Fabulous Fabergino
Fabergino (Maschino) completed consecutive wins down the straight at Flemington with a hollow victory in the Listed Kensington S. to lock in a crack at a higher prize.
The speedy West Australian mare led all the way in the hands of Jordan Childs to confirm trainer Tiarrna Robertson’s plans to run the grey in next month’s G1 Lightning S.
Fabergino (pink silks)
“She was really good and she just loves the 1000 metres at Flemington, she was cruising all the way,” she said.
Fabergino has fashioned the impressive record of 11 wins from her 17 starts with her stake earnings now over $710,000.
Pacy Jonker too good
A wide barrier was no trouble to the speedy Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) who crossed the field to post a smart front-running victory at the Gold Coast.
The 5-year-old has now posted two wins and a second in three starts this preparation and following his win in the It’s Live! Magic Millions Snippets trainer Tony Gollan expected the entire to progress to a higher level.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I first got him, but he came in great order. He had his first run for me when he broke the track record at Doomben and was disappointed when he got beaten his next start,” he said.
“I backed off him and targeted this race. He’s a proper sprinter and will go on with it.”
Jonker was bought out of Fig Tree Thoroughbreds' Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $45,000 by Doug Crich.
Memorable day for O’Brien
Improving mare Paradee (Epaulette) gave G1 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O’Brien his first win on Magic Millions Raceday with a decisive victory in the Magic Millions Quality.
O’Brien said Paradee, who was purchased by owner Robert Anderson for $240,000 out of Bowness Stud's Gold Coast draft, had thrived since travelling to Queensland.
Paradee
“The weights and measures were against her so she’s a mare that’s in great form and she’s really thrived with the trip up here.
“The prizemoney up here is amazing, it’s a great carnival so we’re thrilled to be up here and thrilled to be winning.”
Tycoonist a 3YO to follow
Progressive 3-year-old Tycoonist (Written Tycoon) showed his appreciation of a firmer surface with a tidy performance to win the Ranvet H. at Rosehill.
“He’s a really promising horse and since he’s been gelded and on good tracks he’s been a different horse,” trainer Chris Waller said. “He’s done a good job and it won’t be his last, the next one might come quickly.”
Tycoonist accounted for Blaze A Trail (Criterion {NZ}), who resumed on an encouraging note with trainer Matt Vella signalling the G1 Queensland Derby is the colt's long-term aim.
Newsreader makes headlines
Newsreader (Press Statement) landed connections a handsome payday on Saturday with a dominant victory in Australia’s richest maiden, the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate at the Gold Coast.
She was a $170,000 purchase by Champion Thoroughbreds at the Gold Coast where she was offered by Yarraman Park Stud and was ridden positively by jockey Brenton Avdulla to settle just behind the speed.
Newsreader
Avdulla asked the 3-year-old to quicken from the 500 metre mark and the pair burst away from their rivals at the top of the straight for a soft 2l win.
“She’s a very fit filly and once she got clear she pinned her ears back and raced away, so it was good,” trainer John O’Shea said.
“We were happy with her but it’s all about doing things right on race day and once she was well behaved behind the gates and down in the stalls it gave us a bit of confidence.”
Vale Dalakhani
The Aga Khan’s Dalakhani (Ire), the Champion 3-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in 2003, has passed away in retirement at Haras d’Ouilly at the age of 21.
Trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, he won eight of his nine starts including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Prix du Jockey Club, Saint-Cloud Criterium International and the Prix Lupin at Group 1 level.
One of the few remaining conduits of the Mill Reef (USA)-line during his time at Gilltown Stud, Dalakhani’s tenure there reaped 10 Group 1 winners, including his fellow Prix du Jockey Club victor Reliable Man (GB), who now stands at Germany’s Gestut Rottgen and Westbury Stud, and the Irish Oaks winner Moonstone (Ire).
His son Conduit (Ire) was a top-class performer for Ballymacoll Stud, winning the G1 St Leger before heading to Santa Anita to win the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race he claimed two years in succession. Dalakhani’s most recent Group 1 winner was Defoe (Ire), who landed the Coronation Cup and was retired from covering duties in 2016.
In this part of the world, Dalakhani stood for three seasons at Cornerstone Stud in South Australia and sired the G2 Danehill S. winner and G1 South Australia Derby runner-up Dalasan.
Group 1 2-year-old hopes
Trainer Jamie Richards will press on to feature juvenile targets with his Listed Wellesley S. winner Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
“We’ve got to make the most of him this year as he doesn’t have a lot of scope to train on. It was a good, tough effort and he’ll go to the G3 Matamata Slipper,” he said.
Quattro Quinta will then be set for the feature 2-year-old double of the G1 Sistema S. and the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Bold Cup statement
Gifted stayer Waisake (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) tightened his grip on the G3 Wellington Cup in a fortnight’s time when he distanced his Rating 74 rivals at Trentham on Saturday.
He came from last with a stout run under trainer Allan Sharrock’s stable apprentice Hazel Schofer to win going away by 4l.
“He’ll eat two miles the way he races and Sam Collett goes on in the Cup. I’ve always had the race in mind for him,” Sharrock said.
Dashing display
Wononeowhon (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) had co-trainer Johno Benner worried at Trentham, but the 4-year-old showed his ample talent when given clear air to complete a hat-trick of wins.
He was caught in an awkward spot in the running before rider Lisa Allpress was able to get him into the clear and he finished resolutely to beat the Rating 74 sprinters.
“He’s very good and probably had no right to win. He was tardy from the barrier and got into a horrible spot back last on the fence,” Benner said.
“They went slowly as well and I think he’s a Group 1 horse, not this time, but next time around you’ll see him those big miles.”
Without Parole to stud
John and Tanya Gunther’s Glennwood Farm produces stallions at a rate which must be the envy of some of the larger operations in the business.
On its roll of honour the names of 10 sires are inscribed, led of course by the Triple Crown winner Justify (USA), now ensconced on Coolmore’s roster. In 2021, the international wing of the Gunthers’ operation can add a British-based stallion to its list with the return of Without Parole (GB) to his birthplace of Newsells Park Stud.
The son of Frankel (GB) provided his breeders with a treasured Royal Ascot victory in their own colours in the G1 St James’s Palace S. just 10 days after the unbeaten Justify became the 13th winner of America’s Triple Crown, leading to John Gunther being recognised with the Eclipse Award for outstanding breeder.
