Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On Tuesday morning, Rosehill held 18 trials on a Good 4 surface. There was a touch of spring in the air and the stars were out. Champion trainer Chris Waller was represented by the likes of Zougotcha (Zoustar), Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), and the returning Fangirl (Sebring).
Heat 1, over 1000 metres, was won by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Group 3 winner and Group 1-performed Williamsburg (Snitzel). Ridden by Tyler Schiller, Williamsburg was a 3l winner over the last start stakes winner Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}).
Williamsburg as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The trial also included the hulking Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock). The dual Group 1-winning mare had an easy time on Tuesday morning, finishing fifth as she gears up for a spring campaign.
Heat 1 also marked the return of her stablemate Francesco Guardi (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The G2 Moonee Valley Cup winner, who was unplaced in the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Turnbull S. in the spring, moved well in the trial, suggesting he’s returned in good form.
Jolie she's a Star!
Cambridge Stud’s star filly Joliestar (Zoustar) won the G1 One Thousand Guineas last spring and returned in the autumn, showing a new side when she sprinted and beat a competitive field in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S.
That was the only start in the autumn for the Chris Waller-trained filly. On Tuesday morning, Joliestar was back in action in Heat 2. Held over 900 metres, Joliestar, partnered by James McDonald, led the class field and comfortably held the Group 3 winner Caballus (I Am Invincible) and the progressive Spring Lee (Zoustar).
Joliestar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Finishing fourth was the G1 Randwick Guineas victor Communist (Russian Revolution). He was followed by the Listed-winning filly Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}) and Hell Hath No Fury (Hellbent), a Group 2 winner.
In seventh, over 4l away, was triple Group 1 winner Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}). Over the unsuitable 900 metres, the Waller-trained star was out to do no serious work and ran through the line strongly.
What a contest!
If anybody needed any reminder that spring is around the corner, they only needed to tune into Heat 3 on Tuesday morning at Rosehill. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s star filly Tropical Squall (Prized Icon), ridden by Tim Clark, was victorious in the 900-metre contest by 1.41 l from Amour Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}) and Thunderlips (Zoustar).
Multiple Group 1 winner Zougotcha (Zoustar) was fourth. After ranging up and looking to figure in the business end, Tommy Berry asked no more from the mare. Her Group 1-winning stablemate Hinged (Worthy Cause) followed closely behind.
“Tropical Squall, ridden by Tim Clark, was victorious in the 900-metre contest by 1.41 l from Amour Victorious and Thunderlips.”
Also returning after missing the majority of the autumn due to an injury was the brilliant Fangirl (Sebring). Settled towards the rear of the field, the triple Group 1 winner indicated she has lost none of her competitiveness when she charged between horses into sixth. Another Waller star, Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), was another welcome sight. The dual Group 1 winner was withdrawn from this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, with her owners Go Racing electing to race on with the rising 7-year-old.
Atishu was last but only 5.11l away from the winner. Naturally, the daughter of Savabeel will continue to improve as she gets fitter and her contests longer.
Zeitung Excels
The James Cummings-trained Zeitung (Exceed And Excel) broke her maiden at Kembla Grange at the end of her preparation. Since returning to training, the 2-year-old filly was fourth in a trial at Hawkesbury over 800 metres. Stepping up to 1030 metres on Tuesday, Zeitung emerged victorious in Heat 6.
Exceed And Excel | Image courtesy of Darley
With James McDonald in the saddle, Zeitung was 0.61l ahead of Yabby Pump (Castelvecchio), while the well-performed Trafalgar Square (Churchill {Ire}) was third.
Zeitung is the third foal from the unraced Shamardal (USA) mare News Story (Ire). She is closely related to the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner Echo Of Light (GB). News Story has a rising 2-year-old filly by Lonhro named Events. She foaled a colt by Bivouac in the spring and was then served by Kermadec (NZ).
Daughter of Supido launches
Widden Stud’s Supido was represented by a smart trial winner in the unraced Shohisha from the David Payne stable. Partnered by Chad Schofield, Shohisha showed ample acceleration to run down the leader Noises (Microphone). Hinune (Hellbent) made a run from the back, but catching the eye late was the Richard and Will Freedman-trained Pleasure Artist (Trapeze Artist).
Supido | Standing at Widden Stud
Bred by Dodgy Investments, Shohisha is the second foal from the Roc De Cambes (NZ) mare Consommateur (NZ), who won the G3 Epona S. She has a yearling by Kia Ora Stud’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan and foaled a filly by Supido before returning to that stallion in the spring.
Kia Ora stars on Tuesday
Exciting prospect Innervisions (I Am Invincible) set the tone for his co-owners Kia Ora on Tuesday morning. The $700,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate was a sensational 4.9l winner from Pocketing (Grunt {NZ}), who did the best of the rest, running into second.
Placed in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings), Innervisions is from the Listed winner Modern Wonder (Snitzel), who is a full sister to the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Away Game.
Innervisions was purchased by TFI, Annabel Neasham Racing, and Dermot Farrington Bloodstock from the draft of Kia Ora Stud, who stayed in the ownership of the colt.
Following Innervisions was the Kia Ora-raced 3-year-old colt Fire Star (Deep Field) in Heat 9. Later on, in Heat 14, the operation celebrated another success with a 2-year-old, Davikar (Deep Field).
The unraced 2-year-old, with Tyler Schiller in the saddle, showed plenty of grit despite her inexperience. She took a run up the rail and got her head in front of Hallett (Deep Field), while Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon) was 1.02l away.
“In Heat 14, the operation (Kia Ora) celebrated another success with a 2-year-old, Davikar (Deep Field).”
Finishing fourth was Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun). The unraced filly is a half-sister to the G1 Golden Rose S. victor In The Congo and was a $1.8 million purchase by Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds from the draft of Silverdale Farm at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling.
Davikar is the first foal from the So You Think (NZ) mare Think Bleue, a winner of the G3 Alexandra S. She has a filly by Farnan and was served by Home Affairs in the spring.
Blueblood filly returns
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Chateau Miraval (Zousain) showed talent as an autumn 2-year-old, winning her maiden at Randwick-Kensington and then placing in the G3 Magic Night S.
Chateau Miraval returned on Tuesday morning in Heat 12 over 900 metres. Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, the filly in the Yulong colours had to fight off a strong challenge from All Eyes On Her (Zoustar). Ranging up in third and looking like she had plenty left in the tank was the Chris Waller-trained Useapin (Yes Yes Yes). Also sticking solidly under little pressure were Jayashree (Magna Grecia {Ire}) and Tango Queen (NZ) (Tivaci {NZ}).
The daughter of Widden Stud’s Zousain was a $650,000 purchase by Yulong, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is the penultimate foal from the Group 3-placed Shelia’s Star (Snitzel), who passed away in March this year. Chateau Miraval is a half-sister to the G2 Furious S. winner and Group 1-placed North Star Lass (Zoustar).
Triple threat
Rosehill-based trainers Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes enjoyed a successful Tuesday morning. The trio were represented by three juvenile winners, starting with Winchester (Deep Field) in Heat 15. With Zac Lloyd in the saddle, Winchester posted a 1.42l margin over Maori Chief (I Am Invincible), who finished second, ahead of Marais (Capitalist).
Straffan (I Am Invincible), a son of the Group 2-winning filly Fontein Ruby (Turffontein), faded to fourth. Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Bernen Win (Shooting To Win) was over 9l away.
The once-raced Winchester was fifth on debut in the Listed Talindert S. at Flemington. He is from the G3 Sweet Embrace S. victress Shared Reflections (Umatilla {NZ}), who was also fourth in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. Winchester was a $250,000 purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Winchester as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
In the following Heat (16), Team Hawkes was represented by TheBlade (Toronado {Ire}). Yet to debut, the colt with Tommy Berry in the saddle responded to riding and held a 0.77l margin over Justified Heart (Justify {USA}). It was another spaced-out heat, with the third-placed Gatsby's (Snitzel) 2.19l away and Barbray (Zoustar) finishing fifth over 5l away.
Bred by Gilgai Farm, TheBlade is the third foal from the well-related Brigite, an unraced daughter of Casino Prince. Brigite is a full sister to the former Team Hawkes-trained All Too Hard, a multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1-producing sire. She is also a half-sister to the Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and closely related to the dual Group 1 winner Ole Kirk, and his Group 3-winning half-sister Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt).
The final winner for Team Hawkes, Dyami (Rubick), also unraced, stepped out in Heat 17. The gelding, ridden by Jay Ford, led and kicked in the straight to beat Hippolyte Rock (Menari) and Kikoira (Pierata).
“Heat (16), Team Hawkes was represented by TheBlade. Yet to debut, the colt with Tommy Berry in the saddle responded to riding and held a 0.77l margin over Justified Heart.”
Duvana (I Am Invincible), who is from the Group 1 winner Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}), was fifth but was untouched by Kerrin McEvoy. The Chris Waller-trained Behaviour (I Am Invincible) was recorded as last, but like his stablemate (Duvana), he was put under little pressure.
Dyami was a $75,000 purchase by Hawkes Racing from Amarina Farm at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He is from the Al Maher mare Rosie’s Halo and a half-brother to the Listed winner Superium (Verrazano {USA}).
Exceedance pair star in Heat 13
Vinery Stud’s first-season sire Exceedance has made a promising start to his stud career, and on Tuesday his daughters dominated Heat 13. The race-experienced Jupiter Hills, from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, was successful, beating her paternal sister Dance To The Boom.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Jupiter Hills took control of the 900-metre heat, holding strong to secure a 1.87l margin over Dance To The Boom. The two fillies cleared out from their rivals. However, Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), in the Star Thoroughbred silks, really launched late, bursting through the rail to finish third and was strong after the line.
Exceedance | Standing at Vinery
Jupiter Hills was a $380,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Vinery Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is the second foal from the Group 2 winner Miss Gunpowder (Pendragon {NZ}).
Miss Gunpowder has a rising 2-year-old by Exceedance and foaled a filly by Zoustar last spring. The second-placed Dance To The Boom is the first foal from the unraced I Am Invincible mare Bim Bam Boom. She is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Albany Reunion (Fastnet Rock) and the Group 1-placed Fast Dragon (Fastnet Rock).
Dance To The Boom was a $250,000 purchase by Jo Lindsay from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
