The Valley, G2 Alister Clark S., $200,000, 2040m
Race summary:
Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) has wasted no time in snaring Group honours and he did it in some style for trainer Grahame Begg and jockey Jordan Childs.
The gelding was always within striking distance and quickly put the issue to rest in the straight to turn the tables on Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel), who had beaten him when they last met in the G2 Autumn Classic.
Diasonic (Reset) was a distant third ahead of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound (NZ), (Reliable Man {GB}), who had her chance and was again disappointing.
Pedigree notes:
Nonconformist is the first winner for Good Thinking (Hold That Tiger {USA}), who won three times up to 1950 metres.
The family is bereft of black type in the immediate pedigree and further back is the presences of the former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago), the top New Zealand filly Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and the G2 Queensland Guineas winner and sire Jabali.
The Valley, Listed Ranvet Abell S., $140,000, 1200m
Race summary:
Accomplished sprinter Faatinah (Nicconi) claimed his third win at The Valley with a clear-cut victory.
He raced in second spot before taking over 400 metres from home and surged clear to beat Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power {GB}).
Dr Drill (GB) (Dansili {GB}) produced an encouraging performance in his first start, and at a distance well short of his best, since November by making up late ground for third.
Pedigree notes:
Faatinah is one of five winners produced by Alqwah (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and is a half-brother to the stakes performer Jalsah (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Alqwah is out of a half-sister to the Group 2 winner and sire College Chapel (GB) and his close relation Leap For Joy (GB) (Sharpo {GB}), a dual Group 3 winner.
It’s also the family of the former New Zealand Horse of the Year and three-time Group 1 winner King’s Chapel (NZ) (King Of Kings {Ire}).
Kembla Grange, G3 Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic, $200,000, 1600m
Race summary:
Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) showed the improvement she had taken from her first-up effort for third with a game effort to earn top honours.
The filly raced in midfield and when the field fanned out into the straight rider Hugh Bowman drove her between runners, the second black type win of her career following success in the G3 Spring S. in November.
Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) lost her unbeaten record, but was gallant in defeat after jumping from the outside gate and working overtime early to race on the pace. All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) got home well to edge Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) out of third money.
Pedigree notes:
Asiago is a daughter of Disputes (Manton), who won the Listed Reginald Allen H. and also gained further black type when third in the Gimcrack S.
She is a half-sister to the G3 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Divorces (Domesday) and she was also placed in the G1 Champagne S.
Their dam Family Breakup (Octagonal {NZ}) is a half-sister to the stakes winners Good Tradition (Canny Lad) and Mermaid’s Flannel (Woodman {USA}) and a family that also includes the South African Group 2 winner Karaka One (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
