Group 1 mission for Great House after Newcastle Cup win
Great House (Galileo) asserted himself as a genuine contender for The Metropolitan (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick next month after an impressive win in yesterday’s Newcastle Cup (Gr 3, 2300m).
Trained by Chris Waller and raced by a syndicate of owners including former VRC Chair Amanda Elliott and Sir Winston Churchill’s grandson Sir Nicholas Soames under the banner of Harry Herbet’s Highclere Racing, the five-year-old gelding made a sweeping run down the centre of the spacious track to defeat Quick Thinker (So You Think) by a neck with his stablemate No Compromise (Pins) finishing three-quarters of a length away in third.
Highclere’s racing manager Andrew Hawkins said the performance vindicated a long-held belief connections had in him.
“We’ve had a lot of confidence in Great House since we bought him. He was sold to Australia because he was foaled before the start of the new season in Europe, so it meant that he was never able to tackle any of the age-restricted races or target races that would normally have been on his radar, like the Derby,” he said.
“I know that he started to be viewed by some as a frustrating horse but he’s still learning what it’s all about.
“Even yesterday, he was still green and over-racing when the speed slackened in front, but with each start he’s taken something new away from it and that’s helped him to get to a Newcastle Cup win this early in his career.”
Now he’s had a breakthrough at stakes level, Great House has earned a shot at Group 1 glory this spring.
“The Metrop looks the logical race, especially now he’s exempt. Whether he can make the Cups this year is another matter, but hopefully at some point you will see him in the Cups. He’s a horse that still has years ahead of him,” Hawkins added.
Great House was ridden by journeyman jockey Jeff Penza, who enjoyed a red letter day in the saddle becoming the first rider in Australian history to win all three Group 3 features – the Tibbie Stakes (1400m), the Cameron Handicap (1500m) and the Cup – on the same programme.
With Sydney’s leading jockeys unable to travel to Newcastle due to Covid-19 restrictions, Penza seized the rare opportunity and dominated the showcase meeting.
With only three rides for the day, Madam Legend (I Am Invincible) was the first stakes winner Penza booted home on the programme.
Fittingly, she won the Tibbie Stakes which was sponsored by Yarraman Park Stud where her champion sire stands in the Hunter Valley.
The five-year-old mare, trained by Les Bridge and raced by Bon Ho, the owner of last year’s The Everest (1200m) winner Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt), crossed from a wide barrier to lead throughout and win.
She staved off a late challenge from Mirra Vision (Lonhro), who finished a neck away in second, with Great News (Uncle Mo) a length away in third.
“She got to the front and did the right thing and came back underneath me and she just controlled it. Until halfway around the turn and I let her stride a little bit and it was a super effort up the straight,” Penza said.
“I could feel them coming at her and she was digging deep. She’s very honest and sweet to ride. I could not have asked for much more from her today.”
Purchased by Carmel Size Racing for Hong Kong-based Ho at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Canning Downs draft for $250,000, Madam Legend is out of the unraced Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare Mithila who is a three-quarter sister to Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago), Echoes Of Heaven (Encosta De Lago) and Niagara (Encosta De Lago).
Later in the day, Penza steered the former Matt Dunn-trained gelding Ashman (Magnus) to victory in the Cameron Handicap (Gr 3, 1500m) over Sky Lab (Real Impact) and Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m) winner Duais (Shamus Award), who ran an eye-catching third first-up.
Ashman, now a six-year-old, was having his fifth start for the Gosford-based Kim Waugh, who was full of praise for him after the win.
“He’s so brave. Honestly, we have only had him this preparation and learned a lot about him. I said if you can just let him go quick early and then come back and try and get a couple of twelves he will be fighting the finish out.
“We have stepped him up big in grades. He’s come from Queensland to here and we have gone to a Group race and it was a big ask and he’s stepped up,” said Waugh.
Waugh said she would monitor how he recovers before plotting future plans with him.
Of his career best day in the saddle yesterday, the humble and hard working Penza said: “It’s a great thrill for myself.
“I ride here every provincial meeting and do my best, but to come here on a great day like this and come out on top is very rewarding.”