Eagle Farm, G1 TAB Stradbroke H., $350,000, 1400m
Race summary
Tyzone (Written Tycoon) settled off the pace from a horror gate and rider Robbie Fradd sat patiently before edging closer across the top.
He was dragged into the race, albeit wide, but with only 52kg on his back Tyzone was able to unleash a powerful finishing burst top go one better than last year.
Madam Rouge (Zoustar) had got to the front 100 metres off the line, but couldn’t stave off the winner’s late surge and Niccanova (Nicconi) arrived late for third ahead of Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Pedigree notes
Tyzone was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale for $60,000 and is a son of Rezonet (Hussonet {USA}), who won three races.
She is a half-sister to the Group performer Spirited Eagle (Not A Single Doubt) who is out of a half-sister to the G2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy and Gr BTC Chairman’s H, winner Society Beau (NZ) (Bigstone {Ire}).
The pedigree also features the Group 1 winners Final Destination (NZ) (O’Reilly), the champion miler of her 3-year-old year, and Irish Fling (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Eagle Farm, G1 XXXX Dry JJ Atkins, $350,000, 1400m
Race summary
Rothfire (Rothesay) was sent out favourite and his army of supporters were on good terms after he jumped smartly and stalked the pace.
He was given clear galloping room into the straight and he quickly asserted his superiority by hitting the front 250 metres out and then surged clear to win by 3.3l.
Gotta Kiss (Not A Single Doubt) got well back in the running and she powered home for second with The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered) third and he too found the line well.
Pedigree notes
Rothfire is the first Group 1 winner for Lyndhurst Farm Stud’s Rothesay, whose four wins featured the G2 Queensland Guineas.
The JJ Atkins hero is out of Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet {USA}), who was unraced and is also the dam of the winners Rylee’s Saga (Real Saga {USA}) and Smokin’ Hussay (Rothfire).
The second dam Verscay (Marscay) is a sister to the Listed Dark Jewel Classic winner Romare and a half-sister to the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Vertingly (Bletchingly), also runner-up in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate.
Eagle Farm, G3 Racing Rough Habit Plate, $175,000, 2200m
Race summary
Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) was short in the market and understandably so after a strong of top performances, including a close second in the G3 Gunsynd Classic at his previous start.
He had no trouble going one better this time and once in to the clear in the straight he came with an undeniable finishing to turn the tables on Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}), who had his measure in the Gunsynd.
The front-runner Navy (I AM Invincible), who was chasing a hat-trick of wins, fought on gamely in the straight and Man Of Sinn (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was doing his best work late for fourth.
Pedigree notes
Ballistic Boy was a $100,000 Magic Millions Gold Yearling Sale graduate and is a son of Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
She who won on four occasions and is a half-sister to the G1 Levin Classic winner Distil (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) and the stakes-winning stayer Mr Tipsy (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}).
Magical Mist is a direct female descendant of the G1 Goodwood H. winner Boardwalk Angel (Bletchingly), who produced the G1 Railway H. winner Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express {USA}).
Eagle Farm, Listed Mick Dittman Plate, $85,000, 1000m
Race summary
Promising filly Aquitaine (Exceed And Excel) has previously been placed twice at stakes level before a clear-cut victory at her third attempt.
The genuine 3-year-old, out of the money just once in nine appearances, raced wide near the leaders and proved too strong in the closing stages.
Iced (Better Than Ready) had to settle for another second placing after finishing runner-up at her previous start and Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt) claimed third money.
Pedigree notes
Aquitaine is the first foal of Thalia (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), who was lightly-tried and was winless, but did place in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Magic Night S. winner Calliope (Exceed And Excel) and their dam Melpomene (Elusive Quality {USA}) was a multiple winner and Group placegtter.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Furious S. winner Bound For Earth (Northern Meteor), whose dam Bulla Borghese (Belong To Me {USA}) was a G1 VRC Oaks winner.
Randwick, Listed Bob Charley S., $150,000, 1100m
Race summary
Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) had trialled well ahead of his return and while lacking race fitness, he had the class edge on this field.
He raced close to the pace and rider Kerrin McEvoy steered him wide at the top of the straight and the 4-year-old proved too good in the run to the line.
Southern Lad (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) came on well for second to collect his fourth consecutive cheque and Snitz’s (Snitzel) sterling run of form continued with a brace effort for third.
Pedigree notes
Classique Legend was purchased at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft by Size for $400,000.
He is a half-brother to the G2 HKJC Sprint winner Aethero (Sebring) with their dam Pinnochio (Encosta De Lago) is a half-sister to the former champion 3-year-old and five-time Group 1 winner Racing To Win and the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner and sire Purrealist.
The G2 Magic Night S. winner Mardi’s Magic (Kenny’s Best Paul) and the stakes winner Our Crown Mistress (Star Witness) are also members of this family.
Belmont, Listed Raconteur S., $100,000, 1400m
Race summary
Kay Cee (Playing God) was making her first appearance since winning the G1 Kingston Town S. in early December, but had won both of her lead-up trials.
She sat back in the small field for rider Steven Parnham before lengthening stride in the closing 200 metres to win in style.
Laverrod (Toronado {Ire}) was game in defeat after making all the play in front and in her first attempt in clack type company Karijini Aurora (Trade Fair {GB}) did well to take third.
Pedigree notes
The winner is a daughter of the McFlirt (NZ) mare Flirt ‘N’ Hope and she is out of the nine-time winner Lizzy Long Legs (Steel Glow), whose CV included victory in the G3 Scahill S. and was third in the G1 Railway S.
While she did a good job as a broodmare by producing six winners, none achieved black type status and there are no other stakes performers present within the first three generations.
