Thursday Summary: Rey Magnerio flies home in thrilling Listed Century Stakes triumph

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Rey Magnerio produces a stunning finish down the straight

In a thrilling finish to the Listed Century Stakes, William Pike timed his challenge to perfection aboard the super sprinter Rey Magnerio (Magnus), producing a powerful late burst down the grandstand side to snatch victory in the final stride.

The Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding added another stakes success to his impressive record, with the victory marking his fifth at stakes level and 11th career win. He has also twice placed at the elite Group 1 level, with his earnings now sitting just under $2.9 million.

It was I’m Foxing (I Am Immortal), under Jamie Melham, who led the field, with Zac Lloyd aboard Bev’s Nine (Shalaa {Ire}) settling in close proximity alongside Stokke (Rich Enuff).

There was little change to the order throughout the early and middle stages, with the well-backed Bev’s Nine travelling comfortably before making her move approaching the 100-metre mark and briefly taking the lead.

However, the finish was far from decided. Roughie Perilous Fighter (Starspangledbanner) launched a late challenge and looked to have the race within reach, but out towards the grandstand side, Pike had Rey Magnerio charging home.

The veteran sprinter produced an extraordinary finishing burst to get his head in front in the shadows of the post, scoring by a long head from Perilous Fighter, with another head back to Bev’s Nine in a frantic finish.

Winning trainer Robbie Griffiths was full of admiration for his star sprinter, particularly given the way he was able to produce his trademark turn of foot under the circumstances.

“He's an incredible horse. The turn of speed he has at the end of the race is absolutely outstanding because he was, to come back from 1200 to the 1000 and give them a head start the way he does on a day that it's hard to make ground, he was something special on that day.”

“Today he was the class horse of the race and there was only one concern, about the thousand. But Pikey got into the outside and let him unleash and I think Pikey beat him across the line, he was trying to keep his record intact, Pikey in the last, I think Rey Magnerio ran second to Pikey in front.”

Winning jockey William Pike explained that the gelding was perhaps a little too relaxed early, but once he found his rhythm and was given room to unleash, his finishing ability took over.

“He didn’t travel at all. I didn’t intend to be last and he wasn’t really awake underneath me, big Rey. “I (had to) get after him a lot earlier than I’d liked but we had mountains of time. He did it well. Once we secured that run on the outside he pinned his ears and had a crack. “He’s very quirky but that is what gives him his attitude and he bounces around. Doesn’t go in too many straight lines, pulling up left and right, but you know if he gets that run he likes, you know he’s competitive.”

Pedigree info: Rey Magnerio was bred by A & J Nitschke and sold privately, via bloodstock agent John Ford to his trainer Robbie Griffiths.

Sales info: Rey Magnerio is a three-quarter brother to the G3 Naturalism Stakes and Listed Heatherlie handicap winnerwinner Magnapal (Magnus).

Rey Magnerio is the best of two winners from four to race for the Testa Rossa mare Luchardo, a half-sister Magnapal and to the Group 1-placed Red For Lou (Magnus), who is the dam of R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Le Chef (Exceed and Excel).

This is also the extended family of the Listed winner Magnaspin (Magnus).

In recent times Luchardo has left a 3-year-old filly by Star Witness, a 2-year-old colt by Shamus Award, a yearling colt by Zousain and is due to foal to Toronado (Ire) any day now.

Harry’s Yacht breaks through for deserved stakes success

After a long wait, the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Harry’s Yacht (Harry Angel {Ire}) finally secured his first stakes victory, producing a strong performance to win the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Thursday under Ben Allen.

It was a deserved breakthrough for the gelding, who was having his 30th career start and had been knocking on the door of a stakes success.

The former G1 Australian Guineas winner Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) took up the running under Mark Zahra, while Allen was content to position Harry’s Yacht outside the leader. The well-backed favourite Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), meanwhile, settled comfortably in the trail under James McDonald.

With the field travelling at only a muddling tempo, Allen elected to keep Harry’s Yacht relaxed and waiting for the right moment to make his move.

That opportunity came approaching the 300-metre mark, when the gelding loomed up ominously before quickly putting the race beyond doubt, racing away to score by three-quarters of a length.

Pinstriped (Street Boss {USA}) finished second after running on nicely, while Revelare (So You Think {NZ}) produced a good late effort out wide to claim third, a neck behind the runner-up.

All honours, however, belonged to Harry’s Yacht, who finally gained the Listed success his consistency deserved.

Co-trainer Will Larkin was pleased to see the gelding settle closer to the speed, particularly with the lack of early pressure expected in the race.

“When Just Folk came out of the race, it looked like there was no speed on paper. A few times he's been very frustrating when we were back in slow run races and just haven't been able to really run as well as we thought he was going.

“He went up to Sydney, ran really well last start, came back very well and the mile was the question mark for our going in so we knew that if we were up there on a slower tempo he should be able to run it out.”

Winning jockey Ben Allen was equally pleased to see the gelding enjoy a change of luck, believing the circumstances of the race allowed him to show his true ability.

“He was tough. He hasn’t had a lot of luck this prep. He’s been drawing low gates and he doesn’t muster pace off a low draw and he’s just been able to hold a spot. Today, when the speed came out, and being a query at the distance, we had to roll the dice, go forward, off the soft tempo and he’s a very tough horse.

“He’s been running good all prep, first up was enormous, short trip. Second up was a bit of a head scratcher but it was suiting on speed that day and then third up the plan was to ride him closer and we weren't able to do that, he drew low and you can’t bustle him for a spot or he gets over racing.

“Today, there was no speed. Drawing out wide, I think, suits him. Can just take our time coming across. I was able to sit outside Feroce and as soon as I put my hands down, he relaxed beautifully. I was then, from then on, pretty confident.”

Sales info: Harry’s Yacht was bred by Mr S Smith and is raced by him alongside some family members and some other partners

Pedigree info: Harry’s Yacht is out of the two-time winning Beneteau mare Yacht Club. who is a half-sister to the Singapore Champion 3-year-old Lim’s Objective (O’Reilly {NZ}) who was a three-time Listed winner.

This is also the extended family of the G1 Western Australian Oaks winner Hasty Departure (NZ) (Red Anchor {NZ}) and her Group 2 winning son Royale Exit (Chief’s Crown {USA}).

Yacht Club in recent times has produced a 3-year-old filly named Dynamic Diva (Strasbourg) who has been placed on the track, a yearling filly by Hanseatic and foaled a Hanseatic colt in early September.

Bella Verona lands lucrative Inglis Bracelet

Consistent Matt Laurie-trained mare Bella Verona (Castelvecchio) enjoyed a lucrative payday at Flemington, producing an impressive performance to claim the $350,000 Inglis Bracelet over 1600 metres under Patrick Moloney.

The daughter of Castelvecchio has been a model of consistency throughout her seven-start career, having never missed a place, and she was able to maintain that outstanding record with a dominant victory.

Moloney produced a clever ride from an inside barrier, allowing the mare to settle comfortably in the trail before making her move to run down the heavily backed favourite Sass Appeal (So You Think {NZ}).

Damian Lane secured the lead aboard Sass Appeal from a wide barrier without having to spend too much energy, with The Volta (Tassort) settling in second position and Moloney slotting Bella Verona straight into the trail.

Sass Appeal travelled strongly throughout and produced a solid kick in the straight, but Bella Verona had enjoyed the economical run and had plenty left in reserve.

Once Moloney peeled out from behind heels, the mare quickly gathered momentum, looming at the 150-metre mark before putting the race away in emphatic fashion.

She raced clear to score by more than two lengths from Sass Appeal, who produced another honest effort after backing up from the previous Saturday. The G1 Queensland Oaks winner Fireball Miss (Bivouac) also finished well over the mile, claiming third, approximately four lengths behind Sass Appeal and six lengths from the winner.

Winning trainer Matt Laurie was delighted with the performance, having held Bella Verona in high regard throughout her career.

“We were very happy with the horse,” Winning trainer Matt Laurie explained.

“We've always had a big opinion of her. Just sort of felt like all her runs this prep had been really great and felt staying to the mile, maybe the blinkers might be a good addition and clearly it really helped her travel. She didn't have that sort of flat spot that she did last start and she was very strong late, lovely mare. “She’s had a hard run, too. She suffered a bout of colic. She came back in the second half of her three-year-old year and she has been to kick on. She’s got black-type written all over her.”

“Sass Appeal is obviously a very good horse but it only just raced and put in a big effort on Saturday so you're just hoping maybe they don't bounce back as strong. But she had a really nice lead into it, so I'm very proud of the horse, very happy for the connections. I'm not sure what we'll be doing with her right now but we'll celebrate today.”

For Moloney, the victory was also particularly satisfying, bringing up his first winner during Cup Week in eight years. The jockey was full of praise for the mare and grateful for the opportunity provided by the Laurie stable.

“She’s a quality filly. I was a little bit disappointed in her last run. I thought she would find a way to get it done at Flemington. Such a nice, big, track. “Just so grateful to Matt and his whole operation. Kate, his wife, his whole team. I strolled into their doors about a year-and-a-half ago trying to find a new stable. We do a bit of work, we’ve really jelled. “I get the job done more often when he gives me the opportunity so it is good to reward him and the team with a nice winner.”

Sales info: Matt Laurie purchased Bella Verona for $90,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Bella Verona is the first foal out of the Snitzel mare Simply Wonderful (NZ) who only raced once. She is very well-related being out of the four-time Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) and being a half-sister to the Group winners Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and House Of Cartier (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}). While the G3 Trentham Stakes and Listed Marton Cup winner Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) also features in the pedigree.

Simply Wonderful in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Dundeel (NZ), a yearling colt by Hitotsu and missed to both of those stallions mentioned last spring.

Youre Not The King rules the greys in the Subzero Handicap

It was a case of doing ‘Mum’ proud for the Bjorn Baker-trained Youre Not The King (Ole Kirk), who produced an impressive performance to win the Subzero Handicap at Flemington.

The grey gelding was following in the footsteps of his dam Pepperano (Court Command), who also raced at Flemington on Oaks Day back in 2016, making the victory an especially fitting result for his connections.

The 1400-metre contest brought together a field of grey runners, with the well-bred Alabama Fox (Alabama Express) taking up the running under Zac Lloyd. Bustling (Frosted {USA}) settled outside the leader before moving forward to take over, while Rachel King positioned the race favourite Youre Not The King around midfield, one-out and travelling comfortably off a steady tempo.

Approaching the 300-metre mark, Alabama Fox loomed into contention and briefly looked the likely winner. However, King was able to weave Youre Not The King into clear running, allowing the big grey to lengthen stride and build momentum down the Flemington straight.

He hit top gear approaching the 100-metre mark and quickly asserted his authority, powering away to score by just under two lengths in a dominant performance.

Alabama Fox was game in second, while roughie Santa Ana Moon (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) found the inside running late to claim third at big odds, another length and a half behind the runner-up.

Youre the King was recording his fourth career victory and is now unbeaten in three starts since joining the Bjorn Baker stable after spending time in several different stables earlier in his career.

Baker's assistant trainer Luke Hilton was delighted with the performance, describing the gelding as a progressive type with plenty of upside.

“He’s a lovely horse. He’s very progressive. His mother actually won this race in 2016. Credit to the owner, Jeff and his team. They bred this bloke and we had in the back of our minds when we got him that it might be a nice race for him. “It is a little bit out of his grade today but he had no weight and Rach gave him a beautiful ride.”

Hilton explained that the stable had targeted the race with the hope of securing another victory and improving the gelding's rating, potentially opening the door to stronger assignments before the end of the year.

“Bjorn had in mind if he could come and win this race, get his rating up and might be able to put him into some better races before the end of the year. So he's definitely progressive and he's got such a good attitude, he handled everything really well today.”

Winning jockey Rachel King was equally impressed with the way the gelding travelled and the manner in which he responded when asked to quicken.

“He travelled beautifully today. I've always felt like he'd appreciate stepping up in distance and he really did today,” said winning jockey Rachel King. “He relaxed beautifully and I was able to sort of slowly edge my way out into clear air. He's still learning and was not quite sure about knowing this way around today, but there's plenty of improvement there. “It's hard to go three from three at any stage, but especially stepping up to this kind of grade. It was a little bit of a step up in the benchmark, but the lure of the greys race was always going to pull us down here. I just really like his attitude. He's a lovely horse going forward.”

Sales info: Youre Not The King was withdrawn from the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and is now raced by his breeder Mr Jeffrey Nevell alongside a big ownership group including many family members.

Pedigree info: Youre Not The King is one of two winners out of Pepperano (Court Command), who was a five-time winner up to 1400 metres, and was also placed in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the G2 Champagne Classic and the Listed Nudgee Stakes.

Youre Not The Kings third dam Kiss N’ A Shilling (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) was a winner at Listed level and is a half-sister to the three-time Listed winner Gypsy’s Daughter (NZ) (Mi Preferido {USA}) who is the dam of the Group 2 and Group 3 winner Rolling Pin (NZ) (Pins).

Pepperano in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Graff and foaled an Anamoe filly last month.