Flemington, G1 Kennedy Australian Guineas, $1 million, 1600m
Race summary:
Superstar 3-year-old Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) did it again, recording his 10th win from 11 starts and his first victory at the elite level.
The David Vandyke-trained runner had scored a thrilling victory over Kiwi star Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) two weeks ago, and the stage was set for a repeat of that thrilling clash.
That failed to eventuate, with Catalyst finishing only sixth and trainer Clayton Chipperfield suggesting blinkers may be re-applied for the All-Star Mile.
But Alligator Blood was dominant, emphatically setting the record straight after suffering the only defeat of his career in his one previous start at Group 1 level – a last-gasp loss to Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) in the Caulfield Guineas.
Despite being taken on in the early stages, Alligator Blood and regular pilot Ryan Maloney forged clear in the straight to win by a length and a quarter from Perth visitor Superstorm (Sebring). Soul Patch (Shamus Award) was a nose away in third.
Bought for $55,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate, Alligator Blood has now earned more than $2.8 million in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
Alligator Blood became the first Group 1 winner for All Too Hard, who stands for a service fee of $27,500 at Vinery Stud. He had previously sired five Group 2 winners and three Group 3 winners. Dawn Dawn joined that group with her victory in the G2 Guy Walter S. at Randwick earlier on Saturday afternoon.
Alligator Blood was bred by Gerry Harvey and is out of the unraced Encosta de Lago mare Lake Superior, who is the dam of two winners from three foals to race.
Lake Superior is out of Kylikwong (Red Ransom {USA}), who placed in the G1 VRC Oaks and Australasian Oaks and is the dam of stakes winner Cantonese (Redoute’s Choice) and stakes placegetters Chateau Margaux (Redoute’s Choice) and Monteux (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).
Kylikwong is a full-sister to Horse of the Year and six-time Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}), and also the multiple stakes winner Red Element (Red Ransom {USA}). They are all out of Tracy’s Element (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who won four Group 1 races in South Africa.
Flemington, G2 Thoroughbred Club Blamey S., $200,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Last year’s Blamey S. winner Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) returned to Flemington on Saturday and successfully defended his title, earning a wild-card entry into the All-Star Mile.
Ridden by Craig Williams for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, the 5-year-old went back in the early stages and sat in a three-wide trail.
Williams turned him loose in the straight and he reeled in the leaders, hitting the front inside the last 200 metres and racing clear to win by a length and a half.
Secret Blaze (Sizzling) finished second, with a neck back to Admiral’s Joker (Bel Esprit) in third.
Fifty Stars has now had 22 starts for nine wins, three placings and more than $1.1 million in prize-money.
Pedigree notes:
Fifty Stars is by the champion racehorse Sea the Stars, whose wins included the English 2000 Guineas, Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Sea the Stars is the sire of 349 winners from 515 runners, with 60 individual stakes winners including 12 at Group 1 level.
In this part of the world, Sea the Stars has been represented by 14 winners from 20 runners with four at stakes level headed by G1 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (Ire).
The dam of Fifty Stars is Swizzle Stick (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), who was unraced. She has produced two winners from three to race. After Fifty Stars was born in 2015, she produced the unraced Sistercarmel (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), the unplaced Revolver (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), and a 2018 colt by Sea the Stars.
Swizzle Stick is a half-sister to Viztoria (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), who was champion 2-year-old filly in Ireland in 2012 and champion older female sprinter in Ireland two years later. She won the G2 Park S., G3 Athasi S. and two Listed races, and she placed in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffite and British Champions Sprint.
The dam of Swizzle Stick and Viztoria is Viz (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who won at Listed level in Italy.
Swizzle Stick’s third dam Bold Example (USA) (Bold Lad {USA}) is the granddam of Group/Grade 1 winners and sires Zilzal (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) and Awe Inspiring (USA) (Slew o’ Gold {USA), and there are more than a dozen other stakes winners among her descendants.
Flemington, G3 The TAB Shaftesbury Avenue H., $160,000, 1400m
Race summary:
The G1 Stradbroke H. is on the radar for Blazejowski (Dash For Cash) after a determined victory at Flemington on Saturday.
Ridden by Craig Williams, the 5-year-old grey gelding capitalised on a handy run and fought hard in the straight to score by a long neck in a desperate three-way finish.
Morvada (Mossman) was second, with Age of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) another head away in third.
Raced by a big group of owners, Blazejowski has now had 18 starts for eight wins, five placings and more than $370,000 in prizemoney.
Blazejowski was bought for just $5000 at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Pedigree notes:
Bred by Dr Lesa Oldcastle, Blazejowski is by Dash For Cash, who stands for a service fee of $2750 at Scenic Lodge Stud in Western Australia.
Dash For Cash has sired 393 winners from 603 runners, with Blazejowski becoming his 10th individual stakes winner. That list is headed by the Group 2 winners Arinosa and Chase the Rainbow.
The dam of Blazejowski is Ellexcell (Octagonal {NZ}), who won a race and is a half-sister to the Hong Kong Queen Mother Memorial Cup winner Dr Well (Danehill {USA}).
Ellexcell is out of Tamarind Tree (Last Tycoon {Ire}), a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Requiem (Danehill {USA}) and stakes winner and black-type producer Laurel Grove (Bluebird {USA}).
Ellexcell’s granddam is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner and successful sire Grosvenor, from an exceptional Cambridge Stud family that features in the pedigrees of superstars such as Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice) and Lonhro.
Ellexcell is the dam of four winners from five foals to race. She had a colt foal by Starcraft (NZ) in 2017, and a colt by Ready for Victory in 2019.
Flemington, G3 Furphy Ale Frances Tressady S., $160,000, 1400m
Race summary:
Sylvia’s Mother (Snitzel) collected her second consecutive Group 3 win with a well-timed finish out of the pack.
A last-start winner of the G3 Bellmaine S. at Caulfield, the lightly raced 4-year-old settled well back off a pace set by Cazabillie (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).
Jockey Dwayne Dunn got Sylvia’s Mother into the clear in the straight, and she charged home to snatch victory by a long neck from Mamzelle Tess (O’Lonhro). The third placegetter was Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt), who finished another 0.5l away.
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Sylvia’s Mother has now won seven of her 11 starts and more than $455,000 in stakes.
Pedigree notes:
By super-sire Snitzel, Sylvia’s Mother is out of the Bel Esprit mare Found The One, who won three races.
Found The One is a sister to Bel Mer (Bel Esprit), who won the G1 Robert Sangster S. and placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. Bel Mer is also the dam of six winners including All Too Royal (All Too Hard), a Listed winner who placed at Group 2 level and finished fourth in the G1 Oakleigh P.
The dam of Found The One is Drop Anchor (At Talaq {USA}), who won at Listed level and is the dam of no fewer than 11 winners.
Sylvia’s Mother is the only foal to race so far for Found The One, whose subsequent progeny include the unraced Dis Dah Wun (Dissident) and Finally Realise (All Too Hard). She had a filly by Pride Of Dubai in 2018 and a filly by Rubick in 2019.
Flemington, Listed Roy Higgins Quality, $140,000, 2600m
Race summary:
Imported stayer King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) secured his first Australian victory with an unstoppable late surge.
Ridden by Damian Lane for trainer Danny O’Brien, the 5-year-old gelding sat in fifth place behind a steady pace set by Beau Balmain (Ger) (It’s Gino {Ger}).
The field bunched up tightly approaching the home turn, and then it turned into a battle of the favourites in the straight.
Dabiyr (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice) swept past Beau Balmain, and a few moments later King Of Leogrance cruised up alongside him.
Dabiyr produced a gallant response to the challenge, but King Of Leogrance was too strong and drew clear to win by 1.25l.
Dabiyr held on for a clear second, more than 2l ahead of the third-placed Naval Warfare (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}).
Carrying the famous colours of Lloyd Williams, King Of Leogrance has had 11 starts for four wins, four placings and $238,438 in stakes.
He began his career with three wins from five starts in France, while his five previous Australian starts had produced a second, two thirds, a fourth and a ninth in the G3 Bart Cummings.
Pedigree notes:
King Of Leogrance is by the English and Irish Derby winner Camelot (GB), who is now the sire of 219 winners from 350 runners. He has been represented by 26 individual stakes winners, including three at Group 1 level.
Camelot shuttled to Coolmore Australia in 2014. That crop has produced 45 winners from 61 runners, including New Zealand Group 2 winner Lord Arthur and South African Listed winner Crown Towers.
The dam of King Of Leogrance is Amourette (Fr) (Halling {USA}), who won two races and placed in the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux.
Amourette is out of a half-sister to Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor {GB}), who won the G3 Arlington Park Pucker Up S. and placed in the G2 San Clemente H. and San Gorgonio H.
Amourette is the dam of two winners from three foals to race. King Of Leogrance was born in 2015, and she had a filly by Martaline (GB) in 2016 and a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) in 2017.
Flemington, Listed Very Special Kids Plate, $140,000, 1000m
Race summary:
Favourite Ilovemyself (Ilovethiscity) exploded out of the pack to snatch a debut victory in the final strides of the Listed 2-year-old sprint.
River Night (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), ridden by Linda Meech, was prominent throughout the race and was doing it with ominous ease coming past the 400-metre mark. When Meech asked her to quicken, she obliged and kicked clear.
Meanwhile, Ilovemyself was held up in a traffic jam. But jockey Damien Oliver never panicked, found a way through and let the colt rip. Ilovemyself charged home, grabbing River Night in the final strides and kicking away to win by 0.75l. Time is Precious (Snitzel) finished third, the same margin behind the first pair.
Ilovemyself is trained by Greg Eurell for owner-breeder Neville Murdoch’s Larneuk Stud. He earned $92,200 in Saturday’s winning debut, and he could now head to Sydney for the Pago Pago S. at Rosehill on March 14.
Pedigree notes:
Ilovemyself is by the Randwick Guineas winner Ilovethiscity, who stands for a $5500 service fee at Noor Elaine Farm in Victoria.
He has sired 50 winners from 76 runners, and Ilovemyself became his third stakes winner. The previous two were El Dorado Dreaming, who won the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S., and the Listed winner Moonlover.
The dam of Ilovemyself is the unraced Sunstyle (Xaar {GB}), who is a half-sister to four winners. Her third dam is a half-sister to two stakes performers, while G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Clansman (NZ) (Aythorpe {Ire}) features further back in the family.
Sunstyle is the dam of five winners from six foals to race. Suncraze (Henrythenavigator {USA}) has won five races, while Starspangled Rodeo (Teofilo {Ire}) began his career with highly impressive performances in New Zealand under the name Rhinestone Cowboy.
Sunstyle had a filly foal by Cluster in 2018 and a colt by Wolf Cry last spring.
Flemington, Listed ATA/Boy Hoysted H., $140,000, 1000m
Race summary:
Following impressive recent black-type victories in her native Western Australia, Fabergino (Maschino) ventured east and delivered the same result at Flemington.
Ridden by Jordan Childs, the 5-year-old adopted her usual front-running tactics and never looked like being caught. She charged to victory by a length and a quarter from Embrace Me (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), who just edged out Haunted (Lonhro) for second.
Trained by Tiarnna Robertson at Bennett Springs, Fabergino has now had 11 starts for eight wins, two placings and $434,000 in prize-money.
Pedigree notes:
Fabergino was bred by Jim Anderson, who shares ownership with three others.
She is by the Encosta de Lago stallion Maschino, who stands for a fee of $4,950 at Alwyn Park in Western Australia.
Maschino has sired 18 winners from 34 runners, with Fabergino one of three individual stakes winners. The others were Cup Night in the Raconteur S. and Scenic Blast S., and Snowchino in the Starstruck Classic.
Fabergino’s dam is the Danzero mare Miss Razyana, who has produced four winners from four foals to race.
And Jubilations (Congrats {USA}) and Street Patrol (Street Sense {USA}) won two races apiece, while Fabergino’s younger brother Rush’n Machine (Maschino) has won over 1400 metres this season.
A winner of four races herself, Miss Razyana is a sibling to eight other winners including the Listed placegetters Pedro’s Tycoon (Just Awesome) and Man of Oar (Oarsman).
The second dam Lady Road (Sea Road) is a full-sister to the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Camino Rose (Sea Road).
Miss Razyana has returned to Maschino to produce colt and filly foals in 2017 and 2018 respectively, and she was served by the same stallion again in 2019.
Ascot, Listed Lex Piper S., $100,000, 1600m
Race summary :
Money Matters (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) missed out in the Magic Millions WA Trophy, but he returned to winning ways here with a dominant front-running performance.
The Adam Durrant-trained gelding went straight to the front and after dashing clear on straightening he had enough in reserve to post his fourth victory from his last five appearances.
Cryptic Wonder (My Admiration) took an eternity to wind up and he just missed in a tight finish with Divide The Sea (Moshe) third.
Pedigree notes :
The winner is a son of Miz Nicholls (Danehill {USA}) and was a $37,500 purchase at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
His dam has a perfect record at stud with all seven of her foals to race successful and she is a sister to the G1 CF Orr S. winner Shinzig and the dual stakes winner Strada.
It is also the family of the G2 Autumn S. winner Hawkshot (Fiorente {Ire}) and the South African Group 3 winner Afolk (Lonhro).
Doomben, Listed Sky Racing Tattersall’s Members’ Cup, $125,000, 1600m
Race summary :
Silvera (High Chaparral {Ire}) was given plenty of time to settle by rider Baylee Northdurft and they were well back as the field turned for home.
The Tony Gollan-trained representative was willing when asked for a serious effort and he powered home with a well-timed run.
Magnufighter (Magnus) came on from midfield for second money in front of Impasse (Sepoy), who made ground well in the run home.
Pedigree notes :
Silvera is three-quarter brother to the five-time Group 1 winner Shoot Out and they are out of Silver Tiara (Ferocity) and the G3 Summoned S. winner I’m A Princess.
Silver Tiara has done a good job at stud and is also the mother of the G3 Western Australian Oaks winner Cassandra Shadow (Johannesburg {USA}).
The G2 Craiglee S. winner and G1 Adelaide Cup runner-up Native Jazz (NZ) (St Hilarion {USA}) also appears on the pedigree page.
Wingatui, Listed NZB Airfreight S., NZ$50,000, 1400m
Race summary :
Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has been an outstanding performer for trainer Andrew Carston and has rarely failed to do herself justice.
The free-going filly was a dual stakes winner last season and she has now bagged her second this term after success in the Listed Canterbury Belle S. in the spring.
All About Magic (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) chased gamely to take second ahead of the well-supported North Island visitor Trifolium (Krupt).
Pedigree notes :
Miss Federer was a NZ$10,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase by Carston and is a daughter of Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo {Arg}).
She was a capable mare who won a pair of Listed races and she is also the dam of Miss Federer’s stakes performed sister Starlight Angel (NZ).
Halobelle is a half-sister to Benelli (NZ) (I Conquer {NZ}), the winner of nine races and runner-up in the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.
