Three-year-old summary: Switzerland solidifies stallion credentials in the Coolmore

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Blueblood boy becomes a man in the Coolmore

Blueblooded Switzerland (Snitzel) repaid Coolmore Stud’s faith in him with a rousing 2.75l demolition of the Flemington field in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. on Saturday. The first foal of North American stakes winner Ms Bad Behavior (Can) (Blame {USA}) improved off of his last start win in the G2 Roman Consul S. to hand trainer Chris Waller his sixth Coolmore, and with it, James McDonald claimed his 101st Group 1 victory. It was also a remarkable 21st Group 1 winner for Snitzel as a sire.

The only two fillies in the race, Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) came second and Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) dead-heated with Growing Empire (Zoustar) for third.

“This race was always the target. Missing The Everest was the way to go,” McDonald added when speaking to Nine’s Wide World Of Sports, recalling the brief period of time where it seemed Switzerland would take the spot of Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) in the feature sprint. “He’s a lovely colt. A pleasure to ride.”

Back to scale, he continued his praise to Racing.com.

“He's got a lot of talent, he's got well above average ability, he's got an absolutely brilliant demeanour,” McDonald said. “He's got an incredible turn of foot, and he can sustain it for a long time. He's got all the attributes to be a top sprinter.

“There are two races here in the autumn that have got a big circle around (for) him. He'll thicken up, he'll develop, he'll get stronger and better. He's a beauty.”

Waller praised the team that has assisted in returning the colt to his peak, and hinted that an overseas campaign may be on the cards in the future.

“He’s a young teenager, he’s finding his way,” he said. “He became a man last start, I thought, with a dominant win and the writing was on the wall that a Group 1 wasn’t far away. To win a stallion-making race like this, it’s a big deal.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“This race, this week, has so many great stories. But for the colts, this is the race you need to win, so I’m privileged to be training these types of horses because I didn’t get them when I started, but now it’s a privilege.

“I could see he jumped well, he settled well, James was just sitting on it quietly and that was the pre-race plan. Be where he’s comfortable. It was as simple as that.

“The beauty of winning a Group 1 race (is) it takes a little bit of pressure off. We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.”

Coolmore paid $1,500,000 for the son of G3 Ladies Turf S.-winning Ms Bad Behavior when his breeders Arrowfield Stud presented him at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year. The daughter of dual Listed stakes winner Cumulonimble (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}) is a half-sister to Listed winners One Bad Boy (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) and Blessed Truly (USA) (Souper Speedy {USA}). TFI bought Switzerland’s full brother at the same sale this year for $550,000, and the mare has since produced two further full brothers by Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire.

Goldrush and Gluyas taking the Derby back over the border

Sixteen years after his father-in-law Leon MacDonald prepared Rebel Raider to win the last G1 Victoria Derby for South Australia, Andrew Gluyas crossed the border with his own raider to win with Goldrush Guru (American Pharaoh {USA}). Seven years ago, Gluyas and MacDonald guided his dam Glam Guru (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) to second in the G2 Wakeful S. on the same day. The 3-year-old colt was strong to the line, putting 1.5l on runner-up Scary (NZ) (Shocking).

Jamie Kah was on board the colt, after being hit in the face by her mount in race 5 that ended in a late scratching. She was cleared to race ahead of her ride in the Coolmore.

“It means everything to us,” Kah said. “Obviously, we love riding Group 1 winners, but it just makes it so much more special when it's for some fantastic people like Andrew (Gluyas). I used to ride for him. I rode some shockers back in the day for them, so it was nice to repay them on the big stage on Derby Day.

“My plan was to get back on him. Couldn't hold him early. I was going to be wide and somehow found a little gap to slot into. Once I found the gap, he just fell asleep and gave me a beautiful run throughout. He won it a long way out and wanted to keep going.

“They've trained this horse to perfection, he looked good winning in Adelaide, but obviously the class is a bit different. I didn't know how he was going to measure up, but they've done a good job.”

Gluyas was effusive in his praise for both jockey and horse, who have delivered his first Group 1 winner as a solo trainer. Up until last year, Gluyas trained in partnership with MacDonald.

“I’m speechless,” he said. “Overwhelmed. Proud. Satisfied. Great moment.”

“She (Kah) said she may have broken her nose, so she's shown amazing courage to get back out there, hasn't she. And she's ridden the perfect race as well. I think she rode her first black-type race for us. I'm not sure what that was. But anyway, credit to her. Well done.

“At home, we talk about coming here and winning Derbies and races like this, and to pull it off and get the win is really pleasing. When we prepare them and you get a good result like this, it's great that we can talk about Goldrush Guru again.”

Goldrush Guru is a homebred for the Guru Breeding Syndicate, who have bred several stakes winners descending from foundational mare Proud Halo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}). Dam Glam Guru is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Gamblin’ Guru (New Approach {Ire}) and G3 Lord Reims S. placegetter Gossip Guru (Reset), dam of G3 South Australia Fillies Classic-placed Gotta Go Guru (Fiorente {Ire}). Her dam Glory Guru (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) is a half-sister to four stakes performers, led by Champion 3YO Gold Guru (Geiger Counter {USA}).

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Glam Guru awaits a foal by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) this spring. Goldrush Guru becomes the ninth Group 1 winner for his sire, and only the second to strike at the top level in Australia after Riff Rocket, who was also last year’s winner.

Harry Perks, a lead member of the Guru Breeding Syndicate, also bred Rebel Raider under the banner of Toorak Park Stud. He was on course to watch the latest star from his breeding syndicate take out the 2500-metre Group 1 race.

“It's lovely to be back here,” he said. “I race this colt with these guys, and we just keep breeding from the family and a good one keeps coming along.”

A moment to treasure for Alabama Express and Laurie

A new stakes winner for Alabama Express emerged victorious in the G2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, when his 3-year-old daughter Treasurethe Moment wound up just ahead of the 200-metre mark and strode clear to a 1.75l win over Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). The Matt Laurie trainee was having only her sixth start, and recorded her third straight win for the preparation, stepping up from BM70 grade over the mile last start.

The G1 VRC Oaks beckons next for the filly and her Mornington-based trainer.

“If she's recovered well, then we'll be here,” Laurie said. “She's out of a Street Cry mare and there's a bit of staying bloodline, further down the page. If you are trying to purchase a stayer, this horse, (the way she) paraded as a yearling, she screams that. Her work last weekend suggested she was more than up to this as a company.

“It’s great to win for Yulong. They've been really supportive of me, and I can't wait till next week.”

Damien Oliver was also keen to see the filly return for the Oaks.

“On how she went today, I think she can (go there),” he said post-race. “She ran right to the line, so hopefully that indicates she's going to run the trip. If we have quick ground, I think that's going to suit her.

“She really enjoyed that firm ground. Hopefully she comes through the run well and can go on the Oaks.”

A homebred for Yulong Investments, Treasurethe Moment is the third foal from Draconic Treasure (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}), who was purchased at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for US$320,000 ($488,000) by BBA (Ireland) and Yulong. A winner at 1650 metres in her home country, she is a half-sister to Listed placed Glowsity (USA) (Bodemeister {USA}) and Hazy Morning (USA) (Curlin {USA}), dam of dual Listed winner Bella Mia (Per) (Yazamaan {GB}). Notably the family features 2003 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {USA}).

Treasurethe Moment is the last foal from her dam, who passed away in 2022 while in foal to Written Tycoon. She becomes the third individual stakes winner for her Yulong Stud-based sire.

Thousand Guineas next for Castelvecchio's Carbine Club victress

The lightly raced Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) prevailed in the G3 Carbine Club S. on Saturday, extending her black type credentials after winning the Listed Reginald Allen Quality two weeks ago. The 3-year-old filly put 3.5l on runner-up over Another Prophet (Brazen Beau) around the Flemington mile to make it three wins from five starts. Race favourite Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) put in a strong performance to finish third.

“She’s a talented filly, she won well in Sydney last time, and she’s brought that Sydney form today,” Chris Waller said of the promising filly. “(Next assignment is) Thousand Guineas in two weeks’ time, a Group 1 race for her own sex.

“Today she’s beaten the boys, so she’ll go back and face the girls. It’s a good process to try and get a horse up in the grade each time they race, and she’s made that right step today.

“It’s a fantastic change to the program. It allows us to give horses a bit more time and lets the young stars come through, and she’ll be there too.”

Jockey James McDonald was equally rapt in the performance, “Brilliant performance, and she’s a promising filly. She executed well and she came with a well-timed run and was too good. She actually sprung the lids beautifully, so she could have easily taken up a more prominent position, but I took her back and then chimed in and she was way too good.

“She’s done plenty of work (running counterclockwise) at home. We galloped her and she went really well. The most pleasing part (is) she handled a Good 4, so she just doesn’t need soft ground.

“She’s got a long way to go to meet Fangirl but she’s well on her way!”

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Bred by Nearco Stud and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, Aeliana was a NZ$180,000 purchase for Star Thoroughbreds at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. She is the sole runner to date from Temolie (Star Witness), a half-sister to G1 Tattersall’s Tiara victress Invincibella, G3 JRA Cup winner Secret Blaze (Sizzling), and Listed Gothic S. winner Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice). Temolie has two fillies by Proisir to follow, and expects a third foal by the Rich Hill Stud resident this spring. Arrowfield Stud’s Castelvecchio continues his purple patch of form in the last month, with Aeliana delivering a fifth stakes win for his progeny.

Tough run Vanity brings Zeitung out on top

Zeitung (Exceed And Excel) chalked up an all-important first black type win the G3 Vanity S. at Flemington on Saturday. The 3-year-old filly fought off Matisse (Microphone) to score victory by 1.25l for James Cummings and Godolphin, under an expert steer from Mark Zahra. She had finished second in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude two weeks ago behind Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), after two unlucky fourth placings in Randwick’s G2 Furious S. and G3 Champagne S. at Moonee Valley.

“She’s been really going well this preparation and it’s great to see that, even though she stepped slow and was a little further back than Mark Zahra would have liked,” Cummings said. “She’s run on well from back before and she was able to storm her way into the clear, run on resolutely down the outside, and a Group 2 win to her page is enormous.

“We’re only a few weeks away from the Thousand Guineas, we’d have to give that good consideration with this beautiful filly. That’s a great start for our team at Melbourne Cup week.

“We held her back from stepping up to seven furlongs for quite a while and we stepped up last time, she had the wide draw, and she settled wide throughout, but she was very game there.

“We met the (last start) winner (Too Darn Lizzie) two and a half kilos better today so Mark Zarha took over, he’s one of Melbourne’s leading jockeys and he did a beautiful job.”

“She had a bit of a tough run over the 1400 (metres) the other day, so it put her in good stead today,” Zahra said. “I had to be tough for the last sort of 100 (metres), and she was.”

Zeitung, whose name means “newspaper” in German, is the second foal from unraced Sharmadal (USA) mare News Story (Ire), a daughter of G1 Coronation S. placegetter Irish History (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Also fourth in the G1 Falmouth S., Irish History is a three-quarter sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner Echo Of Light (Ire) (Dubai Millenium {GB}) and a half-sister to dual Listed winner Akarem (Ire) (Kingmambo {Ire}).

News Story has a 2-year-old filly by Lonhro, named Events, and a yearling colt by Bivouac. This spring, she produced a colt by Kermadec (NZ). Champion Sire Exceed And Excel was pensioned from stud duties in March of this year, retiring as the sire of 218 stakes winners to date.

Dreams Fulfilled delivers double for Gluyas

Dreams Fulfilled (Shalaa {Ire}) gave trainer Andrew Gluyas an interstate double when the 3-year-old gelding captured his second win in five starts at Morphettville on Saturday, an hour and a half before Goldrush Guru would win the Derby. The gelding held off Dyer (Zousain) to score by 0.1l. Debuting in April, he returned a better furnished individual in September to score first up at Murray Bridge.

Bred by Thompson Creek Thoroughbreds, Dreams Fulfilled was originally offered by Hollylodge Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Great Southern Sale as a weanling, where Devcich Bloodstock paid $60,000 for him. He was re-offered at the following Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale through the draft of Henley Park, and Macdonald Gluyas Racing picked him up for $50,000.

Dam Fairytale Ending (Redoute’s Choice) is an unraced daughter of G2 Rose of Kingston S. winner Vormista (Testa Rossa), making her a full sister to G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Reemah and half-sister to HK$10,058,000 (AU$1.9 million) earner Californiadeepshot (Deep Field). She has a 2-year-old by Russian Camelot (Ire) and a yearling by Trapeze Artist to follow and was covered by Sejardan last spring. Champion 2YO in Great Britain and France Shalaa (Ire) resides at Wood Park Stud, where he stands for $19,800 (inc GST).

Well-bred filly banks maiden victory on the Gold Coast

Well-related Bank Book (Written Tycoon) posted her maiden victory at start four, winning the second event at Aquis Park Gold Coast for Stuart Kendrick. Fifth on debut in the $500,000 The Debut 2YO Fillies Plate behind Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), the 3-year-old justified her pre-race favouritism on Saturday when she skipped away to score by 3l.

Bank Book was a $120,000 purchase for Kendrick Racing from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, who offered her on behalf of breeders Arrowfield Pastoral and Belford Productions. She is the third foal of Banksia (Redoute’s Choice), making her a half-sister to G2 Alister Clark S. winner Bank Maur (Maurice {Jpn}) and Listed Oxlade S. winner Namesake (Maurice {Jpn}), and is a product of the single season that her sire stood at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley, before taking up residence at Yulong Stud in Victoria.

Banksia is a daughter of Listed Anoakia S. runner-up Forest Native (USA) (Forest Wildcat {USA}), making her a half-sister to sire Foxwedge and Listed Rosebud H.-winning She’s A Fox (Fastnet Rock), as well as Paulownia (Fastnet Rock), dam of Listed Jim Moloney S. winner Lilac (Justify {USA}). She foaled a colt by Japan's Champion 2YO Colt Admire Mars (Jpn) last year, before being covered by fellow shuttler Maurice (Jpn).