Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Ten 2-year-olds will face the starter on Tuesday, with the colts making up seventy per cent of the field. The boys have dominated the race in recent times, winning nine of the past 10 editions. The most recent filly to claim victory was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Vinicunca (I Am Invincible) in 2018. Who will prevail in this year’s edition?
No. 1 - Zulfiqar
2-year-old colt, Exceed And Excel x Sayf Shamal (Elusive Quality {USA})
Trainer: James Cummings (Flemington)
Owners: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin Australia
Jockey: William Buick
Barrier: 3
This colt was an impressive winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial at this track when on debut on October 1. Zulfiqar was ridden by Ben Melham on that occasion and held a 0.3l margin to Aditi (Exceed And Excel).
He is the lone winner in the race and one of two to have a run under his belt.
Zulfiqar, winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial, trained by James Cummings | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
The Godolphin-bred and raced colt is a three-quarter brother to Essaouira (Exceed And Excel), the dam of three-time Group 1-winning filly Alizee (Sepoy), fellow elite-level winner and now Group 1-producing sire Astern and stakes-placegetters Tassort and Mogador (Lonhro).
No. 2 - Krakarib
2-year-old colt, Ribchester (Ire) x Skagerrak (Dawn Approach {Ire})
Trainer: Simon Zahra (Flemington)
Owners: Donald's Racing (T Hughes), M Holme, J Bottomley, M Reed, J W Hughes, J Ballard, S Bartels, M Batterham, M Ey, S Horgan, D Gillies, D Harrigan, Mrs D Kruger, J Marshall, B Spicer, Mrs C Thom, M Trussell, B Wheatley, Donalds Racing Ribchester 1 (T Hughes) and Donalds Racing Ribchester 2 (A Vinar)
Breeder: Spendthrift Australia
Jockey: Damien Thornton
Barrier: 1
Krakarib is out of a half-sister to G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) winner and now Rosemont Stud resident Hanseatic, who also finished second in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
A Newcastle maiden winner, Skagerrak was purchased by Spendthrift Australia at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $250,000 when carrying the colt in utero. Skagerrak was subsequently sold as part of the Spendthrift Australia draft at the same sale this year, selling to B2B Thoroughbreds for $400,000.
The colt’s third dam, Itameri (Exceed And Excel) won one race, while his third dam, the winless Baltics (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), is a half-sister to Helsinge (Desert Sun {GB}) - the dam of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and All Too Hard.
Krakarib finished sixth on debut, beaten 4.05l by Zulfiqar, who he again meets here.
No. 3 - Diabelli
2-year-old colt, Fastnet Rock x Wedding Veil (Dubawi {Ire})
Trainer: James Cummings (Flemington)
Owners: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin Australia
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Barrier: 7
Diabelli is a half-brother to Tradition (Frankel {GB}), who broke his maiden at Newcastle on Saturday.
This colt’s grandam, Gossamer (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), was a two-time Group 1 heroine and she has thrown Group 1 winner Ibn Khaldun (USA) (Dubai Destination {USA}), as well as stakes performers Memory Cloth (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Calico Cat (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}).
Diabelli, trained by James Cummings | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Diabelli’s third dam is Group 1 winner Brocade (GB) (Habitat {USA}), who as well as Gossamer, has produced Group 1 hero, come superstar sire Barathea (Ire).
Rachel King rode Diabelli in a 780-metre Randwick trial on October 10; he finished fifth of eight.
No. 4 - Exposition
2-year-old colt, Exceed And Excel x Cry If I Want To (Street Cry {Ire})
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)
Owners: Mr C J Waller, Grand Parkview Stud, Mr N A Greenhalgh, Mrs M T Greenhalgh, Mr F Brady, Mr J Brady, Mr I Bruce, Sneesby Racing, Dr A McMullan, Performance Racing, Mr T A Corkhill, Mr M R Lester, Mr C M Montano and Peake Racing
Breeder: Bill Frost
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 9
This colt was offered by Widden Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing for $400,000.
Exposition’s dam won three races while his grandam, Zarita (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), was a star, notching seven stakes successes, including two in top company.
Exposition as a yearling, trained by Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Inglis
Zarita, was bred by Bill and Pat Frost of Pendant Equine, is a half-sister to Group 2 victor Run Like The Wind (NZ) (Pins) and Hong Kong Group 1 champion Joy And Fun (NZ) (Cullen).
The colt's fourth dam, Gin Rhythm (NZ) (Western Symphony {USA}), won in Group 3 grade.
Exposition, who has had one trial, finishing fourth of five at Rosehill over 900 metres on October 21.
No. 5 - Hellish
2-year-old colt, Hellbent x Andromache (NZ) (Elusive Quality {USA})
Trainer: Danny O’Brien (Flemington)
Owners: Harbour Racing (Mgr: S McGrath), P Vawdrey, D Painter, R Robertson, Mrs K Walter, S Walter, R Gilchrist and Birdrock Farm 1 (Mgr: Ms E Schulz)
Breeder: Yarraman Park Stud
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 6
Danny O’Brien paid $230,000 for this colt from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Hellish is a half-brother to the Listed placegetter Pageantry (I Am Invincible). The colt’s dam won five races, including four in succession. This is her seventh foal.
Multiple Group 1 winner and Champion 3YO Classic Filly in South Africa 1999/2000, Mythical Play (NZ) (Defensive Play {USA}), is the colt’s grandam. Her half-brother, Falls The Shadow (Dance Floor {USA}), won the Listed Dulcify Quality H. in 2000.
Hellish as a yearling, trained by Danny O'Brien | Image courtesy of Inglis
Hellish’s third dam, Kate’s Myth (Kaoru Star), was the Champion 3YO Filly in New Zealand in 1988/89. She won 10 races, including the G2 Matamata Breeders' S. in 1988.
Prompt Return (Beneteau) handed trainer Danny O’Brien victory in this race in 2014.
No. 6 – Little Brose
2-year-old colt, Per Incanto (USA) x Mohegan Sky (USA) (Straight Man {USA})
Trainer: Ben and JD Hayes (Flemington)
Owners: W P Young
Breeder: Mr D Wallace
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 5
This colt was consigned to the Sledmere Stud draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bought for $200,000 by Lindsay Park Racing.
Little Brose’s half-brother, Kutayha (NZ) (Savabeel), is in Adelaide with Richard and Chantelle Jolly, having won three races for Chris Waller in Sydney.
This colt is the sixth living foal of a stakes-performer, who won five races. Her half-sister is the Listed winner Vous (USA) (Wild Rush {USA}), who is the grandam of Grade 1 winner and Champion 2YO Turf Filly in Chile in 2016/17, Ruby Love (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}).
Little Brose as a yearling, trained by Ben and JD Hayes | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Little Brose is a relation to stakes winners Moonflute (Danehill {USA}) and Absolut Glam (Snowland).
Lindsay Park has won two of the past three editions of this race - in 2020 with Finance Tycoon and in 2019 with Hard Landing (All Too Hard), and their good colt Nadeem was victorious in 2005.
No. 7 – Parade Ground
2-year-old colt, Epaulette x Regimen (Sepoy)
Trainer: James Cummings (Flemington)
Owners: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin Australia
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Barrier: 8
Parade Ground is the first foal of a three-time winner, who was placed at Listed grade.
The colt’s grandam, Disciplined (Anabaa {USA}), won five races, including four in town, and her three foals that have been to the races are all winners.
Further back, this is also the same family as Group 1 winners Miss Artistic (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Excellerator (Marscay).
Epaulette | Standing at the Turkish Jockey Club
No. 8 - Amelie
2-year-old filly, Spirit Of Boom x Balabina (Red Dazzler)
Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy (Ballarat)
Owners: My Racehorse No. 1 (Mgr: R J Dauth), Peake Racing (Mgr: P N Edwards), 2 Brothers Racing (Mgr: C D Edmunds), P G Robinson, C H Boully, B C Miller, P A O'Dea, S D Postlethwaite, P Senior, W Stearman, Mrs F K Clancy, P M Clancy and M Twycross
Breeder: Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 2
This filly made $200,000 from the Eureka Stud draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) taking her home.
Amelie is the first foal of a dual winner, who is a half-sister to Listed winner Firenza (Kenny’s Best Pal) – the dam of Group 3 winner Tuscan Sling (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Balabina is also a half-sister to Beauty World (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who has thrown stakes winners Hi World, Lite’n in My Veins (Henrythenavigator {USA}), Ducimus, Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) and Written Beauty (Written Tycoon).
Amelie as a yearling, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly’s grandam, Zippast (Lord Seymour), is an unraced blood sister to Listed victress Marwell Lady (Lord Seymour), who is the dam of Listed winner Jestarella Boy (Rory’s Jester.)
The stable went back-to-back in this race in 2016 and 2017, with Aspect (Pluck {USA}) and Shining Gem (Makfi {GB}) respectively.
No. 9 - Awestruck
2-year-old filly, Hellbent x Top Hana (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})
Trainer: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr (Cranbourne)
Owners: YES Bloodstock, A Kheir, Balmerino Racing Partnership, C D Mathieson, P J Prendergast, R G Dadd and R G Huxley
Breeder: Glenlogan Park
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Barrier: 4
Awestruck was offered by Glenlogan Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Yes Bloodstock Pty Ltd and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $440,000 for her.
The filly is out of an unraced mare, who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Tazzfin (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Tarfshi (GB) (Mtoto {GB}) is Awestruck’s grandam and she won a Pretty Polly S. in 2002.
Awestruck as a yearling, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Awestruck’s third dam is Pass The Peace (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), who was a Champion 2YO Filly in Ireland and won the G1 Cheveley Park S. in 1988. As well as Tarfshi, she has produced Group 1 victress Embassy (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}).
The filly is raced by some of the industry’s prominent owners, including Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski.
No. 10 – Bad Girl Bubbles
2-year-old filly, Overshare x Miracle To Me (Bel Esprit)
Trainer: John McArdle (Mornington)
Owners: Ms B M McArdle, M Lymer, L C Anderson, M G Freeman, D W Krew & Fonc (Mgr: P G Brady) The Ghygt (Mgr: P R McArdle) and Aquilion Syndicate (Mgr: Ms B M McArdle)
Breeder: John McArdle
Jockey: Jamie Mott
Barrier: 10
This filly wasn’t offered for sale at public auction.
She is a daughter of a mare that won three of her six starts, with two of those being in town. Bad Girl Bubbles is the mare’s fourth named foal to go to the races – the three others are all yet to win a race.
Bad Girl Bubbles’ second dam, Miracletto (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), won one race, while third dam, Belle Bellotto (Bellotto {USA}), was a four-time winner.
Overshare | Standing at Widden Victoria
The fourth dam, Annie Belle (NZ) (Decies {GB}), is a half-sister to the stakes winner Tristabelle (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and has thrown the dual Listed winner Skyrocket (Danehill {USA}).
Trainer John McArdle won this race in 2015 with Power Trip (Hard Spun {USA}).
