
Keeneland sold 12 horses for a total of US$1,697,000 (AU$2.38 million). The average was US$141,417 (AU$197,000), and the median was US$102,500 (AU$143,000). “The April Horses of Racing Age Sale was a lively and fitting close to the Spring Meet,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy.
