Ascot, G1 Peoplestart Kingston Town Classic, $1,000,000, 1800m
Race summary
Five-year-old gelding Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) lived right up to his name in this event, landing jockey Chris Parnham his second big victory of the afternoon (after Kementari’s win in the G3 A.J. Scahill) and the jockey’s first ever Group 1 win.
Truly Great jumped from barrier eight and settled three-wide midfield behind pacesetter Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}). The field was strung out heading away from the first bend and, with a lull in the speed, Truly Great crept closer mid-way.
Turning for home, Gailo Chop was still in front with the fancied Too Close The Sun (Carlton House) chasing for second. When they straightened, Truly Great kicked well for Parnham to mow them down and surge clear for a strong 2l win to stablemate Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}). Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) was third.
Pedigree notes
Truly Great is from the Jeune (GB) mare Truly Special, who was bred at Lindsay Park Stud and sold at the 2008 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $130,000.
She has produced two stakes winners in Special Alert (Not A Single Doubt), winner of the 2018 G3 WATC West Australian Oaks, and Truly Great, her fourth foal and now two-time stakes winner.
Truly Great’s Kingston Town win is Arrowfield Stud sire Dundeel’s (NZ) fifth individual Group 1 winner.
Ascot, G3 Glenroy Chaff AJ Scahill S., $200,000, 1400m
Race summary
Six-year-old Lonhro gelding Kementari came into this race winless since his G1 Randwick Guineas victory in March 2018. However, he had maintained a consistent record, with eight placings in group company since then.
Ridden in this race by Chris Parnham, who piloted him in his last start in the G1 Railway S. a fortnight ago, Kementari was drawn wide and was second-last in running behind early leader Valour Road (Frost Giant).
Turning for home, Kementari was at the back with race-favourite Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) as Laverrod (Toronado {Ire}) and Valour Road scuffled at the front. At the 200 metres, Kementari exploded and overhauled the field within 100 metres. Celebrity Queen went with him but, at the line, Kementari was the better of the pair by 1l in a quickly run race.
Pedigree notes
Kementari is now a four-time stakes winner for his Darley-bred dam Yavanna (Redoute’s Choice), and is her second stakes winner overall with first foal and Kementari's half-brother Telperion a winner of the 2016 Listed ATC Lonhro Plate. Yavanna has two full siblings to Kementari on the ground.
Second dam to Kementari is the four-time Listed and G3 winner Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}), daughter of the good-producing mare Crowing Jewel (Bletchingly). It’s a family that has produced UAE Champion Older Sprinter Sterling City (Nadeem) and Morphettville Guineas winner Presenting (Redoute’s Choice).
Ascot, Listed Ascend Sales Jungle Dawn Classic, $100,000, 1400m
Race summary
Five-year-old bay mare She’s Alight (Tavistock) was gallant in victory in Ascot’s first black type race for the day. Jumping handily under jockey Patrick Carbery, She’s Alight was second in running behind early leader Sophie’s Song (Rogano).
In the straight, She’s Alight went to the lead with 150 metres to run but was pressed in the closing stages by Special Choice (Redoute’s Choice). At the line, She’s Alight prevailed in a photo finish, with Special Choice second and a fast-finishing Chantrea (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) along the rail taking third.
She’s Alight brings her record to seven wins from 19 starts with this victory, and she is just shy of $200,000 in prizemoney.
Pedigree notes
New Zealand-bred She’s Alight is the fifth named foal from the Keeper mare Keep Alight, who is a three-quarter sister to stakes winner Danske (Danehill {USA}), herself a half-sister to Eagle Rhythm (Rhythm {USA}), a two-time Listed winner (including the 2002 Cranbourne Cup and Victoria Gold Cup).
She’s Alight’s second dam is Our Tristalight (Sir Tristram {Ire}), top filly on the 1991/92 NZ 2YO Free H., and a half-sister to black type winners Tudor Sky (Mussorgsky {Ire}), Dance On Air (Fareast Delight) (Danzatore {Can}) and Imposette (Imposing).
Ascot, Listed TAB Touch Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic, $100,000, 1400m
Race summary
The cutely named Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) was a three-time winner heading into this Listed event, her last victory coming on 17 October at this track. Ridden by Brad Parnham, she jumped fairly but was wide and well back out of the first turn. Early leader Smashing () slowed them down, after which Western Empire (Ifraaj) picked up the speed and brought them to the home turn.
At the 200 metres, Kissonallforcheeks was widest but winding up, and she was very strong as she surged past leaders Solaia (Toronado {Ire}) and Western Empire, who filled the placings. The winning margin was just over 1l.
Pedigree notes
Kissonallforcheeks is the third live foal from two-time stakes winner Rosie Rocket (Blackfriars), whose record includes a third placing in the G1 WATC Railway S.
This is a family that includes Indigenous (Marju), Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Fenomeno (Stay Gold), who headed the 2013 World Thoroughbred Rankings, and G1 Sydney Cup winner Jessicabeel (Zabeel).
Doomben, G3 TAB George Moore S., $200,000, 1200m
Race summary
The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained Hard Empire (Hard Spun {USA}) met the favourite Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) better off in the weights this time and he made the most of it.
He finished fourth at their last meeting in the Listed Keith Noud S. when giving the winner Jonker 3.5kg and a 2.5kg weight swing allowed him to triumph this time.
Hard Empire sat in fifth spot on the fence and once clear in the straight finished too well for Jonker with Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom) doing particularly well for third after racing wide throughout.
Pedigree notes
Three-time Group 1 winner Le Romain has been the top Australian representative for Hard Spun, who has also sired top-flight winner Gatting in this part of the world.
Hard Empire was offered by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale where he was secured for $11,000 by Charles White.
He is a brother to the six-time winner Chippenham and their dam Last Quill (Last Tycoon {Ire}) is a half-sister to the dam of the G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Power Trip (Hard Spun {USA}).
Doomben, Listed XXXX Mode Plate, $125,000, 1200m
Race summary
Isotope (Deep Field) was sent out at less than odds on and the money was never in doubt as she cleared out for an effortless victory.
The filly was settled in behind the pace on the fence by rider Ryan Maloney, but he had her into the clear on straightening and she exploded clear.
Gotta Kiss (Not A Single Doubt) got a long way back in the running from the outside gate and she did well to get home for second and Paredo (Better Than Ready) came on from a midfield sit for third.
Pedigree notes
Isotope is the seventh individual black type winner for Deep Field and she was bred by Daandine Stud and bought out of its Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $170,000.
The ticket was signed by agent John Foote, Black Soil Bloodstock and trainer Tony Gollan with the filly a daughter of the three-time winner great Dansaar (Choisir).
She is a half-sister to Yankee Rose (All American), successful in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. and the G1 Spring Champion S. and also the family of the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Redoute’s Dancer (Redoute’s Choice).
