In Her Time Wins Gr1 Black Caviar Lightning
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 4. In Her Time J: C W Brown T: K A Lees W: 56.5 kgs S: Time Thief D: Hell It's Hot | |
| 0.1L | 1. Osborne Bulls J: Craig Williams T: James Cummings W: 58.5 kgs S: Street Cry D: Jerezana | |
| 0.4L | 10. Sunlight J: L Currie T: Tony McEvoy W: 53.5 kgs S: Zoustar D: Solar Charged | |
| 0.9L | 8. Graff J: Tommy Berry T: K A Lees W: 55.5 kgs S: Star Witness D: Dinkum Diamond |
At Flemington in Melbourne, beautifully-pedigreed former stakes-winning stallion Time Thief (Redoute's Choice-Procrastinate, by Jade Hunter) celebrated an elite race success when 6YO Australian-bred mare In Her Time (Time Thief-Hell It's Hot, by Zeditave) dashed to her second Gr1 sprint win when scoring by a short-head for trainer Kris Lees in the $752,500 Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m). Flashing home for second at a distance short of his best was underrated 5YO gelding Osborne Bulls, just in front of super-consistent 3YO filly Sunlight. A game runner-up during the Spring Carnival to Santa Ana Lane in the Gr1 VRC Sprint Classic, In Her Time has been a wonderful money spinner for owner Peter Brown, and has fashioned the impressive record of 9 wins (inlcuding the Gr1 The Galaxy, Gr2 Premiere Stakes, Gr2 Millie Fox Stakes, Gr2 Breeders Classic & Listed Sydney Stakes) & 7 placings (including the Gr1 TJ Smith, Gr1 Manikato Stakes, Gr1 Tatts Tiara, Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap & Gr2 Premier Stakes) from 24 starts. Adding poignancy to the $38,000 pass-in by Kanangra Stud at the 2014 Inglis Classic Sale, is that just last week there was another twist to the tale of the story. In Her Time’s beautifully prepared Artie Schiller half-sister was passed-in by Kanangra's Moses family at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Valuable broodmare prospect In Her Time (pic: Mark Gatt)
Beauty Generation Wins Gr1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1. Beauty Generation J: Z Purton T: J Moore W: 57 kgs S: Road To Rock D: Stylish Bel | |
| 1.8L | 2. Beat The Clock J: J Moreira T: J J Size W: 57 kgs S: Hinchinbrook D: Flion Fenena | |
| 2.1L | 5. Conte J: Ryan Moore T: J J Size W: 57 kgs S: Starcraft D: Miss Midas | |
| 3.0L | 10. Rattan J: C Schofield T: Richard Gibson W: 57 kgs S: Savabeel D: Grand Princess |
Wellfield Lodge's dual Gr1-winning stallion Road to Rock (Encosta de Lago-Trewornan, by Midyan) celebrated an elite race success when 6YO New Zealand-bred gelding Beauty Generation (Road to Rock-Stylish Bel, by Bel Esprit) showed another clean pair of heels to the chasing pack when cruising to a stylish 1.8-lengths win for trainer John Moore in the HK$10 million Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1600m), defeating Beat The Clock and Conte. Quickly into stride, Beauty Generation worked across into his customary lamp-lighter role, and even though given a run for his money by the place-getters 300m out, Zac Purton simply punched him out along the rail when the challenge was thrown out. Purchased for $60,000 at the 2014 NZB Select Yearling Sale and crowned last season's Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation (who raced as Montaigne in Australia) advanced his record to 15 wins (including the Gr1 Steward’s Cup, Gr1 Hong Kong Mile - twice, last year’s Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and Gr1 Champions Mile) & 7 placings (including the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas) from 28 starts for $12,767,490 in earnings.
Champion Beauty Generation with John Moore and Zac Purton (pic: HKJC)
Exultant Wins Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1. Exultant J: Z Purton T: A S Cruz W: 57 kgs S: Teofilo D: Contrary | |
| 1.5L | 5. Southern Legend J: C Schofield T: C Fownes W: 57 kgs S: Not A Single Doubt D: Donna's Appeal | |
| 4.5L | 11. Dinozzo J: J Moreira T: J J Size W: 57 kgs S: Lilbourne Lad D: Nisriyna | |
| 4.8L | 10. Simply Brilliant J: A Badel T: F C Lor W: 57 kgs S: Frankel D: Red Bloom |
Also at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong, Darley's unbeaten European Champion juvenile & dual Gr1-winning shuttler Teofilo (Galileo-Speirbhean, by Danehill) added a Gr1 triumph when 5YO Irish-bred gelding Exultant (Teofilo-Contrary, by Mark Of Esteem) secured a 1.5-length win for trainer Tony Cruz in the HK$10 million Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. Providing Zac Purton with a Gr1 double for the afternoon, he defeated Southern Legend and Dinozzo. Putting together a hat-trick, Exultant’s record now stands at 8 wins (including the Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, Gr3 Centenary Vase, Gr3 Premier Plate & Gr3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup) & 7 placings (incuding the Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, Gr2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup, Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile, Listed BMW Hong Kong Derby & Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup) from 20 starts for £3,312,713 in earnings.
Exultant gave Zac Purton a Gr1 double (pic: HKJC)
Winx Wins Gr2 Apollo Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 5. Winx J: J Bowman T: C J Waller W: 57 kgs S: Street Cry D: Vegas Showgirl | |
| 2.3L | 1. Happy Clapper J: S Clipperton T: Patrick Webster W: 59 kgs S: Teofilo D: Busking | |
| 4.3L | 7. Egg Tart J: B Avdulla T: C J Waller W: 57 kgs S: Sebring D: Mrs Windsor | |
| 4.4L | 2. Patrick Erin J: S R Weatherley T: C J Waller W: 59 kgs S: Gallant Guru D: Mega Babe |
At Randwick in Sydney, Darley's deceased shuttler & Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) celebrated an elite race success when 7YO Australian-bred mare Winx (Street Cry-Vegas Showgirl, by Al Akbar) achieved the astonishing benchmark of 30-straight victories with a professional 2.3-length victory for her legion of fans in the $243,500 Gr2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), over brave 8YO gelding Hapy Clapper and 5YO mare Egg Tart. No matter it wasn’t her flashiest win as she winds down the clock to her pending retirement. She came, she saw, she conquered, and nobody was more emotional at the racetrack than coach Chris Waller. “All I could ask (for)… a trouble free run, safe run, and they come home safe.” Obviously incredibly proud of the performance, Waller expressed, “Every race is a little different. The first race is always hard. The grand final’s always hard.” Giving a nod to the natural improvement to come from Winx, Waller looked ahead to the Chipping Norton Stakes and said, “Two week’s time; look out…” Indeed. For the record, Winx now sits on 33 wins (including the Gr1 Cox Plate – four times, Gr1 George Ryder Stakes - three times, Gr1 Turnbull Stakes - twice, Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes - twice, Group 1 Winx Stakes, Gr1 Caulfield Stakes, Gr1 George Main Stakes - thrice, Gr1 Doncaster Mile, Gr1 Chipping Norton Stakes – three times, Gr1 Epsom Handicap, Gr1 Queensland Oaks, Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes, Gr2 Warwick Stakes – twice, Gr2 Apollo Stakes - twice, Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes, Gr2 Phar Lap Stakes & Gr2 Furious Stakes) and 3 placings (including the Gr1 Australian Oaks & Gr1 Flight Stakes) from 40 starts for record Australian earnings of $23,080,675 in earnings. Winx was a $230,000 Magic Bloodstock purchase at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud.
Nakeeta Jane Wins Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 10. Nakeeta Jane J: J Parr T: Mark Newnham W: 56 kgs S: So You Think D: Lustre Lady | |
| 0.3L | 9. Madam Rouge J: J Ford T: C J Waller W: 56 kgs S: Zoustar D: Cabernet | |
| 1.1L | 7. Pohutukawa J: B Prebble T: James Cummings W: 56 kgs S: Medaglia D'Oro D: Lumina | |
| 1.6L | 2. El Dorado Dreaming J: J Bowman T: K A Lees W: 56 kgs S: Ilovethiscity D: Solanas |
At Randwick in Sydney, Coolmore Stud stallion and former Australian Champion racehorse So You Think (High Chaparral-Triassic, by Tights) added a group success when sophomore filly Nakeeta Jane (So You Think-Lustre Lady, by Flying Spur) finished 0.3-length clear for trainer Mark Newnham in the $202,000 Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) for 3YO fillies, defeating Madam Rouge and Pohotukawa. Only lightly raced, Nakeeta Jane looked likely to have to settle for a minor placing, like she did in the Gr1 Flight Stakes, but then suddenly steamed into contention to win going away. That improved her record to 2 wins & 2 placings from just 4 starts for $203,050 in earnings. Of the fancied brigade, at face value, Miss Fabulass, Sylvia’s Mother and Oohood were all disappointing.
Josh Parr and Mark Newnham celebrate Naketa Jane's win (pic: Steve Hart)
Surely Sacred Wins Gr2 Avondale Guineas
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 3. Surely Sacred J: V A Colgan T: A W Pike W: 56.5 kgs S: Rock 'n' Pop D: Not Sure | |
| 0.2L | 6. In A Twinkling J: R J Myers T: J W Richards W: 56.5 kgs S: Fastnet Rock D: Moment In Time | |
| 2.0L | 1. Vernanme J: J L Waddell T: S B Marsh W: 56.5 kgs S: O'Reilly D: Bohemian Blues | |
| 3.3L | 12. Bobby Dee J: S C Spratt T: M Baker & A Forsman W: 56.5 kgs S: Zed D: Adriatico |
At Ellerslie in New Zealand, Waikato Stud's regally bred Gr1-winning stallion Rock 'N' Pop (Fastnet Rock-Popsy, by Sir Tristram) added a second Group win to his record when well supported 3YO gelding Surely Sacred (Rock 'N' Pop-Not Sure, by Masterclass) scored by 0.2-length for trainer Tony Pike in the $100,000 Gr2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) for 3YO colts and geldings. After getting back in the second half of the field, Surely Sacred worked into the race strongly turning for home and then showed courage to repel the challenge of the runner-up. The placings were filled by unfancied gelding In A Twinkling and the colt Vernanme. Favoured Cutadeel did himself no favours when four deep in the early part of the trip, and did well to finish fourth. Only beaten just over a length in the Karaka Million 3YO, Surely Sacred had won the Gr2 Auckland Guineas in early January, and clearly likes running at Ellerslie. Gr1 New Zealand Derby-bound, Surely Sacred’s record is now 3 wins and a runner-up (in the Gr3 Bonecrusher Stakes) from 5 starts for $158,900 in earnings.
Glory Days Wins Gr2 Avondale Cup
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 4. Glory Days J: S T Collett T: W J Thurlow W: 52.5 kgs S: Red Giant D: Bilancia | |
| 0.1L | 12. Blue Breeze J: C Dell T: A J Morley W: 52 kgs S: Bullbars D: Peony Rose | |
| 4.4L | 2. Five To Midnight J: J K Riddell T: Ms L Latta W: 59 kgs S: Domesday D: Fastnet Lady | |
| 5.7L | 7. Roger That J: T D Thornton T: A D Fuller W: 52 kgs S: Shinko King D: Heather Lyn |
At Ellerslie in New Zealand, Westbury Stud's former Gr1-winning stallion Red Giant (Giant's Causeway-Beyond The Sun, by Kingmambo) added a Group race success when well-tried 6YO mare Glory Days (Red Giant-Bilancia, by Montjeu) worked into the race strongly to score by a nose for trainer Bill Thurlow in the $100,000 Gr2 Avondale Cup (2400m). Desperately unlucky in second place was $41 outsider 5YO gelding Blue Breeze who missed in a heads down, heads up scenario. Third placing went to 6YO gelding Five To Midnight. Although perhaps a victim of circumstance, favourite Mongolian Marshall was used up early in order to find a position, and the effort showed once whips were cracking. After winning the Listed Wanganui Cup in December, Glory Days disappointed in the Gr3 Manawatu Cup before a strong runner-up to Flamingo in the recent Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. Her latest win improved her record to 9 wins & 5 placings from 23 starts for $231,245 in earnings.
Alassio Wins Gr3 Triscay Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 10. Alassio J: Tim Clark T: G Waterhouse & A Bott W: 53 kgs S: Foxwedge D: Cinque | |
| 0.2L | 7. Manicure J: R Dolan T: James Cummings W: 53 kgs S: Exceed And Excel D: Trim | |
| 2.2L | 1. I Am Excited J: K Mc Evoy T: David Pfieffer W: 58 kgs S: Snitzel D: Lady Beckworth | |
| 2.3L | 4. Bella Martini J: B Avdulla T: M, W & J Hawkes W: 55 kgs S: Stratum D: Silverbeat |
At Royal Randwick in Sydney, former Newgate Farm and now Woodside Park Stud Gr1-winning shuttle stallion Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock-Forest Native, by Forest Wildcat) added a group success with a dashing front running display from 5YO daughter Alassio (Foxwedge-Cinque, by Red Ransom) who held out the fast finishing Godolphin challenge of 4YO mare Manicure by 0.2-length in the $160,000 Gr3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) for 4YO+. Two lengths further back was 5YO mare I Am Excited. In winning the Triscay, Alassio not only earned her first black type success but also added valuable residual value. A $50,000 purchase from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Alassio took her record to 5 wins and 2 placings (including the Gr2 Breeders Classic) from only 9 starts for $241,065 in earnings. Alassio descends from a classy family which includes Gr1 Caulfield Cu fourth Faithful Son and stakes-winning Greta West Stud stallion Keep The Faith.
Alassio refused to yield (pic: Steve Hart)
The Inevitable Wins Gr3 CS Hayes Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 8. The Inevitable J: Sigrid Carr T: Scott Brunton W: 56 kgs S: Dundeel D: Gift Bouquet | |
| 0.1L | 14. Age Of Chivalry J: Damian Lane T: M Ellerton & S Zahra W: 55 kgs S: He's Remarkable D: Onyx | |
| 2.1L | 11. O'Tauto J: D Dunn T: G Eurell W: 55 kgs S: O'Lonhro D: Taut | |
| 2.2L | 4. Ranier J: Craig Williams T: James Cummings W: 57.5 kgs S: Lonhro D: Kanzan |
At Flemington in Melbourne, Arrowfield Stud's six-time Gr1 winner Dundeel (High Chaparral-Stareel, by Zabeel) celebrated a Group win when exciting Tasmanian 3YO gelding The Inevitable (Dundeel-Gift Bouquet, by King’s High) snatched a narrow victory on the line for trainer Scott Brunton in the $161,500 Gr3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) for 3YO C&G over fellow geldings Age of Chivalry, who tried to make all, and O’Tauto. Much to the delight of his cheer squad who made the trip to Melbourne from the Apple Isle, Sigrid Carr pushed The Inevitable’s nose out at just the right time to deny Age of Chivalry who kicked back after being headed. A $90,000 yearling, fittingly consigned by Sam Hayes’ Cornerstone Farm, at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, The Inevitable was having his first crack at Group company after winning four in a row in Tasmania, including his penultimate start in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas. His record now stands at 5 wins from 6 starts for $217,025 in earnings. Meanwhile, his sire Dundeel is really starting to up the ante on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
Eckstein Wins Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 6. Eckstein J: S Clipperton T: Kurt Goldman W: 54.5 kgs S: I Am Invincible D: Comrie | |
| 0.2L | 1. Dothraki J: J Parr T: P & P Snowden W: 59 kgs S: Mossman D: Volantis | |
| 0.3L | 9. Brutal J: B Avdulla T: M, W & J Hawkes W: 53 kgs S: O'Reilly D: Alberton Princess | |
| 0.8L | 3. Kaepernick J: Tim Clark T: J A O'Shea W: 58 kgs S: Fastnet Rock D: Volcada |
At Randwick in Sydney, Yarraman Park's Gr3-winning stallion I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit-Cannarelle, by Canny Lad) added a Listed race success when 5YO Australian-bred mare Eckstein (I Am Invincible-Comrie, by Choisir) scored her inaugural first-up win with a solid 0.2-length victory in the $157,800 Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m). Completing a brilliant couple of days for trainer Kurt Goldman who parlayed a $50,000 Inglis cheque into a Press Statement yearling (at Inglis Classic) after winning last Wednesday’s Highway Handicap with Safe Landing, Eckstein was one of a wall of horses that looked capable of winning at the 200m mark. She finished best to beat long-time leader, 8YO gelding Dothraki, and odds-on, hitherto undefeated 3YO colt Brutal. The latter was pratted three deep for much of the run, so it was pleasing to see him rally when placed under pressure from all sides, and he shouldn’t be sacked on that performance. Finishing just out of the placings in the Gr2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington in November, Eckstein’s return to the winner’s enclosure boosted her record to 7 wins (including the Gr3 Glenlogan Park Stakes, Listed Paris Lane Stakes & Listed Mode Plate) and 5 placings (including the Gr1 Myer Classic, Gr3 Nivison Stakes & Magic Millions 3YO Guineas) from 29 starts for $1,048,535 in earnings.
Amphitrite Wins Gr3 The Vanity
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1. Amphitrite J: Craig Williams T: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig W: 58.5 kgs S: Sebring D: Ocean Dream | |
| 1.0L | 2. Verry Elleegant J: J B Mc Donald T: C J Waller W: 57.5 kgs S: Zed D: Opulence | |
| 1.2L | 4. Fundamentalist J: M J Walker T: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig W: 56 kgs S: Not A Single Doubt D: Centafaith | |
| 3.2L | 6. Goldifox J: S Baster T: L & T Corstens W: 55 kgs S: Foxwedge D: Bella Vedera |
At Melbourne’s Flemington circuit, Widden Stud's former Australian champion 2YO colt Sebring (More Than Ready-Purespeed, by Flying Spur) added an exciting stakes win when 3YO Australian-bred filly Amphitrite (Sebring-Ocean Dream, by Redoute’s Choice) provided the Hayes, Hayes & Dabernig stable with a length win in the $161,500 Gr3 The Vanity (1400m) for sophomore fillies, beating the fast finishing Verry Ellegant and Lindsay Park stable-mate Fundamentalist. First up over the taxing 1400m, Gr1 One Thousand Guineas heroine Amphitrite was having her first run for the stable following Darren Weir’s suspension. Given a peach of a ride by Craig Williams, she responded beautifully when asked to quicken in the straight and did well to kick on. What makes the win potentially so important is that Amphitrite is sitting on the cusp of Top 10 voting territory for the $5 million All-Star Mile, a situation Williams and David Hayes are all too aware of. Now the winner of 5 races (including the Gr3 Edward Manifold Stakes), with 2 runners-up from 10 starts, Amphritite increased her earnings to $567,405. She was a $50,000 yearling buy from Goldin Farms at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Amphitrite could start in the All-Star Mile (pic: Mark Gatt)
Microphone Wins Listed Talindert Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1. Microphone J: J B Mc Donald T: James Cummings W: 57 kgs S: Exceed And Excel D: Sung | |
| 2.3L | 10. Talented J: Damian Lane T: P & P Snowden W: 54 kgs S: Snitzel D: Exceptionally | |
| 3.1L | 15. Charleise J: Ms L J Meech T: C Maher & D Eustace W: 54 kgs S: Foxwedge D: Adio | |
| 5.6L | 5. Excess Funds J: S Baster T: Levi Kavanagh W: 56 kgs S: Rubick D: Save A Penny |
At Flemington in Melbourne, Godolphin’s superb run of juvenile performances continued when Darley's former Champion Australian Sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill-Patrona, by Lomond) added a black-type success, courtesy of a convincing 2.3-lengths win by 2YO colt Microphone (Exceed and Excel-Sung, by Anabaa) for trainer James Cummings in the $141,200 Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) for 2YOs. He defeated the fillies Talented and Charleise down the Flemington straight. Parked just off the speed, and close to the fence, before surging through the last few hundred metres, the win for Microphone was emphatic. While the run proved Microphone is among the better juveniles in Melbourne, it also franked the form of Blue Diamond aspirant I Am Immortal behind who he finished runner-up in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (c&g); I Am Immortal was subsequently winner of the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g) as well. Microphone’s latest win improved his record to 2 wins & a runner-up from 3 starts for $182,750 in earnings.
Microphone showed his rivals a clear pair of hooves (pic: Mark Gatt)
Wasabi Bob Wins Listed Birthday Cup
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 3. Wasabi Bob J: Raquel Clark T: L Macdonald & A Gluyas W: 56 kgs S: Rebel Raider D: Miss Satchmo | |
| 0.4L | 7. Excessabeel J: A Darmanin T: M M Laurie W: 54 kgs S: Savabeel D: Royal Excess | |
| 1.7L | 2. Royal Rumble J: Clayton Douglas T: L Macdonald & A Gluyas W: 58.5 kgs S: New Approach D: Queen's Kiss | |
| 1.9L | 5. Aagas J: C J Parish T: Ryan Balfour W: 54 kgs S: Golden Snake D: Brindabella |
At Morphettville in Adelaide, Wyndholm Park's Gr1 Victoria Derby-winning stallion Rebel Raider (Reset-Picholine, by Dehere) added a stakes success when 5YO Australian-bred gelding Wasabi Bob (Rebel Raider-Miss Stachmo, by Secret Savings) graduated to stakes class with a 0.4-length victory in the $100,315 Listed Birthday Cup (2040m) for 3YO+, defeating 5YO mare Excessabeel and 6YO gelding Royal Rumble. Wasabi Bob, who refused to capitulate in the clising stages when challenged, took his record to 10 wins (the past three in succession) and 12 placings from 40 starts for $356,656 in earnings.
Creative Hero Wins Listed Challenge Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 7. Creative Hero J: W Pike T: G & A Williams W: 55 kgs S: More Than Ready D: Imaginative | |
| 0.2L | 3. Regal Power J: Chris Parnham T: G & A Williams W: 55 kgs S: Pierro D: Broadway Belle | |
| 0.7L | 2. Final Hearing J: S Mc Gruddy T: G & A Williams W: 55 kgs S: Reset D: Test Case | |
| 0.8L | 9. Assetro J: C Johnston-Porter T: A G Durrant W: 54.5 kgs S: Blackfriars D: Ortessa |
At Ascot in Perth, in the day’s feature race, Vinery shuttler More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) added a stakes success when 3YO gelding Creative Hero (More Than Ready-Imaginative, by Bianconi) scored a 0.2-length victory for trainer Grant and Alana Williams in the $100,000 Listed Challenge Stakes (1500m) for 3YOs. Sent to the post slightly better than even money, the exciting Bob Peters-owned prospect was lucky that stable-mate Regal Power got caught up in traffic before flashing home to just miss. Finishing in third place in a packed finish was another gelded 3YO Williams representative in Final Hearing, providing Bob Peters and the Williams stable with a trifecta. Since finishing runner-up on debut at Pinjarra on Boxing day, Creative Hero has had another 3 starts, winning them all, with his 4 outings yielding $98,245 in earnings.
Rebel King Wins Listed Cyril Flower Stakes
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2. Rebel King J: Mitchell Pateman T: D T McAuliffe W: 58 kgs S: Universal Ruler D: Rebel Sister | |
| 1.3L | 8. River Dance J: S Mc Gruddy T: A P Scally W: 54 kgs S: Snitzel D: Ready Miss | |
| 2.1L | 1. First Among Equals J: G L Smith T: L Smith W: 60.5 kgs S: Exceed And Excel D: Pride Of The Class | |
| 2.5L | 4. Celebrity Dream J: W Pike T: A G Durrant W: 55 kgs S: Thorn Park D: Valpolicella |
At Ascot in Perth, Scenic Lodge Stud's Gr3-winning stallion Universal Ruler (Scenic-Rulings, by Hurricane Sky) added a black-type success when 7YO Australian-bred gelding Rebel King (Universal Ruler-Rebel Sister, by Falbrav) scored an easy win in the $97,000 Listed Cyril Flower Handicap (1200m), defeating 6YO gelding River Dance and fellow 7YO gelding First Among Equals. Always handily placed throughout the run, Rebel King took the shortest way home along the rails while favoured Celebrity Dream was left to get out of traffic but could only manage fourth. A $40,000 Scenic Lodge graduate of the 2013 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Rebel King’s latest win advanced his record to 12 wins (including the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes & Listed HG Bolton Sprint) and 14 placings (including the Listed WATC Beaufine Stakes) from 46 starts for $857,275 in earnings.
Vengeur Masque Wins Listed Torney Night Cup
| Mrgn. | Runners | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1. Vengeur Masque J: Patrick Moloney T: M D Moroney W: 60 kgs S: Monsun D: Venetian Beauty | |
| 1.0L | 6. Naval Warfare J: M J Walker T: C J Waller W: 56 kgs S: Born To Sea D: Three Days In May | |
| 1.1L | 2. Fabrizio J: S Baster T: G Waterhouse & A Bott W: 59.5 kgs S: High Chaparral D: Desina | |
| 1.4L | 5. Bondeiger J: John Allen T: C Maher & D Eustace W: 56 kgs S: War Pass D: Debutante Robe |
At Moonee Valley on Friday night, 7YO Irish-bred gelding Vengeur Masque (Monsun-Venetian Beauty, by Lear Fan) bounced back to his best form with a length victory for trainer Mike Moroney in the $151,000 Listed Night Cup (2500m), defeating favoured 5YO gelding Naval Warfare and fellow 7YO gelding Fabrizio. Sent straight to the front before Fabrizio carved across to take up the running, Vengeur Masque was steadied back to sit third and save ground on the paint until Patrick Moloney switched him off the fence at just the right time before the final turn. It was probably the key difference as Naval Warfare charged home when the bird had all but flown. Winless since the Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington in mid-November 2017, Vengeur Masque’s return to form improved his record to 5 wins (including the Gr3 Geelong Cup) and 6 placings (including the Gr3 Lexus Stakes, Gr3 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes & Listed Mornington Cup) from 30 starts for $983,143 in earnings.
New Synthetic Training Track for Flemington
Queensland Trainer Facing New Alleged Breaches
Entries Open For Magic Millions National Sale
- National Weanling Sale - May 23-24
- National Broodmare Sale - May 28-31
- National Yearling Sale - June 4-6
- National Racehorse Sale - June 6