Cover image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
First run in 1906 and won by Maltine (Maltster), the Gimcrack Stakes has long been a springboard for juvenile filly success. As a test of early speed and precociousness, the race has a strong record of producing top-class fillies that can go on to further success and become highly valuable broodmares.
Last year’s Gimcrack was won by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}) who added the Gold Pearl on the Gold Coast over the summer. John Thompson-trained Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) won in 2024 with R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) in second and G3 Magic Night Stakes winner Memo (Capitalist) in third.
The 2023 winner Manaal (Tassort) has since gone on to claim the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and four further Group 2 races proving that these early juveniles can carry on as older horses. G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) was fourth that year.
The race’s honour roll still reads like a who’s who of top-class gallopers, including Furious (The Welkin {GB}), Wenona Girl (Wilkes {Fr}), Mother Duck (Luskin Star), Startling Lass (Luskin Star), Fitting (Marscay), Apple Danish (Danehill {USA}), Dantelah (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), Media (Gilded Time {USA}), Mirror Mirror (Dehere {USA}), Portillo (Red Ransom {USA}), Enthaar (Written Tycoon), and Coolangatta (Written Tycoon).
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team are back this year with a trio of fillies; Bourbon Beat (Hellbent), Outback Affair (Home Affairs) and Runaway Diva (Anamoe).
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Outback Affair has gone ahead really well off the trial. It's switched her on,” Bott said.
“I couldn't fault her work (Tuesday) morning. She's still got a lot of improvement to come, but there was a fair bit to like about her trial too.”
Several of the runners won trials at the first official 2-year-old trials in Sydney a fortnight ago, and it was Marc and Mitchell Conners-trained She’s Supreme (Exceedance) who ran the quickest time of the day.
“We have a big thing for big bums, that’s where the power comes from,” co-trainer Mitchell Conners said.
“She didn’t really stand out which is probably why we got her so cheap but she’s a really strong horse and a ball of muscle, an out and out sprinter which we like. All the work we’ve done with her she handles so well, she’s just cruising through the work and pulling up great. She’s showing all the right signs.”
No.1 – Aniston, 2-year-old filly, Denman x Harada Tat Tat (Haradasun)
Trainer: Terry Croft
Jockey: Sam Clipperton
Barrier: 4
Breeder: D Gremmo
Owners: J K R Racing (Mgr: D Gremmo), L A Warner, R Gremmo, A Gremmo, M Gremmo, L J Matthews, S E Gwynne, D D Black, S Rogers & P J Van Gorp
Sales: Nil
Pedigree: Aniston is the fifth foal of five-time winner Harada Tat Tat (Haradasun) who has produced two winners including Aniston’s full brother Straya Pride who has won six races. Harada Tat Tat has a yearling filly by Zousain and recently foaled a colt by State Of Rest (Ire).
This is the family of G1 HKJC Centenary Sprint Cup winner Hot King Prawn (Denman).
No.2 – Bourbon Beat, 2-year-old filly, Hellbent x Bonita Aurelia (NZ) (Sweynesse)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Yarraman Park Stud
Owners: Horseshoe Investments Pty Ltd (Mgr: R N Russell), Glenlogan Park (Mgr: J M Haseler), Mrs Y M Smith, Speed Machine Racing (Mgr: L C Henderson), T S Menounos, D P Maher, J and B Racing (Mgr: B Fullagar), P R Orrico & B L Pollitt
Bourbon Beat | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Her trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds paid $350,000 for her at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Yarraman Park Stud’s draft.
Pedigree: Bourbon Beat is the second foal of G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic winner Bonita Aurelia (NZ) (Sweynesse) whose first foal is unraced 3-year-old gelding Bright Gift (Hellbent). She has a yearling colt by Tassort and foaled a filly by Brave Smash (Jpn) this spring.
This is the family of Champion 2YO Burst (Marauding {NZ}) who won the Triple Crown, while Bonita Aurelia is out of stakes placed Cassie May (NZ) (Red Clubs {Ire}) who won three races, one at two.
No.3 – Enfield, 2-year-old filly, Snitzel x L’Cosmo (Lonhro)
Trainer: John Thompson
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Grant Bloodstock
Owners: Strawberry Hill Stud (Mgr: J D Singleton)
Enfield | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: John Thompson Racing paid $400,000 for her from Silverdale Farm’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: Enfield is the second foal of three-time winner L’Cosmo (Lonhro) whose first foal is Cos I Am (I Am Invincible) who won twice at two last season. L’Cosmo has a yearling filly by Snitzel and was empty for this spring.
L’Cosmo is one of three winners for dual Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor) who is in turn a daughter of triple-Listed winner Crevette (Danehill {USA}). This is the family of dual Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}).
No.4 – Everlasting Grace, 2-year-old filly, Yes Yes Yes x Pretty Amazing (American Pharoah {USA})
Trainer: Clinton McDonald
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 5
Breeder: Dr D J O'Brien
Owner: S A Olive
Everlasting Grace | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Sold by Coolmore Stud for $200,000 to Cannon Hayes and Goldfront Farm at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Pedigree: Everlasting Grace is the first foal of G3 Kembla Grange Classic winner Pretty Amazing (American Pharoah {USA}) who has a yearling filly by Home Affairs and is due to foal to The Autumn Sun this spring.
Pretty Amazing is one of five stakes winners for Group 3-placed Pretty Penny (Encosta De Lago). The others are G2 Zipping Classic winner Sertorius (Galileo {Ire}) whose 10 wins earned connections $1.2 million, dual Group 2 winner Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau), dual Group 3 winner Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and juvenile G3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes winner Clifton Red (Sebring). Another sibling Rezealient (Sebring) placed in the G1 South Australian Derby, while stakes placed Fortune Of War (General Nediym) is the dam of Hong Kong Group 3 winner Patch Of Theta (Zoustar) and two stakes placed juveniles being Yamashita's Gold (Wootton Bassett) and Spoils (Snitzel).
No.5 – Farnans Sweetheart, 2-year-old filly, Farnan x Valley Sweetheart (Show A Heart)
Trainer: Sara Ryan
Jockey: Alysha Collett
Barrier: 7
Breeder: Riverstone Lodge
Owners: Vardy Thoroughbreds (Mgr: S Vardy), Valley Vardy (Mgr: S Vardy), S Drinkwater, R Mahoney, Mrs D Kelly, Mrs Z O'Shea, N Pryce, M Ately, S Morris, Mrs E Hollifield, BamSpacko (Mgr: B Spackman), Miss D Godden, Mrs C Irwin, W Haynes, K Hennessy, C Pinto, G Godden, B Luc, J Turnbull & B Miranda
Farnans Sweetheart as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sales: Vardy Thoroughbreds and Sara Ryan Racing paid $60,000 for Farnans Sweetheart at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Riverstone Lodge.
Pedigree: Farnans Sweetheart is the seventh foal of Listed William Crockett Stakes-placed Valley Sweetheart (Show A Heart), who has produced three winners. She has no recorded foals to follow Farnans Sweetheart.
Valley Sweetheart is a half-sister to G3 Quezette Stakes winner Kiss A Rose (Sebring) with both being daughters of stakes placed Hurl (Redoute’s Choice). G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) is distantly related via fourth-dam Kindergarten Handicap victrix I’m Alert (Red Alert {Ire}).
No.6 – I’m Admired, 2-year-old filly, Admire Mars (Jpn) x Adamina (Snitzel)
Trainer: Shaun Harvey
Jockey: Reece Jones
Barrier: 13
Breeder: Arrowfield Pastoral and Planette Thoroughbred
Owners: Ms L Van Tijn, Mrs J Davis, Mrs S M Davis, Miss C Dunn, Mrs M Dunn, Ms S Ferguson, Mrs S L Knight, Mrs K McKenna, Ms R Tiffen, Mrs T Tiffen, Mrs P West, Ms J Woolley & Queens of the Turf (Mgr: Miss A Lennon)
I’m Admired as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sales: Sold by Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale to Lauren Van Tijn and Shaun Harvey Racing for $24,000.
Pedigree: I’m Admired is the fifth foal of G3 Widden Stakes-placed Adamina (Snitzel) who has produced two other winners including I’m Admired’s 4-year-old full sister Miss Kasei. Adamina has a yearling filly by Castelvecchio and foaled a filly by Vandeek (GB) this spring.
Adamina’s dam Anadan (Anabaa {USA}) is a winning daughter of Group 1 winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}) who also produced two stakes placed winners; Admire Jello (Fastnet Rock) and Fu Ni (Adelaide {Ire}).
No.7 – Outback Affair, 2-year-old filly, Home Affairs x De Grawin (Snitzel)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Regan Bayliss
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Lockyer Thoroughbreds
Owners: Bangaloe Stud, Lockyer Thoroughbreds, De Grawin 24, M Heinz, P Haigh, A Stark, T Pender, D Maher, A Varasdi, G Whitford, Mrs C Timms, Three Wise Men Racing, Boyz On Tour No. 1, Boyz On Tour No. 3, Boyz On Tour No. 2, Boyz On Tour No. 4, Ms S Marshall, L Laskey, Mrs I Sampieri & D McTaggart
Outback Affair | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott as well as Kestrel Thoroughbreds paid $290,000 for Outback Affair from Longwood Thoroughbred Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: Outback Affair is the third foal of five-time winner De Grawin (Snitzel) whose 3-year-old filly De Grawin Queen (Home Affairs) has had two runs this spring. She has a yearling colt by Home Affairs and is in foal to Ozzmosis.
De Grawin’s dam De Lightning Ridge (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) won the G2 Challenge Stakes over 1000 metre in record time, while De Grawin’s full sister Stolen Gem is the dam of three-times Group 1-placed To Catch A Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}).
No.8 – Provata, 2-year-old filly, Pierata x Provide (Olympic Glory {Ire})
Trainers: John O’Shea and Tom Charlton
Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Dr R McClenahan
Owners: JOS Provide, Mrs A K Charlton, Mrs C M Cook, Mrs C Woods, Mrs C A Richards, Mrs B Rakowski, Ms B G Green, Ms D Jacklin, Mrs J Folsom, Mrs K-A Crameri, Mrs L M Murray, Mrs D R Haxton, Mrs S J Scott, Mrs C Hay, Ms E E Ellas, Mrs T Ellas, Mrs V English, Mrs C Charlton, Ms P Cooper & Mrs D Hill-Harrison
Provata as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sales: Sold by Kulani Park for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to O’Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock.
Pedigree: Provata is the first foal of winning mare Provata (Olympic Glory {Ire}) who has a yearling filly by Pinatubo (Ire) and a colt foal by Starlust (GB).
Provata is a half-sister to Listed Blue Diamond Preview (c&g) winner Burnstone (Redoute’s Choice) and G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes-placed Yaki Ishi (Maurice {Jpn}), and her first three dams are all stakes winners. Provata is a daughter of G2 South African Fillies Nursery winner Merlene De Lago (Encosta De Lago) who is out of G1 Golden Slipper and G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Merlene (Danehill {USA}). Merlene is out of dual Group 2 winner and R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Bold Promise (Luskin Star).
No.9 – Rhythm, 2-year-old filly, Justify (USA) x Pickin’ Time (Fastnet Rock)
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Jason Collett
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Katom
Owners: YES Bloodstock (Mgr: B F Sokolski), B Griffith, Coolmore (Mgr: T V Magnier), Rockhart (Mgr: E Irwin), D L Bergmark, S W Bergmark, A D Bowler, A G Harvey & Kelso & Co (Mgr: D Kelso)
Rhythm as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sales: Bjorn Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $300,000 for Rhythm from Coolmore Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: Rhythm is the sixth foal of stakes placed Pickin’ Time (Fastnet Rock) who has produced three winners and had a colt by Private Life this spring.
Pickin’ Time is a half-sister to Listed Hobart Guineas winner Reprisal (Galileo {Ire}) and stakes placed pair of Hifalutin (Peintre Celebre {USA}) and Europa Point (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) who is the dam of Listed Jungle Dawn Classic winner Toropa (Toronado {Ire}).
No.10 – Runaway Diva, 2-year-old filly, Anamoe x Fleet Dove (Not A Single Doubt)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Rachel King
Barrier: 9
Breeder: B M Nolan
Owners: Monarch Bloodstock, Monarch Anamoe, V Multari, Miss E G Toland, N McKinley, W B Fornari, P Leonello, Loftus Park, B L Thompson, W O'Connor, C S Jackson, C Cassidy, D Galea, D J O'Donovan, P Zakostelsky, Mrs M Edwards, D A Micallef, L S K B, What A Day & Baker Bucket List
Runaway Diva | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Raheen Stud sold Runaway Diva at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where Monarch Racing, Catheryne Bruggeman and Paul Moroney Bloodstock paid $380,000.
Pedigree: The second foal of four-time winner (two at two) Fleet Dove (Not A Single Doubt) whose first foal is unraced 3-year-old filly Bird In Flight (Zoustar). Fleet Dove has a yearling filly by Zoustar and foaled a filly by Spirit Of Boom this spring.
This is a good winning family without producing any recent black type. Further back is Group 1 winner and South African Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight.
No.11 – She’s Supreme, 2-year-old filly, Exceedance x Absolemm (Pierro)
Trainers: Marc and Mitchell Conners
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Echo Beach Bloodstock
Owners: Hoofs and Heels(Mgr:Mrs M J Conners),M F Conners,T Pearce,T G Missingham,L Newton,Mrs K M Newton,J O'Sullivan,S C Noble,Noble By Nature(Mgr:S C Noble),Canary Bros Racing(Mgr:B Brunckhorst),M J Burling,M Psaltis,H P Harle,P L Carter,Dr M Healy,Dr L Deady,S Nagaratnam,G Nagaratnam & P Nagaratnam
She’s Supreme | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Conners Racing paid $40,000 for her from Vinery Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: She’s Supreme is the fourth foal of 1000 metre winner Absolemm (Pierro) whose first two foals are winners including She’s Supreme’s full brother Peace Baby who has two wins. Absolemm has a yearling filly by Exceedance and is due to foal to All Too Hard soon.
Absolemm is a half-sister to G2 Bill Stutt Stakes winner and G1 Champagne Stakes-placed Glenfiddich whose first crop are 3-year-olds. She is also a half-sister to Ludicrous Mode (Snitzel) who is the dam of Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes winner Scenic Point (Written Tycoon).
No.12 – Shezablaze, 2-year-old filly, Capitalist x Blazing Miss (Sizzling)
Trainer: Peter Snowden
Jockey: Andrew Adkins
Barrier: 10
Breeder: E W & S M Beirs
Owners: Snowden Racing Pty Ltd (P J Snowden), Spartus Bloodstock (G J Stambe), Mrs B E King, Mrs S M Beirs, Two Fillies Stud (Mgr: N A Tufilli), Mrs V M Metcalfe, Ms N Crehan, LTS Racing (Ms L M Ingham), M Lee, D Constantin, N J McBride, H Cooper, Casey & Adele McGrath (C W McGrath), N P Long & Mrs D M Long
Shezablaze | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Snowden Racing paid $170,000 for Shezablaze from Alma Vale Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: Blazing Miss (Sizzling) was a precocious runner, winning at two and placing in the G3 Widden Stakes and R.Listed Inglis Nursery Stakes before winning five more races as an older horse. Shezablaze is her first foal and she has a yearling colt by Tassort. She is due to foal to Extreme Choice later this spring.
Blazing Miss is a half-sister to stakes placed Tristate (Headwater) and juvenile winner Miss Amajardan (Hinchinbrook) who is the dam of ill-fated young sire and G2 Todman Stakes and G3 Breeders’ Plate winner Sejardan. This is the good Procrastinate family that includes The Everest runner Ninja (Farnan) among the many stakes winners.
No.13 – Shraddha, 2-year-old filly, Ole Kirk x Spicy (Fastnet Rock)
Trainer: Michael Freedman
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Barrier: 3
Breeder: C W Kwok
Owners: Nine9Park Pty Ltd (Mgr: S A Dyson), S C Cheung, W K Loughnan & J S Rogers
Shraddha | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sales: Michael Freedman and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $250,000 for Shraddha from Vinery Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Pedigree: Shraddha is a full sister to winning 3-year-old filly Flying Fury and the pair are the first two foals from winning mare Spicy (Fastnet Rock) who has a yearling filly by Hawaii Five Oh and is due to foal to him again this spring.
Spicy is a half-sister to R.Listed Inglis Nursery-placed Canadian Spice (Vancouver) and both are out of dual Listed winner Paprika (General Nediym) who won four races at two and six in total.
