Three for American Pharoah
American Pharoah
Coolmore shuttle stallion American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) sired his third Australian winner when Patton (2 c ex Tsaritsa by Dane Shadow) broke his maiden on debut at Pakenham on Thursday. The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained youngster landed the 1200-metre maiden by one and a quarter lengths under Craig Williams. Runner-up Realised (Holler) finished a length ahead of Kick (Starspangledbanner) in third. Bred by Queensland’s Mark and Leah Timms of Grand Parkview Stud, the colt was bought for $675,000 by Spendthrift Australia from the Attunga Stud draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His dam, Tsaritsa (Dane Shadow), is a half-sister to the Villiers Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) winner Ninth Legion (Fastnet Rock). American Pharoah stands in Kentucky for a fee of US$100,000 and his 2020 Coolmore Australia fee was $55,000 (inc GST).
Astern
Darley’s Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) produced his second and third individual Australian winners last week. The Kris Lees-trained Do As You’re Told (2 f ex Look And Listen by Hinchinbrook) became his second winner when landing a 1000-metre handicap on debut at Tamworth last Monday. Ridden by Andrew Gibbons, she sat outside the early leader He’s Purring (Maurice) and kicked away for a comfortable length-and-a-half victory in Soft 7 conditions. The track was downgraded to a Heavy 8 later in the day. Do As You’re Told was purchased by Frampton Racing for $150,000 out of the Edinglassie Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Zadig’s (2 g ex Zrinski by Redoute’s Choice) breakthrough win at Wagga on Thursday provided Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) with his third Australian winner. The Jean Dubois-trained gelding built on a debut sixth at Goulburn earlier in the month to score at the second attempt, with Brendan Ward in the saddle. He defeated Largo Winch (Mikki Isle) by three-quarters of a length, with Spicy Restaurant (Poet’s Voice) half a length further back in third. Zadig was bought by Woodpark Stud for $60,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the Twin Hills Stud draft, after initially being traded by Newhaven Park as a weanling at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $67,500. His dam, Zrinksi, a daughter of VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Brazilian Pulse (Captain Rio), won a 2200-metre maiden from four starts. Astern stood for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST) in 2020.
Awesome Rock
Kaymay (2 f ex Dark Queen by Bletchley Park) provided both first season sire Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) and trainer Sue Olive with their first winners when taking out the 1000-metre two-year-old plate on debut at Ascot on Saturday. Kaymay was sent off a $9 chance after winning a Belmont trial 12 days prior and got the better of Queen’s Gift (King’s Troop) by a nose, with Story Book (Lucky Street) a further long neck behind in third. Despite celebrating her first success on Saturday, Olive took greater pleasure from Awesome Rock, who stands at her Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding operation for $6,500, getting off the mark. “It’s all about Awesome Rock. He needs his two-year-olds to start hitting the track now and putting him on the map,” the winning trainer told The Races WA. “We know he’s got the ability so he’s got to send it down to his progeny, which we’ve seen today.” Winner of the 2016 Emirates Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), Awesome Rock has had just three runners to date from his first crop of 47 foals, with Diamond Blue also showing promise when finishing third in the Perth Stakes (Listed, 1100m) the previous weekend.
Cable Bay
Woodside Park shuttler Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit) sired his second winner in Australia when his daughter Flying Missile (2 f ex Magnus Missile by Magnus) took out the second race on Ascot’s card on Wednesday. Trained by Neville Parnham, Flying Missile was having her fourth start in the 1100-metre contest in which she came home three lengths clear of her nearest pursuer Plemont (Rommel). Rising Commodity (Super One) was a further short head behind in third. Flying Missile is the second foal and first runner out of Parnham’s former racemare Magnus Missile (Magnus), who he purchased for just $6,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. Magnus Missile went on to win five times, earning more than $100,000 in prize-money. Her first foal, the unraced four-year-old Missile (Zoustar), who made $200,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, won a Belmont trial on March 15. Magnus Missile has a yearling colt by Rich Enuff (Written Tycoon) and a weanling filly by Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar). She was covered by Playing God (Blackfriars) last spring.
Caravaggio
Coolmore’s first season sire shuttle stallion Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) got off the mark with his second runner when Tenebrism (2 f ex Immortal Verse by Pivotal) scored impressively on debut in a five-furlong two-year-old maiden at Naas on Sunday. The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly ran greenly in the first half of the race and had to be niggled along by Seamie Heffernan, but once the jockey switched Tenebrism out wide she quickened clear of her rivals in eyecatching fashion to score by three and three-quarter lengths. Gaire Os Ard (Teofilo) finished second, two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Lord Gorgeous (Bated Breath) in third. Tenebrism is the fourth foal to race out of dual Group 1-winning mare Immortal Verse (Pivotal). Caravaggio, who shuttled to Australia for the 2018 breeding season, landed the Phoenix Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) and Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f) during a ten-race career. He is currently standing at Coolmore’s American base for a stud fee of US$25,000 (approx. AUD$32,700).
Divine Prophet
Angel Like (2 f ex Anna House by Awesome Again) provided first season sire Divine Prophet (Choisir) with his second winner when getting off the mark in the 1000-metre two-year-old fillies maiden at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. Trained by Kacy Fogden, Angel Like was making her fourth start and comfortably got the better of Not Another (Headwater) by one and half lengths, with Top Bird (Top Echelon) another three-quarters of a length back in third. Angel Like is the first foal out of Awesome Again (Deputy Minister) mare Anna House. Divine Prophet, winner of the 2016 Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), got off the mark as a sire with Bleriot on Boxing Day, while he also sired Chairman’s Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) third Fortunate Kiss. Divine Prophet will stand at Aquis Farm for a fee of $16,500 this year, down from his 2020 fee of $22,000.
Frosted
Darley’s US shuttle stallion Frosted (Tapit) sired his fifth Australian winner from just his ninth runner as Translation (2 f ex Quidnunc by Lonhro) scored an authoritative win at Cranbourne on Friday evening. Having her third start in the Godolphin blue, Translation jumped straight to the front from her inside barrier in the opening 1000-metre Maiden Plate and, although showing greeness with the nose roll on, stretched clear on the home turn to win by three and a half lengths from Identical (Brazen Beau). Translation is the fifth foal out of Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Quidnunc, a Listed winner in Sydney, who has a weanling filly by Hallowed Crown (Street Sense), and put back in foal to the stallion last year.
Rommel
Military Gambler (2 c ex Call To Ransom by Red Ransom) got off the mark at the second attempt when taking out the QTIS 2YO Handicap at Doomben on Saturday, providing first season sire Rommel (Commands) with his third individual winner. The Chris Munce-trained colt finished down the field in the 2YO Jewel Prelude (1000m) on debut last month but bounced back with a half-length win over $1.80 favourite Stellar Magic (Star Turn). Startantes (Star Turn) was another short head behind in third. Rommel stood at Mogumber Park for a fee of $4,400 last year and has produced three winners from his first seven runners, with Pixie Chix and Ultimate Command also scoring for him.
Star Turn
The Damien Lane-trained Sonnet Star (2 f ex Seven Sonnets by Poet’s Voice) landed the $200,000 Wellington Boot (1100m) on Sunday to provide first season sire Star Turn (Star Witness) with his fifth individual winner. There was plenty of drama at the start of the contest as Sonnet Star’s better-fancied stablemate, Tidal Impact (Shalaa), who landed the Boot Prelude (1100m) at Coonamble by nine and a half lengths a fortnight prior, was scratched at the barriers along with Cosmic Serenade (Your Song). Sonnet Star improved on her debut second at Randwick to defeat her remaining 11 rivals by a length, with In The Blink (Pierro) finishing a neck in front of Mabel (Dream Ahead) in second. Sonnet Star is the first foal out of the Poet’s Voice (Dubawi) mare Seven Sonnets, whose sister to Sonnet Star sold for $10,000 at the 2020 Inglis Digital August Sale. Vinery Stud stallion Star Turn moved to within one of Capitalist (Written Tycoon) in the first season sires by winners table, with Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), Frosted (Tapit) and Sooboog (Snitzel) also on five. Star Turn stood for $16,500 last year.
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Curlin
Curlin (Smart Strike) sired his 13th individual elite-level winner when his son Known Agenda (3 c ex Byrama by Byron) stormed into the picture for the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) with an impressive victory in Saturday’s Florida Derby (Gr 1, 9f) at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt was winning for the third time in six starts, and first in stakes company, as he kept on strongly to beat Soup And Sandwich (Into Mischief) by two and three-quarter lengths. Despite being sent off the red-hot favourite, Greatest Honour (Tapit) could manage only third place, another three lengths away. Bred by St Elias Stables, Known Agenda is out of the Grade 1 winner Byrama (Byron), who was bred in the UK by Pat Phelan and Tony Smith’s Ermyn Lodge Stud. He is the lone winner from her three foals to race. She also has a yearling filly by Always Dreaming (Bodemeister). Curlin stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Kentucky for $175,000 (approx. AUD$229,000).
Extreme Choice
From a first crop which yielded just 48 foals, Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner and Newgate Farm resident Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) has sired his first Group 1 winner, as Stay Inside (2 c ex Nothin Leica Storm by Anabaa) produced a dominant display to land the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. A $60,000 weanling purchase for Newgate Farm from Matthew Sandblom’s Kingstar Farm draft, the horse was then sold for $200,000 as a yearling to the Freedman brothers and Rick Connelly Bloodstock. Stay Inside is the first foal to race out of Anabaa (Danzig) mare Nothin Leica Storm, who has a weanling filly by Russian Revolution (Snitzel). Extreme Choice stood his first year for $38,500, and his last three seasons at $22,000.
Fed Biz
A shock result ensued in Saturday’s Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1, 6f) as Zenden (5 h ex You Laughin by Sharp Humor) mesmerised his sprint opponents in winning by three and a quarter lengths to provide his sire Fed Biz (Giant’s Causeway) with a first Group 1 winner. Zenden, sent off a 40-1 shot, defeated Red Le Zele (Lord Kanaloa), with Canvassed (Shamardal) six lengths behind the winner in third. From the first crop of former WinStar Farm stallion Fed Biz, Zenden built on a last-start win in the Pelican Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Carlos David. The five-year-old is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Sweet Reason (Street Sense). Fed Biz stands the 2021 breeding season at Highfield Stock Farm in Canada for $4,000 (approx. AUD$4,170).
Ghostzapper
Saturday’s Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) went the way of Godolphin for a ninth time as their American-trained race favourite Mystic Guide (4 c ex Music Note by A.P. Indy) ran away with Meydan’s US$12 million (approx. AUD$15.7m) feature. The 25th running of the race was met with several pre-post delays due firstly to Great Scot (Requinto) running loose, and then Military Law (Dubawi) breaking the barriers when the runners were finally loaded. Japanese raider Chuwa Wizard (King Kamehameha), who rallied on the rails but proved no match for Mystic Guide, finishing three and three-quarter lengths back in second. Godolphin’s French runner Magny Cours (Medaglia D’Oro) finished third, a further length behind. The Michael Stidham-trained Mystic Guide became the 13th individual Group 1 winner for his sire, who is also the sire of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (Gr 1, 7f) winner Judy The Beauty. Ghostzapper stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm for a fee of US$85,000 (approx. AUD$111,000) this year.
Host
Seven-year-old Eduardo (7 g ex Blushing by Fantastic Light) struck at the highest level for the first time when claiming The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, in turn providing a first Group 1 winner for his Chilean-bred sire Host (Hussonet). Eduardo, who broke the Randwick 1200-metre track record in defeating Nature Strip (Nicconi) to win the Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) last time out, headed to his customary front-running position and blew the field away, defeating Order Of Command (Squamosa) by three and a half lengths with Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) six lengths adrift of the winner in third. Eduardo is one of six stakes winners for his sire, who stood at Willow Grove Stud in South Australia before his death in January 2020. He has seven yearling foals from his final crop born last year.
Kiss The Kid
US sprinter Extravagant Kid (8 g ex Pretty Extravagant by With Distinction), the only stakes winner for his sire Kiss The Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), became the stallion’s first Group 1 winner as he claimed the Al Quoz Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Meydan on Saturday. The eight-year-old, who finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Gr 1, 6f) at Keeneland in November, defeated Final Song (Dark Angel) by half a length, with Acklam Express (Mehmas) third, a further neck behind. A six-time Listed winner for trainer Brendan Walsh, Extravagant Kid finished second in the 2019 running of the Highlander Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Woodbine. Kiss The Kid died last year.
Savabeel (pictured above)
Aquis Farm have another smart three-year-old on their hands after Mo’unga (3 c ex Chandelier by O’Reilly) won the Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) to become the 23rd individual Group 1 winner for Savabeel (Zabeel) and the first Group 1 winner for trainer Annabel Neasham. The three-year-old went one better than his last-start second in the Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) to deny Sky Lab, the first Australian-bred Group 1 runner by Real Impact (Deep Impact), by a head. Montefilia (Kermadec) was a length in arrears in third. Savabeel stands at Waikato Stud, who bred and sold Mo’unga for $325,000 at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, where the stallion covered 137 mares at a fee of
$100,000 in 2020.
So You Think
Think It Over (5 g ex Personal Service by Zabeel) won Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) to become the seventh individual Group 1 winner for Coolmore stallion So You Think (High Chaparral). In defeating Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) and Avilius (Pivotal) the five-year-old booked his place in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m). A homebred for Bylong Park, Think It Over is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Universal Prince (Scenic) and Universal Queen (Scenic), while he is also from the family of Coolmore Classic (Gr 1, 1500m) winner Krone. So You Think, the sire of 29 individual stakes winners, covered 261 mares last year at a fee of $38,500.
New stakes winners
Deep Impact
Shahryar (3 c ex Dubai Majesty by Essence Of Dubai) got off the mark at stakes level when getting the better of Great Magician (Deep Impact) in an epic duel in the Mainichi Hai (Gr 3, 1800m) at Hanshin on Saturday. Shahryar, a brother to dual elite-level winner Al Ain, battled hard to see off race favourite Great Magician by a neck to earn the late Deep Impact (Sunday Silence), who sired the trifecta in this Grade 3 contest, his 171st stakes winner. Prognosis (Deep Impact) finished two lengths behind the winner in third.
Dubawi
The imperious Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) moved to within one of siring 200 individual stakes winners as Rebel’s Romance (3 c ex Minidress by Street Cry) scored a first success at stakes level when winning Saturday’s UAE Derby (Gr 2, 1900m) on the Meydan dirt by a convincing five and a half lengths. The three-year-old defeated Panadol (Flatter), with New Treasure (New Approach) a further length and three-quarters back in third as the Charlie Appleby trainee took his record to four wins from five starts. Out of Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Minidress, Rebel’s Romance is from the family of 2011 Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) winner and Japanese sensation Victoire Pisa (Neo Universe).
English Channel
War Like Goddess (4 f ex Misty North by North Light) made it three wins in four starts as she came with a relentless run down the Gulfstream stretch to down favourite Always Shopping (Awesome Again) in Saturday’s Orchid Stakes (Gr 3, 11f). A nose split the pair as they hit the line with Sorrel (Dansili) three lengths away in third. The Bill Mott-trained filly became the 56th individual stakes winner for English Channel (Smart Strike) who stands at Kentucky’s Calumet Farm for a fee of $27,500 (approx. AUD$36,000).
Fastnet Rock
Packing Rockstar (5 g ex Anabandana by Anabaa) took out the Japan Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m) at Tauranga on Saturday under a perfect front-running ride by Leigh Innes, earning Coolmore’s Fastnet Rock (Danehill) his 171st individual stakes winner. Trained by Lauren Brennan, Packing Rockstar produced an eye-catching performance to score over 1400 metres at Ellerslie a fortnight prior, just three runs after finishing fourth in the Sistema Railway (Gr 1, 1200m) on New Year’s Day, and followed that up with a head defeat of Siracusa (Sebring) on Saturday. Gino Severini (Fastnet Rock) was another short-head behind in third. Shuttle stallion Fastnet Rock, who stood in Australia for $165,000 last year, is currently standing at Coolmore’s Irish base for €50,000 (approx. AUD$77,360).
Gio Ponti
Gray’s Fable (6 g ex Myrtle’s Gray by Oratory) had no problems in overcoming a near 200-day absence as he took out Saturday’s Appleton Stakes (Gr 3, 8f) on the Gulfstream turf and in the process provided his sire Gio Ponti (Tale Of The Cat) with his 16th individual stakes winner. The Roger Attfield-trained gelding was winning his fourth race in 11 starts as he beat Renaisance Frolic (Paynter) by two lengths. Ever Dangerous (Kitten’s Joy) was another length and a half away in third. Gio Ponti stands at Castleton Lyons Stud in Kentucky for a fee of $5000 (approx. AUD$6,540).
Goldencents
Santa Anita Oaks (Gr 1, 10f) runner-up Going To Vegas (4 f ex Hard To Resist by Johannesburg) made a deserved breakthrough in graded company when she became the 11th individual stakes winner for Goldencents (Into Mischief) courtesy of her success in Saturday’s Santa Ana Stakes (Gr 3, 10f) on the Hillside turf. The Richard Baltas-trained filly downed red-hot favourite Mucho Unusual (Mucho Macho Man) by three and three-quarter lengths, with Red Lark (Epaulette) a further length away in third. Going To Vegas is out of the stakes winning mare Hard to Resist (Johannesburg). She produced a filly by Grazen (Benchmark) in 2020 and was bred to Om (Munnings) for 2021. Goldencents stands at Spendthrift’s US base for a fee of $15,000 (approx. AUD$19,625).
Headwater
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) sired his second individual stakes winner on Saturday when Mileva (3 f ex Lady Einstein by Magic Albert) took out the Manihi Classic (Listed, 1100m) at Morphettville, with jockey Anna Jordsjo gaining her first black-type success with the win. The Julia Macgillivray-trained filly defeated 2019 Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Lyre (Lonhro) by three-quarters of a length. Brimarvi Vehero (Von Costa De Hero), sent off a $61 chance, finished the same distance behind in third. Vinery Stud stallion Headwater, who has a Group 3 winner to his name courtesy of Wisdom Of Water, currently sits third in the Australian second season sires by winners table on 30, two behind Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry) on 32. Headwater stood at Vinery Stud for $13,750 (inc. GST) last season.
Henny Hughes
Rapier Wit (6 h ex Running Bobcats by Running Stag) landed the March Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) at Nakayama on Sunday to earn Henny Hughes (Hennessy) his 36th individual stakes winner. The Noriyuki Hori-trained Rapier Wit, who had twice been placed in stakes company prior to Sunday’s win, defeated History Maker (Empire Maker) by half a length, with Memory Ko (Espoir City) a further three lengths behind in third. Out of Running Bobcats (Running Stag), Rapier Wit is a brother to Group 1 winner Asia Express. Henny Hughes stands at Yushun Stallion Station in Japan.
Liam’s Map
Churn N Burn (4 g ex Swirls by Leroidsanimaux) took the step up to graded company firmly in his stride as he ran out a convincing winner of Saturday’s Pan American Stakes (Gr 2, 12f) on the Gulfstream turf to provide Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) with his eighth individual stakes winner. Following up his win in a claimer over course and distance last time out, the Ian Wilkes-trained gelding proved to be too smart for his rivals as he beat Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon) by two and a half lengths, with favourite Cross Border (English Channel) another three-quarters of a length behind in third. Churn N Burn was purchased as a yearling from Eaton Sales in 2018 for $255,000 at The Saratoga Sale. Liam’s Map stands at Lane’s End for $30,000 (approx. AUD$39,250).
Palace Malice
Like The King (3 c ex Like A Queen by Corinthian) made it three wins in six starts with a victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (Gr 3, 9f) at Turfway on Saturday. The Wesley Ward-trained colt beat Sainthood (Mshawish) by a length to become the seventh individual stakes winner for Palace Malice (Curlin). Hockey Dad (Nyquist) was a head behind the runner-up in third.
Bred in Kentucky by Horseshoe Racing, Like the King is the first foal to race out of the stakes-placed mare Like a Queen (Corinthian). She also has a two-year-old Maclean’s Music (Distorted Humor) gelding named Kiss Principal and an unnamed Fast Anna (Medaglia D’Oro) yearling colt. Like the King was a $170,000 purchase by Golden Star Farm. Palace Malice stands at Kentucky’s Three Chimneys for a fee of $20,000 (approx. AUD$26,170).
Pioneerof The Nile
The late Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) sired his 27th individual stakes winner when the Godolphin-raced Adventuring (3 f ex Questing by Hard Spun) obliged as favourite in the Bournbonette Oaks (Listed, 8f) at Turfway Park on Saturday. Now the winner of two of her four starts, Adventuring kept on strongly to defeat Spritz (Awesome Again) by two lengths. Candace O (Declaration Of War) was a further length and a half away in third.
No Nay Never
Royal Commando (4 c ex Online Alexander by Acclamation) got off the mark in stakes company with a gutsy performance in the Cammidge Trophy Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Doncaster on Saturday. The Charlie Hills-trained colt, who finished fourth in last year’s Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f) at 250-1, had only won one of his nine starts prior to Saturday’s contest but pulled away from his nine rivals impressively in the closing stages to earn No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) his 27th individual stakes winner. Ridden by Kieran Shoemark, Royal Commando defeated Emaraaty Ana (Shamardal) by one and three-quarter lengths, with Brando (Pivotal) a further head behind in third. Coolmore’s No Nay Never stands at their Irish base for a service fee of €125,000 (approx. AUD$193,400).
Real Impact
Lunar Impact (3 f ex Moonsong by Redoute’s Choice) broke her maiden at the ninth attempt when landing the WA Oaks (Gr 3, 2400m) at Ascot on Saturday, earning former Japanese shuttler Real Impact (Deep Impact) his second individual stakes winner. The David Harrison-trained filly was sent off a $51 chance having only placed twice on her previous eight starts but got the better of short-priced favourite Pure Devotion (So You Think) by a head. Temptacion (All Too Hard) was a length behind the winner in third. Out of Moonsong (Redoute’s Choice), Lunar Impact is a half-sister to Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m)-placed Man Of Choice (Manhattan Rain). Real Impact, winner of the 2015 George Ryder Stakes , has a Group 1 winner to his name courtesy of Lauda Sion and stood last year at Japan’s Shadai Stallion Station for ¥2,000,000 (approx. AUD$23,875).
Reliable Man
Annavisto (3 f ex Aisto by Tavistock) took out the Bendigo Guineas (Listed, 1400m) with ease on Saturday to provide Reliable Man (Dalakhani) with his 16th individual stakes winner. The Mick Price and Michael Kent jr-trained filly became the second filly from the stable in three years to upstage the boys in the race, following Mystery Love’s (Eurozone) success in 2019. Annavisto left her rivals in her wake up the straight, cruising to a one and three-quarter length win over Mozzie Monster (Sebring), with Air Defence (Stryker) four lengths behind the winner in third. Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, the sire of three individual Group 1 winners, stood for a service fee of $15,000 last year.
Sea The Moon
European raider Favorite Moon (4 g ex Favorite by Montjeu) landed the N E Manion Quality Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday, earning Sea The Moon (Sea The Stars) his 13th individual stakes winner. The William Haggas-trained Favorite Moon, who travelled over to Australia with Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) runner-up Addeybb (Pivotal), was making his first start in Australia and defeated Realm Of Flowers (So You Think) by a neck. Sacramento (Pierro) was two lengths behind the winner in third. Favorite Moon, the winner of two of his nine races in Britain, is the second stakes winner out of Favorite (Montjeu), who also foaled Listed winner and Group 1 placed Fun Mac (Shirocco). Sea The Moon is standing at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket for £22,500 (approx. AUD$40,700). Favorite Moon was cut to favouritism with some bookmakers for next month’s Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) following Saturday’s win.
Sebring
Seasons (6 m ex Acouplamas by Al Maher) landed a valuable black-type victory at the ninth time of asking as she won the Birthday Card Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. A prolific scorer in Benchmark grade, the Les Bridge-trained six-year-old had three placed efforts at Group level prior to Saturday’s win, and finished second in the Winona Girl Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) last time out. Seasons defeated Tricky Gal (Magic Albert), who finished second in Group company for the fifth time as the five-year-old chases an elusive first stakes win, by two and a quarter lengths, with Wandabaa (Wandjina) a head further back in third. Seasons was a $110,000 purchase for Kim Harding out of the Holbrook Thoroughbreds draft at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Out of the stakes-placed Acouplamas (Al Maher), Seasons is a half-sister to Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Quick Thinker (So You Think) and the stakes placed The August (I Am Invincible), while this is also the family of Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) winner and stallion Blackfriars (Danehill). Acouplamas has a weanling colt by Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and was placed in foal to The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) in 2020.