Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Glorious first Group 1 win for Gavin Bedggood in G1 Moir S

Consistent 6-year-old gelding Mornington Glory (Shalaa {Ire}) has given Gavin Bedggood his first Group 1 honour as he made it three in succession in Saturday’s G1 Moir S. at The Valley. Mornington Glory jumped well for jockey Ethan Brown and led the whole way, sitting about 1l in front for the majority and stayed there despite several challenges from other runners. He crossed the line 0.5l in front of the fast-finishing pair of 3-year-old fillies with Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) in second off a massive run for jockey Jamie Kah and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) in third.

“I felt a bit of pressure last time, but I was pretty comfortable coming here today. We were the underdog, and he seems to always be good that way,” Bedggood said.

“He took bad luck out of the equation today. He’s begun really well his last two starts (but) when he jumped a half in front of them today, there was no instruction to lead. But Browny just used his initiative and went with the horse and the rest is history.

“It nearly didn’t happen, he was retired, this horse, and as I said last time, these owners threw me a bone. I had a great career riding over the jumps and loved it and I still love following the jumping races, but we just do what we can with whatever horses get thrown our way. It’s a great ownership group and they’ll party hard tonight, no doubt.”

Mornington Glory has now won three in succession and a total of seven of his 20 starts with earnings just a tick under that magic $1 million mark. He becomes the second Group 1 winner for Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (Ire) whose first was No Speak Alexander (Ire) and Shalaa has 17 stakes winners in total.

A $360,000 purchase by Matt Laurie Racing, Bahen Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Magic Millions 2020 Gooree Stud Reduction Sale, Mornington Glory was a winner on debut but retired in October 2022 with heart issues after only six starts. After a year off, he resumed for Bedggood and since then has progressed through the grades, but has really found form this time in, winning his first black type last start in the Listed Carlyon S.

A half-brother to dual Group 1 winner and sire Hallowed Crown, Mornington Glory is the second Group 1 winner for Group 3 winner and G1 Golden Slipper-placed Crowned Glory (Danehill {USA}) who also produced Group 3 winner and sire Needs Further. Crowned Glory is out of Significant Moment (Bletchingly) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Zabeel (NZ) and Group 1 winner Baryshnikov (Kenmare {Fr}).

Aussie Cartwright gets first Group 1 in NZ’s Tarzino Trophy

Jockey Matt Cartwright has made the most of his recent move to New Zealand winning his first Group 1 on the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 4-year-old mare Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hawkes Bay on Saturday.

Last season’s boom 3-year-old, now 4-year-old gelding Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) was sent out as favourite by punters, and led the field throughout, while Cartwright placed Grail Seeker mid-field on the fence. Just before the turn, Cartwright peeled off the fence and joined a group of horses swooping on the fading leader, to finish the strongest and win by 1.3l from Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) and Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}). Crocetti finished in seventh which is the first time in ten starts that he hasn’t finished in first or second.

“I’m over the moon,” Cartwright said. “To come over here and have this happen so soon, it’s a big thrill. I was happy just to get a ride in the first Group 1 race, let alone win it. It’s what I came over for.

“I’m speechless, to be honest. It would have to be my best moment in racing, a treble and a Group 1 winner, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Onwards and upwards from here.”

Grail Seeker hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. against the older horses last season but had trialled nicely for second two weeks ago, and punters only rated her a $36 chance. Last season at three, she had a busy season, with nine starts for two wins and four placings including winning the G2 Wellington Guineas over the same 1400-metre trip as this Group 1 win, and now she has three wins from 10 starts.

“It’s just amazing,” Scott said. “It’s great to have owners who believe in the dream and are happy to bypass a Foxbridge and believe in what we hope could happen. They believed in Wexford, believed in us and believed in our team. We sat back for this and hoped that she’d just come with one big run. What a ride from Matt. He’s just on the crest of a wave today.

“We’ve got a massive team, and we can’t do this without the people we have around us. It’s a team thing and it’s just amazing. We had dinner in Rarotonga with Trevor, and we said we’d sit back and have one go at this race. Chris and Trevor have been amazing. It’s a fairytale and a great result. Rudy Liefting sent Trevor and Chris our way. They wanted to try some fillies, buy them from the sales and invest in the game. To get results for guys like them is what racing is all about.”

Sold by Jamieson Park for NZ$130,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to Kakapo Lodge, Grail Seeker now has earnings over NZ$410,000. Grail Seeker becomes the 13th Group 1 winner for Iffraaj (GB) whose son Wootton Bassett (GB) is having a fantastic season in Europe. Iffraaj recently added his 100th stakes winner when Point Lynas (Ire) won the Listed Pomfret S. in July 2024. Earlier this year in Europe Audience (GB) won the G1 Lockinge S.

A half-sister to Deep Image (Testa Rossa) who won the Listed Lough Neagh S. in course record time, and won eight races and over $510,000, Grail Seeker is one of eight winners for unraced mare Starwish (Redoute’s Choice). Her last foal is 3-year-old filly Watersports (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Starwish is a daughter of G1 Australia S. victrix Stella Cadente (Centaine) who produced Listed winner Brilliant Bisc (Elvstroem) as well as stakes-placed winners Starfish (Redoute’s Choice) and Moon Fever (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) who have both been excellent broodmares. Moon Fever is the dam of Group 3 winner Dashing Fellow (Duporth) and Listed winner Aeronautical (Encosta De Lago), while Starfish has produced the stakes-placed winners Wolf Cry (Street Cry {Ire}) and Glenbawn Dame (Shamardal {USA}).

Epsom on the cards after strong Tramway win by Royal Patronage

The G2 Tramway over 1400 meters was expected to mark Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel’s (Siyouni {Fr}) return to form, with punters backing her as the $3.30 favorite. She nearly delivered for her new trainers, Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, and jockey Tommy Berry, but couldn’t quite catch Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was making his Australian debut for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Royal Patronage won by 1.25l with Tim Clark aboard.

“We were really confident with what we'd seen from him at home. He worked up quite sharply during the week, which was encouraging going into today. But in fairness, Europeans having their first start in Australia and traditionally showing form over further,” Adrian Bott said.

“Tim (Clark) allowed him to find a nice rhythm and he was fully running at the top of the straight. I guess that was one thing in the back of my mind with the conditions that they may well suit him, it was just the distance, but he's a quality horse. He's put in an excellent performance today, and I'm sure there's still plenty of improvement to come.

“Tim (Clark) and I were discussing (the G1 Epsom) off the back of his last trial. We thought that might be a really nice race to target, but in the back of our mind, we thought there could be some targets over further, so we wanted to see what we got today, and I think that could definitely be on the cards off the back of today's run.”

Originally a 62,000gns (AU$127,000) purchase by John and Jake Warren from New England Stud at the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Royal Patronage was on-sold at the 2023 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale for 300,000gns (AU$620,000) to McKeever Bloodstock and his trainers.

Between those two sales, Royal Patronage was a boom juvenile winning three races including the G2 Royal Lodge S, then at three he placed in the G2 Dante S. before going to America for his 4-year-old season where he won over 1700 metres and ran fourth in Listed class. Winning the Tramway took his record to five wins from 16 starts.

Wootton Bassett (GB) has been a sensation as a sire with 47 stakes winners including nine at Group 1 level, with his oldest local crop just turned two. Royal Patronage is the first foal of Shaloushka (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) who won three races in France at 2000 metres and 2400 metres. She is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Shahrastani (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}).

Waller quinellas the G2 Chelmsford with Buckaroo and Hinged

Chris Waller sent a team of three to the G2 Chelmsford S. over a mile at Randwick on Saturday and came home with the quinella and only a tiny nose separated the two with Tommy Berry on Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock) just edging out Nash Rawiller on Hinged (Worthy Cause) by 0.05l. The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) was third.

“The real top liners are at home today, but these horses deserve their time in the sun,” said Waller. “There's some good prizemoney on offer in the next few weeks, and they won't have to clash with the better horses. I think Hill Stakes, Craven Plates, they're million-dollar races, and that's where first and second will be running. That's where they're heading.”

Buckaroo took his record to four wins and five placings from 19 starts with earnings over $790,000. A dual Listed winner in Ireland, he arrived here a year ago and has placed at Group 1 level when third in the G1 Ranvet S. last season. Hinged won five of her seven starts at two and the G1 Surround S. at three, but now she is a 6-year-old mare who hasn’t won since that Group 1 win, although she has placed several times in group company. All up she has six wins and 10 placings from 36 starts with earnings over $1.9 million.

Buckaroo is one of 194 stakes winners for Fastnet Rock and comes from one of his shuttle trips to Coolmore Ireland. He is out of Roheryn (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was a Listed winner in Ireland and is also the dam of Group 3 winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) who is owned by Ciaron Maher and Qatar Racing and holds a nomination for this season’s G1 Melbourne Cup.

Maher quinellas the G3 Concorde with I Am Me and Bella Nipotina

Ciaron Maher had two runners in Saturday’s G3 Concorde S. over 1000 metres at Randwick and they were well-placed in a wide-open betting race with three horses starting at around the $4.50 mark. In the end, it was 6-year-old mare I Am Me (I Am Invincible) who tracked the leader, then sprinted clear for jockey Nash Rawiller to win by 0.23l from stable mate Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) for jockey Craig Williams. The Matthew Smith-trained Way To The Stars (Reward For Effort) was almost 2l in arrears in third, with the rest of the field, including favourite Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), further back.

“She has come a long way, but she's improved every prep. Obviously last prep in those Group 1s you always find one too good, but she's come back very well,” said stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord, referring to I Am Me’s last five starts which were all in Group 1 company (for three placings and two fourths).

“She's just unbelievable; she loves racing, probably not the best conditions for her today, we know she does like those tracks with a touch of give. One thousand metres, obviously as short as she wants and the way the track's been playing it was always going to be hard for her, but yeah, she just can't run a bad race. I think she's still improving and we'll have a lot of fun with them.”

A $210,000 purchase by Dynamic Syndications from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, I Am Me now has 10 wins and five placings from 22 starts with earnings over $3.1 million. One of 108 stakes winner for her Champion Sire I Am Invincible, I Am Me is the only winner from four named foals for five-time winner Mefnooda (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).

Mefnooda is a half-sister to G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner One Last Dance (Encosta De Lago) and is a daughter of Group 3 winner One World (Danehill {USA}) who is a full sister to Group 2 winner Langoustine, from the family of Champion Sire Royal Academy.

Consistent Deep Field mare earns first black type success at The Valley

A Little Deep (Deep Field) achieved her first black-type success under a tactical steer from Jamie Kah in the Listed Chautauqua S. on Saturday, beating G1 Blue Diamond S. placegetter Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) by 1l. Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) was third.

“The team have done a great job managing her,” trainer Ciaron Maher said when speaking to Racing & Sport 927 AM. “Jack (Turnbull) and the crew and the owners have been very patient and hopefully they can pick their way through the spring now.”

The 5-year-old mare out of Laugh A Little (Lonhro) was a $250,000 purchase at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) and Maher. She has scored five times in nine starts, including consecutive placings in the Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic. Laugh A Little foaled a filly by boom Coolmore sire Justify (USA) late last month.

Laugh A Little is a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner Crack Me Up (Mossman) and Group 3 winner Hoofit (Mossman) and all three are out of Listed winner Chuckle (Danehill {USA}) who also ran second to Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago)’s dam Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter) in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Northern Eyes makes it four in succession with Randwick win

Trainer Kim Waugh has taken 4-year-old gelding Northern Eyes (Zoustar) through the grades since buying him in March this year, and on Saturday he won his first city race at Randwick to make it four in succession. Ridden by Tommy Berry, he sat just off the leader, one off the fence and quickened in the straight to win by 0.12l from the Nathan Doyle-trained Cheerful Legend (Shalaa {Ire}) and the John Sargent-trained 3-year-old filly Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

“He’s a lovely horse. When we bought him off Chris (Waller), they said he needed gelding which we did and gave him a little spell. He’s done super and he’s just turned into a lovely horse,” said Waugh. “He doesn’t normally win by far, which we saw again today, he likes to give you a bit of a heart attack, but he just keeps giving which is great. Today was a very good effort.”

Sold by Milburn Creek at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $1.25 million to Tom Magnier, Northern Eyes had six starts for trainer Chris Waller at two and three for three placings, before being sold to clients of Kim Waugh for $155,000 at the 2024 Inglis Digital sale in March. Northern Eyes has had five starts for Waugh’s stable for four wins with earnings over $168,000.

Zoustar is hot property with 19 $1 million-plus yearlings sold, and he has 57 stakes winners including eight at Group 1 level. Zoustar had a good day out of Randwick with 4-year-old mare Spring Lee winning the second on the card for trainer Bjorn Baker.

The first foal of G3 Gosford Belle of the Turf H. and Listed Weetwood H. winner Sexy Eyes (Written Tycoon) who won six races in total, with earnings over $390,000. Northern Eyes has an unraced 3-year-old full sister named All Eyes On Her who is with Chris Waller and trialled at two over the winter. All Eyes On Her was purchased by K Yoshida for $1 million from Milburn Creek at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, while Sexy Eyes has a 2-year-old filly by Farnan who Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $500,000. She has a yearling filly by Snitzel.

Sexy Eyes is a half-sister to Listed winner Tina Melina (Jet Spur) and to five-time winner Innishbeg (Lonhro) who is the dam of Group 3 winner Aspect (Pluck {USA}) and Listed winner Brown Ben (Big Brown {USA}).

Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

Tassort’s exciting G2 Furious S. quinella

Beaten first-up as favourite when third in the G2 Silver Shadow S., G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Manaal (Tassort) led home a quinella for her sire in the G2 Furious S. at Randwick and setting a race record to boot finishing the 1200 metres in 1:08:68. Ridden by Jason Collett for trainer Michael Freedman and owner Emirates Park, the field spread out wide at the bend with Manaal flying down the centre of the track with Ameena (Tassort) on her outside. With 50 metres to go, it looked like any of the six horses might win but Manaal was finishing faster and stronger than the rest to win by 0.14l over Ameena, ridden by James McDonald, for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. The Chris Waller-trained Lazzura (Snitzel) was third.

“It's a big relief as much as anything, because you always like to see those 2-year-olds that have had a good 2-year-old season come back and do it at three,” Michael Freedman said.

“I certainly wasn't disappointed with the run the other day. She was just a bit above herself in the parade beforehand and she was much, much better today. The 3kg pull in the weights made all the difference, and I think they're a fairly even bunch of fillies, so it sort of makes for an exciting Tea Rose. It was a bit more like the old Manaal, which was good to see.”

Manaal now has four wins and two placings from eight starts with earnings over $1.4 million and is one of 11 winners for Tassort’s first crop who are now 3-year-olds. She is the sole Group 1 winner to date, with Ameena being his other stakes winner.

Bred and raced by Emirates Park, Manaal is the third foal and third winner for Listed Monmouth Colleen S. winner Red Lodge (USA) (Midshipman {USA}), who is a half-sister to Listed winner Good Like Magic (USA) (Good Magic {USA}), and their dam is a daughter of Group 1 winner Memories Of Silver (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}) who produced dual Group 1 winner Winter Memories (USA) (El Prado {USA}) and three other stakes winners.

Alabama Lass makes G3 Gold Trail S. win look easy

Alabama Lass earned the first points in the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series of 2024/25 with a win in the G3 Gold Trail S. and in doing so, she became the second stakes winner from the first crop of Alabama Express.

Sent out to lead by jockey Sam Spratt, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass sprinted clear to win by 0.8l from the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained pair of Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel). Alabama Lass took her record to three wins from four starts, having won on debut at two then placing in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. She then won first-up at three two weeks ago as a lead in for Saturday’s Group win.

“She was brilliant, she got across easily from that outside gate and settled off the leader, and she’s kicked away,” Ken Kelso said.

“I don’t make decisions on race days, it’s a long season so we’ll get home and see how she gets over the trip. She’s a very good eater and her temperament has really improved this year from last year, so she’s a little dream to train.”

Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds, owned by Kim and Dale Alderton, sold Alabama Lass in their 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for $120,000 to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and co-trainer Ken Kelso.

Yulong’s Group 1-winning sire Alabama Express has had both his first two stakes winners in New Zealand; the other being Listed juvenile winner Discretion Rules, while he has five other stakes-placed horses in his first crop with the majority of them in Australia.

The sixth foal and sixth winner for winning mare Tabliope (Commands), Alabama Lass is a half-sister to Group 3-placed winner of five races Bad ‘N’ Bouj (Deep Field) and to Palladas (I Am Invincible) who won four races and ran fourth in both the G3 Fred Best Classic and Listed Magic Millions Cup. A half-sister to Group 3-placed winner Northern Glory (Northern Meteor), Tabliope’s second dam is G2 Silver Shadow S. winner Seika (Canny Lad), dam of Group 3 winner Clothilde (Danehill {USA}) and Listed winner Clown Master (Lonhro). Seika is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sports (Zeditave) and Group 3 winner Medals (Crown Jester).

Angel Capital comes from last to win Listed McKenzie S.

Clinton McDonald’s 3-year-old colt Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) returned to form in impressive fashion with a thrilling last-to-first victory in the Listed Mitchell McKenzie S. at The Valley. Ridden patiently by Ben Melham, Angel Capital was trailing at the turn but surged wide and powered home to win by 0.75l, defeating the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}). While the Ciaron Maher-trained Sargeant Major (NZ) (Proisir) secured third place.

A winner on debut at two back in April, Angel Capital ran mid-field in his next two starts, the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic and G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. Sent out for a short let-up, he resumed here to take his record to two wins from four starts with earnings over $163,000 and had originally been aimed at the G1 Caulfield Guineas but McDonald now wonders if he’s more of a sprinter than a miler.

“If that’s the case, then we can head back to the Coolmore Stakes as his main option,” McDonald said. “He’s still learning what it’s about and we’re still working out whether he’s going to be a sprinter or a middle-distance horse.

“I do have concerns, is he too brilliant to be a miler? He’s just got that electric turn of foot and for him to do that today against good opposition, it’s encouraging and he’s only going to get better. He’s a big horse and on this tight track we were a little bit worried about that, but Benny assured me he would get the job done, and he did.”

Angel Capital becomes the 15th stakes winner for Harry Angel (Ire), and the first from his second Australian crop. His other Southern Hemisphere stakes winners are Group 1 winner Tom Kitten, as well as Stretan Angel, Arkansaw Kid, and War Machine (NZ).

He joins the impressive graduate list for South Australian farm Mill Park Stud, who sold him to Upper Bloodstock for $400,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Angel Capital is the third stakes winner for G1 Schweppes Oaks-placed winner Bahamas (Teofilo {Ire}), with her earlier foals being G2 Moonee Valley Vase winner Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) and triple Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}).

Bahamas is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) and stakes-placed winner Exodus (Bernardini {USA}) and is a daughter of triple Listed winner St Trinians (Black Hawk {GB}). Bahamas has an unnamed 2-year-old full brother to Angel Capital and a yearling filly by Pinatubo (Ire).

Silmarillion breaks maiden in Listed Atlantic Jewel S.

Godolphin’s 3-year-old filly Silmarillion (Too Darn Hot {GB}) was sent out as favourite for the Listed Atlantic Jewel S. at The Valley despite never having won in her five starts leading into the race, but punters were on the money, and she scored under jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Four deep on the corner coming into the home straight, Silmarillion swung for home with plenty of speed and powered down the straight to win by 0.75l from the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Supercilious (Written Tycoon) with the Peter Snowden-trained Sakima (Snitzel) a further 0.5l back in third.

“Her run in Sydney was very good, obviously she had the run under her belt so she was pretty fit, but we’re very happy with the ride,” said Godolphin’s Melbourne manager Nacim Dilmi, who said they would look at the G1 Thousand Guineas for her. She had been dual nominated for the G2 Furious S. in Sydney and had been second last start in the G2 Silver Shadow S. splitting today’s G2 Furious quinella.

Named for the JRR Tolkien book, The Silmarillion, which was posthumously published by Tolkien’s son and is a collection of world building notes for the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, as well as the history of the Silmarils, Silmarillion is out of Yavanna (Redoute’s Choice), who is named for Yavanna Kementári, the Queen of Earth, in the Lord Of The Rings world.

Yavanna, the second mare by Redoute’s Choice to produce a stakes winner on Saturday after Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) won the G1 Tarzino Trophy in New Zealand earlier in the day, has been a fantastic mare for Godolphin. The winner of two races, including one at Caulfield, has produced six winners with five of them picking up black type. Her first foal Telperion (Street Cry {Ire}) won the Listed Lonhro Plate and placed in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and has sired two stakes winners. Her second foal, Kementari (Lonhro), won the G1 Randwick Guineas, and now Silmarillion is her third stakes winner. She has also produced stakes-placed winners Palurien (Reset) and Valaquenta (Street Boss {USA}).

Silmarillion becomes the 13th stakes winner for Too Darn Hot (GB), who is no longer shuttling to Australia. He has sired two stakes winners in Australia from his first crop, the other being dual Group 1 winner Broadsiding.

Super Seth adds new stakes winner with Poetic Champion’s Listed El Roca win

Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) had always shown ability, winning on debut at two, and the 3-year-old gelding put it all on show in Saturday’s Listed El Roca Trophy with a strong 2.3l win for jockey Matt Cartwright and trainer Tony Pike. Sent to the front early by Cartwright, he led by 3l with a furlong to go and only the fast-finishing Pam Gerard-trained Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) could make any in roads into the margin. The Hollie Wynyard-trained Full Force (Cosmic Force) was third.

“He’s just a really genuine racehorse and I’m rapt to see him back in winning form,” said Pike. “He’s bred and owned by Jonathan Munz, who also owned Super Seth, so it’s great to get him a stakes win with one of Super Seth’s progeny. He’s a really sharp horse, so I’m not too sure how much of a trip he’ll be able to run.

“We’ll bring him back for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas next, and his performance there will probably help us decide whether or not we carry on down to Riccarton. He might be more of a sprinter, and the heart probably says 1600 metres might not be his distance, but they can sometimes get away with it against their own age group at three. He’s eligible for the NZB Kiwi as well, so that’s another target that we can think about.”

A winner on debut over 950 metres as a pre-Christmas 2-year-old, Poetic Champion had been the first winner for Super Seth that day, and now he becomes his sire’s third stakes winner after Linebacker (NZ) and Super Photon (NZ). Bred and raced by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, Poetic Champion has now had seven starts for two wins, three placings and NZ$152,150 in stakes.

Super Seth is another stallion find for Waikato Stud, who also stand Savabeel the Champion Sire of the second-placed Savaglee, and the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner was crowned New Zealand’s Champion First Season Sire in 2023/24.

Poetic Champion, who was passed in as a yearling, is the second stakes horse for winning mare Regally Blonde (Royal Academy {USA}) with her other being stakes-placed winner Zaakhira (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of Rimaah (Saf) (Querari {Ger}) who placed in the Listed Breeders’ Guineas at three last season and has won twice in South Africa.

Regally Blonde is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner and successful sire Starspangledbanner, as well as to the stakes-placed winners Barood (Choisir) and Gold Chant (El Moxie {USA}), who is the dam of Group 1 winner Amicus (Fastnet Rock) and Listed winner Cheer Leader (Snitzel). Amicus is the dam of Group 3 winner Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Caulfield Guineas dream for Lindsay Park’s Evaporate

Winner of his previous two starts, Lindsay Park-trained 3-year-old gelding Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) made it three in-a-row with an impressive win over a mile in the first at The Valley on Saturday. He sprinted clear with 100 metres to go and won by 2.75l easing up for jockey Michael Dee. Second place went to the Mick Nolan-trained Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) with the Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson-trained Peru (Brazen Beau) in third.

“We’ll go to the Stutt Stakes and that’s the traditional lead-up race to the Caulfield Guineas, so the dreams alive at the moment. I think he’s an exciting horse going forward. He still has a little bit more improvement to come, so hopefully we can see that at his next couple of runs,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.

Fourth on debut at two in the G3 Chairman’s S. behind Coleman (Pierata), Evaporate placed twice in his first four starts, and now has put together three in succession for a career record of three wins from seven starts with earnings over $210,000. Sold by Sledmere Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $330,000, he was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing.

Per Incanto (USA), who stands at New Zealand’s Little Avondale Stud, has 29 stakes winners including seven at Group 1 level such as G1 Blue Diamond winner Little Brose and G1 Sprint Classic winner Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ).

Evaporate is the third foal and second winner for unraced mare Savanna (NZ) (Animal Kingdom {USA}) who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Belluci Babe (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), so it is hardly surprising that Savanna’s first three foals are by Per Incanto, making them three-quarter siblings to Belluci Babe. Savanna has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Bivouac who was sold by Little Avondale Stud for NZ$100,000 to Brewers’ Bloodstock at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. This family has crossed well with Per Incanto, also producing Listed winners Pure Incanto (NZ) and Magnum (NZ).

Simsala surprise wins set her on Guineas pathway

Cambridge Stud’s investment into Almanzor (Fr) looks well timed after his daughter Simsala (NZ) won the first at Ruakaka at odds for local trainer Kenny Rae. Simsala holds a nomination for the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas, to be held in November, and won by 0.8l at her third career start for jockey Ashvin Goindasamy. Simsala stuck to the rail to win from Our Blue Belle (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) and Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace).

Simsala was sold by Kiltannon Stables at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for NZ$25,000 to ML Barratt, who races the 3-year-old filly with Tania Patterson, and this win took her earnings to NZ$27,200 from three starts.

Champion 3YO Colt in Europe, Almanzor was a Listed winner at two and a triple Group 1 winner at three, and now is a successful stallion with 19 stakes winners led by Group 1 winners Circle Of Fire (GB) and Manzoice. His current crop of 3-year-olds includes last season’s Listed winner Nucleozor (NZ).

Simsala is the first winner for Majella Magic (I Am Invincible) who won three races including one at Ipswich, and she is from the family of Listed Silver Jubilee S. winner Jade Diva (Jade Robbery {USA}), dam of G3 WA Sires’ Produce S. winner Bliss Street (Flying Spur) and G3 Sweet Embrace S. winner Jade Marauder (Fastnet Rock).