Saturday summary: Maher and Brown strike again as Light Infantry Man marches to Northerly success

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Light Infantry Man clinches the Northerly for Maher

He came, he saw, he conquered - finishing 12th in the G1 Railway S. by 3.32l was just a practice run for Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) ahead of the G1 Northerly S. at Ascot on Saturday, the last of The Pinnacles races across the Ascot carnival. Ciaron Maher’s 6-year-old gelding took his lifetime earnings to over $2 million with a 0.69l victory in the 1800-metre contest over Jason Miller’s 5-year-old mare Admiration Express (My Admiration), who won the G3 Champion Fillies S. as a 3-year-old. Maher also trained third placegetter Socks Nation (Sioux Nation {USA}), who finished almost a length in front of the French import in the Railway.

Ethan Brown was in the driver’s seat, taking over from James McDonald who is currently riding in Hong Kong - Brown and Maher have hit a purple patch of form together recently, with Brown piloting Maher’s Nadal (Xtravagant {NZ}) to victory in the $1 million Meteorite and Another Prophet (Brazen Beau) to win the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield within the last three weeks. Saturday’s victory lands Brown his sixth career win at the highest level - a scenario that Brown describes as “unreal”.

“Things actually went to plan this time,” said Maher’s Head of Bloodstock, Will Bourne, who was on course for the victory. “His asset is a high cruising speed, and that’s what he used. The horse has done a very good job today, and Remi, who has looked after him for the last month has done an amazing job. I’ve never seen him so relaxed and glowing in the coat.

“Luckily we have a great ownership group supporting us - Ozzie Kheir, John O'Neill, Colin and Janice McKenna who has stayed in him. The ownership group that raced him overseas kept half. They have been very patient.”

Bred by Barbara Moser, proprietor of Haras du Long Champ, Light Infantry Man was purchased at the 2020 Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale by Ballinacurra Stud's George Mullins for €25,000 (AU$41,300). He was offered the following year at the Goffs UK Breeze Up Sale, where Blandford Bloodstock paid £82,000 (AU$163,500) for him.

Crowned Champion 3YO Miler in France, he was brought over to Australia to compete in the $10 million Golden Eagle, finishing sixth, and made the permanent move Down Under in 2023 after collecting more placings at the top level in Europe. The Northerly marks his first Group 1 win and his second victory in Australia after his win in the Listed Chester Manifold S. a month ago. Just last month, a five per cent share in him was offered through Inglis Digital as part of the Halo Racing Unreserved Reduction Sale, which Jack Pakis purchased for $50,000.

He is the best offspring of four-time winner Lights On Me (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), a half-sister to Listed Pontefract Pomfret S. winner Choose Your Moment (GB) (Choisir). Purchased by BBA Ireland for 330,000gns (AU$697,000) in foal to Lucky Vega (Ire) at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mares Sales, she was imported by Yulong Investments and produced a filly on Northern Hemisphere time. She was covered early this spring by Pierata.

Gallery: Image courtesy of Western Racepix

Bosson and Ladies Man gun down La Crique to claim G1 Mufhasa Classic

Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) has launched late to get up in the final strides and nail hot favourite La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) to claim G1 Mufhasa Classic (1600 metres) and hand champion jockey Opie Bosson his 99th Group 1 win at Trentham on Saturday.

It all appeared to all be going to script for top-class mare La Crique in the G1 Mufhasa Classic as the bonny mare peeled to the centre of the track entering the straight and strode to the front, quickly booting well clear of her rivals.

Just as it appeared the race was all but over, Bosson got to work on Ladies Man from well back in the field. The son of Zed (NZ) charged late to get up alongside the star mare and the pair locked horns, with Ladies Man taking the upper hand late under vigorous riding to win by a neck. The pair gapped Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who finished 3l back in third.

It was a triumphant comeback for Bosson who was just four rides back from a self-imposed two-month break for personal reasons.

“That’s 99 Group 1 wins now, and I probably should be up around 110 by now if I kept my life on track,” Bosson said. “But that’s life, isn’t it? It’s great to get this win today.

“Allan Sharrock is an amazing trainer, and the blinkers going on today made a big difference,” Bosson said. “Credit to La Crique, who really kicked again when I got to her. I thought I would go past her quite easily, but it turned into a tough battle.

“I was just trying to get a nice track into the race coming up to the turn. Puntura (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) was a little bit all over the place just in front of me, but I managed to get across his heels. Once we got balanced up at the top of the straight, I thought we were home easily until I saw La Crique kick again. But we got there in the end.

“I think 2000 metres is more his go, but he’s classy enough to perform like he did today over the mile.”

Trainer, Allan Sharrock will now point the 7-year-old towards the G1 Zabeel Classic (2000 metres) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day where he should be even more suited considering he took out the G1 Livamol Classic at 2040 metres last season.

“Opie’s ride was a 10 and a half out of 10 today,” Sharrock said. “He’s just so silky. It makes a big difference when you’ve got someone like him on in a Group 1 race. In a lot of my Group 1 wins, I’ve had guys like Opie, James (McDonald) and Leith (Innes) riding. You need those top jockeys.

“The blinkers seemed to spark the horse up a little bit today. I’ll wait and see whether I leave them on for the Zabeel. He seemed to travel generously in them today and didn’t overdo things.

“He’s a mile and a half horse really, but he’s just a proper horse. We’ll be going to the Zabeel Classic with a little bit of confidence now.”

Ladies Man was a NZ$60,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka purchase from the draft of breeders Grangewilliam Stud. He now has eight career wins and a further 14 placings, taking his earnings to just under $900,000.

Ladies Man is the second Group 1 winner from stakes-winning mare Just Polite (Dehere {USA}), being a half-brother to Sharrock’s G1 Auckland Cup (3200 metres) winner Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).

Grangewilliam Stud will offer a filly by Derryn (GB) from The Second Lady (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}), Lot 887, who is a half-sister to Ladies Man, at Karaka next year.

Babylon Berlin on track for G1 targets after all the way Concorde Stakes win

A big weight drop and a perfectly rated ride by Vinnie Colgan proved the difference for Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) in the G3 Concorde S. at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Trained by Ben and Ryan Foote, Babylon Berlin was ridden aggressively from the gates to take up the lead under her light weight of 54kg, with Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) settling on her outside and race favourite Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) stalking throughout in the box seat. Into the straight the challengers began to come thick and fast with Crocetti winding up ominously down the middle of the track however Babylon Berlin found a good kick in the final furlong, holding off a late finishing burst from Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) to win by 0.3l with Crocetti battling away for third.

It was Babylon Berlin’s second win in the race after tacking out the black-type fixture in 2022 and gave co-trainer Ben Foote hope the 7-year-old can finally breakthrough in Group 1 grade after several runner-up finishes.

“It was really satisfying to be honest. It was a super ride by Vinnie, he really rated her well. We knew coming into this race she loves Ellerslie, and it was set weights and penalties, everything suited. I’m over the moon,” Foote said.

“Obviously, there is still improvement there, but we were super happy. We thought she was going to be a good winning chance. She has been a grand old mare, but it would be great if we could get that Group 1 win.

“We will probably look at the Telegraph and obviously the Railway is going to be our main target. As I’ve always said, she loves racing, and she loves the sun on her. She seems to thrive, so as long as she’s happy we will keep going.”

The daughter of All Too Hard has already placed twice in the Ellerslie feature and success at the highest level would be a richly deserved reward for the 7-year-old who has now won 10 races and over $700,000 in prizemoney.

Babylon Berlin is out of You Can't Say That (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Darci Be Good (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

It was the 71st stakes success for Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard who stands at a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).

Sethito impressive again in G3 Bonecrusher

The addition of blinkers has proved a masterstroke by Lance O'sullivan and Andrew Scott with Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) backing up her sensational maiden win to take out the G3 Bonecrusher S. at Ellerslie on Saturday.

O’Sullivan and Scott elected to apply the blinkers last start and the result was a 6l romp at Rotorua. With the blinkers applied once again the daughter of Super Seth continued her meteoric rise with a valuable black-type win.

Sethito jumped well to land in second spot trailing the front-running Midnight Edition (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}). Given a shake of the reigns by Sam Spratt, Sethito quickly took control at the top of the straight and raced clear for a dominant 1l victory over stablemate Prosegur (NZ) (Proisir) who worked home strongly for second.

“That’s a very satisfying result,” O’Sullivan said. “All of our staff have done a wonderful job with all the 3-year-olds this season.

“It’s hard trying to watch all of the five in one race, but certainly those two most prominent ones have put their hands up today.

“Sethito was Andrew’s first pick of the lot in this race, while I might have been favouring the runner-up. But Sethito grew another leg when we put the blinkers on for the first time last start. She had to step up again today, and she’s certainly done that.

“We’ll talk to Garry Chittick and the Waikato Stud team about what we do next, but you’d think the Eight Carat here on Boxing Day might be the natural progression.”

Also, eligible for the slot race the NZ$3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500 metres), Sethito is sure to catch the eye of slot holders with only 12 spots remaining for the Southern Hemisphere's richest 3-year-old race at Ellerslie in March next year.

Sethito became the first stakes winner of four foals to race from dual Group 1 winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), who won both the G1 Futurity S. and the CF Orr S.

She is also the fourth stakes winner for Waikato Stud’s Super Seth, joining the ranks of Linebacker (NZ), Poetic Champion (NZ), and Super Photon (NZ). Additionally, Super Seth is the sire of Feroce (NZ), who finished as the runner-up in this season's G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600 metres).

Last season, Super Seth was recognized as New Zealand's Champion First Season Sire and stands at Waikato Stud for a fee of NZ$45,000 (plus GST).

Berkeley Square storms to popular local victory in Ballarat Cup

Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) has stormed to victory under stable apprentice Jaylah Kennedy to provide local trainer Dan O’Sullivan with his first win in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000 metres).

A popular result on track, Berkeley Square didn’t seem in contention until the final 100 metres, finishing powerfully down the outside from well back in the field to defeat Lady In Pink (Pariah) by 0.3l, with frontrunner Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) fighting on bravely to be a head away third.

It was an emotional win for apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy with the victory being her first at Group or Listed level, on a horse she wasn’t initially supposed to be riding. Kennedy had ridden Berkeley Square in his first six runs this campaign, including two wins at open level. However, it was Luke Nolan that was booked to ride in the Listed feature. He was unable to fulfill his commitments due to a fall at Geelong on Thursday, with Kennedy making the most of the opportunity, producing a well-timed run.

“I couldn't believe it, to be honest. I'm just so lucky to be in the position that I am, and this horse. This horse has taken me on such a journey over the spring,” Kennedy said.

“When I wanted him to come back, he'd come straight back to me, and that's what he did, and from then on, we followed the right horses. The gap opened up. And God, he's just so good over 2000 metres.

“He's just so easy to deal with at home. He's got the biggest personality… he's very cuddly. I just love him. He's like a big teddy bear."

Berkeley Square had placed at Group level at his past four starts, most recently when third in the G2 Zipping Classic (2400 metres) last Saturday, but O’Sullivan said he backed his judgement and the horse to turn around seven days later and perform to his best.

“Just bloody brilliant. For lots of reasons, just for the horse, for Jaylah. A lot of support here today. We backed the horse, we backed ourselves, we backed him up. And he got the job done,” O'Sullivan said.

"He's a machine. He's sound. He tries every time. He doesn't look like he's going fast but he's got a massive stride on him. And a big thrill for my team back home. All the team at home, they do all the hard work… he's a big horse, a bit clumsy at times, and this girl's done a great job riding work.”

O’Sullivan indicated that 2000 metres is Berkeley Square’s most favoured distance, but they will think about entering the Pakenham Cup, which is 2400 metres, in two weeks.

“I’m not saying he won’t get 2400 metres, but we will concentrate on today for the moment,” he said.

A homebred for David Peacock and partners, Berkley Square is the third stakes winner from stakes-placed mare Bahamas (Teofilo ({Ire}), making him a half-brother to multiple Group 3 winner Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}) and G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Bahamas has a 2-year-old filly by Frosted (USA) named Another You and a weanling colt by Harry Angel.

The daughter of Teofilo recently foaled a colt by Blue Point (Ire).

Golden Boom continues Gollan dominance of Bribie Handicap

Tony Gollan celebrated a remarkable third consecutive victory in the Listed Bribie H. at Eagle Farm on Saturday, thanks to Golden Boom (Spirit of Boom).

After previously having trained All That Pizzazz (Spirit of Boom) and Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock) to victory in the past two editions of the race, Gollan was odds-on to make it three Bribie H.’s in a row, especially considering he saddled up half the field.

The champion trainer did not disappoint with two of his top contenders, Golden Boom and Zarastro (I Am Invincible), fighting out the finish. Ultimately, it was Golden Boom who triumphed by a head in a good battle to the line, with jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor keeping the horse in a comfortable rhythm despite being posted wide without cover from barrier 11.

According to stable representative Craig Cavanough, it was Wilson-Taylor’s ride that was the deciding factor.

“He's a horse who you just get into a rhythm and have him breathing properly,” Cavanough said.

“He is one of those horses that can choke down. If you've got him breathing right, as you would have seen in Melbourne when Blake (Shinn) rode him and he just got beaten in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley, he had him in the right sort of rhythm and he kept on finding.”

The 5-year-old gelding now boasts six wins from 16 starts, with Saturday's win marking his third at the black-type level.

Golden Boom was bred by Asco International and sold for $150,000 to Archer Park Racing from the Element Hill draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is the best of two foals from Golden Falls (Encosta De Lago) who is a full sister to Dane De Lago (Encosta De Lago), a South African Group 2 winner, and is out of The Golden Dane (Danehill {USA}), who won the Listed Reginald Allen H. and placed in the G1 Flight S. Unfortunately, Golden Falls passed away in 2020.

Meanwhile, Cavanough expressed optimism for the runner-up, Zarastro who was making his return after a strong performance behind Group 1 runner-up Right to Party (Zoustar) at Flemington in August.

“He will improve big time from this, especially when they step up to six furlongs,” he said.

“Two very nice runs by two very, very nice horses.”

The Inflictor earns Stradbroke ticket in The Gateway

Little-known trainer Craig Cousins has secured a coveted spot in the G1 Stradbroke H. after The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) stormed past his more fancied rivals in The Gateway (1400 metres) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

With just two horses in his stable, an emotional Cousins celebrated as The Inflictor delivered back-to-back victories at long odds, fending off all challengers to clinch the $300,000 Stradbroke H. qualifier.

“I couldn’t see him getting beat today,” Cousins said.

“He had done so well since Doomben. Cejay rode him an absolute treat and the rest is history. I’m just so proud of everyone that has helped me out. It’s a great day; it’s a great win.

“It is probably the biggest day of my life.”

The Inflictor jumped well to land in second position for Cejay Graham who stalked Tony Gollan’s Torabella (Toronado {Ire}), before driving to the front with a furlong to go and grimly fighting off the late challenges of Blazing Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Addriel (Harry Angel {Ire}) to win by 0.39l.

Despite his elation over the victory, Cousins admitted he believes The Inflictor may not be a strong winning chance in the Stradbroke Handicap. However, he remains optimistic about the possibility of striking a Stradbroke slot deal, allowing connections to trade the horse for another contender.

“I know this horse is in the Stradbroke now, I’m a realist though, but it’s a good problem to have,” Cousin said.

“He tries, he has a go. He’s just a pleasure to have around home. He is just a beautiful horse to do anything with. I just thought, you’re too quiet - you won’t be able to gallop but he just tries his heart out. I couldn’t be happier. Everyone who has been connected with this horse I’d like to thank - the owners – everyone for entrusting me with him. I’m led to believe it’s a slot race; I don’t know if that’s true or false.”

The Inflictor took his record to five wins from 17 starts and his earnings to almost $400,000.

The Inflictor is the sole winner from two to race from winning mare Zietta (Bernardini {USA}). His grandam Sharna Myst (Lion Hunter) was stakes-placed in the Ottawa S.