Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In Wednesday’s edition of The Thoroughbred Report, we explore the potential key storylines for the spring.
Will Fangirl (Sebring) assert her dominance in the Sydney mile division? Will Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) avenge his Cox Plate second place, or will it be the fillies—Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock)—who steal the spotlight? Additionally, as foal watches heat up, we examine which star mares of yesteryear are set to welcome their first foals.
Jenni vs Sistina
Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) captured many hearts last spring and, as a rising 6-year-old mare, has continued to impress in the autumn. Trained by Ciaron Maher, Pride Of Jenni not only carries a touching backstory—being named in honour of Tony and Lyn Ottobre’s late daughter Jennifer—but also showcases exceptional talent and stamina.
On Monday, Pride Of Jenni had a cruisy jump-out at Cranbourne, finishing second in her trial. Maher told Racing.com, “She’s put on really good condition and she’s come back in great order, so all the signs are good.”
Pride Of Jenni (white cap) at her trial on Monday | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The G1 Cox Plate is being touted as a realistic target for Pride Of Jenni, with many considering Chris Waller’s dual Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) as her biggest rival.
Via Sistina also made her return and began her spring preparations with a midfield finish in a trial on Tuesday morning. The Irish-bred mare, who won the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh before joining the Yulong team in Australia, notably claimed the G1 Ranvet S.
The two star mares first faced each other in the autumn G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick, where Pride Of Jenni delivered a commanding performance.
As the spring season unfolds, will Via Sistina manage to turn the tables on Jenni under different conditions?
We want your opinion!
Is Via Sistina Pride Of Jenni's biggest threat in the spring?
| Yes | ||
| No |
Can Fangirl retain her crown in King Charles III?
The Ingham-bred and raced Fangirl (Sebring) announced herself as a major force when she claimed the $5 million G1 King Charles III S., defeating the formidable Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).
Following her standout victory, Fangirl competed in the G1 Cox Plate but finished a unlucky seventh. She concluded her spring campaign with a fourth-place finish behind Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside in the G1 Cantala S. In the autumn, Fangirl started strongly, winning the G2 Apollo S. first-up, but found Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) too tough in the G1 Verry Elleegant S.
Fangirl | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Fangirl's autumn was cut short by an injury, preventing her from continuing her campaign. However, she made her return to the trials on Tuesday morning, where she finished unplaced but finishing strongly.
As the spring approaches, the question remains: will Fangirl retain her crown in the $5 million King Charles III S., or will a new contender emerge to take her place?
Mr Brightside: Back to the Cox Plate?
Season after season, the Ben, Will, and JD Hayes-trained Mr Brightside (NZ) has demonstrated himself as one of the nation’s most versatile and talented runners. Currently, an 8 per cent share in the son of Bullbars is being offered in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Auction.
After winning the G2 PB Lawrence S. in the past two years, the stable has indicated that Mr Brightside will forgo his usual spring start and instead target the G1 Memsie S., a race he won last year, with an eye on the G1 Cox Plate.
Mr Brightside (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
In last year’s Moonee Valley showpiece, Mr Brightside found only the international superstar Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) too good. His first attempt at Cox Plate glory in 2022 saw him unplaced behind Anamoe.
With the confirmation that Romantic Warrior will not return to Australia this spring, will 2024 be the year Mr Brightside finally claims the Cox Plate?
Cup hero to repeat or O’Brien’s London to Tower over rivals?
Anthony and Sam Freedman have expressed their hope that their 2023 G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup hero, Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), can make a triumphant return to the racetrack this spring.
It might be a big ask, and the handicappers could be harsh, but if the son of Teofilo (Ire) can return to the form he showed in 2023, he would certainly be a formidable contender in the Melbourne Cup or any of the staying features this spring.
Without A Fight (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
There could also be a taste of Irish talent in the G1 Melbourne Cup, with Aidan O’Brien suggesting that his smart stayer, Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), might be a candidate for Melbourne Cup. The son of Galileo (Ire) made a striking impression in last weekend’s G2 Curragh Cup and has previously secured victories in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, the G3 Al-Janadriah Red Sea Surf H., and the Listed King George V Cup earlier in his career.
Broadsiding a Cox Plate Contender?
Much has been said about the G1 Cox Plate, with a host of older horses set to be major players in the weight-for-age championship. But could a 3-year-old knock them off? One contender who immediately comes to mind is Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
The James Cummings-trained colt was the only male to win a Group 1 race as a 2-year-old. In fact, he clinched two: the G1 Champagne S. and the G1 JJ Atkins S., both over 1600 metres.
Broadsiding | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
As a spring 3-year-old, Broadsiding will receive a featherweight in the Cox Plate. However, history shows that while 3-year-olds can contest and even win the feature, they often lack the toughness and experience needed to challenge the best of the older horses.
Could it be a rising 2-year-old from left field, such as Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth), Fearless (Pierata), Bittercreek (Snitzel), Imperialist (NZ) (Churchill {Ire}), or Bosustow? (Blue Point {Ire}) Or perhaps there is a potential star we haven't even seen debut yet?
We want your opinion!
Would you run Broadsiding in the Cox Plate?
| Yes | ||
| No |
The Everest sparks intrigue
In its short history, The Everest has always been a captivating contest. Set to run for a record $20 million in 2024, the 1200-metre sprint is shaping up to be an open race with no dominant sprinter at this stage.
We could see the return of two former Everest victors: 2023 hero Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) and Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), who triumphed in 2022. Giga Kick has been out of sight since an injury-forced layoff last spring.
“We could see the return of two former Everest victors: 2023 hero Think About It and Giga Kick, who triumphed in 2022.”
The Joseph Pride-trained Think About It made a comeback in the autumn but didn't show his best form. His trainer is eager to have him back in winning shape for the spring.
There have been some setbacks, with expected contenders Impertatriz (I Am Invincible) and In Secret (I Am Invincible) both retiring. Asfoora (Flying Artie) is also unlikely to return to Australia for The Everest, with the G1 King Charles III S. winner a potential candidate for the Breeders’ Cup in November in North America.
One sprinter who is currently in formidable form is the Ciaron Maher-trained Bella Nipotina. The daughter of Pride Of Dubai secured her third Group 1 victory in the Tattersall’s Tiara in June, proving she's a force to be reckoned with.
Star babies
The scent of spring also brings new life. This season, a host of former stars of the racetrack are due to give birth for the first time. Forbidden Love (All Too Hard), who sold for $4.1 million to Yulong at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, is in foal to Alabama Express from an October cover.
G1 Empire Rose S. victress Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and multiple Group 1 winner and $3.4 million Inglis Chairman’s Sale purchase Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) are also in foal to the Yulong-based stallion.
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong
Snapdancer (Choisir), who won the G1 Memsie S. and the G1 Robert Sangster S. and was a $3.2 million purchase, was served by Yulong’s Diatonic (Jpn) in September. Star filly Coolangatta (Written Tycoon), who was retired and purchased privately by Coolmore, was served by Justify (USA) in September.
Isotope (Deep Field), who fetched $2.3 million, is another set to welcome a foal by Alabama Express. Group 2 winner Shades Of Rose, who brought $1.6 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, is in foal to Snitzel, as are fellow Group 2 winners Paris Dior and Vangelic (Vancouver), a $1.5 million purchase.
Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a Group 2 winner bought for $1.35 million, was served by Lucky Vega (Ire) in September.
Promise Of Success | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) welcomed her first foal in 2022, a filly by Pierro that sold for $10 million at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. After missing to Snitzel, she was served by the stallion last spring and, by all reports, is expecting this spring.
Another champion mare, Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), also in foal to Snitzel, is expecting her ninth foal after foaling a colt by The Autumn Sun last spring.
