Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Race-Day Recap
Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) sealed any argument about who is the dominant 3-year-old filly in Sydney currently with another super performance in the G2 Tea Rose S.
Trapeze Artist sired his first stakes winner courtesy of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Griff in Saturday’s Listed Exford Plate.
VOBIS pin-up girl Shesallshenanigans (Toronado {Ire}) claimed a maiden black-type victory, defeating a massive field of fillies in the Listed Cap D’Antibes S.
Archo Nacho (Sioux Nation {USA}) upstaged some big reputations in the Listed Poseidon S. in an all-the-way victory down the Flemington straight.
Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) took out Saturday’s Listed Canterbury S. at Riccarton Park, continuing a super month for Te Akau Racing.
Tiz Invincible connections confident ahead of the Flight
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) remained unbeaten as a 3-year-old when she took out the G2 Tea Rose S. on Saturday at Randwick.
Ridden by Zac Lloyd and trying the 1400 metres for the first time, it proved little obstacle for the filly who ran out a dominant 1.35l winner from the unlucky Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}), while Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) held her ground in third.
Lloyd said post-race, “It’s been a very character-building Saturday, but I’m happy to have these opportunities with these very good horses. She was ultra-impressive today (Saturday), she’s done that easily.
“That’s the scary bit; she’s a bit fractious in the gates, she begins cleanly, you have to ask her, and she’s usually a fraction on the bridle, but today, she was much better.
“It was a bit messy early, a bit of scrimmaging, but she handled herself very well, and that accounted for that electric turn of foot that got me out of trouble.
“That was the telling factor today for the seven furlongs. She has given me confidence heading into the Flight Stakes.”
“It was a bit messy early, but she (Tiz Invincible) handled herself very well... She has given me confidence heading into the Flight Stakes.” - Zac Lloyd
She is the second foal from the New Approach (Ire) mare Amuletum (GB). She hails from the family of Anamoe.
Tiz Invincible was a $550,000 yearling purchase by Ciaron Maher Racing, Bahen Bloodstock, Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) and Eric Lucas from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Connections of Tiz Invincible after winning the G2 Tea Rose S. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Griff gives Trapeze first stakes winner
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace enjoyed a successful Saturday across Melbourne and Sydney with their 3-year-old runners.
With Tiz Invincible flying the flag in Sydney, the duo sent Griff to Melbourne for the Listed Exford Plate over 1400 metres at Flemington.
The son of Trapeze Artist finished fast under Mark Zahra to defeat Surprise Coming (Impending), while King Of Fighters (Street Boss {USA}) finished third.
Co-trainer David Eustace was on course for the post-race interview, “He has been relatively prepared and nurtured up in Sydney,” he told Racing.com.
“Ciaron (Maher) has always been sweet on Griff’s ability. His first-up run was excellent, and in his second-up run, he had to race at a pretty hot speed.
“We were confident coming into Saturday, we felt he would get a lovely run. Mark Zahra gave him a great ride.
“We will most likely head to the G1 Caulfield Guineas.”
“Ciaron (Maher) has always been sweet on Griff’s ability. We will most likely head to the G1 Caulfield Guineas.” - David Eustace
Griff is the second foal from the Sebring mare Chateau Griffo. She was placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).
The colt became the first stakes winner for his Widden Stud-based Trapeze Artist, standing the 2023 breeding season for $55,000 (inc GST).
Griff was an $80,000 purchase by Kavanagh Racing from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Trapeze Artist | Standing at Widden Stud
Shesallshenanigans strips fitter second-up
Shesallshenanigans (Toronado {Ire}) found her brilliant best in Saturday’s Listed Cap D’Antibes S. down the Flemington straight.
Ridden by Blaike McDougall, the filly burst clear from the pack and held a 0.20l advantage on Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}), while Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready) finished third.
Trainer Simon Zahra was on a high after Carlton defeated Melbourne overnight in the AFL.
“Carlton last night or this, I don’t know what’s better,” he told Racing.com.
“Blaike (McDougall) had a fair bit of horse underneath him, which was good, and she was really fat going into her first-up run, so this was great.
“We will keep her nice and happy and space her runs. It was fantastic to get black type.”
Connections on Shesallshenanigans celebrate after winning the Listed Cap D'Antibes S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Shesallshenanigans was a $115,000 yearling purchase by Simon Zahra Racing from the draft of Kulani Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Archo Nacho upstages blue bloods
The Listed Poseidon S. was the first of three Listed events for the 3-year-olds at Flemington on Saturday.
The field attracted a competitive field of eleven colts and geldings, with several carrying reputations and blue-blooded pedigrees. However, Archo Nacho (Sioux Nation {USA}), a $10,000 weanling purchase trained by Matt Laurie, prevailed.
The 3-year-old gelding has always shown plenty of ability, winning two of his three starts.
Ridden by Ben Melham and jumping from barrier one, Melham elected to keep Archo Nacho hard and fast against the rail, with the gelding finding plenty to hold the I Am Invincible-sired pair I Am Unstoppable and King’s Gambit.
Laurie told Racing.com, “He has shown a lot from the beginning. I only bought this bloke (Archo Nacho) because I had a half-brother who showed a bit of pace but was a bit mad.
“I passed this guy at the weanling sale and thought, 'Why not!'
“It’s a massive thrill to watch what has unfolded. He’s a family-owned horse, and the kids just love him to bits.”
“It’s a massive thrill to watch what has unfolded. He’s (Archo Nacho) a family-owned horse, and the kids just love him to bits.” - Matt Laurie
Laurie explained the gelding was nearly sold to Hong Kong before the family elected to hold tight.
The gelding is the sixth foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Jackpot Queen.
Kingsbarn Bloodstock paid just $10,000 for Archo Nacho from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Archo Nacho flies home to win the Listed Poseidon S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Archo Nacho is the first Australian stakes winner for Sioux Nation (USA), who only shuttled for one season to the Southern Hemisphere standing at Swettenham Stud.
Te Akau's super September
The domination of Saturdays by Te Akau Racing showed no signs of slowing down. After celebrating a landmark Saturday last week, the tangerine army was back at it with the progressive filly Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard).
Sam Weatherly rode the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained 3-year-old to defeat Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) and Warning Signal (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) in the Listed Canterbury Belle S. at Riccarton Park.
The filly is the 52nd stakes winner for the Vinery Stud-based All Too Hard.
Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM purchased Viva Vienna for NZ$100,000 from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
