Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Race-day Recap
Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) continued his outstanding campaign with a dominant victory in the Listed Winter Challenge Stakes at Rosehill for trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Tommy Berry.
It was the classy 3-year-old filly Ladies Pro (D'Argento) who stayed on strongest to claim the Listed Belmont Classic in a thrilling battle for jockey William Pike and trainers Grant and Alana Williams.
Roselyn's Star (Shalaa {Ire}) was all class winning at Rosehill for trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton. He looks like he is in for a very profitable campaign off that dominant first-up victory.
Prioress (NZ) (Proisir) may have been the roughie of the field, but it didn't matter as the 7-year-old mare took out the Listed Opunake Cup at New Plymouth for trainer Suzy Gordon, who trained the quinella in the race with Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) running second.
Midnight Dynamite continues brilliant winter campaign
The Bjorn Baker-trained 4-year-old gelding Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) has enjoyed an outstanding late autumn and winter campaign, adding a second Listed victory to with a dominant performance in the Listed Winter Challenge Stakes to compliment his Listed Civic Stakes success in late June.
The race unfolded perfectly for Tommy Berry, who settled Midnight Dynamite in an ideal position about fifth, one-off the fence, as noted front-runners Whinchat (Russian Revolution) and Cool Jakey (Pierro) ensured a genuine tempo in the testing conditions.
Travelling strongly throughout, the Pierata gelding cruised into contention while still on the bridle approaching the 250-metre mark before quickly putting the race beyond doubt. He surged clear to score by just under three lengths.
Just Folk (Magnus), who settled one position ahead of the winner in running, battled on well to claim second, while the ever-consistent and honest General Salute (Russian Revolution) finished strongly for third.
His campaign may be extended to another run as the stable look to qualify him for the Big Dance.
"We're mindful he's had a long 'prep' so we'll see how he comes through, but the initial plan is Coff's Harbour" trainer Bjorn Baker 's racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.
"We'd like to get him into the Big Dance if he can run a mile which, off that, it looks like he might.
Midnight Dynamite winning the Listed Winter Challenge Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"He has come to a new level this preparation. Even looking at him, I still don't think we've got to the bottom of him. He's going to be a better horse next preparation.
"He's one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He's got better and better each preparation. He's reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully."
"He's (Midnight Dynamite) one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He's got better and better each preparation. He's reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully." - Luke Hilton
Sales info: Midnight Dynamite was purchased for $100,000 by the Redwall Syndicate from the Rheinwood Pastoral draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
He was later passed in at $80,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, before being secured by Darby Racing for $48,000 at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Pedigree info: Midnight Dynamite is one of three winners out of the dual-winning Al Maher mare Talented Miss.
Talented Miss is a full-sister to the Listed-placed Acouplamas (Al Maher), who has produced outstanding performers including G1 Australian Derby winner and stallion Quick Thinker, Group 3 winner Seasons (Sebring), and multiple winner and Group 3-placegetter The August - Sengon Soloman (Mal.) (I Am Invincible).
Midnight Dynamite after winning the Listed Winter Challenge Stakes | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
This is also the family of G1 Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars and Group 1-winning filly Larrocha (Danehill {USA}).
Talented Miss has recently produced a 2-year-old named Lachsatalent (Portland Sky), a yearling colt by Kermadec (NZ), and is due to foal to Celestial Legend late next month.
Ladies Pro prevails in thrilling Belmont Classic
The classy Grant and Alana Williams-trained 3-year-old filly Ladies Pro (D'Argento) added the Listed Belmont Classic to her Listed Belmont Oaks victory after proving too strong in a stirring battle with the talented Westbound (Toronado {Ire}).
The race began at only a very moderate tempo, with Royal Guardian (Safeguard) taking up the running. Passing the 1400-metre mark, stablemate Savienne (NZ) (Savabeel), ridden by Holly Watson, made a sweeping move from last to first, injecting much-needed speed into the staying contest.
Approaching the home turn, it was evident the two market favourites had travelled into the race the best. Westbound loomed ominously and struck the lead at the 250-metre mark before kicking strongly.
However, William Pike had Ladies Pro perfectly positioned and the pair engaged in a thrilling duel over the final 200 metres, with the filly doing enough to score by a long neck.
Pony Up (Dirty Work) finished a further eight and a half lengths away in third, collecting valuable black type for connections.
Ladies Pro winning the Listed Belmont Classic | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Sales info: Ladies Pro was purchased for $45,000 by Williams Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Bowness Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Ladies Pro is the first foal out of the dual winner Il Professionale (Pierro).
It's a strong family, with Ladies Pro's grandam O'Perfect One (Danehill {USA}) being a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner and successful West Australian sire Universal Prince, along with Group 1 winner Universal Queen (Scenic {Ire}).
This is also the family of three-time Group 1 winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) and G1 Coolmore Classic heroine Krone (Eurozone).
Connections of Ladies Pro after winning the Listed Belmont Classic | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Il Professionale, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old colt named Lucky Aza Beel (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}), a yearling colt by Profiteer and is due to foal to D'Argento early next month.
Roselyn's Star shines first-up at Rosehill
The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Roselyn's Star (Shalaa {Ire}) made a stylish return to racing, producing a dominant first-up performance to score by just over two lengths in Open Handicap company at Rosehill.
The talented sprinter had not been seen since winning the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes on the same track in late March and quickly showed he had returned in excellent order.
Way To The Stars (Reward For Effort), ridden by Rachel King, led the field, while Zac Lloyd positioned Roselyn's Star outside the leader. Storm The Ramparts (Headwater) enjoyed the run behind them, with the well-supported Cigar Flick (Churchill {Ire}) settling near the rear.
Soon after straightening there was only one horse to follow, with Lloyd full of confidence aboard the favourite. Roselyn's Star cruised to the front approaching the 250-metres before racing clear. Grand Impact (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) finished strongly into second, while Cigar Flick also closed well to claim third.
Winning co-trainer John O'Shea emphasised the importance of sending Roselyn's Star for a spell following his previous victory.
Roselyn's Star winning at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
"The key to him was when we turned him out a winner," O'Shea said.
"He had a nice break, he had his tail in the air coming off a win. He's come back in, and Tom and the team have done a wonderful job preparing him today."
O'Shea confirmed next year's Magic Millions Carnival is the long-term target for the talented sprinter.
John O'shea | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Winning jockey Zac Lloyd was equally impressed by the gelding's development.
"He's a very nice horse and he's just come back this prep a lot smarter," Lloyd said.
"He's (Roselyn's Star) a very nice horse and he's just come back this prep a lot smarter." - Zac Lloyd
"He conserves his energy really well now and I think he's in for a really good prep. Obviously he's already a Group 3 winner already but hopefully he can go on with it."
Sales info: Roselyn's Star was purchased for $220,000 by the John O'Shea Ladies Syndicate from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Roselyn's Star is one of four winners from the stakes-placed 2-year-old Dual Star (Starcraft {NZ}), who also produced Roselyn's Star's full-sister Shalstar (Shalaa {Ire}), a four-time winner and Listed placegetter.
Zac Lloyd with Roselyn's Star after winning at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Dual Star is a daughter of the city-winning Dual Diamond (Redoute's Choice), while Roselyn's Star's third dam is True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}), winner of the 2001 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and the dam of Listed Super Impose Stakes winner Villain (Carnegie {Ire}) and Listed-placed Fashion (Encosta De Lago).
Dual Star, in recent times, has left a yearling colt by Doubtland, a weanling colt by Shalaa (Ire) and missed to Street Boss (USA) last spring.
Prioress delivers breakthrough stakes success
Rich Hill Stud's outstanding stallion Proisir moved another step closer to securing a second New Zealand Sires' Premiership after the Suzy Gordon-trained Prioress (NZ) (Proisir) became the stallion's latest stakes winner with victory in the Listed Opunake Cup at New Plymouth.
The 7-year-old registered the seventh win of her career and her first at stakes level.
There was genuine speed from the outset, with Gordon's other runner Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) leading under Liam Kauri from Mr Mojo Risin' (NZ) (Deep Field). Chajaba (NZ) (Keano {NZ}) raced wide just behind the speed, while race favourite Bonnard (NZ) (Swiss Ace) settled comfortably in behind.
The strong tempo continued before Chajaba struck the front at the 300-metre mark on the heavy track. Turn The Ace refused to surrender along the rail, but Masa Hashizume produced Prioress with a perfectly timed run out wide to arrive in the final strides and score by a short head.
Turn The Ace was brave in second, with Chajaba another short head away in third after putting up a tough effort.
The victory was especially significant for Gordon, delivering her first stakes success as a trainer while also completing a stable quinella with two horses she acquired later in their careers after previous preparations with Lisa Latta and Andrew Forsman.
"I'm a bit speechless as that is my first stakes winner," Gordon said.
"I'm a bit speechless as that is my first stakes winner." - Suzy Gordon
"They were both really well and I knew Prioress loves racing on the back-up, so I was happy with both of them.
"I was watching Turn The Ace mainly and really didn't know where the other one was, but she has a great finish on her. I haven't even thought about what to do next, so we will just have to see how they pull up."
Suzy Gordon with Prioress after winning the Listed Opunake Cup | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Hashizume said he always felt he was travelling well enough to feature in the finish.
"She jumped out nicely and I followed George (George Rooke on Thooza) and got good cover," he said.
"On the corner I thought I was going to run in the top three and every time I asked her she gave more and more.
"On the corner I thought I was going to run in the top three and every time I asked her she (Prioress) gave more and more." - Suzy Gordon
"It was a good effort as she had good cover and the rhythm of the race was just perfect."
Sales info: Pauline McGuigan purchased Prioress as a tried horse for NZ$7250 from Gavelhouse in August 2024. She was initially passed in short of her NZ$30,000 reserve at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the Rich Hill Stud draft.
Pedigree info: Prioress is the last living foal and one of three winners from her six-time-winning dam Shahbab (NZ) (Bertolini {USA}), who was also placed in the Listed Lion Red Plate at Rotorua.
It is a family full of winners, with G2 Foxbridge Plate winner and Group 1-performed Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and dual Group 1 winner and stallion St Covet featuring prominently in the extended pedigree.
