Three-year-old summary: Perspiration nips Gatsby at the wire for Heritage Stakes upset

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Perspiration rewarded for hard toil in Heritage Stakes

Perspiration’s (Too Darn Hot {GB}) explosive dash inside the final 100 metres was too good for the rest, the colt saluting in the Listed Heritage S. (1100 metres).

Ikasara (I Am Invincible) led by a length at the turn, before apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd bided his time to pounce late in the $200,000 sprint.

Purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $270,000 from Rosari Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Perspiration finished sixth of seven last start in a very strong G3 San Domenico S. field at his previous outing.

Bred by the Nolan family, he is the 14th stakes winner for his sire (his third in Australia), Too Darn Hot (GB), who enjoyed a good day as did the Dubawi (Ire) sire line.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

A full sister to Perspiration arrived in mid-August; the fourth live foal for the five-time winner Latitude (Casino Prince). Missing and slipping at her two previous seasons, she is a half-sister to the Listed Mode Plate winner Sugar Boom (Spirit Of Boom).

Ndola puts hand up for Caulfield Guineas

Lindsay Park trainers Will, Ben and JD Hayes are “seriously considering” sending Ndola (Justify {USA}) to the Caulfield Guineas after his 1l triumph in the $150,000 Race 2 for colts and geldings over 1400 metres at Sandown.

It was an impressive third win from five starts, after jockey Luke Currie had him within a length of the lead at the 400-metre mark, crossing the line in 1:23.27s.

Ndola got into an absorbing battle with Sugar Coat (Exceedance) on the straight, before Ndola was too strong late.

Winning trainer Ben Hayes said his 3-year-old - by American Hall of Famer Justify (USA) - would now come into strong consideration for the Caulfied Guineas on October 12.

“I think he’s put his hand up now – if he pulls up well, we’ll seriously consider heading to the Caulfield Guineas,” he said.

“He’s always shown good ability at home; he’s a lovely big strong powerful horse. He hasn’t had the perfect prep, but he’s got more improvement to come, which is the exciting thing about him.”

Justify’s oldest foals are 4-year-olds, and he has an impressive 34 stakes winners with his best in Australia being Group 2 winners Learning To Fly and Storm Boy.

Bred by Peter Devitt, Ndola wasn’t offered at auction.

He is the third foal and third winner for G3 Thoroughbred Club S. winner Hear The Chant (Nicconi) who is out of a winning More Than Ready (USA) half-sister to the Group 1-placed winner Star Karen (Camelot {GB}).

Aldolfito looking good for Caulfield Cup Day

Aldolfito (Fastnet Rock) showed he is ready to compete well in a Listed race on Caulfield Cup Day after his 0.15l win in Race 5 for 3-year-olds over 1000 metres at Sandown.

After an impressive triumph at Flemington on debut on July 6, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained gelding was back to his winning ways in his second start for owners Ron and Judy Wanless.

“He’s doing a really good job. He probably goes to Caulfield on Cup Day for a nice little Listed race there, and a big thanks to Ron and Judy Wanless who are big supporters of our stable and have been for a long time,” co-trainer Katherine Coleman said.

“He seems to be pretty kind to himself in the races and travels quite sweetly, so that’ll be something. He’s only lightly-raced and still learning his craft, so we’ll just take it run by run.”

Bred by Glentree Pastoral, Aldolfito was purchased for $600,000 by Curran Bloodstock from Vinery Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His city-winning dam Madame Lily (More Than Ready {USA}) was not served last spring after foaling a filly by Pierro. Her 2-year-old Pulpit Rock (Fastnet Rock) is a member of the Grahame Begg stable, retained by Glentree.

Madame Lily is a daughter of the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}) whose dam is the G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning successful matriarch Bint Marscay (Marscay).

Fastnet Rock has sired 194 stakes winners.

Treasurethe Moment salutes at Sandown

In Race 1 for 3-year-old fillies at Sandown, Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) saluted in 1:24.76s over 1400 metres.

It was her second win in four starts for Matt Laurie, prevailing by 1.25l with Beau Mertens aboard.

Treasurethe Moment is by Yulong sire Alabama Express, and she has a strong international pedigree with her page full of influential stallions including Redoute’s Choice, Encosta De Lago, Mr Prospector (USA) and Street Cry (Ire), Sadler’s Wells (USA) and Invincible Spirit (Ire).

Her dam Draconic Treasure (USA) was a winner in America.

Deeper into the pedigree are some true stars of the turf, including Rich Tapestry (Ire) who won the G1 Sprint Championship S., Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) who was the G1 Melbourne Cup victor and Refuse To Bend (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) who was the Champion Miler in Ireland and a four-time Group 1 winner.

War Decree 2YO wins at Riccarton

The excitement was palpable at Riccarton Park as 2-year-old filly Eliza James (NZ) (War Decree {USA}), made her impressive debut. From the moment she stepped onto the track, it was clear that she was in a league of her own. Trained by the experienced Kenny Rae, Eliza James showcased remarkable talent and composure, setting the stage for what promises to be a bright future in racing.

Jockey Jasmine Fawcett expertly guided Eliza James through the race, allowing the filly to find her stride and showcase her exceptional speed. As they approached the final stretch, it became evident that Eliza James had the race well in hand, leaving her competitors in her wake.

“She is an easy horse to train although a wee bit flighty,” Rae noted.

“She got taken on and it was like she was sitting there saying, ‘what the hell are you doing to the other one?’

“Her breeder, Peter Bell, asked me if I wanted a share in her, and I considered whether I wanted another horse but ended up taking ten percent. After I had ridden her a couple of times in trackwork, I asked him what was left, and he said there was still ten percent, so I took that too.

“She will stay down here until November now (for the New Zealand Cup Carnival) and might even become a permanent Cantabrian.”

Fawcett shared her enthusiasm for Eliza James's performance, predicting even greater things to come.

“She is a classy little horse, and I was quite confident heading into today,” she remarked.

“In her trial, she ran home in 48s, but today it was 45s, so there was massive improvement there.

“She shied a little at the winning post, and a little bit further will be ideal (for her) as well.”

Bred by part-owner Peter Bell, who races her alongside a group of friends including Rae, Eliza James is out of the four-time winner Eva James (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) and comes from an extended family that includes G1 Hong Kong Champions Mile winner Sight Winner (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}).