Cover image courtesy of Race Images
Race-Day Recap
Rosemont Stud’s Strasbourg sired his first stakes winner, with his progressive son Colmar, who ran the legs off his rivals in the G3 Sires’ Produce S. at Morphettville.
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) is on the march towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in November and took another pleasing step with a victory at Flemington.
Champion hoop James McDonald partnered the progressive Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) to a tenacious victory in the opening race at Rosehill.
Flemington-based horseman Nick Ryan unveiled a G1 VRC Derby hopeful in Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}), who stayed best in the 1800-metre Byerley H. at his home track, securing a ballot-exempt entry into the Classic.
The Tony Gollan-trained Outta Control provided first-season sire Dubious with his sixth individual winner at Toowoomba on Saturday evening.
Sir Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) put in some performance beating older horses at start three on Saturday at Morphettville.
Horcrux (Rommel) broke his maiden on debut at Belmont for the Simon Miller stable on Saturday.
He’s In Like Flynn (Showtime) caught the eye winning a trial at Hawkesbury for 5.5l. The Blake Ryan-trained 2-year-old gelding brought that form to Wyong on Saturday, posting a sensational performance.
Astapor (Tassort) added a third victory to his resume, winning on Saturday at Eagle Farm for the Clinton Taylor stable.
Colmar provides Strasbourg with a stakes winner
Colmar was sensational in winning Saturday’s G3 Sires’ Produce S. at Morphettville. The son of Strasbourg, trained by Ron Daniel and Trish Stanbury, burst to the front and was uncatchable in the 1400-metre feature.
With Samuel Payne in the saddle, Colmar finished 5.8l ahead of the second-placed Snoopy Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), with a further 6.2l to the third-placed Supercilious (Written Tycoon).
The success was the first Group 3 victory for the training partnership of Daniel and Stanbury.
Daniel’s told Racing.com, “He’s a really good horse; best 2-year-old I have trained. Today (Saturday) was his eighth start, and I had heard the knockers say he had been in work for too long.”
The gelding also provided Samuel Payne with his first Group 3 victory in the saddle.
Colmar was bred by the Phelan-Tribel Partnership and is the last reported foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Rapala. The gelding was set to be offered by Stockwell Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale but was withdrawn.
“He’s (Colmar) a really good horse; best 2-year-old I have trained. Today (Saturday) was his eighth start, and I had heard the knockers say he had been in work for too long.” - Ron Daniel
Coming into Saturday’s contest, Colmar had won two races from eight starts and was caught late in the Listed Oaklands Plate S. last start, behind the promising Femminile (Dundeel {NZ}).
Colmar is the first stakes winner for Rosemont Stud’s Strasbourg, a son of I Am Invincible, who is standing for a private fee.
First Settler conquers Flemington
After making an impression on debut at Caulfield, where co-trainer Mick Price announced his intention to target the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in the spring, the smart colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) headed to Flemington to get a look down the famous straight.
With Michael Dee in the saddle, First Settler was exposed early but kept to the task to hold off the late charge from Landmark (Nicconi). Finishing third was Skipjack (Rubick), defeating Loving Gaby’s (I Am Invincible) daughter Just Like Gaby, who was on debut and showed some inexperience.
Mick Price was on course and told Racing.com, “He was always going to be exposed and there was always going to be something sitting there doing no work, and that was the second horse (Landmark), which is fine.
“I thought First Settler was okay. He’ll have a little breather now and will go out. He’ll be lined up for the nice 3-year-old races, which are probably the Poseidon, Danehill, and the Coolmore Stud S., all three or two.
“It was good to see him win again. I thought it was a tough win. He was there to be beaten, and he had horses sitting off him. I didn’t want to complicate it for Michael (Dee) before the race. Ride him like the best horse, and if he gets beat, he gets beat.
“I didn’t want to complicate it for Michael (Dee) before the race. Ride him (First Settler) like the best horse, and if he gets beat, he gets beat.” - Mick Price
“I think the 1200 metres will be better for him. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse and has got a good set of lungs.”
First Settler is the third foal from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Graciousness, who is also the dam of the Listed Twilight Glow S. and Silver Eagle winner Vienna Princess (Snitzel). The colt is from the family of Best Of Bordeaux and the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Prince Fawaz.
Graciousness is a daughter of Lady Capel (Last Tycoon {Ire}), the dam of G1 Chipping Norton S. winner Casino Prince. Her colt by Snitzel was passed in short of his $250,000 reserve at this year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She foaled a colt by Zoustar last spring and was served by Snitzel.
Mick Price | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
First Settler was a $750,000 purchase by Yulong and Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Mayfair and J-Mac combine for Saturday success
Rosehill meeting marked the return of James McDonald to the saddle on a Saturday after missing several meetings due to illness. McDonald was aboard the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) in the opening race.
The 2-year-old colt was having his second start, following a debut placing behind the exciting Brave One (Exceedance). Showing tenacity and class, Mayfair secured a 0.44l victory over Mawjood (Tassort) and Mergeila (Justify {USA}). Catching the eye, was the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Getafix (Calyx {GB}) finishing fourth.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course and told Sky Racing, “Mayfair has plenty of quality and toughness. His class took him a long way today. He was just able to take his time getting there, but there was still a bit of pressure in the mid-stages of the race, so there was plenty of merit to him digging deep.
“I think without a doubt getting back on top of the ground will help. Mayfair is a relatively casual type of horse, and I feel he’ll just do what’s needed. So, every time he’s pressured, I’m sure there’s a bit more there and enough of a response.”
Bott added regarding Mayfair’s first run, “We thought he had come on from his debut, and it was encouraging to see. We expected him to improve with race experience and having some control today.
“Mayfair has plenty of quality and toughness. His class took him a long way today.” - Adrian Bott
“There is more upside, and he should appreciate getting out a little bit more. I think we can try and mark out some nice races in the spring. Henry Field is here today to see him win on behalf of the Newgate team and the connections. We can have a discussion and see what those spring targets might be, but Mayfair certainly can measure up to that grade.”
Mayfair was a $625,000 purchase by China Horse Club, Go Bloodstock, Trilogy Racing, and Newgate, who presented him through its 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. The colt is from the Violence (USA) mare Cicatrix (USA), who won twice, including the Listed Glitter Woman S. at Gulfstream Park. She is from the family of star runners Cavorting (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) and Clairiere (USA) (Curlin {USA}).
Newgate Farm, alongside SF Bloodstock, paid US$230,000 (AU$344,100) to secure Cicatrix from the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Sale. Her first foal, Ode To Joy (Written Tycoon), won twice, and her colt by I Am Invincible was passed in at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Cicatrix foaled a filly by Extreme Choice and returned to the Newgate Farm-based stallion last spring.
Ryan holds Derby Ace
Nick Ryan looks to have a G1 VRC Derby prospect on his hands with his smart colt, Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}), who stayed best to win the Byerley H. over 1800 metres at Flemington. With Jamie Mott in the saddle, Red Aces was strong to the line, holding off his paternal sibling, Politely Dun (Dundeel {NZ}), while the Deep Field colt, Stay Silent, was 1.10l away in third.
Speaking to Racing.com after the victory, Ryan shared his assessment, “We were originally going to head to a maiden over the mile at Seymour on Monday, but Red Aces came on so much from his debut run.
“We always thought we had a Derby colt. That’s why my stepfather, JJ Gordon, purchased him as a staying type. He’s taken a little while, but the penny has really dropped. It was a big jump from 1300 to 1800 metres today (Saturday) at just his second start.
“I just loved the way he knuckled down, and his breeding probably kicked in over the last furlong. We’ve got a nice staying colt on our hands.”
Ryan added, “We galloped Red Aces on Tuesday, and with the small nominations, it was a no-brainer. Flemington is our home track, so we just walked him over the road. He was aided by a brilliant ride. He did no work, but he’s got an abundance of improvement to come.
“I just loved the way he knuckled down, and his breeding probably kicked in over the last furlong. We’ve got a nice staying colt on our hands.” - Nick Ryan
“I haven’t even really got at him. He’s very exciting. The VRC Derby is the aim. We’ve got 15 weeks, so I’ve already been thinking about it. We’ll put him away, but not for too long, because he might be a bit of Munhamek. He’s a really good-doing, gross colt.
“He’s pretty special, and I think now, winning this ballot-exempt race, we have the pleasure of just focusing on the Derby.”
Red Aces is the last foal from the Encosta De Lago mare, Cardiac, who is closely related to the G1 VRC Oaks winner, Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and her daughter, Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who emulated her dam in the Oaks. Arapaho Miss is also the dam of the eight-time winner, De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago), whose victories included the Listed Andrew Ramsden S.
Nick Ryan | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Cardiac is the dam of G3 Chairman’s S. winner, Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War {USA}), and the stakes-performed Man Of Heart (Reliable Man {GB}).
The son of Dundeel (NZ) was a $380,000 purchase by Nick Ryan Racing from the draft of Musk Creek Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Six for Dubious
Kitchwin Hill Stud’s first-season stallion Dubious sired his sixth winner, when the Tony Gollan-trained Outta Control saluted on debut at Toowoomba. The 2-year-old gelding, with Leslie Tilley in the saddle, defeated Just Cliffy (Cliff’s Edge) and Explosive Tycoon (Written Tycoon).
Outta Control did not meet his reserve of $80,000 when offered by Lucas Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale. He is from the Sequalo mare Cariad, who won the Listed Nudgee H. and the Listed Bright Shadow H.
He is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Cardiff (Snitzel), who has won four races. Cariad’s King Legacy filly was sold to Brett Dodson for $70,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has a filly by Exceed And Excel and was served by The Autumn Sun.
Sir Beats older horses
Darryl Hewitt’s 2-year-old colt, Sir Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), was dominant, beating older horses in the second race at Morphettville. With Margaret Collett riding, Sir Now finished 1.2l ahead of Zanthron (Thronum), while Emmooki Magic (Regal Shot) was 2.9l away in third.
Sir Now is the second foal from the unraced Fighting Sun mare Yamnaka, who is a half-sister to the Group 2-placed Stella Lante (Starcraft {NZ}) and Lady Alaska (Reset), the dam of the G2 Western Australian Derby victor Alaskan God (Playing God).
Yamnaka has a filly by Sir Prancealot (Ire) named Miss Prancealot. Unfortunately, her foal by Valentia was born deceased, and she missed to Star Witness in the spring.
Debut winner for Rommel
Simon Miller’s Horcrux (Rommel) made his debut, a winning one at Belmont on Saturday. Jordan Turner partnered the 2-year-old gelding to a 0.70l victory from Supido Express (Supido) and Mean Machine (Maschino).
Connections of Horcrux | Image courtesy of Simon Miller Racing
Horcrux was a $105,000 purchase from Simon Miller Racing from the draft of Mogumber Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. He is the third foal from the winning Stratum mare Magic And Danger, who has also produced a full sister to Horcrux, named Romming Danger, a dual winner.
Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Railway H. and Listed Soliloquy S. winner Imananabaa (Anabaa {USA}). Magic And Danger had a Safeguard filly, who was sold for $30,000 to Commercial Bloodstock Services and Easthope Racing at this year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. She was served by Marine One last spring.
Impressive trial form translates to racetrack success
After winning a trial at Hawkesbury by 5.5l, the Blake Ryan-trained He’s In Like Flynn (Showtime) took that form to his debut at Wyong on Saturday. Ridden by Andrew Adkins, the 2-year-old gelding was a 4.1l victor over his paternal sibling Show County (Showtime) and Gunther (Dundeel {NZ}).
He’s In Like Flynn as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A veteran of the sale ring, He’s In Like Flynn was first offered by Barador Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, where Maluka Thoroughbreds paid $50,000. Maluka Thoroughbreds presented the son of Showtime at the following year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, selling him to T Nolen for $80,000. Nolen then presented him under his Nolen Racing banner at the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, where He’s In Like Flynn was purchased for $350,000 by Newgate Bloodstock.
He’s In Like Flynn is the third foal from the Domesday mare Damselle, who won twice from 1100 to 1300 metres. The son of Showtime hails from the family of the Champion Australian Sprinter Yell (Anabaa {USA}) and Microphone, who earned the title of Australia’s Champion 2-Year-Old after winning the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and the G2 Skyline, alongside placing in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Astapor wins again
The Clinton Taylor-trained Astapor (Tassort) returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday at Eagle Farm, recording his third victory. Astapor had his regular partner Justin P Stanley in the saddle, and defeated Star Ambition (Star Turn) by 2.1l, while Suprise Honey (Extreme Choice) was third.
I was kicking stones all week when the barriers came out, but once the scratchings came out of the race, it wasn't too bad,” Taylor told Racenet.
“I thought (jockey) Justin (Stanley) could go to the front on him and control the race that way.
“We have a big opinion of him, hence why we went to Listed level and then dropping back in grade today, he was terrific.
“I have had the carnival in Rocky on so I haven't been able to be here in Brisbane much with him, Desleigh (Forster) has done a great job with him, as she always does.”
"We (Astapor) have a big opinion of him, hence why we went to Listed level and then dropping back in grade today, he was terrific.” - Clinton Taylor
Astapor burst onto the scene, winning by a big margin at Rockhampton, and followed that success up with a 3l victory at Doomben. He was then fourth in the G3 B.J McLachlan S. behind Storm Boy (Justify {USA}).
He returned to racing with a fifth to Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the $1 million R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic and fourth last start to Megastar Heart (Star Turn) in the Listed Oxlade S.
Astapor was a $38,000 purchase by the Livistona Grazing Company from the draft of Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is from the three-time winner Black Mink, a daughter of Lonhro and the stakes-winning Jasminka (NZ) (Sakura Seeking {NZ}). Black Mink has colt’s by Sidestep and Cosmic Force, and was served by The Odyssey last spring.
