3-Year-Old Summary: Saintly Dancer waltzes her way to Thousand Guineas glory

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Saintly Dancer too quick, too strong

Winning form is good form, and Saintly Dancer (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) proved the point in emphatic fashion when leading throughout to claim the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.

The free-running filly completed the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes and Thousand Guineas double for trainer Ciaron Maher, who also secured the quinella with Icelady (Maurice {Jpn}).

Owned by First Light Racing and connections, Saintly Dancer was given a confident ride by Blake Shinn, who allowed her to stride freely in front before kicking clear to score by a length and a quarter.

Icelady worked around to settle outside the leader, while Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) secured the trail. G1 Flight Stakes-placed filly De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) also settled prominently.

Shinn controlled the tempo before asking Saintly Dancer to extend at the top of the straight, and she never looked in serious danger. Icelady battled on gamely for second, while Regal Ambition (Palace Pier {GB}) finished strongly to claim a valuable Group 1 placing.

The result was particularly satisfying for Maher's team, with National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull reflecting on the journey the filly had taken them on alongside First Light Racing.

"It's a dream," Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said.

"It's what it's all about and gives everyone every chance to get into a racehorse.

"The journey that she has taken us on, and First Light, has been amazing so far.

"She's been lightly raced, she will get further and strengthen up further and will get better. She's a little more street wise as we've raced her and trained her.

"It's the beauty of training and managing young horses, you don't know their ceiling.

Turnbull was also quick to acknowledge Shinn's contribution, having been riding successfully for the stable.

"He's got a very good clock and is a big-time player.

"He has a good affiliation with our stable since his return to race riding and with Tim and First Light.

"He nailed it on the day and it was well deserved."

For Shinn, the victory was special being his first Group 1 success since returning to race riding.

"This is my first Group 1 since I've been back," Shinn said.

"It certainly hasn't been an easy road, but you just keep turning up and put the work in and you get repaid with a big winner here today.

"It's all worth it and I just want to thank everyone who's supported me and my circle and outside too for that matter.

"The racing industry has been wonderful so it's nice to come back on a big day and show what we're made of."

Sales info: Wentwood Grange sold Saintly Dancer to First Light Racing and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: One of two winners, from three to race, for the So You Think (NZ) mare Thinkyoucandance who was a winner over 1300 metres, Saintly Dancer is a half-sister to a 2-year-old filly by Sword Of State and her dam is due to foal to Derryn this spring.

Thinkyoucandance is a daughter of G3 Bourbonette Oaks winner Orchestrator (USA) (Bernstein {USA}) who is from the family of G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner and sire Zululand.

Marrfiano delivers a Blue Sapphire surprise

The exciting Coolmore Stud stallion Home Affairs added another impressive result to his record when Marffiano claimed the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes for the Hayes team, with Luke Currie in the saddle.

The result was even sweeter for the young stallion, with stablemate Barracks (Home Affairs) finishing second to complete the quinella.

There was no shortage of early speed, with four 3-year-olds intent on finding the lead before Pocketfullofcash (Rich Enuff) eventually took up the running out wide. Jarbardar (Written By) settled outside the leader, even wider on the track.

The Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Barracks and Threads (Snitzel) settled just behind the speed, with the strong early tempo setting the race up for a potentially dramatic finish.

Barracks was first to make a decisive move, bursting through a gap and looking the likely winner. However, Marrfiano finished the stronger for Currie, getting home by a nose, with Doubt Time (Doubtland) only half a length away in third after a frantic finish.

Winning co-trainer Will Hayes was impressed with the winning effort and had a sense of confidence after his promising trial.

“We really liked him, we were taken by his trial. He was behind War Machine in that trial and the form's been pretty good. So, great ride by Luke Currie, full credit, he took his medicine and rode for luck and we got it and it was really nice to get the photo finish our way,” said Will Hayes.

"He's definitely a horse that we can see running in a Coolmore, one of those really nice races for 3-year-olds. He's got very good form up in Queensland last preparation and we always had trust in him and that was just a great result.”

Sales info: After he was purchased as a $280,000 weanling by James Bester at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing paid $475,000 to purchase Marffiano from Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft last year.

Pedigree info: Marffiano is the second foal for eight-time winner and Group 3-performed Miss Iano (Equiano {Fr}), who is out of a half-sister to Listed Belle Of The Turf Stakes winner Hidden Wonder (Danzero), from the close family of G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Kenwood Melody (Royal Academy {USA}).

In recent times Miss Iano has left a yearling colt by Written Tycoon, and was served in March to Northern Hemisphere time to Written Tycoon.

Quick Finish stays strong and lives up to her name in the Ethereal Stakes

The promising Quick Finish (Grunt {NZ}) continued her impressive progression with a strong staying performance to claim the G3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, with Jye McNeil aboard.

The Yu Long Investments-owned filly brought up her third consecutive win and her first at stakes level, underlining her credentials as a rising staying talent.

McNeil took a positive approach from the outset, pressing forward to lead under little pressure from Abaya (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) on the outer, while Oceans Fouroseven (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) was caught three-wide in the early stages.

Well-backed favourite Fringilla (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) settled around seventh between runners in a race that developed into a somewhat muddling affair.

McNeil made his move at the top of the straight, kicking strongly and quickly putting Quick Finish into a winning position. She looked the winner a long way from home, with Your Colour (Maurice {Jpn}) and Refuse To Curtsy (Royal Meeting {Ire}) making late ground out wide to fill the minor placings, half a length and a length behind the winner respectively.

Both placegetters shaped as promising G1 Victorian Oaks trials, while Fringilla was tidy enough without enjoying much luck.

Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy was delighted with the filly's performance, crediting the team at Ballarat for having her in such forward condition and explaining the thinking behind the positive tactics.

“She’s a fit, forward filly, trained at Ballarat so credit to the team there,” said co-trained Calvin McEvoy. She looked incredibly well, we thought we'd utilise, her going forward, she's very fit.

“Thought a few of these might be a query at the trip, whereas this filly certainly wasn't. So, very exciting for Yulong, they bred this girl. She's continuing to raise the bar, which is fantastic.

“We think she'll stay. So, obviously another box ticked today, we don't have to do a lot with her, she goes down to Lucy Boyd's in between runs down in Ballarat for a couple of days of dressage which seems to suit her and we couldn't have been happier with how she presented today.”

With the G1 Victorian Oaks now firmly in the picture, McEvoy was confident the gap between runs would be beneficial rather than a concern.

When asked how she would cope with the gap until the Oaks, McEvoy felt it would pose no issues.

“Absolutely perfect, she won't do much into it, I think we trust her lungs and her ability to stay. As you can see she looks fantastic, so we're very happy to have a live chance going into the Oaks.”

McEvoy also explained the importance of allowing the filly to stride freely, with McNeil's familiarity with her proving a valuable asset.

“She's not that easy to be honest and Jye knows her well, if you grab hold of her she can get onto one rein and not do things right so we want to roll with her and go with her and we've learned that over time and it seems to be effective.

“She quickened well on the bend and she was in front for a very long way, so I'm proud of her, proud of the team and she'll head on towards the Oaks now, which is exciting for Yulong.”

Sales info: Quick Finish was passed in short of her $30,000 reserve at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She is now raced by her breeders Yulong Investments.

Pedigree info: Quick Finish is out of the unraced Golden Horn (GB) mare Gentle Strokes, who is a half-sister to the six-time winner and Group 3 and Listed-placed filly Poster Girl (Alabama Express) and the six-time winner and Listed-placed Sketched - Pacific Master (Sing.) (Snitzel).

This is also the extended family of the dual Listed-winner Universal Order (GB) (Universal {Ire}) and the Group-winner and multiple Group 1-placed City Style (USA) (City Zip {USA}).

Gentle Strokes in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly by Written Tycoon who the Well Written (Written Tycoon) connection of Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock purchased from the Yulong draft for $150,000, a yearling filly by Alabama Express and is due to foal to Growing Empire any day now.

King Snitz reigns supreme in Caulfield Classic thriller

It is not often a maiden winner over ground at Warrnambool steps straight into Group 3 company at their next start and comes away with the prize, but King Snitz (Snitzel) did just that in the G3 Caulfield Classic for 3-year-olds over 2000 metres.

Trained by Shane Jackson, the colt delivered a determined performance in the famous colours associated with Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), producing a finish that suggested there could be more to come as the spring unfolds.

Race favourite Vallice (Maurice {Jpn}) took up the running under Mark Zahra and established a muddling tempo, with Cignetti (NZ) (Super Seth) enjoying the trail and Skua (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) racing keenly outside the leader.

Zahra gave Vallice a strong kick at the top of the straight, but Damian Lane soon appeared aboard King Snitz, setting up a ding-dong battle from the furlong marker.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Cignetti also charged home strongly after getting clear of the trail, setting up a three-way finish. The trio crossed the line with only a nose separating the first two, while King Snitz, in the middle of the contest, stuck his neck out at the right time to claim the honours.

All three placegetters emerged with credit from what proved a strong G1 Victoria Derby trial.

Jackson explained that the decision to target the Caulfield Classic had represented a change in plans, but he was pleased connections had elected to take their chance.

"We came here well over the odds I thought, but at the same time I'm probably a bit of a pessimist and thankfully Tony Ottobre is the opposite, he said we'll have a crack, I was going to trial him, go to the Geelong Classic and then have a runner in the Derby, that was sort of the way we were thinking.

"The further he goes, the better he'll be. He's a beautiful horse. First horse that Tony sent down to me.

“He was unbroken, a little small weed of a thing, but bred in the purple and he's still growing. He'll get better again and be better in the autumn."

The G1 Victorian Derby now looms as the likely target for the colt, provided he comes through the effort in good order.

"We'll see how he pulls up. Horse comes first through, rather than putting on the black and white suit, which I'd love to, and I'm sure Tony would too,” said Jackson.

“We'll take him back down to the beach and wrap him in cotton wool and on to the next step."

Sales info: King Snitz is a home bred for Tony Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud

Pedigree info: King Snitz is the first foal out of the smart High Chaparral (Ire) mare Princess Jenni who won the G1 South Australian Oaks and another three Group races including the Bendigo Cup.

King Snitz’s grandam Glitzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) was a five-time winner on the track up to 2100 metres, so there is plenty of staying prowess in the family.

In recent times Princess Jenni has left a Wootton Bassett (GB) yearling filly and is due to foal to Pride Of Dubai later this month.

Asturia ascends with commanding Soliloquy Stakes win

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Asturia (NZ) (Almanzor) brought a different form line to the G2 Soliloquy Stakes and showed her class with a dominant victory under Michael McNab.

Having finished third in the G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas at her previous start behind the promising Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir), after winning impressively on debut at Ellerslie, Asturia brought a fresh challenge to the fillies' ranks and proved too strong for her rivals.

Phillyjean (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) took up the running for Sam McNab, with Actionbelle (Bivouac) content to settle in second for Matt Cartwright. Race favourite Hawea (Hellbent) was caught very wide around sixth, while Michael McNab kept Asturia covered up and followed her across the field.

Cambridge Stud-owned Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) moved to the front at the 300-metre mark and briefly looked the one to beat, but Asturia loomed ominously and proved too strong, running away to win by just over a length.

Liguria fought on gamely for second, while Fiamma (NZ) (Pinatubo {Ire}) finished well for third. Miss Magnetica (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) caught the eye in fourth and looks capable of making her presence felt over further.

Co-trainer Bergerson was all smiles after the victory, with the filly now firmly on track for a possible tilt at Group One company at Riccarton next month.

“That was so good to see and a pretty impressive 1000 Guineas trial I would think,” Bergerson said.

“She’s a really exciting filly and I can’t thank the team enough at home. Michael (McNab) and Opie (Bosson) have done a lot of work with her, and she keeps going from strength to strength.

“I really liked how she raced today. She settled, got on the back of the right horse, tracked into it well and great to see her quicken like that.

“We were quietly confident as she went a super race at Hastings without a lot of luck so we all thought if she could stay out of trouble the 1400m on a decent track was what she would excel at.

“It was a very patient ride from Michael and to put away a field like that, you couldn’t be more impressed.”

Bergerson indicated that Asturia had earned her chance at Riccarton, although the stable would wait to see how she recovered before making a final decision.

“We aren’t a team who makes decisions on raceday, so we will take her home and let her tell us she has come through the run in good order,” he said.

“The New Zealand 1000 Guineas on the 7th of November is first up, but a lot can happen between then and now.

“If we can get there in one piece and in similar form, then the Riccarton track and the 1600 metres will suit her right down to the ground, so we will have our fingers crossed.”

Sales info: Asturia was purchased for NZ$135,000 by Mr David Charles Ellis CNZM from the Landsdowne Park Ltd draft at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Asturia is out of the unplaced Darci Brahma (NZ) mare Kay’s Legacy (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) who is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and out of the Listed winner but Group 1-placed Kay’s Awake (NZ) (Towkay).

This is also the family of last season's G2 Eight Carat Classic winner Tellum (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Kay’s Legacy has failed to produce a live foal since Asturia, but is due to foal a full-sibling this spring.