Saturday Summary: Cellarmaster storms home late to claim the Winx Guineas

Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography

Cellarmaster swoops late to claim 'The Winx'

Tom Charlton-trained Cellarmaster (NZ) (Bivouac) added his name to an already illustrious family with a brave, fast-finishing performance to snatch the G3 Winx Guineas in the shadows of the post under Ryan Maloney.

The Bivouac gelding, out of a half-sister to New Zealand Champion Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), capped a string of consistent performances by adding a Group 3 victory to his record after previously placing in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes during the autumn.

There appeared to be a genuine tempo early as Pink Vixen (Brave Smash {Jpn}) and State Opera (Kermedec {NZ}) were prominent, while race favourite and well-performed filly Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) enjoyed a lovely run in third on the rail after a good ride from Dylan Gibbons from a wide barrier.

At the top of the long Sunshine Coast straight, Within The Law took the lead, but her run was short-lived as the Lisa Latta-trained Kiwi Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) surged to the front and looked the likely winner. However, Maloney lifted Cellarmaster over the closing stages to score by a neck from the brave Platinum Pantheon, who has been very consistent all carnival, while Rustemo (Russian Revolution) worked home well to finish third.

“I thought we were beat,” Winning trainer Tom Charlton commented as he thought that Platinum Pantheon had a winning break.

“But our horse probably maps a bit stronger at the mile. He’s been improving and he probably enjoys being ridden a bit quieter, we learnt that with him recently.

“It’s a good performance and I think he’ll keep improving. Ryan had a really good understanding of him when I spoke to him this morning, and I think he’s a chance of running a bit further in time as well.”

“He is Magic Millions eligible, so whether we target a late summer prep into the Magic Millions or give him a couple of weeks and bring him back for the spring, we need to figure that out,” Charlton said.

Winning jockey Ryan Maloney was impressed with the performance.

“He was a victim of circumstance last time. He ran really well at Eagle Farm but he was never able to make a proper impact from where he was in the run. I thought he was the best horse in the race, and when we got cover I was pretty pleased with myself,” Maloney said.

“When we got out I thought we were going to run a nice second, because I saw Ben Thompson fly past me at a rate of knots on the other horse. But it’s a nice long straight here and once he hit top gear I was delighted, so credit to the horse for digging deep and getting the job done.”

Sales info: Cellarmaster was purchased for $260,000 by John O'Shea Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Cellarmaster is the first foal out of the Tavistock (NZ) mare Moet Belle (NZ). She only raced twice, but has a very strong pedigree, being a half-sister to the New Zealand Horse of the Year and 13-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (Commands), and a full-sister to the dual Listed winner Tutukaka (NZ) - Cavalry (Mal.) (Tavistock {NZ}).

This is also the family of this season's G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}).

Moet Belle, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly named Charmingly (Per Incanto {USA}), a yearling colt by Anamoe and was served by Super Seth last spring.

Wise Inlaw proves too strong down the Flemington straight

Wootton Bassett (GB) completed a Listed Flemington double after juvenile Marwooba's earlier success when his talented 3-year-old gelding Wise Inlaw claimed the Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes for jockey Luke Cartwright.

It was also back-to-back victories in the race for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman after last year's success with the beautifully bred Bridal Waltz (Snitzel).

The field split across the famous Flemington straight, with John Allen guiding Prince Tycoon (Written Tycoon) along the rails while La Astro Chat (Star Turn) led the group down the centre of the course. It was difficult to line them up until the furlong, where the rails division held the advantage.

Prince Tycoon kicked strongly and established a handy lead, but Cartwright guided Wise Inlaw through along the inside before taking over to score by half a length. Prince Tycoon fought on bravely for second, while the favourite, the beautifully bred Chains Of Love (I Am Invincible), carrying the Arrowfield Stud colours, finished third. It was a creditable effort after she began a little slowly, raced keenly under Jamie Melham and still secured valuable Listed black type for her connections.

The victory was a significant milestone for Cartwright, bringing up his first stakes success.

“It's just a bit of a weight off my shoulders,” Cartwright said.

“It's made me a lot more determined to work even harder at it, because it doesn't come overnight.

“We went close in a few of the bigger races, but that just made me to come back down to basics through winter, knuckle down, tidy up a few things in my riding and I can't thank the team behind me enough.”

Winning co-trainer Peter Moody said the key had been keeping the talented gelding to sprint distances.

“We always thought he was a seven-furlong (horse) miler but about eight or 10 weeks ago we made the decision that he couldn't run 1400,” Moody said.

“We brought him back to the straight and he was very impressive here three runs back.

“I think we went to the Bletchingly after she (Bridal Waltz) won this last year, but realistically he's probably ready for a little break. He might have time for a freshen up and be back at Caulfield, but we'll let him guide the path.”

Sales info: Wise Inlaw was purchased for $300,000 by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Berkeley Park Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Wise Inlaw is one of two winners out of the dual Group 3-winning Snitzel mare Sylvia’s Mother. She is a three-quarter-sister to the five-time winner and dual Listed-placed Big Swinger (Trapeze Artist).

This is a very quick family with other members including the G1 Robert Sangster winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit) and the Group winners Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) and Generosity (Divine Prophet).

Sylvia’s Mother, in recent years, has left a 2-year-old filly by Home Affairs, a yearling colt by Anamoe and was served last December by Coolmore Stud’s Storm Boy.

General Salute's the judge in the Winter Stakes

It may have been 458 days since the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained General Salute (Russian Revolution) last won, but he chose the perfect race to return to the winner's circle, producing a dominant performance to claim the Listed Winter Stakes by a widening margin under Tim Clark.

There was genuine speed from the outset as Whinchat (Russian Revolution) took up his customary front-running role, with Cool Jakey (Pierro) and Adam Hyeronimus applying pressure. Race favourite Glorious Moments (Brutal {NZ}) settled midfield, while fellow fancied runner Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) raced three-wide without cover.

Upon straightening, Clark found runs nearer the inside aboard General Salute and, at the furlong marker, the 5-year-old burst to the lead before racing clear to score in style. McHale (Shooting To Win) ran a solid race also nearer the inside to finish second, while Midnight Dynamite was brave after his tough run and held on well for third, a couple of lengths from the winner.

Co-trainer Gerald Ryan revealed the 5-year-old had battled soundness issues throughout his career and even spent a full year away from the track following the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas two years ago.

"He had an operation on his foot as a foal and we've had heaps of trouble with it," Ryan said.

"He kept getting quarter cracks. When he had that long break (after the Guineas), we cut all his foot away and turned him out to let it grow out.

"He came back, then after he ran at Randwick he chipped a joint and had to have surgery.

"He's had problems all his life, so it was good to see the horse do that."

Despite those setbacks, Ryan said the gelding had continued to reward connections.

"He won nearly $400,000 last time in, without winning a race," Ryan said.

Sales info: General Salute was withdrawn from both the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is raced by his breeder Mr RE McMillan and partners.

Pedigree info: General Salute is one of four winners out of the three-time winner and Listed-placed Star Salute (General Nediym), who has also left the Group 2-winner Brutality (Shamus Award), alongside General Salute, who has now won at Group 3 and Listed level.

This is also the family of the Listed winners Flying Princess and her dam Be My Princess (Chief's Crown {USA}).

Star Salute, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old filly named Shemesh (The Autumn Sun) and a weanling colt by Russian Revolution.

Thebudgiesmugla powers to another staying success

The Listed Caloundra Cup is quickly developing a reputation as an important stepping-stone for emerging stayers. Last year's winner, Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}), went on to claim both the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup that same year, and this year's winner Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) looks another horse with plenty of upside after an impressive victory under Dylan Gibbons.

The progressive stayer has now won all five of his Australian starts over 2400 metres.

Gibbons settled Thebudgiesmugla second last in what developed into a genuine tempo. Listed Ipswich Cup winner Kaluakoi (Zoustar) dashed to the lead approaching the 600 metres, stretching the field, but within a matter of strides after straightening it became clear Thebudgiesmugla's staying prowess was about to come into play.

The gelding cruised to the lead and quickly had the race under control. Although So You Are (So You Think {NZ}) made good late ground to finish within half a length, the result never looked in doubt, while Caboche (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) battled on well for third, just under three lengths behind the runner-up.

“This horse has been a real revelation, he’s just gone from strength to strength since we got him. We don’t know how far he’ll get, but we’re tipping he’ll get two miles easily,” stable representative Glenn Lobb said.

“We rode him a bit upside down today compared to what he’s been used to. But we thought there would be a bit of speed on in the race, and we didn’t want to get into a battle early. Bjorn said to Dylan to shut him off early, and if they pull up to a crawl then he should get going.

"He’s got a good turn of foot, we went from being worried to thinking he would win easily. He’s got a lot of followers with his name, and he’s come a long way in a short space of time.”

Winning jockey Dylan Gibbons was equally impressed.

“I’m pleased to turn a steady day around with a really nice win on a nice horse. Fair play to Bjorn, they wanted me to ride him like he was the best horse in the race and he showed he was,” Gibbons said.

“We didn’t want to ride him too close so we had to trust the horse and trust the plan. I didn’t anticipate being that far back, so I was a little concerned but it didn’t matter. There aren’t too many horses that can pop out at the half mile mark and circle the field and still get there too soon.

“I’ll really enjoy it when he learns to put a race away, but his turn of foot is exciting for a stayer, which is what is winning him these races. He put a space on them then when they came back at him, he was off and gone again. So he’s a ripper and I’m just glad to be a part of it.

“It was definitely worth postponing the trip to Fiji because it’s all paid for after today.”

Sales info: Thebudgiesmugla was bred by Bradbury Park Ltd and is now raced by Darby Racing and their clients after being purchased after two wins in New Zealand from the Jo Rathbone stable after she purchased the gelding for NZ$3000 via Gavelhouse in 2023.

Pedigree info: Thebudgiesmugla is one of four winners out of the Keeper mare Hot Pants (NZ), who was a winner over 1400 metres at Oamaru on the track.

She has also left this season's Listed-placed juvenile Bella Bonita (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) as well as the three-time winner Hotzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}).

Hot Pants is a three-quarter-sister to the G2 Emancipation Stakes winner Sworn To Secrecy (NZ) (Keeper), while the New Zealand Listed St Leger Stakes winner Guns At Five (NZ) (Duelled) is another family member.