Saturday Summary: The dream spring of Shadhavar continues with Group 1 Orr Stakes triumph

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Shadhavar just keeps winning

The saying that mares in form can keep winning rang particularly true at Sandown, where the Tom Dabernig-trained Shadhavar (Pride Of Dubai) continued her dream spring with victory in the G1 CF Orr Stakes, adding another feature triumph to her Group 2 and Group 3 successes at her previous two starts.

The Pride Of Dubai mare stepped up to 1400 metres with ease, producing a dominant performance to claim the Group 1 prize.

Kerrin McEvoy settled her in second position throughout behind Beiwacht (Bivouac), before applying the pressure approaching the straight. Travelling beautifully, Shadhavar went straight past Beiwacht at the 350-metre mark and surged clear to score by a length and a quarter over Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), who was honest after settling in third throughout. Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was also solid, running a further two lengths behind the runner-up.

For Dabernig, the result was understandably special, delivering the first Group 1 winner under his sole name. He also highlighted the importance of finding the right distance for his mare, with 1400 metres proving the key to unlocking her best.

“I think that when we got her to 1400 (metres) is when she really went to another level, and her three runs at this distance, she's now undefeated and when this Group One was on our doorstep, I said we're mad not to have a try because when these mares get in form like this, the purple patch that we talk of, you really have to take advantage of it.

“Today, the way the race panned out, we followed James McDonald, and it probably helped us. We were able to pop off him, he gave us the horse to take us into the race, and I must admit, I thought she looked the winner a long way out. I didn't want to go the early crow, but she really grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck and it was a good, strong win.”

Dabernig was also quick to praise Warrnambool, his training base, and the environment it provides for his horses to develop and thrive.

“Warrnambool, we went there. The horses for us come first, and we thought it was a great environment to train, utilise the beach, the country environment. I love galloping my horses on grass, they barely ever go on any sort of synthetic surface.

“So, she's a classic example of a horse we had since a yearling, and she's been able to develop and get to Group one level. So, it gives everyone a big thrill.

“It's a real racing community, and everyone in the town has often got a share in a horse. The local butcher, the bank manager, everyone, racing’s alive and well in Warrnambool, most definitely.”

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy was equally delighted with the mare's performance and pleased to have received the call to travel to Melbourne for the ride.

“That was really exciting. Really pleased to get the ride on her, and well done to Joe. Him and Tom have been having a great run and it was nice to get the call up to come down. They decided to have a crack at the stumps here with this mare, who's in great form, and when Joe rang, I was more than happy to come down.

"I had bits and bobs at home, so I came down thinking she's got a live chance. She got it right. She jumped and had a nice spot and she really relished those conditions.”

Sales info: Prime Thoroughbreds paid $85,000 for Shadhavar at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where she was offered by The Chase.

Pedigree info: Shadhavar is one of three winners for the winning Sebring mare Cross Legend, a half-sister to Group 2-winning sire Thronum and Listed Lonhro Plate victress Cythera (I Am Invincible).

This damline traces back to the potent Helen Street (GB) (Troy {GB}), dam of Street Cry (Ire) and second dam of Shamardal (USA). Her other direct descendants include Territories (Ire), last spring’s G2 Matriarch Stakes winner Sunset Park (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and the G2 Hobartville Stakes winner Osipenko (Pierro).

Cross Legend in recent times has produced an unraced 3-year-old gelding named Captain Drago (Russian Revolution), a yearling filly by Hanseatic and foaled a Move To Strike colt last month.

Kingswood proves bold and brave in Zipping Classic thriller

Kingswood (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) added another major victory to his impressive spring campaign, taking out the G2 Zipping Classic to compliment his earlier successes in the G1 Caulfield Cup and Listed Heatherlie Handicap, along with fourth placings in the weight-for-age G1 Underwood Stakes and G1 Caulfield Stakes.

Ridden beautifully by regular partner John Allen, the big grey settled midfield, around fifth, on the outer and followed the well-fancied Small Fry (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) throughout as that runner enjoyed the one-one position.

The rank outsider Strictly Business (Grunt {NZ}) set a strong tempo up front, while G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter Juja Kibo (Ire) settled comfortably in the trail.

Turning for home, Juja Kibo loomed ominously under Sam Clipperton, while Small Fry and Kingswood were making their runs wider out. Juja Kibo fought hard, but Kingswood wore him down in the final couple of strides to score in a thrilling finish. Small Fry was only a head behind Juja Kibo in third, rounding out a close finish after a gruelling 2400 metres.

Winning trainer Gavin Bedggood revealed his charge had been flying in his work, but the rain on Saturday morning had initially dented his confidence, with the track moving into the heavy range.

“I watched him gallop here Tuesday morning and thought he was close to a good thing off his work, and then watching the rain unfold this morning, it was like drawing barrier 20 in the Caulfield Cup all over again, I just thought his hopes were dashed.

“The track received an upgrade on our way here today, and I had a good walk, and I thought it was probably getting towards a soft six. So my confidence has grown since he's been on track.

“It was a great ride once again from Johnny. He got on the back of the right horses and let them do all the legwork, his three wins this preparation, he's been able to get to the outside of horses and build, and I think that's been a big key to him too. Johnny's got the keys to him, and he'll be coming to Hong Kong with us.”

Asked about the plans for Kingswood to head to Hong Kong, Bedggood confirmed the trip was firmly on the agenda.

“He'll fly over on Monday the 30th of November, I think it gives him 13 days to sort of settle in and tighten the screws. He'll have one good gallop over there, I guess, and have him in tip top order hopefully.”

Winning jockey John Allen was proud of his mount's effort, particularly given the challenge of backing up after peaking for the G1 Caulfield Cup.

“Big effort to peak for the Caulfield Cup and then back again today.

“When the Heavy 8 came up, I thought he was struggling on the ground down the back when it was chopped out, but I was happy to get out into those wider lanes from about the 600 (metre mark) and once he got out into that ground, when he hit the front, I’d say we got a good half-length in front, they were hitting back on us, he got the job done.”

Sales info: Kingswood was a €130,000 (AU$210,000) yearling, and he arrived in Australia in the spring of 2023 as a stakes-placed maiden winner.

Pedigree info: Kingswood is the fourth foal of the triple Listed winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Kingswood’s year older half-brother Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was named Europe’s Champion 3-Year-Old Stayer after winning both the G1 St Leger and G1 Irish St Leger.

All At Sea is one of four stakes winners for G1 Preis von Europa, G1 Düsseldorf Westlb Deutschland Preis and G1 Köln Rheinland Pokal der Stadtsparkasse victrix Albanova (GB) (Alzao {USA}).

Her Listed winner Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) is the dam of six-time Group 1 winner, including the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as well as Listed winner Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}).

All At Sea is also a half-sister to stakes placed Albamara (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who is the dam of G2 Brisbane Cup and G2 Chairman’s Handicap winner Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).

Concord Connie weaves her way to success

Group 1 form is always a valuable asset, and Concord Connie (Contributer {Ire]) proved that point with a determined victory in the G3 Summoned Stakes at Sandown.

The Charlotte Littlefield-trained mare was making her first appearance since finishing a strong second behind Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington, and she returned in winning fashion under Craig Williams.

It was a small but select field of seven, with Williams settling Concord Connie second-last on the inside as Savitri (So You Think {NZ}) dictated terms in front.

Savitri kicked strongly approaching the straight, leaving Williams seemingly in trouble. However, he elected to switch back to the inside, on ground many considered inferior, to find a passage and launch his challenge.

Concord Connie initially looked to be paddling, but Williams drove her forward at the 200-metre mark to share the lead, while Terilee (Territories {Ire}) was making her move out wide.

In the end, Williams did just enough to get Concord Connie home by a head over Terilee, with Savitri brave in third, just under two lengths behind the runner-up.

Winning trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted it had been a difficult watch, but had faith that Craig Williams knew exactly what he was doing.

“I think there's a heart in there, that's for sure. Gosh, that was not enjoyable. Some wins are really enjoyable and you really get behind them, but that one was traumatic.

"I thought we were going to get pipped for sure. I mean, when he went to the inside there, and just knowing that it was probably slightly inferior at this point, really wanted to come out wide. We drew wide! But anyway, these things happen. He's a magician. He managed to get her over the line.

“She’s the most beautiful horse. She's tricky. She's got her mind of her own. She says no three times, and then yes the fourth time. She's like any good female, you can't get straight to the bottom of her.

“I love that about her. She's so much fun to have in the stable. We all love her.”

Winning jockey Craig Williams believes the experience will prove valuable for the promising mare as she heads towards the autumn.

“I said to Charlotte and her team, if we can race her, it won’t hurt her. We found out a bit more today on a heavy track, toughens her up, seasons her up.

“She’s a really exciting horse and under the care and development with Charlotte and the team, they’ve got a really nice horse looking forward to the Autumn with her.

“She’s quite special and she was made to earn it and work for it today.”

Sales info: Concord Connie was bred by Yabby Dam Farms Pty Ltd and passed in short of her $60,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She is now raced by her breeders with a group of other owners.

Pedigree info: Concord Connie is out of the four-time winner Tysonic (Written Tycoon), who is a three-quarter-sister to the Group 2, Group 3 and three-time Listed winner Abounding (Rich Enuff).

Tysonic in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly named Run Free (Toronado {Ire}) and she foaled a Cylinder colt in September.

General Salute carries the weight to claim thrilling Hunter victory

General Salute (Russian Revolution) once again demonstrated his consistency, overcoming top weight to land the $1 million Listed Hunter at Newcastle in a thrilling finish.

The six-year-old gelding was left as the top weight with 59kg following the Thursday scratching of Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), but made light work of his impost to score in the hands of Tim Clark for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.

There was plenty of early speed, with Brudenell (Russian Revolution) and Coal Crusher (Turffontein) burning along in the early stages to settle up front, while Alysha Collett secured a favourable one-one position for race favourite Sweynesday (NZ) (Sweynesse).

The strong tempo set the race up for those coming off the pace, and Sweynesday presented at the right time at the 300-metre mark, looking a likely winner.

However, looming off his back was the baldy face of She’s An Artist (Trapeze Artist), who joined battle with General Salute as Clark charged down the outside.

It was a thrilling finish, with General Salute prevailing by a nose. She’s An Artist was brave in second, while Sweynesday did well to hold on for third after settling not far off the hot early tempo.

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 five 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 both twice.

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

Star Salute, in recent times, has left a 3-year-old filly named Shemesh (The Autumn Sun) who was an impressive winner at Pakenham on debut last month in the YES Bloodstock colours and a yearling colt by Russian Revolution.