Former ❛Aussie❜ star dam of Japanese Guineas winner
The former David Vandyke-trained Yankee Rose (All American) 'a winner of the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and G1 Spring Champion S.’ is finding new fame as a broodmare in Japan.
The daughter of All American is the dam of Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) who was crowned the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Japan last season. the Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained Liberty Island made her 3-year-old reappearance in Sunday’s (local) G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Hanshin and produced an electric performance to win the Classic race.
Finishing in a time of 1:32.1. A near perfect race record and a second faster than such stars as Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).
In the 85-year history of the race only the star Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {USA}) has recorded a faster time in the prestigious event.
California Spangle shows class
The Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) had to dig deep to claim the G2 The Chairman’s Trophy.
The star 4-year-old with Zac Purton in the saddle once again had to call upon all his strength to beat Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) and Beauty Joy (Sebring). California Spangle won his 10th race from 17 starts, last year the Irish-bred son of Starspangledbanner won the G1 Hong Kong Mile.
It was a feature race double for the Champion jockey Zac Purton having earlier claimed the G2 The Sprint Cup with Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse).
Lucky Sweynesse continues fine form
The Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) overcame some trouble to score the G2 The Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday (local) evening in an authoritative display.
The star 4-year-old with Zac Purton aboard defeated the Champion sprinter Wellington (All Too Hard) and Master Eight (Oamaru Force) in third.
Lucky Sweynesse was a last-start winner of the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and has also captured the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin this preparation.
Honour heads to Sha Tin
William Haggas hopes the form and confidence found by Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) in Sydney can aid him in more International Group 1 success in 2023.
The Master of Somerville Lodge in Newmarket collected his third win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick on Saturday. Haggas confirmed that the 5-year-old gelding will head to Sha Tin later this month to contest the G1 QEII Cup over 2000 metres. Haggas also said the G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown loomed as a logical target for Dubai Honour upon his return to the UK.
Speaking to RSN on Sunday Morning, “Holding that form outside of Australia will be the next challenge,” Haggas said.
“He’s definitely grown a leg coming out here, he’s definitely improved, and his confidence is high.
“He’ll go to Hong Kong all being well and hopefully everything goes to plan in that race. Hong Kong racing is strong at the moment over a mile and a mile-and-a-quarter.”
Aggressive to fire in Sangster
Cranbourne-based trainer Grahame Begg confirmed that he will aim his star sprinter Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock) at the G1 Robert Sangster S. following an underwhelming run at Randwick in the G1 TJ Smith S.
The 4-year-old mare claimed the G2 Challenge S. first-up at Royal Randwick, the performance boosted Begg’s confidence, however, the mare was unplaced in the G1 TJ Smith S. the following start albeit with excuses.
“They probably overdid it up front really,” Begg told Racing.com.
“She’ll return back to Victoria, and we’ll prepare her for the G1 Robert Sangster S.”
Begg also shared the plan for the unbeaten Magic Time (Hellbent), “She’ll run in the G3 James Carr S. on April 15 at Randwick.”
Artorius nearly ready for second Ascot raid
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius (Flying Artie) is enjoying a final few days of an autumn break before he returns to work ahead of his second tilt at Royal Ascot.
The star 4-year-old entire will be making his second appearance at the Royal meeting, after he dead-heated for third in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. last year, before placing third in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket, before an unplaced effort in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest behind the star Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) at Deauville in France.
The son of Flying Artie was able to win the G1 Canterbury S. before getting close to the Champion galloper Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}).
Co-trainer Sam Freedman told Racing.com: “He’ll (Artorius) go over just for the race, he’s only going to have the one run this time around.
“We had the extended campaign last time, but’s got stud duties to get to after Ascot, so hopefully he can go out with a bang.”
Yendall claims Easter feature for the sixth time
Prominent Victorian jockey Dean Yendall rode his sixth Stawell Gold Cup winner on Sunday afternoon at Stawell.
Partnering the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Deep Strike (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Yendall gave the galloper a brilliant steer to win from Brawl (Atomic) and El Gladiador (NZ) (Ghibellines).
Commenting to Racing.com on riding his sixth winner in the feature, “Not a bad feat,” Yendall quipped.
“Any wins a good win, but obviously winning these country Cups makes things a bit sweeter.”
Bred To Win retur
It’s Practical Move narrowly in Santa Anita Derby
Even-money favourite Practical Move (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}) solidified his role as California’s best G1 Kentucky Derby hope as he parlayed a ground-saving trip into a narrow victory in Saturday’s G1 Santa Anita Derby over the fast-charging Japanese raider Mandarin Hero (Jpn) (Shanghai Bobby {USA}).
Seeking his third-straight victory of clear-cut successes in both G2 Los Alamitos Futurity and the G2 San Felipe S.
Trainer Tim Yakteen has seen several flashy colts enter his barn due to trainer Bob Baffert’s current G1 Kentucky Derby ban, but Practical Move has been his from the start. The US$230,000 (AU$340,800) OBS April acquisition.
Yakteen won last year’s G1 Santa Anita Derby with Taiba (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) who was transferred back to Baffert after finishing unplaced in the G1 Kentucky Derby.
“It’s a great feeling to go back-to-back in this race,” said Yakteen. “I think we will get the distance in the Derby, he’s a proven fighter, he’s a winner, so we’re going to go to the Kentucky Derby with our heads high and hope to bring back the trophy to this side of the country.”
Tapit Trice out slugs Verifying in Toyota Blue Grass thriller
Tapit Trice (USA) (Tapit {USA}) was favoured to build on his 2l victory in the G3 South Tampa Bay Derby in Saturday’s (local) G1 Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland.
However, the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway stable’s Tapit Trice was made to work for it by a worthy adversary in the form of Verifying (USA) (Justify {USA}), but at the end of the 1810-metre journey, the US$1.3 million (AU$1.9 million) out gamed the son of Justify (USA).
It was an especially satisfying victory for Whisper Hill Farm’s Mandy Pope, who has invested countless millions in the business in an effort to be involved in the horse calibre of Tapit Trice.
Pope’s ticket to the G1 Kentucky Derby, Pope was at a bit of a loss and introspective when being interviewed following her colt’s gritty success.
“It’s unbelievable for me. It’s a dream come true and a lot of hard work from a lot of people,” she said. “It’s the determination that quality pays off.”
Into Mischief’s Doppelganger upsets Carter
Doppelganger (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) finished running down the stretch to upset Saturday’s (local) G1 Carter H. at Aqueduct.
The 4-year-old entire was previously campaigned by Bob Baffert and then Tim Yakteen in Southern California. However, Doppelganger is now under the care of Brittany Russell at Laurel and has won his first two starts this preparation for her.
Doppelganger was placed in last year’s G2 San Felipe S. and the G3 Affirmed S. He concluded his sophomore campaign with a well-beaten fourth in the Los Alamitos Derby.
“It’s huge,” Russell said after recording her first Group 1 victory as a trainer.
“Especially this horse. This is the first horse that the group sent me last year. We opted to give him some time and let him develop, and it’s nice to see that it pays off.”
The G1 Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan H. on June 10 at Belmont Park could be a potential target for the Doppelganger going forward.
He becomes the 15th Group 1 winner and 64th stakes winner for his all-conquering sire Into Mischief (USA).
Goodnight Olive returns an easy winner in Madison
Reigning Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) made light work of four rivals to make a successful return to the races in Saturday’s (local) G1 Madison S. at Keeneland, the venue of her victory in last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
