Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
G1 The Goodwood - historic sprint
South Australia’s major sprinting contest, the G1 Goodwood boasts a long and proud history having been won by such classy speedsters as Aurie’s Star (Stardrift {GB}), Matrice, Bomber Bill (Air de France {USA}), Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}), Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
This year’s running is an even one with horses from across the country, the best local form lines being those owned by the G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) and the G3 Hawkes S. winner Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice).
The the G3 Standish winner Sghirripa (Lonhro) is another good representative for South Australia whilst two horses making their way over from Western Australia are mounting major challenges - the star mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) and the promising 3-year-old Oscar’s Fortune (Rich Enuff) who were both good filling the placings behind Overpass (Vancouver) in The Quokka.
G3 winner Sghirripa is a good representative for South Australia | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
I Am Me (I Am Invincible) has performed with distinction in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide - as has Benedetta (Hellbent) who was strong to the line off a slow start in the Sangster.
Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) earned fans with his brave G1 William Reid S. second to Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) two starts ago, not beaten far in demanding conditions in the G1 TJ Smith S.
Fellow Victorians What You Need (Supido), Skybird (Exosphere) and Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}) are all lightly raced and talented.
G2 Hollindale S. - the Gold Coast at the Sunshine Coast
One of the features of the Gold Coast calendar, this 1800-metre weight-for-age contest heads to the Sunshine Coast with its normal home having all sorts of problems.
This is the first time in four years that the grand campaigner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) has not lined up - that recently retired gelding the only three-time winner of the Hollindale.
“The first time in four years that the grand campaigner Zaaki has not lined up - that recently retired gelding is the only three-time winner of the Hollindale.”
It has been won on three occasions by the same horse twice and what a nice list of horses that is - Rough Habit (NZ) (Roughcast {USA}), Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}) and Leebaz (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Also won by the likes of Durbridge, Danewin and Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel), the Hollindale is always a good Queensland carnival watch, a race in which imported gallopers boast a strong recent record.
And they again play a big part in proceedings this year with 11 of the 14 contestants born in the Northern Hemisphere. One of those - Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux) - shares links with Zaaki; by the same sire with the same breeder - Lanwades Stud’s Kirsten Rausing.
Le Don De Vie (GB) shares links with Zaaki (GB)
Zaaki’s trainer Annabel Neasham saddles up four of the imports - Numerian (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) who can race well fresh, Mighty Ulysses (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) who did well finding Listed-winning form at only his second local outing, Naval College (GB) (Dartmouth {GB}) who was in flying form over the summer and Jimi Hendrix (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) whose excellent second up form is worth noting.
Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}), Luncies (GB) (Territories {GB}), Osmose (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) are also strong imported chances as is the sales bound Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) who will be looking the winner at some stage.
Leading the local charge is last weekend’s G3 Hawkesbury Cup winner Just Folk (Magnus) whist the New Zealand bred Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will find this easier than the three Group 1s he has contested at his latest outings.
G3 SA Fillies Classic - an Oaks by another name
The race which for so many years was known as the South Australian Oaks, the 2500-metre contest undertook a name change in 2010. Until 2005 it was a Group 1 race, downgraded to Group 2 status for two years - run as a Group 3 since 2007.
Like all Oaks races, this race has proven a great breeding ground for future broodmares with 24 of its winners producing stakes winners.
Amongst that tally are the dams of the Group 1 winners Arctic Star (Arctic Explorer {GB}), May’s Dream (New Approach {Ire}), First Seal (Fastnet Rock), Danske (NZ) and Arena.
“Amongst that tally are the dams of the Group 1 winners Arctic Star (Arctic Explorer, May’s Dream, First Seal, Danske and Arena.”
With the G1 Australasian Oaks form holding up just a week later with the third-placed Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun) proving too strong for the boys in the G1 South Australian Derby, there is a strong chance the race could also provide the winner of this.
Only two fillies from the Oaks line up here but they are both major chances - Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) bound to appreciate a more Classic distance having been second on the G1 New Zealand Oaks whilst The Autumn Belle (The Autumn Sun) can be closer up from barrier 1 than she was from barrier 14.
It would be some achievement for her sire should he be represented by yet another nice 3-year-old filly winner!
Coco Sun | Image courtesy of Inglis
Victorian trainer Patrick Payne boasts a good record in interstate features and he saddles up Zambezi Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) who is bred to relish the step up in distance. As is Gotta Go Guru (Fiorente) who certainly impressed racing away to a seven-length victory at Strathalbyn late last month.
G3 Gold Coast Guineas - in-form 3-year-olds
First run as a Listed race in 2016, gaining an upgrade to its current status two years later, this 1200-metre 3-year-old contest has more often than not been won by horses who have gone on to further stakes success.
And it has been won by several Group 1 horses - such as Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice), Gold Edition (Lion Hunter) and Takedown (Stratum).
It is a big field of 18 contesting the prize on Saturday with four last start winners amongst the major chances - Celui (Toronado {Ire}) a strong all the way winner of the VOBIS Gold Dash, Xidaki (Zoustar) freshened since his Listed Canberra Guineas success whilst Empress Of Wonder (Choisir) looking promising for the Annabel Neasham stable.
Gallery: Four last-start winners are amongst the major chances
Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) will strip all the fitter off her smart performance in the Listed Mick Dittman S., a race in which her stablemate Abounding (also by Rich Enuff) was game off a wide run.
Cifrado (Encryption) is suited up in distance second up whilst one of his rivals in the past in Chrysaor (Better Than Ready) is capable of pulling out a good run fresh. Corniche (Fastnet Rock) keeps racing well and Bases Loaded (Deep Field) is an interesting runner - a horse with talent last seen finishing second to Militarize (Dundeel {NZ}) in last year’s G1 Champagne S.
G3 Proud Miss S. - the speedy mares
Taken out last year by Snapped (Not A Single Doubt) who just recently was again in stakes winning form, this Group 3 sprint for fillies and mares is usually won by a horse capable of winning further black-type races.
And it has been won by several successful broodmares including Bonnie Mac (NZ) (Thorn Park), dam of Vinery Stud’s Exceedance, Blue Gum Farm’s new boy Oxley Road and the dual Listed winner Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring).
In-form stallion Toronado (Ire) plays a big role here with his daughters Laced Up Heels and Extratwo being leading contenders - the former bringing her consistent Perth form east whilst the latter has won three of her last four in Melbourne.
Gallery: Toronado's progeny Laced Up Heels and Extratwo are leading contenders
Also in flying form (get it?!) is Aviatress (Smart Missile) who has been beaten only once in four starts. Grey River (Al Maher) finally has a good gate having run nice races from the outside barrier at each of her three runs this time in.
She’s So High (I Am Invincible) won this race in 2018 and her relation - a fellow descendant of Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}) - Wonderful Tonight (I Am Invincible) - has another tricky gate to contend with but she was far from disgraced at her Australian debut in the G1 Robert Sangster S.
The juveniles - the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic and the G3 David Coles AOM S.
There is black-type 2-year-old action at the Sunshine Coast and Morphettville. Run as a Group 3 race since 2014 and at Listed level since its inception as the Rothman’s Classic in 1984, the Ken Russell Memorial is a 1200-metre contest with some very good horses on its honour roll. Such as Brave Warrior, Gold Edition (Lion Hunter), Spirit Of Boom and Sizzling.
Plenty of horses take on the challenge this year with a full field of 18 plus four emergencies vying for a run - and it is the sort of race where not one of the runners would be a surprise winner.
“Plenty of horses take on the challenge this year with a full field of 18 plus four emergencies vying for a run - and it is the sort of race where not one of the runners would be a surprise winner.”
Neither Chris Waller or Ciaron Maher have ever won this race but both saddle-up multiple chances - the former represented by Imperial Force (Snitzel) who impressed with his second up Canterbury victory, Althoff (Written Tycoon) who finished off so nicely at debut) and the first emergency President (I Am Invincible) who has been competitive with some of the better juveniles.
Maher saddles up two last start winners who are both by in-form first season sires - Perspiration (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Froebel Star (Zousain).
Too Darn Hot also has Super Alloy running for him and there is further first-season sire action in the shape of Barbaric Lad (Brutal {NZ}), Silva ‘N’ Suave (D’Argento), Poster Girl (Alabama Express) and Pulpit (Microphone).
Gallery: Neither Chris Waller or Ciaron Maher have ever won this race but both saddle-up multiple chances
Meanwhile the Champion Sires Snitzel (Volatile and Imperial Force) and Written Tycoon (Althoff, Rich Dottie and Runaway Tycoon) have multiple runners as do Better Than Ready (Gin A Tonic and Alpha Bravo) and Zoustar (Kaluakoi and Zoular).
The David Coles also sees a number of first-season sires represented - Strasbourg (by Colmar), Alabama Express (Karavas), Exceedance (Flyer), Zousain (The Dabble Effect), Royal Meeting (Ire) (Royal Majesty) and D’Argento (Teardrop Rotation).
Nabbed only late by the exciting Stanley Express (Starspangledbanner) in the VOBIS Showdown, Symphony Of Colour (Shamus Award) looks hard to beat whilst debutants add interest including That Archies Girl (Per Incanto {USA}) - the Jamie Kah ride who bolted in with a Bendigo trial.
