Caulfield, G2 PB Lawrence S., $200,000, 1400m
Race summary
Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) has proven herself to be a first-up specialist and she was again in potent form off a break.
Unraced since a close sixth in the G1 Goodwood H., the 6-year-old purred along behind the pace and when rider Mark Zahra got her into the clear she wasn’t to be denied.
She had a fight on her hands in the closing 200 metres, but was a touch too good for Sirrconi (Nicconi) and the reliable Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) was a sound third.
Pedigree notes
Savatiano is a daughter of Retsina (Redoute’s Choice), who has also produced the capable Athiri (Lonhro), the winner of two races and a multiple Group placegetter.
The dam is out of the former top mare Star Shiraz (Sequalo) and she won six races with her career highlight a victory in the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce S.
Black type winners Classic Day (Coronation Day) and In His Stride (Rothesay) also feature on the pedigree page.
Caulfield, G3 Beck Probuild Quezette S., $160,000, 1100m
Race summary
Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) is blessed with plenty of early pace and she used that to good effect to sit on the pace.
She travelled comfortably for Ben Melham and he asked her for a serious effort 300 metres from home and the filly responded positively to surge clear and win by 2l.
River Night (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) also gave a good account of herself with a solid return for second and the outside Aquagirl (Headwater) did well to claim her slice of black type.
Pedigree notes
Bella Nipotina was purchased for what has now turned out to be a bargain $80,000 by Lindsay Park, Andrew Williams Bloodstock and Mt Hallowell Stud.
She is the first to the races for Bella Orfana (Star Witness), who is a half-sister to the G2 Gilgai S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Hallowell Belle (Starcraft {NZ}) and the G3 WATC Champion Fillies’ S. winner Fuddle Dee Duddle (Red Ransom {USA}).
The G1 Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing (Beautiful Crown {USA}) is a headline name further back in the pedigree.
Caulfield, G3 Neds Vain S., $160,000, 1100m
Race summary
Our Playboy (Sebring) picked up where he left off last season with a strong performance to collect his first Group title.
Spelled after consecutive wins as a 2-year-old, he returned in fine style with a potent finish when angled into the clear by jockey Ben Melham.
Ranting (NZ) (Zoustar) showed he won’t be a maiden much longer with a tenacious effort to finish second ahead of the favourite Rulership (I Am Invincible), who wilted after making the play in front.
Pedigree notes
Our Playboy was a $300,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a son of the unraced Mischief Night (Shamardal {USA}).
She is a half-sister to the G1 All Aged S. winner and multiple Group 2 winner and sire Pierata and the G3 Skyline S. winner Ashokan (More Than Ready {USA}).
They are out of the former quality race mare November Flight (Flying Spur), who won seven races including the G3 Millie Fox S.
Caulfield, Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller S., $140,000, 1200m
Race summary
Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) has been in outstanding form this preparation and added further stakes success to his record with a typically dogged display.
The winner of the G3 Bletchingly S. at his previous appearance, he kept the leaders with sight and rounded off strongly in the run home.
Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) fought doggedly to the line to finish a close second and She Shao Fly (Epaulette) edged out Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) for third.
Pedigree notes
Godolphin’s Viridine is a half-brother to the winner and stakes-performer St Edward’s Crown (Epaulette) with their dam the three-time winner Patina (Anabaa {USA}).
She is a half-sister to the Listed Ramornie H., winner Jerezana (Lonhro), who produced the G2 TAB S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}).
Patina’s dam Saddler’s Silk (Barathea {Ire}) is a sister to the multiple black-type winner and G1 TJ Smith Classic runner-up Barawin.
Randwick, G3 Quincy Seltzer Up & Coming S., $160,000, 1300m
Race summary
North Pacific (Brazen Beau) gained early season 3-year-old bragging rights when he hardly raised a sweat to gain favouritism for month’s G1 Golden Rose S.
The Team Hawkes representative sat in behind the pace and then asserted his superiority in the run home by cruising clear with a minimum of fuss.
He was out on his own by 5.3l at the post with runner-up Bazooka (Smart Missile) chasing a memory and Marsannay (Snitzel) boxed on for third.
Pedigree notes
North Pacific was purchased at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $800,000 and is the first winner for Up In Lights (NZ).
She is an unraced mare by O’Reilly (NZ) who is out of a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga).
The G3 Epona S. winner Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel) is also under the second dam and another headline act further down in this pedigree is the G1 Goodwood H., winner and successful sire Keeper.
Morphettville, G3 Spring S., $120,000, 1200m
Race summary
Behemoth (All Too Hard) is a quality sprinter and he again emphasised that with a dominant first-up victory off the back of a trial success.
The 5-year-old enjoyed a good tempo and he lengthened stride impressively to win by 1.8l.
The talented Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) lost no admirers when he made grounds from off the pace for second and Kemelpasa (Magnus) boxed on well for third after racing on the speed.
Pedigree notes
Behemoth was purchased at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for just $6000 and has now won more than $890,000.
He is a son of Penny Banger (Zedrich) and she was the Listed winner of the Schweppervescence Sprint H.
The dam is a half-sister to the stakes-winner Master Minx (Surtee) and toward the foot of the pedigree page is the three-time Group 3 winner Latin Saint (Le Cordonnier {GB}).
Belmont, Listed Heineken Belmont Newmarket, $100,000, 1200m
Race summary
A daring ride by Shaun McGruddy paid off in spades with his willing partner Saracino (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) leading all the way.
McGruddy put the pressure on a long way out with the 7-year-old, who stuck to his task well after dashing 6l clear on the turn.
Pym’s Royale (Husson {Arg}) finished off resolutely, but came up 0.3l short at the post with Multiverse (Universal Ruler) the best of the rest.
Pedigree notes
Saracino was a $32,500 Inglis Digital Monthly Sale buy in 2018 for Gangemi Thoroughbreds and is out of Bella Daniela (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
She is closely-related to the G2 Hobartville S. winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Sir Clive (NZ) (Bigstone {Ire}) and his sister Ascending, successful in the G3 Fayette Park S.
Another pair of well-performed siblings in the family is the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. winner Pussy Willow (O’Reilly {NZ}) and her stakes-winning sister Pussy O'Reilly (NZ), a Listed winner and runner-up in the G1 Makfi Challenge S.
Riccarton, G3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup, NZ$70,000, 1600m
Race summary
Major Tom (NZ) (Red Giant) completed a hat-trick of wins when he produced a determined display under the urgings of Sam Weatherley.
Off the back of successes at Ellerslie and Avondale, the 7-year-old was within striking distance of the leaders at the top of the straight and held on strongly after hitting the lead half-way down the straight.
Wild Jack (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) closed off strongly to claim second with Nomen Ludi (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}) continuing his solid run of form to finish third.
Pedigree notes
Major Tom is a son of Letsgoparty (NZ) (Oregon {USA}), whose three foals to race have all been successful.
She was a capable mare who won seven times up to 2100 metres and is a half-sister to Smedley (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}), who won 10 times.
Further back in the pedigree is the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Plucky Belle (Mossman) and the Group 2 winners Winning Belle (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Christiania Belle (NZ) (Sackford {USA}) and Pauillac (Star Watch).
