G1 TAB Turnbull S., $500,000, 2000m
Race summary
Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) added another Group 1 win to her CV as she landed a hard-fought victory here.
The Chris Waller-trained mare settled towards the tail of the field but began moving up a long way from home. She was challenged all the way down the straight but never laid down, holding on to win by 0.1l.
Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was impressive in the finish as she scored second place with Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) another 0.1l back in third.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Don Goodwin, Verry Elleegant is one of three winners out of Opulence (NZ) (Danroad), who herself was a winner of two races.
She is a sister to multiple winner Verry Flash (NZ) and her second dam is Mulan Magic (King’s Theatre {Ire}).
Mulan Magic is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Monards (Danehill {USA}), Starnui (Brave Lad), the dam of Listed Cranbourne Cup winner Starmon (Monolith), and Personal Guarantee (Danzero) who produced Listed-winning 2-year-old Plutocrat (Rich Enuff).
G2 Gilgai S., $300,000, 1200m
Race summary
Zoutori (Zoustar) proved himself as a Flemington straight specialist as he landed his second consecutive Group 2 win over the course here.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained gelding settled just off the speed and tracked up with 200 metres to go, hitting the front at the 100-metre mark to win by 0.1l.
Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}) scored his second Group runner-up performance in a row as he fought hard after leading the trip to finish second while Kemalpasa (Magnus) ran on well to finish 0.1l back in third.
Pedigree notes
Purchased by Ellerton Zahra Racing for $160,000 from the Amarina Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Zoutori is the only winner from three to race out of unraced mare Atotori (Haradasun) who herself was a half-sister to G3 Kenilworth Winter Guineas scorer Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt).
Zoutori’s third dam is also responsible for Darley Europe sire New Approach (Ire) and Group 3 winner Dazzling Park (Ire) (Warning {GB}), who herself is the dam of G1 Phoenix S. winner Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
G2 Edward Manifold S., $300,000, 1600m
Race summary
Thermosphere (Exosphere) continued the run of Sydney horses coming down to Victoria and winning as she took out her second stakes race here.
The James Cummings-trained filly settled midfield, wide and without cover but her class got her over the line as she stormed home down the middle of the track to win by 0.2l.
Starelle (More Than Ready {USA}) and Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) were good in the final stages of the race to score second and third respectively.
Pedigree notes
Thermosphere was bred by Godolphin Australia and her dam is Glows (Canny Lad), who won the Listed Typhoon Tracy S. and placed in the G3 WW Cockram S. and Listed Kevin Hayes S.
Glows is out of a half-sister to Falaise (Grand Lodge {USA}), who won 10 races including the G3 Newmarket H. and the Listed Hall Mark S. and JRA S. He also placed in the G2 Sir Byrne Hart S., G2 Apollo S., G3 Victoria H., G3 Cameron H. and two Listed races.
Another half-sibling, Tahitian Black (Lonhro), placed in the G3 Maurice McCarten S. and Listed Canterbury Classic.
Thermosphere is the first winner out of Glows, who is the dam of two foals to race. She has a 2-year-old colt by Exosphere who is named Brillar, a yearling colt by Pierro and a filly foal by Exosphere.
G2 Rose Of Kingston S., $300,000, 1400m
Race summary
Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) added an invaluable stakes win to her CV as she flew up the rails to nab am impressive victory here.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained mare settled at the rear of the field under Michael Walker and she managed to weave her way through the field, showcasing an impressive turn of foot to burst through and win by 0.4l.
The ever consistent She Shao Fly (Epaulette) scored a third stakes placing this campaign as she finished second with Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) flying down the middle of the track to score third.
Pedigree notes
Sierra Sue was purchased for NZ$2000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May Sale by Peter Lock and she is one of four winners from five to race out of Centree (NZ) (Centaine).
Centree is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Miss Puzzle (Citidancer {Ire}), who herself produced G1 Santa Anita Oaks and G1 Las Virgenes S. winner Fashion Plate (USA) (Old Fashioned {USA}).
Further back this is also the family of multiple Group 1 winner Tit For Taat (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}).
G3 The Bart Cummings, $500,000, 2510m
Race summary
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Persan (Pierro) locked in his spot for the G1 Melbourne Cup with an impressive victory here.
At his 10th start for the campaign, the 4-year-old gelding jumped from the inside barrier and settled on the rails with cover before gaining clear galloping room in the straight and bursting through to go on and win by 1l.
Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) stuck on well to score second while Steel Prince (Ire) {Nathaniel {Ire}) ran home strongly to finish 0.1l away in third.
Pedigree notes
Purchased by James Bester bloodstock for $160,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Persan is the fourth foal to race, all of which are winners, out of G1 Coolmore Classic winner Ofcourseican (Mossman).
Ofcourseican is out of Yes She Can (Canny Lad) making her a half-sister South African Grade 1 winner Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready {USA}).
Further back, this is also the family of Group winners Greggers (Commands) and Girl Guide (Churchill Down).
Ofourcseican has a yearling filly by Astern.
Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial S., $175,000,1000m
Race summary
The James Cummings-trained Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) produced a professional display at the first time of asking to land a winning blow.
The colt was kept on the speed by rider Damien Oliver and they proved too strong for the hot favourite General Beau (Brazen Beau) in the closing 150 metres.
The winner’s stablemate Cloudy (Frosted {USA}) made ground solidly to finish third ahead of Gummy Bear (Statue Of Liberty {USA}).
Pedigree notes
Ingratiating delivered an outstanding result for Darley stallion Frosted (USA), who now has a winner and two placegetters from his first crop runners.
This colt is a son of Obsequious (Lonhro), who has left two other multiple winners, and successful in the G2 Light Fingers S. and the G2 San Domenico S.
There is little black type in the upfront pedigree with the two-time winner and G2 Tea Rose S. placegetter Sydney Owner (Octagonal {NZ}) the only stakes performer in the first two generations.
