Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Morphettville: G1 Goodwood, $1,000,000, 1200m
It was a deserved big win for Benedetta (Hellbent) who just does not know how to run a bad race, adding a Group 1 victory to her two successes at Group 3 level.
Bred by the Parker family and sold by Mill Park Stud to Eales Racing Syndications for $75,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Benedetta is one of the three winners for the Group 2 placed multiple city winner Whatalovelyday (Domesday).
Also dam of the Group 2 placed Whatafox (Foxwedge) and the VOBIS Gold Stockade winner Sunset Dreaming (Impending), she is out of the Elvstroem mare Krysia whose dam Leica Or Not (Kendor {Fr}) did a great job producing three stakes winners - the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Leica Guv (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}), the G1 Australian Guineas winner Light Fantastic (Danehill Dancer {Ire]) and the G3 The Jansz S. winner Lectrice (Encosta de Lago).
Paying a return visit to Hellbent last spring, Whatalovelyday missed the previous season with her latest foal being her 2022 colt by King’s Legacy, a $160,000 purchase for the Bjorn Baker stable at the Inglis Melbourne Premier.
Hailing from the same branch of the prolific "Leica" family as the big race winners Redding (NZ) and Pharaoh (NZ) (Sackford {USA}), Benedetta is one of the five stakes winners - and the second Group 1 winner - for her Yarraman Park based G1 William Reid S. winning sire.
G3 The Cummings S., (Formerly R A Lee S.), $220,000, 1600m
Charging home with a big run out wide, En Francais (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) recorded her fifth win and her first at stakes level.
A home-bred for Jake Stephens, P Kelton, P Mackie and A Kelton, she is the fourth stakes winner for her Swettenham Stud based sire.
She is one of the three winners (from four to race) for the stakes placed multiple city winner Detox (Golden Snake {USA}) - half-sister to the popular G1 Mackinnon S. winner Alcopop (Jeune {GB}).
Also dam of the nine times winner I Need A Drink (Fiorente {Ire}), Detox was served last spring by Ghaiyyath (Ire), Detox foaled a Kermadec (NZ) filly in October. She'd had the previous year off and her 2-year-old is a yet to be named son of Saxon Warrior (Jpn).
G3 Proud Miss S., $150,000, 1200m
What a finish this was - horses stretched across the track with Boognish (Sooboog) having her nose out at the right time for Jamie Kah.
Bred by Asco International, she is the second stakes winner for her Clear Mountain Fairview based Group 3 winning sire, as son of Snitzel.
Sold by Edinburgh Park to Will Clarken, Suman Hedge Bloodstock and David Jolly at the 2021 Adelaide Magic Millions, Boognish went through an Inglis digital sale in November 2022, repurchased by the stable for $25,000.
She is the last foal produced by the dual Listed winner Regrowth (Unbridled's Song {USA}) whose twelve foals all raced - all winning including the G3 SAJC Breeders S. winner Colour (More Than Ready {USA}) and the dam of the G3 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner Derryn.
Regrowth is one of the ten winners for the Listed winner True Blonde (Naturalism) whose prolific dam Easy Date (Grand Chaudiere {Can}) is the dam of Snippets - dam sire of Sooboog's sire Snitzel.
Also line-bred to the G1 Canadian Oaks heroine Flaming Page (USA) (Bull Page {USA}), Boognish is the first stakes winner with a cross of Zephyr Bay.
G3 SA Fillies Classic, $170,000, 2500m
The G1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) appreciated a return to the Classic distance and was just too good.
The winner in early March of the G3 Sunline Vase, she was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan and P J Walker and sold by Woburn Park to B Kwok for $160,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
She is one of the 17 stakes winners for her in-form Cambridge Stud based sire. Her dam is the Group 1 placed Listed winner Pussy O'Reilly (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) whose stakes placed dam Octapussy (Octagonal {NZ}) also produced the G3 Challenge S. winner Pussy Willow (NZ) (O'Reilly) and the Listed Poseidon S. winner Inside Agent (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Octapussy is out of the Group 2 mare Dopff (NZ) (Tights {USA}) who has proven to be quite the matriarch with 13 stakes winning descendants including the Group winners Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar), Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}), Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute's Choice), Vilanova (Commands), Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Matchbreaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Served last spring by Sword Of State, Pussy O'Reilly foaled a Shocking colt last spring having missed the previous season - her 2021 filly being a daughter of Savabeel who sold for $60,000 at Karaka last year.
G3 AM Stakes (Formerly National Stakes), $150,000, 1200m
Rosemont home-bred Flyer (Exceedance) lived up her name with this smart performance, her second win from six starts.
The second debut crop stakes winner for her Vinery Stud based winning sire, she is the second foal and second stakes winner for the city placed four times winner Miss Toorak Flyer (Toorak Toff).
Also dam of the G3 SAJC Breeders S. winner Treasurway (Starspangledbanner), she is out of a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Secret Flyer (Secret Savings {USA}) from the family of the Group winners Almazyoon (Danehill {USA}), El Maze (El Moxie {USA}), Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).
Served last spring by Starspangledbanner, Miss Toorak Flyer foaled a Shamus Award colt in August whilst her Exceed And Excel yearling colt was purchased for $650,000 by Suman Hedge Bloodstock, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions.
Flyer boasts crosses of the excellent mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Glamour (USA) (Nasrullah {Ire}).
Listed Centaurea S., $120,000, 2019m
It was a sixth consecutive win for the exciting Sea What I See (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and her first in stakes company.Bred by B Nielsen, she was purchased for 140,000 gns by Robert Roulston Bloodstock at the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
She is the 120th stakes winner for her Gilltown Stud based star sire who stood this season at a fee of €200,000.
Her Group 3 winning dam Real Smart (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}) is out of the Group 3 placed Rose Diamond (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) is out of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Tante Rose (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) whose dam My Branch (GB) (Distant Relative {Ire}) won two Listed races.
This is the family of the local stakes winner Skyman (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) and the Group 1 gallopers Dubawi Heights (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Make Believe (GB).
Like the G3 Rotorua S. winner Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Sea What I See is a descendant of the G1 English 1000 Guineas heroine Picture Play (GB) (Donatello {Fr}). Her sire is bred on a Never Bend (USA)/Miswaki (USA) cross as is her second dam sire Daylami.
Sunshine Coast: G2 Hollindale S., $500,000, 1800m
Having won this race three years running with Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), Annabel Neasham certainly knows how to win this race - this time around successful with a longshot, another import in the shape of Numerian (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
Having his first run since a G2 Perth Cup fourth on New Year's Day, the 8-year-old recorded his fourth win at stakes level.
Bred by Whisperview Trading Ltd, he is one of the 100 stakes winners for his former shuttling sire, a dual Group 1 winning son of Danehill (USA).
Numerian's dam Delicate Charm (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) has produced another three winners including the Group 3 placed Montesilvano (Ire) (also by Holy Roman Emperor) and the dam of last year's G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}) Delicate Charm is out of a half-sister to the G3 St Simon S. winner Kithanga (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) whose son is the G1 St Leger hero Milan (GB).
This is a strong European family, Numerian able to count amongst his relations the Group winners Koora (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Karpion (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) as well as the G1 Epsom Derby winning successful sire Kahyasi (Ire).
Ancestress of this family is the multiple Group 1 winner Majideh (GB) (Mahmoud {Fr}), dam of the big race winners Gallant Man (GB) and Masaka (Ire) (Nearco {Ity}).
G3 Gold Coast Guineas, $200,000, 1200m
Showing good heart taking a run between two others closer to home, Corniche (Fastnet Rock) made it a good day for his dam Montsegur (New Approach {Ire}) whose son Pereille (also by Fastnet Rock) won at the same track earlier in the day.
The winner of last year's G2 Skyline S., Corniche is one of the 193 stakes winners for his recently retired Coolmore sire.
He is one of the six winners and two stakes winners for the G3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Montsegur, also dam of the dual Group 3 winner Heresy (Street Boss {USA}).
Served last spring by Anamoe after foaling a colt by that horse's sire Street Boss, she has a yearling called Secret Glory (Blue Point {Ire}) and her 2-year-old The Fort (Blue Point) debuted with a nice fifth at Sandown last week.
Montsegur is a three-quarter sister to Darley Victoria's G1 Winterbottom S. winner Paulele and half-sister to the G3 Canonbury S. winner Tessera (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}).
This is also the family of the G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute's Choice) whose promising daughter Miss Aria (Zoustar) won at Caulfield - a great day for the family!
A descendant of the famed matriarch Chelandry (GB) (Goldfinch {GB}), Corniche can also boast amongst his relations the big race winners Merchant Navy and Joliestar (Zoustar).
His sire and dam are bred on the same Danehill (USA)/Sir Ivor (USA)/Twig Moss (Fr}) cross.
G3 Memorial Classic, $200,000, 1200m
A stakes winner at his second start, Althoff (Written Tycoon) continued the good run of his Yulong based Champion Sire's 2-year-olds.
Bred by Arrowfield, he was sold by them to Yu Long for $500,000 at last year's Magic Millions.
His sire's 63rd stakes winner, Althoff is the sixth winner (from six runners) for the placed Miss St Tropez (Magnus) who has also produced the city winners Yankee Eyes (All American) and Scheelite (Real Steel {Jpn}).
A half-sister to the triple Group winner Don't Doubt Mamma (Not A Single Doubt) and the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. winner Risen From Doubt (Not A Single Doubt) from the prolific Denise's Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr]) family, Miss St Tropez was served last spring by Admire Mars (Jpn).
She was not served the previous year whilst her yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn) was purchased by Ken Keys for $80,000 at the Inglis Classic.
The 82nd stakes winning descendant of Denise's Joy, Althoff is the 16th Written Tycoon line stakes winner line-bred to Vain.
Listed Gold Coast Bracelet, $160,000, 1800m
The second Go Bloodstock home-bred stakes winner for on the card - the Listed Silk Stocking winner the first - Amazonian Lass (More Than Ready {USA}) was a game winner at just her second run for the campaign.
Hailing from the final crop of her high achieving sire, she is one of his 225 stakes winners. Her dam is the city winning juvenile Dynastic Lady (Fastnet Rock), a $240,000 Easter yearling purchased by Paul Moroney. Also dam of the four times Sandown winner Riverplate (Flying Artie), she died last year with her last foal being a Captivant colt.
Her yearling is a Lonhro colt whilst her 2-year-old Tszyuya (Zoustar) is a member of the Tony Gollan stable.
A descendant of the influential matriarch Feola (GB) (Friar Marcus {GB}), Dynastic Lady is a full sister to the G1 Levin Classic winner Age Of Fire (Fastnet Rock) from the family of the G1 Lockinge S. winner Fly To The Stars (GB) and the G1 Coronation S. winner Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy, $160,000, 1200m
Recording his first stakes win at the age of eight, At Witz End (Epaulette) has always known how to find the line - this success the 13th of his 62 start career, one which has also seen him figure in the placings on 17 occasions.
Bred by V O'Connell, he is the 21st stakes winner for his now Turkey based sire. He is one of the two winners for his three times winning dam Here's The End (Galileo {Ire}) who died three years ago.
Her grandam is the G3 Light Fingers S. winner Here's The Point (Bluffed) whose son Here's The Prince (Opera Prince) won the G2 Villiers S.At Witz End is the 12th stakes winner with a pedigree combining Commands and Octagonal - grandson and son of Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}) and he is also line-bred to Sadler's Wells (USA) with a strain of that stallion's three-quarter brother Nureyev (USA).
Listed Silk Stocking H., $160,000, 1400m
Tough under her big weight, Thalassophile (Not A Single Doubt) was able to record her second stakes victory.
Raced by her breeder Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock after being passed in for $350,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, she is one of the 83 stakes winners for her late sire.
Served last spring by Artorius and Stay Inside, Spanish Lake missed to Stay Inside the previous season, in 2022 foaling a Flying Artie filly.
Spanish Lake's winning dam Calvinia (Varick {USA}) did a great job at stud with her ten winners (from as many to race) including the G1 Easter H. winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad), the G2 Emancipation S. winner Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), the G3 Widden S. winner Fireworks (Snitzel) and the Listed Anniversary H. winner Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}).
Another six of Calvinia's descendants are stakes winners and this is also the family of the four times Group 1 winner Dr Grace (NZ).
Rotorua: G3 Rotorua S., $100,000, 1400m
Holding on gamely as she was challenged late, Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) broke through for her first win at stakes level.
Bred by the Little Avondale Trust, she was sold by them to I J Investments for $14,000 at the 2010 Karaka May Sale and by Cambria Park to Wexford Stables for $67,500 at the 2020 Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sale.
She is the 28th stakes winner for her sire who shuttled to Vinery between 2009 and 2017. Her unraced dam World Away (Pierro) is also dam of the metropolitan winner Alexandra Quick (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and she is a daughter of the G1 Belmont Garden City S. winner Miss World (USA) (Bernstein {USA}).
World Away was served last spring by Savabeel having missed to Per Incanto the previous season. Her yearling colt by that stallion sold to Legends Bloodstock for $200,000 at Easter. A descendant of the English G1 1000 Guineas winner Picture Play (GB) (Donatello {Fr}), Karman Line is line-bred to the influential mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) and Busanda (USA) (War Admiral {USA}) whilst also carrying strains of the relations Lt Stevens (USA), Thatch (USA), Sadler's Wells (USA), Thatching (Ire) and Nueyev (USA).
Listed Rotorua Cup, $100,000, 2200m
She was up in class but too good, Bella Waters (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) digging deep to record her third win from nine starts in the Cambridge Stud colours of the Lindsay family who also bred her.
The tenth stakes winner for her late sire, she is the second stakes winner for the three times winner But Beautiful (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) whose son Immediacy (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) won this year's G2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield.
Also dam of the city winner Mahalangur (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), But Beautiful is out of the stakes placed Sweet Firebird (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) who produced the Listed winners Ayrad (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Dawn Of Hope (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Sweet Firebird's G1 Beverley D S. winning dam Fire The Groom (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}) produced eight winners including the dual Group 1 winning successful stallion Stravinsky (USA).
But Beautiful was served last spring by Embellish (NZ) having missed to that same stallion the previous spring. Her yearling filly by Hello Youmzain (Fr) was purchased by the Busuttin Young stable for $280,000 at Karaka.
Newcastle: Listed Gosford Gold Cup, $300,000, 2200m
Tough getting the upperhand late, Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) was in the winner's circle for the first time since July 2022.
A Group 2 winner in New Zealand in 2021, he is one of the 24 stakes winners for his Rich Hill based G1 Melbourne Cup winning sire.
Bred by A A Corcoran, he was sold by Grangewilliam Stud to S Clotworthy for $18,000 in Book 3 of the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sale.He is the sole runner for the placed Shezakiwi (NZ) (Brilliance {USA}) whose Group 3 placed dam Luscious Lady (NZ) (Al Akbar) produced five winners including the stakes placed Kiwi Lady (NZ) (Ruby's Jester) and Oriental Profit (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Shezakiwi produced another Shocking colt last spring and was again served by him whilst her 2022 foal is a filly by Zed (NZ). Her 2-year-old Kiwiesque (NZ) (Derryn) is a member of the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) stable.
Listed Takeover Target H., $250,000, 1200m
Leading throughout, Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}) was in winning form for the first time since taking out the 2022 G3 Kindergarten S.
Bred by Robert Crabtree and purchased by International Thoroughbred Solutions for $300,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, he is one of the 16 stakes winners for his Woodside Park Stud based sire.
Semillion is one of the two winners for the Moonee Valley winner Sistonic (Bel Esprit), also dam of the dual city winner Seatonic (Sebring). She is a full sister to the Listed Carylon S. winner Iconic (Bel Esprit) out of a daughter of the dual Group winner Scandinavia (Snippets) - best known as grandam of the mighty Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Bred on a 4 X 4 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA), Semillion can also boast amongst his relations the Group One gallopers All Too Hard, Ole Kirk and Magnus.
Served last spring by Blue Point (Ire) having missed to him (and Written Tycoon) the previous season, Sistonic is also dam of the lightly raced 2-year-old Scampi (Blue Point) who has been showing ability for the Ciaron Maher stable.
