G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S., $4,000,000, 2000m
Race summary
Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) claimed the scalp of his arch-rival Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in another thrilling match race for the ages.
The high-rating gelding stepped slow from the machine and was mustered along by Tom Marquand to hold a position. From there Marquand relaxed his mount prior to producing Addeybb with a strong run on straightening and continued to ride the 7-year-old hard through the line.
Verry Elleegant looked to cost herself the race, failing to relax in the run and fighting James McDonald throughout the run. However, to her credit she trucked up outside the lead and let down with her trademark turn of foot to fight out another finish for the ages.
South Australian raider Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) produced a brave placing, rounding out the minors after plotting an inside course.
G1 George Ryder S. winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) produced another solid run to finish in fourth.
Pedigree notes
Addeybb is the 10th foal out of European winner Bush Cat (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), making him a half-brother to the Group 3-placed galloper Meer Kat (Ire) (Red Ransom {USA}). G1 Irish St Leger winner Strategic Choice (USA) (Alleged {USA}) features in Bush Cats second damline.
Addeybb’s sire Pivotal (GB) was a champion juvenile taking out the G1 Nunthorpe S. and the prestigious G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot.
G1 Schweppes Sydney Cup, $2,000,000, 3200m
Race summary
Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) was a deserved winner of this time-honoured two-mile feature. Drawn awkwardly in barrier 13 the OTI-owned gelding found himself in a wide position. However, Queensland-based hoop and former NSW Champion apprentice Ron Stewart didn’t panic and trusted his mounts staying prowess.
From there Stewart worked his mount through his gears and presented widest off all runners on straightening. Selino continued to relish the trip and held off a competitive Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who refused to give in.
Group 1-winning mare Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) found the line with intent to round out the minors, while She’s Ideel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) lost no admirers in fourth.
Pedigree notes
Owned and raced by OTI Racing, Selino was bred by St Clare Stud. He is the best-performed progeny of unraced mare Air Kiss (GB) (Red Ransom {USA}), who herself is out of Group-placed galloper Applecross (GB) (Glint Of Gold {GB}).
She hails from the first damline of G1 Longchamp Prix du Cadran winner Invermark (GB) (Machiavellian {USA}). Her most recent offspring is a colt by Euraquilo (GB) and she hasn’t been served since.
G1 The Star Australian Oaks, $1,000,000, 2400m
Race summary
Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) added a second consecutive Group 1 to her resume taking out a star-studded edition of this time honoured 3-year-old feature.
Drawn in barrier three the Chris Waller-trained galloper settled down in a lovely midfield position under leading hoop Kerrin McEvoy, prior to trucking into the straight under a stranglehold. From there she loomed up alongside eventual runner-up Duais (Shamus Award) who settled further forward than expected, while Bargain (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) worked home hard into third.
New Zealand raider Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) was far from disgraced finishing fourth after settling back in the field and over racing early.
Pedigree notes
Hungry Heart was a $300,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Belmont Bloodstock from the draft of breeders and vendors, Yulong Investments. She is the first of three foals out of the unplaced maiden Harlech (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who herself is a half-sister to the dam of G3 Sandown Atalanta S. winner Maamora (Dubawi {Ire}).
Harlech also hails from the family of multiple European Group and Listed-placed gallopers. She is currently in foal to Alabama Express after producing a colt and filly by Snitzel in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Her all-conquering sire Frankel (GB) is arguably one of the greatest to ever grace the track, winning all 14 of his career starts.
G1 Moet & Chandon Queen of the Turf S., $1,000,000, 1600m
Race summary
Nettoyer (Sebring) added a second Group 1 to her resume, running over the top of superstar mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) under the urges of leading hoop Tommy Berry.
Drawn in barrier seven Nettoyer settled down back in the field, after stepping clean into stride. Berry switched the Wendy Roach-trained mare off and continued to build the revs prior to presenting down the middle of the track and nabbing the New Zealand-mare who had every possible chance parked in a forward position with cover.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field) was superb in her first attempt at Group 1 level, working home into third under star hoop Glen Boss, while Godolphin galloper Colette (Hallowed Crown) was commendable finishing fourth on an unsuitable firm deck.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Invermien, Nettoyer was a $20,000 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by J Crowley via the draft of Riversdale Stud.
She is third offspring of dual winner Cleanup (Dehere), who herself hails from the extended family of G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Schwepps Oaks winner Absolutely (Redoute’s Choice) and the third placegetter in this very race Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field).
Her sire is the ill-fated Sebring who was superstar juvenile winning five of his six career starts, headlined by a G1 Golden Slipper.
G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, $1,000,000, 1200m
Race summary
Wild Ruler (Snitzel) held out a hard finishing Isotope (Deep Field) after sustaining a deep run in transit. Drawn in barrier 10 the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt was taken forward by James McDonald and failed to find cover. However, his class shone through letting down with a strong turn of foot and lifting late.
Isotope secured a lovely midfield run, settling down with cover and producing with a strong burst over the concluding stages. The Annabel Neasham-trained Prague (Redoute’s Choice) was luckless in defeat, flashing home into third after blowing the start by 2l. Victorian raider Amish Boy (Star Witness) worked home soundly along the inside into fourth after scoring a dream midfield run.
Pedigree notes
Purchased for $525,000 from the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and WinStar Farm, Wild Ruler is a Kia Ora Stud graduate and the third foal out of multiple Group 2-winning mare Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can}).
She is the dam of two winners including Uluru (Fastnet Rock), a winner on three occasions at 1400 metres from eight starts. Gypsy Robin hails from the Listed-winning Indian Charlie (USA) mare Feisty Princess (USA) whose three foals to race are all winners including the Listed winner Tiger Cat Lilly (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Gypsy Robin foaled a filly by Coolmore stallion American Pharoah (USA) last year and then visited Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel again in order to produce a full sibling to Wild Ruler.
G2 Heineken Percy Sykes S., $1,000,000, 1200m
Race summary
Jamaea (Headwater) nosed out highly rated Victorian raider Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) in a thrilling edition of this juvenile filly’s feature. Ridden by leading hoop Tommy Berry the talented 2-year-old settled back in the field after stepping evenly into stride from barrier 11.
From there Berry opted to plot an inside course prior to squeezing through a narrow gap and running down the flashy Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper. The lightly raced Joyous Legend (Snitzel) worked home well into third, while the Mark Newnham-trained A Very Fine Red (Deep Field) knocked up into fourth after stringing the field out at a solid tempo.
Pedigree notes
Bred and consigned by Cressfield Thoroughbreds, Jamaea was a $130,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Robert Price. She is the third foal out of G3 Bow Mistress Trophy winner Isibaeva (Johannesburg {USA}), who herself is out of multiple Listed winner Dragila (Encosta De Lago).
She also hails from the extended family of G2 Queen of the Turf S. winner Sorrento (Just A Dancer). Her most recent progeny to go through the ring is a colt by All Too Hard who was purchased at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Blueblood Thoroughbreds and Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for $130,000. She has since thrown a filly by All Too Hard born in 2020.
G2 TAB Sapphire S., $300,000, 1200m
Race summary
Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) made amends for disappointing spring carnival, holding out the fast-finishing Te Akau raider Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla the Joseph Pride-trained galloper was forced to contend with barrier 10 but was able to offset it thanks to a well-timed and patient ride by Avdulla. When challenged in the straight the classy 5-year-old never faltered continuing to surge clear of her labouring rivals.
Entriviere fell victim to the visitors draw, barrier 16, as a result James McDonald was left with no option but to ride back and present wide, ultimately costing him victory.
The Kris Lees-trained Wandabaa (Wandjina) was strong through the line rounding out the minors while consistent mare Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) stuck on for fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Birthmark Pty Ltd and Akc Thoroughbreds, Fasika was a $120,000 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Tricolours Syndications from the draft of Middlebrook Valley Lodge.
She is the sixth and final progeny of $400,000 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase and winning race mare Jarda (Redoute’s Choice), which makes her a half-sibling to New Zealand Listed winner Absolut Excelencia (Excellent Art {GB}). She isn’t the most fashionably bred type based on her dam line. However, G1 Longchamp Prix Lupin winner Gracioso (Fr) is featured.
Fasika’s sire So You Think (NZ) continues to grow in stature at stud, having sired a plethora of Group winners in recent months.
Listed Bisley Workwear South Pacific Classic, $150,000, 1400m
Race summary
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) justified external expectations fresh, skipping away to a dominant victory under Tim Clark. With only 53kgs on his back the talented 3-year-old controlled the tempo out in front unchallenged and was able to score a breather in the middle stages. From there Clark broke his rivals hearts.
The Joseph Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher) was strong through the line, flashing home into second, as was lightly raced gelding Rainbow Connection (Choisir) who boxed on into third after sustaining a tough run from barrier 10.
Tom Marquand and Acrophobic (Dissident) loomed to challenge the eventual winner but peaked on his run over the concluding stages and knocked upped into fourth.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Hillside Downs, Ellsberg was a $50,000 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase by Segenhoe Stud via the draft of Kitchwin Hills. He is the third foal out of three-time winner Love Of Liberty (General Nediym), who hails from the extended family of G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Metropolitan H. winner Coco Cabanna (Casual Lass).
Her most recent progeny to go through the ring is a sibling to Ellsberg purchased at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Suman Hedge Bloodstock and Gerald Ryan Racing, she has since been served by Shamus Award after throwing a filly to Divine Prophet.
Ellsberg gifted his late Group 2-winning sire Spill The Beans his first Group winner on Australian soil.
Listed The Agency Real Estate Mile, $150,000, 1600m
Race summary
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Converge (Frankel {GB}) was gifted a trademark front-running ride by astute hoop Tim Clark.
Clark took the talented juvenile forward from the outset pressing forward from barrier five and dictating the tempo.
From there Clark continued to work his mount through its gears prior to extending and holding a comfortable margin through the line.
The Bjorn Baker-trained duo of Maurice’s Medad (Maurice {Jpn}) and Akahata (Pins) put in commendable efforts to round out the minor placings, while Arnaqueur (Astern) wasn’t disgraced in fourth after settling last and being presented the widest of all runners by Tom Marquand.
Pedigree notes
Bred and raced by the Adrian Bott-managed Evergreen Rich, Converge is the first of three foals out of Irish-placed mare, Conversely (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), who herself is out of G3 Keeneland Appalachian S. winner and dual Group 1-placed American galloper Melhor Ainda (USA) (Pulpit {USA}).
Her second damline and beyond features a multitude of Japanese and American Group and Listed winners. Conversely's most recent progeny to pass through the ring was a colt by Churchill (Ire) who was purchased at the 2020 Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $28,000 by Raphe Bloodstock.
She has since been served by 2016 G1 Caulfield Guineas winner and Aquis stallion Divine Prophet after foaling a colt by Invader in 2020.
Converge’s sire Frankel (GB) needs no introduction as the undefeated European superstar of the last decade is continuing to build an imposing stud profile. He secured his first Australian suffixed Group 1 winner when the Chris Waller-trained Hungry Heart claimed last fortnight's G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill.
