Flemington, Listed Kennedy Taj Rossi Series Final, $120,000, 1600m
Race summary
Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) settled toward the back of the field on the fence before rider Billy Egan angled away from the rail with 600 metres to run.
Once into the clear, the chestnut lengthened stride and finished off well to remain unbeaten after three appearances for trainer Patrick Payne.
Alycone (Teofilo {Ire}) gave the favourite a run for his money and his second placing augured well for the future, as did the performance of the third placegetter Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Pedigree notes
Cherry Tortoni’s dam Tortoni, who has also produced the two-time winner Café Tortoni (Reset), is a daughter of the G1 One Thousand Guineas winner Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}).
Tortoni is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}) and to the Listed winners Hood (Shamardal {USA}) and Dream Ballad (Singspiel {Ire}).
The G2 Magic Night S. winner Ichihara (General Nediym) and the G2 Run to the Rose S. winner Menari (Snitzel), who also ran third in the G1 Golden Rose, are other members of the family.
Flemington, Listed Furphy All Victorian Sprint Series Final, $128,000, 1200m
Race summary
Lord Von Costa (Von Costa De Hero) didn’t have all favours when fourth in his lead-up appearance and the breaks went his way this time.
He sat back in the field before unwinding strongly for rider Craig Williams and the fourth win of the 7-year-old’s career.
Great Again (Viscount) looked to have the race in safe keeping when he got to the front, but couldn’t hold off the winner and last year’s winner Malibu Style (Magnus) was a game third in his title defence.
Pedigree notes
Lord Von Costa, whose half-sister Ilovethislady (Ilovethiscity) is a two-time winner, is a son of the Dash For Cash mare Cashed Up Lady.
A half-sister to the dam of the dual Listed winner Paprika (General Nediym), Cashed Up Lady is out of a half-sister to the Listed Talindert S. winner and Group performer Rich Habit (Karaman {NZ}).
The G3 DC McKay S. winner Streetcar Magic (Blevic) and his half-sister Streetcar Isabelle (Danerich), who won the Listed Oakbank S. are other stakes winners in the pedigree.
Flemington, Listed Seppelt Wines Winter Championship, $128,000, 1600m
Race summary
Trainer Nick Ryan pulled a masterstroke when he sent Sirrconi (Nicconi) out on a quick back-up and was rewarded with a hollow victory.
The 5-year-old had finished runner-up at Caulfield seven days previously over 2000 metres and he made light of the drop to 1600 metres to sit close to the pace and romp away for the easiest of wins.
Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) improved markedly on her first-up run to finish second and Victoria Star (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) overcame an awkward gate for third.
Pedigree notes
A G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner as a 2-year-old, Sirrconi is out of On Credit (NZ) (Viking Ruler) and she is a daughter of Indent (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}).
Neither of the first two dams were winners with Indent a half-sister to the G1 Auckland Cup winner Irish Chance (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and the G3 Manawatu Classic winner The Cheek (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}).
This is the prolific family of the Dennis brothers that includes Group 1 winners The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), La Bella Diosa (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), The Twinkle (NZ) (Gate Keeper {GB}), The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}) and his brother The Phantom (NZ).
Eagle Farm, Listed Tattersall’s Club S., $85,000, 1400m
Race summary
Plutocrat (Rich Enuff) has been plagued by poor draws in all previous starts and she made winning use of an inside gate this time.
She was given a sweet run behind the leaders by the experienced Michael Cahill and finished off strongly for a narrow victory.
Zero To Hundred (So You Think {NZ}) was last on the fence near the turn and she got home strongly against the rail for second with Tumbler Ridge (Spill The Beans) continuing his genuine run of form with third.
Pedigree notes
Plutocrat credited her Woodside Park Stud-based sire Rich Enuff with his first stakes success and she was a $110,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale buy.
A half-sister to the stakes performer Monards (Danehill {USA}), she is out of the two-time winner Personal Guarantee (Danzero) who is a daughter of the well-related Chalet Girl (NZ) (Imposing).
She is an unraced half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner and sire Danewin, whose brother Commands was a Group 3 winner and champion sire. Also in the pedigree is Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), three times successful at the highest level.
Eagle Farm, Listed TAB Bright Shadow S., $125,000, 1200m
Race summary
Jami Lady (Spirit Of Boom) was quickly into stride from an inside draw and she revelled in her work at the head of the field.
Rider Boris Thornton slipped the Steve O’Dea-trained mare more rein into the straight and she put a winning break on the field.
Fiesta (I Am Invincible) chased gamely, but was still 2.25l adrift at the post and Pennino (Easy Rocking) pinched third off Love You Lucy (Love Conquers All).
Pedigree notes
Jami Lady is the only winner produced by Bevico Girl (Easy Rocking), who was successful on four occasions during her racing career.
There are no other up-front stakes winners in the pedigree, but the second dam Grey Jest (Rory’s Jester) is a sister to the dam of the Listed Belmont Oaks winner Journey (Jeune {GB}).
The third dam Hasty Departure (NZ) (Red Anchor) won the G1 Western Australian Oaks and also the family of the former champion Singapore sprinter and Listed winner Lim’s Objective (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Belmont, Listed Aquanita S., $200,000, 2000m
Race summary
Cousin Ivan (Fiorente {Ire}) overcame his lack of experience to post a black type win at his fourth appearance for trainer Holly Taylor.
The chestnut settled in the rear division before rider Alan Kennedy made his move with 600 metres to run and circled the field.
He was in front when the field headed for home and stayed on strongly to beat Marocchino (Maschino) and the favourite Uncle Dick (Alfred Nobel {Ire}) got home from the back for third.
Pedigree notes
Cousin Ivan is the only winner so far produced by Chong Nonsi (Blackfriars), who was a handy mare and won six races up top 1500 metres.
Her grand-dam Miss Trapani (NZ) (Moss Trooper {USA}) is a sister to the G3 New Zealand H. winner and multiple black type placegetter Spring Moss (NZ).
Prince Romantic (Romantic {GB}), Kensington Reserve (High Reserve) and See The Distance (Jevington) are other Australian Listed winners on the pedigree page.
Belmont, Listed Belmont Oaks, $100,000, 2000m
Race summary
Chantrea (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) had little trouble protecting her unbeaten record with her fifth consecutive victory.
Ridden by William Pike for trainer Lindsey Smith, the filly settled in the last three before she eased around runners 700 metres from home.
The hot favourite rounded four wide on the turn and proved superior in the final 3200 metres for Cambist (Gingerbread Man) and Heaven’s Gift (Not A Single Doubt) was third.
Pedigree notes
Chantrea’s dam Mosse (Danzig Connection {USA}) was successful four times and nine of her 10 foals to race have been successful.
Mosse is out of In The Mist (Southern Appeal {USA}), a smart mare who won 10 races with five of them at Listed level and was Group 2-placed.
She has also produced the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner De Lago Mist (Encosta De Lago), dam of the Group 2 winners Shrouded In Mist (Exceed And Excel) and Into The Mist (Redoute’s Choice).
