Nine for Capitalist
Capitalist (pictured)
Newgate Farm’s Capitalist (Written Tycoon) stretched further clear in the leading first season sire table by winners, as he scored an eighth individual winner in Australia and ninth overall when Elite Thoroughbreds’ Capital Reign (2 g ex Elle Lou by Snitzel) profited in a maiden handicap over 1000 metres at Canberra on Friday. The Gary Portelli-trained juvenile defeated a field of elders, with Kibosh (So You Think) two and a half lengths adrift of the winner in second. Capital Reign was a $30,000 yearling purchase for Elite Thoroughbreds out of the Inglis Classic Sale. He is the first foal out of Group 3 winner Elle Lou (Snitzel). She has an I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) yearling colt, her last foal having died in February this year. Earlier in the week, Gleneagles (2 c ex Scarlet Billows by Street Boss) got off the mark at the third attempt. The David Payne-trained colt showed plenty of promise when finishing runner-up on debut in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m) and notched his first success in the two-year-old maiden plate over 1000 metres at Hawkesbury. Gleneagles broke away slowly, losing at least two lengths on his rivals, but rallied up the straight to defeat Overpass (Vancouver) by a length. Belle O’Ballee (Star Witness) was another length and a quarter back in third. Gleneagles was purchased by Wattle Bloodstock’s Peter Twomey for $500,000 from the B2B Thoroughbred’s draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Maurice
First season sire Maurice (Screen Hero) had his fourth and fifth Australian winners last week. Maurice’s Medad (2 c ex Presslist by Librettist) comfortably got off the mark at Hawkesbury last Monday to become his fourth winner. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt, the only two-year-old in the eight-runner field, was making his fifth start under Rachel King and justified odds-on favouritism when finishing a length and a half clear of Toostar (All Too Hard). Kahuka (Lord Kanaloa) finished four lengths behind the winner in third. Purchased for $250,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Maurice’s Medad made it three winners from as many runners for his dam Presslist (Librettist). Akihiro (2 c ex Lahana by Hussonet) landed the Maiden Plate (1350m) at Wyong on Thursday to become his fifth winner. The Gary Portelli-trained juvenile, having his fourth career start, bounced out of a seventh-placed finish in the Black Opal (Gr 3, 1200m) at Canberra last time to get the better of older rivals under Brenton Avdulla, defeating the three-year-old Klopp (So You Think) by three quarters of a length with third placed Borsalina (Dane Shadow) three lengths behind the winner in third. Akihiro is the 58th winner all told for the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice. Portelli Racing purchased the colt for $80,000 from the Arrowfield draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and ran second to Captivant (Capitalist) on debut in the Victory Vein (1000m). He is the third winner out of his dam, the maiden Lahana (Hussonet), a daughter of the multiple Group 1 winner and champion three-year-old filly Alinghi (Encosta De Lago). Maurice stands the 2021 season at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥8 million (approx. Au$95,500).
Shalaa
Last start Redoute’s Choice Stakes (Listed, 1100m) third Hunnam (2 g ex Skating On Ice by Bradbury’s Luck) got off the mark at the fifth attempt when winning the two-year-old handicap over 1200 metres at Caulfield on Saturday, becoming the fifth individual winner in Australia for Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit). First season sires rounded out the placings, as he defeated He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant) by a length and three-quarters, with Cheerful Legend (Shalaa) a further two lengths adrift in third. The fourth foal out of the Group 3-placed mare Skating On Ice (Bradbury), a $95,000 purchase for Forest View Farm at the 2018 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, Hunnam is a half-brother to Ice In Vancouver (Vancouver), a winner of two of his three starts. The Orbis Bloodstock-owned gelding was sold as a weanling for $150,000 before being pinhooked at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when purchased for $400,000. Shalaa, the sire of stakes winner Shaquero, covered 170 mares last year at a fee of $33,000.
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Dansili
Juddmonte homebred Juliet Foxtrot (6 m ex Kilo Alpha by King’s Best) broke through at the highest level in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland to become the 22nd Group 1 winner for Dansili (Danehill). Making all under Tyler Gaffalione, the Brad Cox-trained six-year-old was an easy two–length winner over Tamahere (Wootton Bassett) and La Signare (Siyouni), who were split by a neck for second and third respectively. Juliet Foxtrot has now won six of her 20 races, including two other Graded wins in the 2019 Modesty Handicap (Gr 3, 9.5f) and 2020 Gallorette Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f), as well as four Group 1 placings. Bred in the UK, she is out of the stakes winner Kilo Alpha (King’s Best), who has also produced stakes-placed Alpha Bravo (Oasis Dream) and Bravo Sierra (Siyouni), while the second dam Anasazi (Sadler’s Wells) is a half-sister to Dancing Brave (Lyphard) and Jolypha (Lyphard). Dansili, a son of the great Hasili (Kahyasi), was retired in 2018, however his son Bated Breath stands at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud at a fee of £12,500 (approx. AU$22,523).
Dialed In
Super Stock (3 c ex Super Girlie by Closing Argument) sprung a surprise in the Arkansas Derby (Gr 1, 9f) for Steve Asmussen at Oaklawn Park and became the second individual Group 1 winner for his sire Dialed In (Mineshaft). Having broke his maiden on his third start in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity (Listed, 5.5f), he placed in the Iroquois Stakes (Gr 3, 8f) and Breeders’ Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f) but this is his first time back in the winner’s circle since. Favourite Concert Tour (Street Sense) and Caddo River (Hard Spun) took each other on up front and Super Stock came to steal the show with a two and a half–length victory, while Caddo River got the better of Concert Tour by a head for the placings. Super Stock’s victory was special for the trainer as he is owned by Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen, the father of the winning Hall of Fame trainer, while he was ridden to his maiden victory last year by his son Keith. Florida Derby (Gr 1, 9f) winner Dialed In stands at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky where his fee for 2021 is US$15,000 (approx. AUD$11,434).
Jakkalberry
Explosive Jack (3 c ex Extra Explosive by Ekraar) took out a thrilling edition of the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) on Saturday to earn the late Jakkalberry (Storming Home) his first elite-level winner. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt, who won the Tasmanian Derby (Listed, 2200m) in February, got the better of Young Werther (Tavistock) by a short head, with Lion’s Roar (Contributer) another head further back in third. Explosive Jack is the second winner from two runners out of Extra Explosive (Ekraar). Explosive Jack is the only stakes winner for Jakkalberry and is from the last crop of the ill-fated sire, who stood for four years at Novera Park in New Zealand.
New Approach
Cascadian (6 g ex Falls Of Lora by Street Cry) provided New Approach (Galileo) with his ninth individual elite-level winner when landing the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. Ridden by Jamie Kah, the James Cummings-trained six-year-old, who won the Doncaster Prelude (Gr 3, 1500m) last year, defeated Icebath (Sacred Falls) by a head, with Dalasan (Dalakhani) a length behind the winner in third. Formerly trained by Andre Fabre in France, Cascadian is the first foal out of Falls Of Lora (Street Cry), who has since produced two further winners. New Approach stands at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for a private fee.
Street Boss
Anamoe (2 c ex Anamato by Redoute’s Choice) produced an electric turn of foot to take out the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, providing Street Boss (Street Cry) with his eighth individual elite-level winner. The Godolpin-raced juvenile, who finished runner-up to Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) in the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m), eased to a comfortable two and three-quarter-length win over Hilal (Fastnet Rock), with Captivant (Capitalist) a further head behind in third. Anamoe is the fourth winner from six to race out of Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m)-winning dam Anamato (Redoute’s Choice). Darley shuttler Street Boss is currently standing at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for a fee of US$15,000 (approx. AU$19,680).
New stakes winners
Areion
Placed twice at Group 3 level last year, Zavaro (4 c ex Zavaala by Rock Of Gibraltar) finally got his day when landing the Fruhjahrs-Meile (Gr 3, 1600m) at Dusseldorf on Sunday for Henke Grewe. The four-year-old took his tally to three wins from eleven starts and also became the 48th individual stakes winner for his sire Areion (Big Shuffle). Tracking the pace, he was asked for an effort in the straight and picked up well to win by a length and three–quarters from previous stakes winners Schwesterherz (Areion) and Padron (Gris De Gris) who were split by a head. Areion stands at Gestut Etzean where his fee for 2021 is €12,500 (approx. AU$19,517).
Blackfriars
Divine Shadow (5 g ex Idyllic Doll by Scenic) comfortably landed the Pinjarra Cup (Listed, 2300m) on Sunday to provide the late Blackfriars (Danehill) with his 43rd individual stakes winner. The Brett Pope-trained five-year-old, a three-quarter brother to Darling View Thoroughbreds stallion Playing God (Blackfriars), was winless in eight starts since June last year but returned to the winner’s circle with an impressive three-and-three-quarter-length defeat of Media Baron (Written Tycoon). Warm favourite Trap For Fools (Poet’s Voice) was another length and a half back in third. The win provided Divine Shadow with his fifth success in 26 starts. Blackfriars, a ten-time champion WA sire, died in 2017 aged 21.
Danerich
Royal Mile (3 g ex Street Blaze by Street Sense) took out the Port Adelaide Guineas (Listed, 1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday to earn Danerich (Danehill) his tenth individual stakes winner. The consistent Lee Creek-trained gelding, who is yet to finish out the first two in six starts, defeated Caulfield Classic (Gr 3, 2000m) runner-up Let’s Karaka Deel (Dundeel) by two and a half lengths to provide 17-year-old apprentice Jacob Opperman with his first stakes winner. Casino Seventeen (Casino Prince) was half a length further behind in third. Royal Mile is the second foal out of the unraced Street Blaze (Street Sense), who has produced two winners from as many runners. Danerich stands at Rangal Park Stud where his service fee was $6,600 last year.
Darci Brahma
Amazing Star (6 g ex Bright Abyss by Royal Academy) produced a major upset in the Sprint Cup (Gr 2, 1200m) at Sha Tin last Monday to earn Darci Brahma (Danehill) his 53rd individual stakes winner. Sent off at odds of 179-1, the Jimmy Ting-trained gelding defeated Stronger (Not A Single Doubt) by a short head, with Beauty Applause (Stratum) a length behind the winner in third. Amazing Star, who had finished out the placings in his four previous attempts at stakes level, is one of two winners out of Bright Abyss (Royal Academy). Darci Brahma, the sire of 11 individual elite-level winners, stands at The Oaks Stud in New Zealand for NZ$15,000.
Dawn Approach
Paulele (2 c ex Chatoyant by Flying Spur), an ANZ Bloodstock News Maiden of the Week after his debut win at Moonee Valley on November 28, scored a convincing win at Group 3 level when taking out Saturday’s Kindergarten Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Royal Randwick. The Godolphin-raced juvenile sat behind the pacesetter Vandoula Lass (Vancouver) and exerted his authority in the straight to score by two and a half lengths from the Garry Frazer-trained Anagain (Hinchinbrook), with Ashema (I Am Invincible) a further half-length back on the rails in third. Paulele becomes the third stakes winner out of Flying Spur (Danehill) mare Chatoyant, who has also produced Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Montsegur (New Approach) and and Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) winner Tessera (Medaglia D’Oro). Paulele became the 14th individual stakes winner, and fifth in Australia, for his sire, the unbeaten Group 1-winning juvenile Dawn Approach (New Approach). The Darley stallion shuttled to Australia for five seasons from 2014 to 2018, he now stands at his trainer/breeder Jim Bolger’s Redmonstown Stud in Ireland.
Dubawi
Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) became the first British stallion to sire a double century of individual stakes winners when expensive filly Philomene (3 f ex Prudenzia by Dansili) eased to victory in the Prix Penelope (Gr 3, 2100m) at Saint Cloud on Tuesday. The Godolphin-raced Philomene, who was purchased from the 2019 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale for €1,625,000, made a winning debut at Longchamp in September and returned with an impressive win under Mickael Barzalona. The Andre Fabre-trained three-year-old was sent off an odds-on favourite and defeated Incarville (Wootton Bassett) by two and a half lengths, with Anasia (Intello) the same distance further behind in third. Out of Prudenzia (Danehill), Philomene is a half-sister to Group 1 winners Chicquita (Montjeu) and Magic Wand (Galileo). Dubawi, who shuttled to Australia between 2006 and 2009, once again stands at Dalham Hall Stud for a fee of £250,000 (approx. AUD$452,825) this year. He has sired 44 individual elite-level winners from his 1336 runners.
Exceed And Excel
Attimo Fuggente (4 c ex Vague Nouvelle by Mastercraftsman) broke through at stakes level at the third attempt when winning the Premio Signorino (Listed, 1800m) at Rome on Sunday, becoming the 183rd individual stakes winner for his sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill). Unraced at two, he won on his second start last year before running fourth in the Premio Mauro Sbarigia (Listed, 1600m) last October. Winning on his return in March this year, he was last seen running third in the Premio Natale di Roma (Listed, 1600m) three weeks ago. Trained by Alduino Botti and ridden by Fabio Branca, Attimo Fuggente beat Axcelerator (Excelebration) and previous Listed winner and stablemate Baptism (Sea The Stars) was third. Exceed And Excel, who reverse shuttled to Europe for the last time in 2020, stands at Darley’s Kelvinside Stud.
Excelebration
Excelebration, the three-time Group 1-winning son of Exceed And Excel (Danehill), sired his tenth individual stakes winner when Lord Bay (3 c ex Miss Chaumiere by Selkirk) landed the Premio Pisa (Listed, 1500m) on Thursday. The race, a key lead up for the Premio Parioli (Gr 3, 1600m), was transferred from Pisa to Florence, and Lord Bay defeated Cirano (Arcano) by a length and a quarter, with Collinsbay (Cable Bay) finishing third. Lord Bay was a €6,000 purchase for Alduino Botti out of the 2019 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and is the sixth foal out of Selkirk (Sharpen Up) mare Miss Chaumiere.
Fiorente
Liqueuro (3 g ex Little Darring by Galileo) claimed his fourth win from five starts in the $150,000 Lamaro’s Hotel Galilee Series Final (Listed, 2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and became the sixth individual stakes winner for his sire Fiorente (Monsun). The Cindy Alderson-trained three-year-old is an exciting middle-distance prospect, having defeated Australian Derby winner Explosive Jack just two weeks ago in the Bendigo St Leger Trial (2200m). Sent off as favourite under Jye McNeil, Liqueuro raced freely in the early stages and made all before upping the tempo entering the home turn to fly home by three–quarters of a length from Through Irish Eyes (Tavistock). Reuber (Dissident) was a further length and a half back in third. Alderson will take her time with Liqueuro, as still feels he is physically immature, and is considering the VRC St Leger (Listed, 2800m) at Flemington on April 25 or the South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) at Morphettville on May 8. “I still think the best is yet to come,” Alderson told Racing.com. “He reminds me very much of Sky Heights in his early three-year-old year. I’m not saying he is Sky Heights, but he’s got that frame and when Sky Heights filled out he was a really strong stayer.” Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Fiorente stands at Sun Stud where his 2020 fee was $17,600 (inc. GST).
Flintshire
Cheshire Academy (3 c ex Danza Cavallo by Sunday Break) stepped up to stakes class for the first time and remained unbeaten on his third start when winning the Prix Noailles (Gr 3, 2100m) at Longchamp on Sunday for Jean-Claude Rouget. Although he passed the post a nose second he was awarded the race in the steward’s room from Pretty Tiger (Sea The Moon), while Gregolimo (Galiway) was third. Cheshire Academy also became the first individual stakes winner for his sire Flintshire (Dansili), who stands at Hill ‘N Dale Farms in Kentucky, where his fee for this year is US$10,000 (approx. AU$7,622).
Frankel
Three-year-old Rumi (3 f ex Secrete by Cape Cross) was stepped down in trip and up in class after her fourth–place reappearance in the Prix Durban (2100m) last week to land a second career win and first black–type success on her third start in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr 3, 1800) at Longchamp on Sunday. The Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained three-year-old led home Petricor (Frankel) by three–quarters of a length for a Frankel (Galileo) one-two while Rumi also became the Juddmonte sire’s 62nd individual stakes winner. Frankel stands at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket for a fee of £175,000 (approx. AU$315,320).
Frosted
Cloudy (2 f ex Applegate by Exceed And Excel) took out the Dequetteville Stakes (Listed, 1050m) at Morphettville on Saturday, earning Darley shuttler Frosted (Tapit) his fourth individual stakes winner. The Godolphin-raced filly finished third in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on debut in October, before finishing last of eleven in the Ottawa Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) at Flemington. Earning another shot in stakes company, Cloudy took her chance when defeating Translation (Frosted) by a head, with Isles Of Avalon (Toronado) another short head behind in third. Cloudy is the first stakes success out of Listed winner Applegate (Exceed And Excel), who has produced three winners from five foals to race. Frosted is currently standing at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for US$25,000 (approx. AU$32,800).
Galileo
Bolshoi Ballet (3 c ex Alta Anna by Anabaa), a brother to Zipping Classic (Gr 2, 2000m) winner Southern France, is working his way to a crack at the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) after an impressive win in Sunday’s Ballysax Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 2f) at Leopardstown for Aidan O’Brien. The colt won his maiden on his second start last term before being beaten just over two lengths in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Gr 1, 2000m) on his last start. He resumed here, racing prominently and staying on comfortably to win by two and a quarter lengths from Flying Visit (Pride Of Dubai) and Taipan (Frankel), who were split by a nose for second and third. Bolshoi Ballet became the 333rd individual stakes winner for Champion Sire Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), who stands at Coolmore Ireland for a private fee.
Iffraaj
Fast Raaj (3 c ex Interesting by Raven’s Pass) made a winning step up to stakes level when claiming the Prix Djebel (Gr 3, 1400m) at Deauville on Thursday. Sons of Iffraaj (Zafonic) ran home the first two as the Yann Barberot-trained colt held off the Godolphin-raced Pimento in a good battle to the line, with Fast Raaj finding more to win by a neck. Prince Lancealot (Sir Prancealot) finished three lengths further adrift in third. Fast Raaj, the 76th individual stakes winner for Iffraaj, is the second foal out of winning mare Interesting (Raven’s Pass), a half-sister to Listed winner With Interest (Selkirk). Iffraaj shuttled to Haunui Farm until 2019, and now permanently resides at Darley’s Dalham Hall where he stood 2021 for a fee of £20,000 (Approx. AU$36,000).
Intello
Progressive Freddie Head-trained colt Adhamo (3 c ex Foreign Tune by Invincible Spirit) stepped up to Group company for the first time at Longchamp on Sunday and stamped his Classic credentials when taking out the Prix La Force (Gr 3, 1800m). The three-year-old became the 15th individual stakes winner for his sire Intello (Galileo). Ridden by Maxime Guyon, the Wertherimer and Frere homebred put up a powerful performance to beat the Godolphin runner Erasmo (Oasis Dream) by three lengths and the pair were a further two lengths clear of Darkness (Siyouni). Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1, 2100m) winner Intello started his stud career at Cheveley Park Stud and has switched every two seasons between there and Haras du Quesnay in France, where his fee for 2021 was €10,000 (approx. AU$15,614).
Kingman
Spanish-trained Reina Madre (3 f ex Splashdown by Falbrav) caused a stir in the Prix Imprudence (Gr 3, 1400m) at Deauville on Thursday, winning the Group 3 at odds of 179-10. A €350,000 purchase from the Goffs November (foals) sale, Reina Madre defeated Godolphin’s Sky Angel (Dark Angel) by a short neck, with Louliana (Acclamation) a length and a half further back in third. A Listed runner-up as a juvenile at Bordeaux, Reina Madre is the sixth foal out of Listed winner Splashdown (Flabrav).
Kizuna
Three-year-old Bathrat Leon (3 c ex Bathrat Amal by New Approach) romped to a five-length victory in the New Zealand Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m) at Nakayama to become the 11th individual stakes winner for his sire Kizuna (Deep Impact), who also had his 12th stakes winner the following day. The Yoshito Yahagi-trained colt won on debut last July and was placed twice at Group 3 level from four starts since, before getting back to winning ways last month in a Class 1 over 1600 metres at Hanshin. Sent off as favourite under Yusuke Fujioka, Bathrat Leon beat Keisei Hai (Gr 3, 2000m) runner-up Time To Heaven (Lord Kanaloa), while City Rainbow (Epiphaneia) was a further length and a half away in third. Stellaria (3 f ex Pollenator by Motivator), who was only a two-length sixth in the Daily Hai Queen Cup (Gr 3, 1600m) on her return in February, bounced back to gain black type for Takashi Saito in the Wasurenagusa Sho (Listed, 2000m) at Hanshin and became the 12th individual stakes winner for her sire Kizuna (Deep Impact). Stellaria, a Shadai homebred, was not out of the first three on four starts last term and broke her maiden at the third attempt before running second in the Begonia Sho (1600m). Ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga, she got the better of A Shin Hiten (A Shin Hikari) by three-quarters of a length, with Big Ribbon (Rulership) a further half-length behind in third. Kizuna stands at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥10,000,000 (approx. AU$119,636).
Le Havre
The Andre Fabre-trained Solsticia (4 f Soilea by Galileo) took out the Prix Zarkava – Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage (Listed, 2100m) at Longchamp on Sunday to become the 44th individual stakes winner for her sire Le Havre (Noverre). Making her reappearance after showing promise last year, including when third in the Prix Saint Alary (Gr 1, 2000m), Solstice got the better of Control Tower (Youmzain) by a head and they were a length and a quarter ahead of Noble Music (Sea The Moon) in third. Prix du Jockey Club winner Le Havre stands at Montfort et Preaux and his fee for 2021 is €40,000 (approx. AU$62,455).
Mehmas
Keeper Of Time (3 f ex Motheeba by Munstanfar) was a surprise 80-1 winner of the feature 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Leopardstown on Sunday for John Feane. She got off the mark last term on her third start in a six-furlong Naas maiden and ran down the field in the Weld Park Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) in September before returning three weeks ago where she was beaten four lengths into fifth in a seven-furlong handicap at the Curragh on soft to heavy ground. Back on a better surface on Sunday, she was held up by Ronan Whelan, ridden to challenge a furlong from home and just held on by a head from Mehnah (Frankel), while another outsider Sense Of Style (Zoffany) was a further length back in third. The Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) winner and favourite Shale (Galileo) could only manage fifth for Donnacha O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Leading first season sire of 2020, Mehmas (Acclamation) stands at Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland for a fee of €25,000 (approx. AU$21,703).
Ocean Park
Whale Song (5 g ex Nadel Dame by Pins) took out the Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday to provide Ocean Park (Thorn Park) with his 14th individual stakes winner. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained five-year-old came out on top in a thrilling finish, defeating Lightning Jack (Per Incanto) by a short head, with Belle Fascino (Per Incanto) the same distance further behind in third. Whale Song was a $10,000 purchase by Michael Pitman from the Waikato Stud draft during the 2017 Select Sale at Karaka and has now won five races from 23 starts and over $114,000 in prizemoney. Ocean Park stands at Waikato Stud and his 2021 service fee is yet to be announced.
Power
Mighty Giant (5 g Wanderov by Ustinov) was another to cause an upset when taking out the Chairman’s Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m) at Sha Tin last Monday, earning Power (Oasis Dream) his 18th individual stakes winner. Trained by Ricky Yiu, Mighty Giant defeated Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) by half a length under Neil Callan, with More Than This (Dutch Art) another one and three-quarter lengths back in third. Odds on favourite Waikuku (Harbour Watch) finished a distant last of the five-runner field and was later found to have bled. Power stood at Oaklands Stud in Australia for a 2020 service fee of AU$11,000.
Savabeel
Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old Atishu (3 f ex Posy by No Excuse Needed) recorded a hat-trick of wins on the bounce and claimed her first black-type win in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday to become the 113th individual stakes winner for her sire Savabeel (Zabeel). Held up by Kozzi Asano, she hit the front halfway down the straight and stormed clear to win eased down by seven lengths from Exquisite Pearl (Power) and Lelawala (Niagara), who were split by three–quarters of a length for second and third. Following such a devastating win, Marsh is now weighing up where to go next. “I had her ready to go for the Warstep in a fortnight, but the way she has won today, we might have to have a look at Brisbane for the Oaks there instead. It’s something that I will need to speak with her owners about, but when she is absolutely flying, you’d be mad not to have a crack. The Warstep is a lovely race to win but an Oaks win or placing at Group 1 level adds a lot more value to her in the future.” Bred by Waikato Stud, she was a $260,000 Book 1 Karaka Yearling Sale purchase by Go Racing and is out of a sister to multiple Group 1 winner Daffodil (No Excuse Needed).
Shamus Award
A first win at stakes level for both Duais (3 f ex Meerlust by Johannesburg) and her trainer Edward Cummings arrived courtesy of the Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The filly, a winner at Warwick Farm over 1600m on her last start, became the 11th individual stakes winner for her sire Shamus Award (Snitzel), as she defeated Bargain (Ocean Park) by half a length, with Godolphin filly Flexible (Hallowed Crown) in third. Meerlust (Johannesburg) has produced five named fillies to date, with this her second stakes winner after the 2019 Sunshine Coast Guineas (Gr 3, 1600m) scorer Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince). She was placed in foal to All Too Hard (Casino Prince) last year. Shamus Award, the sire of dual Group 1 winner Mr Quickie, stands at Rosemont Stud where he commanded a fee of $19,800 last year.
Zoustar
Kiku (3 f ex Atotori by Haradasun) soared with a run down the outside to claim the Carbine Club Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) and become the 21st individual stakes winner for her sire, Zoustar (Northern Meteor). Racing in the Star Thoroughbreds silks, Kiku came home best of the 12-runner field to defeat race favourite The Irishman (Tavistock) by three-quarters of a length, with Autumn Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) Poland (So You Think) a length and a half behind the winner in third. Kiku, a $300,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale out of the Amarina Farm draft, is the brother to this year’s Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Zoutori, with the siblings the only two to race on the Zoustar-Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus) cross. The unraced Atotori saw her yearling filly by Divine Prophet (Choisir) sell for $80,000 to Australian Bloodstock this year, her final produce having died last year. Zoustar stands at Widden Stud, where his 2020 fee was set at $121,000.