Cover image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
Race-Day Recap
The Ben Brisbourne-trained 2-year-old colt Fontein Jewel (Lucky Vega {Ire}) was an impressive winner over 1420 metres at Flemington in the hands of Ryan Houston.
The regally bred Chains Of Love (I Am Invincible) carried the Arrowfield colours to victory at Randwick for trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich.
The promising Ciaron Maher-trained Decalogue (Extreme Choice) won his third race in a row at Flemington in the hands of exciting apprentice Jabez Johnstone who picked up a double.
Tony Pike saddled up a trio of juveniles at Ellerslie and it was the rouhest chance Back Of The Bus (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) that saluted in a close finish for jockey Jasmine Fawcett.
Fontein Jewel scores for Brisbourne at his new base
The Ben Brisbourne-trained Fontein Jewel (Lucky Vega {Ire}) has been a busy and consistent 2-year-old colt, registering two wins from just five starts since mid-April. Following his maiden victory at Pakenham, he has now added an impressive Flemington win over 1420 metres to his building record.
Run at a genuine tempo, the race shaped as a testing 1420-metre contest for the 2-year-olds, with Running Rich (Rich Enuf) and Gallantry (Brave Smash {Jpn}) ensuring a solid pace throughout. Upon straightening, those near the speed were soon under pressure.
At the 300-metre mark, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Ko Phangan (Ole Kirk) presented as a leading chance. However, Ryan Houston soon appeared aboard Fontein Jewel, who quickly took control and went on to score by three-quarters of a length.
Insolence (Street Boss {USA}), ridden by Harry Coffey, ran second, with Star Of Macedon (Zoustar) third making a strong run nearer the rail. An eye-catching run came from Helvecchio (Castelvecchio), who finished strongly out wide for a close-up fifth.
The win marked Brisbourne's first Flemington success since being granted on-course stabling at Flemington in early May. While Brisbourne still maintains his Wangaratta base, where Fontein Jewel was previously trained, he was quick to credit the team effort.
Ben Brisbourne | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’s our third Flemington winner, but the first since we’ve had a base here,” Brisbourne said.
“That’s a big tick and hopefully it gets us noticed a bit more, especially with the younger horses.
“It proves what we’ve put in place is working, and we’re looking forward to plenty more success.”
“It proves what we’ve put in place is working, and we’re looking forward to plenty more success.” - Ben Brisbourne
Brisbourne also noted the filly’s pedigree ties to a special horse in his career.
“She’s the first foal out of Fontein Diamond, who was my first big winner as a trainer,” he said.
“She’s put some toughness into her, and the stallion has added a bit of class. It’s brilliant for Chris (Morey) and Terry (Hurford), who bred her and support me every year, to get a result like this.”
Sales info: Fontein Jewel was bred and is raced by Mr Chris Morey and Mr Terry Hurford
Pedigree info: Fontein Jewel is the first foal out of the five-time winning mare Fontein Diamond (Turffontein). She is a half-sister to the five-time winner Written Up (Written Tycoon), who was successful in the Listed Bendigo Guineas.
Written Up is one of six winners out of Fontein Jewel’s grandam Octangle (Octagonal). Further extended family members include dual Group winner and sire Flying Pegasus, his Group 2-winning dam Cashier (Danehill {USA}), and Listed winners Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) and Naantali (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
Since producing Fontein Jewel, Fontein Diamond has left a yearling colt by Tagaloa and has not produced a live foal since.
Chains Of Love now targets black type
The regally bred 3-year-old filly Chains Of Love (I Am Invincible) carried the Arrowfield colours to victory in the $120,000 TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap, stamping herself as a filly capable of progressing to much better company.
While Highway races are not traditionally strong black-type pathways, the ease of her win under Aaron Bullock suggests she could quickly add to her record of three wins from five starts, even at that highly desired level.
Bullock secured a perfect one-one position off a solid tempo, and when he asked for an effort, the filly quickly asserted her authority, bursting clear and holding a margin of just over a length.
The consistent Exit Fee (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), trained by Danny Williams, finished second, with Hurry Miss (Alabama Express) a further length and a half away in third.
“My first impression is that she’s still improving,” Bullock said post-race.
“What I mean is she’s getting better at listening. Early on, she had plenty of ability but wanted to do things her own way.
Chains of Love winning at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“The motor has always been there, and it’s great when they start to put it all together.
“She did everything right today, travelled well and was strong to the line. The Arrowfield team have been patient, and it’s paying off.”
“She (Chains Of Love) did everything right today, travelled well and was strong to the line. The Arrowfield team have been patient, and it’s paying off.” - Aaron Bullock
Co-trainer Paul Messara echoed those sentiments.
“She’s still learning but she’s very progressive,” he said.
She’s quite exciting. The concern was the draw, as she rarely gets in near the rail, but Aaron rode her perfectly. There’s a stakes race for 3-year-olds in Melbourne in two weeks that could suit. She’s quite exciting.
“She’s (Chains Of Love) still learning but she’s very progressive.” - Paul Messara
The race referred to is the Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final over 1200 metres on July 4.
“After that, we might give her a let-up and look towards the Kosciuszko, I think she’s that type of horse," Messara summarised, thinking longer-term.
Paul Messara | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Sales info: Chains Of Love was bred and is raced by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Planette Thoroughbred Trading Pty Ltd, Belford Productions Pty Ltd.
Pedigree info: Chains Of Love is out of Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}), a three-time winner highlighted by victories in the G1 Thousand Guineas and the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes. She has since become a stakes-producing mare, with her daughter Waltz On By (I Am Invincible) a dual Listed winner and her son Duvana (Dundeel {NZ}) being Group 2-placed.
Chains Of Love's grandam is the champion filly Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice), whose 11 wins include the G1 Golden Slipper, G1 Oaks, G1 Australian Guineas, G1 Thousand Guineas and G1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes. She has since produced seven individual winners as a broodmare.
Chains of Love after winning at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Stay With Me has more recently left a 2-year-old colt named Power Broker (Dundeel {NZ}), a yearling filly by Dundeel (NZ), and was served by Too Darn Hot (GB) last September.
Decalogue keeps on winning
Promising potential stayer Decalogue (Extreme Choice) may have taken time to put it all together, requiring eight starts to break his maiden, but the Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old has since hit his stride in stylish fashion.
He has now recorded wins over 1850 metres at Newcastle and at 2000 metres at both Randwick and Flemington, thriving over middle distances.
Earlier in the campaign, he showed his ability with a fourth placing in the G2 Tulloch Stakes behind Storm Leopard (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) in April. That performance was one of six top-four finishes from his first seven starts.
Winning apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone was very pleased with how the race unfolded.
"The race worked out pretty well, obviously none of this would be possible without the support I have been getting. Ciaron Maher and the whole team I cant thank them enough.
"They are so welcoming and they have given me some really good support and put a lot of trust in me.
"During the running it worked out very well, I ended up in the box seat, where I was very happy and content and comfortable and all we needed was a gap.
"He was very strong."
"He (Decalogue) was very strong." - Jabez Johnstone
Sales info: Decalogue was originally purchased by Woburn Farm and Cannon Hayes for $240,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. He was later bought by PR Thoroughbreds for $500,000 through the Cannon Hayes Stud draft (as agent for Woburn Farm) at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Bred by China Horse Club, Decalogue is the fifth foal out of Commandment (Commands). She is a half-sister to G1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}) and Listed-winning juvenile Sufficient (NZ) (Savabeel).
This is also the family of G1 Australian Derby winner and ill-fated sire Levendi.
Since producing Decalogue, Commandment has left a 2-year-old filly named Oculus (Wild Ruler), a weanling filly by Signore Fox, and was served again by Signore Fox last spring.
Decalogue as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Back Of The Bus first past the post at Ellerslie
Tony Pike saddled a strong contingent in the 2-year-old event at Ellerslie, preparing a third of the field. In the end the winner, Back Of The Bus (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), was the roughest of his trio but prevailed narrowly under Jasmine Fawcett.
Tardis (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) showed early speed from the inside draw under Matt Cameron to lead, while Fawcett positioned Back Of The Bus outside the leader. The tempo slackened mid-race, allowing both to kick strongly on straightening.
Back Of The Bus took the lead halfway down the straight and held on gamely. The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Russian Prime (Russian Revolution) charged late to miss by a head in what was a huge debut, with another head back to Tardis, who stuck on well. Palombaggia (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) was also solid in fourth, finishing only just over half a length from the winner.
Stable representative Ryan Stacey admitted there had been some concerns about the surface.
“She’s improved with every run, although we thought she might be better suited on a wetter track,” Stacey said.
“Today we told Jasmine to be positive. She got her into a beautiful rhythm and she stuck on really well.
“We were confident with the race-day experience and her continued improvement.”
Back Of The Bus (NZ) winning at Ellerslie | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Stacey indicated a possible next start at Ruakaka if progress continues.
Fawcett was pleased with how the race unfolded.
“She got a breather mid-race and balanced up nicely around the corner,” she said.
“When I asked for an effort, she gave it. She’s very straightforward, and Tony’s done a great job with her.”
“She’s (Back Of The Bus) very straightforward, and Tony’s done a great job with her.” - Jasmine Fawcett
Sales info: Back Of The Bus was purchased for $25,000 by Pike Racing at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Back Of The Bus is out of the unplaced Medaglia d’Oro (USA) mare Luce Del Sole. She is a half-sister to Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel), who ran second in the 2024 G2 Wellington Guineas when trained by Pike before transferring to Terri Rae in Christchurch, where he has since won the Listed Hazlett Stakes and recorded seven wins overall in his career.
Back Of The Bus as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Her grandam, Gallwitz (Bernardini {USA}), is a half-sister to three stakes winners: Retrieve (Rahy {USA}), Abduction (Street Cry {Ire}) and Reparations (Exceed And Excel).
Since producing Back Of The Bus, Luce Del Sole has left a yearling colt by Satono Aladdin (Jpn), a weanling colt by Pride Of Dubai, and was served by the very exciting Home Affairs last September.
