Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Randwick, Listed Bob Charley AO S., $150,000, 1100m
Race summary
Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) continued on her winning ways and notched up a second consecutive victory and first career stakes success here.
The Brad Widdup-trained mare pinged the lids and found herself in the box seat. Jockey Jay Ford then allowed the 5-year-old to roll along under her own steam before levelling up alongside Ballistic Lover (Smart Missile) and from there his mount continued to find the line en route to a 0.4l victory.
Wandabaa (Wandjina) ran another bold race but maintained her status as a non-winner this preparation and could only settle for second despite her best efforts.
Godolphin gelding Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was strong through the line and finished third while lumping the top weight of 60.5kgs. He finished ahead of rank outsider Countofmontecristo (Echoes Of Heaven).
Pedigree notes
Bred by Emirates Park Stud, Adelong is the second of three foals out of well-bred 1200 metre winner Snowgums (Redoute's Choice), who herself is out of astonishing producer Snowdrift (Fr) (Polish Precedent {USA}).
Snowdrift was a $1.5 million 2005 Inglis Broodmare Sale purchase by Tyreel Stud and is responsible for G1 The Galaxy H. winner Snowland (Snippets) and another six stakes winners including G2 Surround S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. third placegetter Portillo (Red Ransom {USA}).
Of Snowdrift’s 14 foals 11 would race and 10 would become winners in their own right. Her best sale result was a colt by Redoute's Choice that made $2.5 million in 2008 for Tyreel Stud when bought by Darley.
Adelong is the first individual stakes winner for her sire Medaglia D’oro (USA) this season. He is responsible for Godolphin gallopers Flit, Micro and Geist, who have all placed at Group level this season. Star Hong Kong sprinter Golden Sixty has flown his flag this season winning four Group 1 races along with another three Group races.
Belmont, G3 Seacorp - Hyperion S., $200,000, 1600m
Race summary
Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) added a fourth Group victory to his resume here.
The Simon Miller-trained galloper required an ounce of luck to come out the victor after finding himself pocketed on the rails with less than 150 metres to run. However, rider Brad Rawiller was rewarded for his patience and ultimately found an out with 75 metres to run.
From there his mount let down to surge past runner-up Dance Music (War Chant {USA}) in the shadows of the post.
Money Matters (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) secured a dream run in transit but couldn't find the extra gear required to finish the better of Valour Road and Dance Music. She would finish third ahead of Massimo (Sessions) by the narrowest of margins.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Yarradale Stud, Valour Road was a $60,000 2017 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale buy for Aquanita Racing. He is the first and best-performed foal to date out of 1300 metre winner Melba Avenue (Street Sense {USA}), making him a half-brother to a colt by Exceed And Excel who was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $470,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Melba Avenue herself is a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Raspberries (Lonhro) and G3 Canonbury S. third placegetter Malahat (Exceed And Excel). She also hails from the second damline of G1 Sanglier S. winner and six-time Group 1 placegetter Flavour (Rubiton). G1 Queensland Derby winner Sonntag (Teofilo {Ire}) also features in her second damline.
Valour Road is his sire Frost Giant's (USA) second individual stakes winner and only Group winner. Frost Giant has sired 17 individual winners this season and currently stands at Yarradale Stud. He was priced at a service fee of $11,000 (inc GST) last season.
