Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Golden Slipper dream alive for Shaggy after Pierro Plate
After securing a maiden victory at Coffs Harbour on debut just two starts ago, Shaggy (Sandbar) achieved a spectacular win in the Pierro Plate (1100 metres) at Randwick on Saturday, igniting Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe's hopes of winning the prestigious G1 Golden Slipper (1200 metres).
The Kooringal Stud homebred, who is by their first-season sire Sandbar, had shown plenty of talent in his two prior career starts, winning by a combined 8.21l at Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast, but few could have predicted his dominance when taking a giant leap in grade to the Pierro Plate at Randwick which boasted a number of highly touted Golden Slipper fancies including race favourite Pallaton (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Shaggy exploded from the gates to lead the Pierro Plate field comfortably, before racing clear under soft riding by jockey Adam Hyeronimus for a dominant 2.23l victory from the fast-finishing Comedy (Snitzel), with first starter Skyhook (Written Tycoon) finishing a further 0.43l back in third. In a disappointing performance, Pallaton only battled away for fourth after stalking the winner throughout.
“I thought I could have won the Breeder’s Plate with him,” an emotional Kehoe said.
“But I just wasn’t happy with him so I thought I’d just give him a month. We did the right thing and put him away and now he’s back.
Allan Kehoe after Shaggy won the Pierro Plate | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“When I saw Pallaton coming, I thought, we are going to run a good second here but he just finds. As James (Orman) and Aaron (Bullock) says, he absorbs pressure. Aaron Bullock, he’s no fool – I love Aaron, and he said to me last week, he’s the best 2-year-old I’ve ridden and you’ll win a Group 1 with him, and he might be right!
“I had a chill up the spine, I could have done a nude run I was that excited!”
Kehoe had initially planned to set Shaggy for the $200,000 Wellington Boot but now has his sights firmly set on the $5m Golden Slipper on March 22.
“I had a chill up the spine, I could have done a nude run I was that excited.” - Allan Kehoe
“We all dream of winning a Golden Slipper so we will go that way at the moment,” Kehoe said.
“We’ll go to the Todman in a fortnight and then we will go from there, he will tell us.”
Kooringal bred Shaggy and had him entered for last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, however he was a withdrawal and now races for his breeders.
Shaggy is a half-brother to stakes performer Panzdown (Panzer Division) and is the fifth winner from six to race from Moonrush (Encosta de Lago), who is a full-sister to South African stakes winning mare Purely Atomic (Encosta de Lago).
His half-sister by Exceedance sold at this year’s Inglis Classic Sale for $60,000 to Kris Lees Racing and Bahen Bloodstock.
Shaggy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sandbar retired to Kooringal as a stakes winner at two and three, and also finished 1.5l behind The Autumn Sun in the Group 1 Golden Rose.
He stood the 2024 season at a fee of $8,800 (Inc GST).
La Dorada continues winning run in G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes
La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) followed up her impressive win in the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO last month with a determined performance to secure victory in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200 metres) on Saturday.
Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the daughter of Super Seth was well-fancied to perform well and did nothing to disappoint. After crossing to the rail and taking the lead shortly after the start from an outside gate, La Dorada was always going to prove difficult to pass.
Under the guidance of jockey Michael McNab, who had already claimed victory in the G3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on stablemate Return To Conquer, La Dorada maintained a comfortable pace with To Cap It All (Capitalist) settling on her outside. The two engaged in a thrilling duel down the home stretch, with La Dorada finding an extra gear in the final stages to win by 0.5l, while another Te Akau Racing entry, Born To Be Royal (King’s Legacy), finished a further 3.3l back in third.
“What she lacks in size she makes up in toughness as she is just the ultimate racehorse,” Bergerson said.
“What she (La Dorada) lacks in size she makes up in toughness as she is just the ultimate racehorse.” Sam Bergerson
“She has gone to the next level since her Karaka Million win as we gave her a quiet week after that and she came back and hasn’t missed a beat.
“She paraded fantastic and she has the little bit of grit and sassiness that gives her the edge and when the other one went up to her, she was really game.
“He (McNab) got away with a cheap sectional down the back and that was the winning of the race.
“We had it mapped that we were going to be outside the leader but he used his initiative and took up the running and the filly was very game late.”
McNab was pleased to see just how resilient his horse proved to be in the finish.
La Dorada (NZ) winning the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She (La Dorada) is as tough as anything and she was never going to let the other horse get past her,” he said.
“The second horse is a really good one and we probably fit inside her height-wise, but mine is just all heart and a real little sweetheart.”
Bergerson indicated that La Dorada is likely to compete against stablemate Return to Conquer in the G1 Sistema Stakes scheduled for March 8 at Ellerslie. She is currently the second favourite at $3.20, following her stablemate, who is marked at $2.20.
La Dorada (NZ) was a NZ$190,000 purchase by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) from the draft of Waikato Stud at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sale.
La Dorada as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The victory took La Dorada’s record to three wins and a second from four career starts, with earnings surging past the NZ$740,000.
Return To Conquer gets the job done in G3 Matamata Slipper
Exciting colt Return To Conquer (Snitzel) gave punters who took the prohibitive odds on quote a few worrying moments in the straight but ultimately prevailed for a workman like victory to remain unbeaten in the G3 Matmata Slipper (1200 metres) on Saturday.
A $1.3m purchase from the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by David Ellis CNZM (BANZ), expectations were high for the son of Snitzel who was aiming for his third consecutive victory, and his second at Group 3 level after taking out the Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200 metres) at Ellerslie last start. As a result Return to Conquor was sent a $1.50 favourite in the five horse field, with a dominant victory possibly leading to a trip to Australia for a crack at the elite level.
Everything appeared to be going to plan with jockey Michael McNab taking up a prominent position outside the leader and stablemate He Who Dares (Snitzel), who was having his second start after a dominant debut at Wanganui in January. Into the final furlong, McNab asked Return to Conquer for his effort and the colt edged to a narrow lead however was unable to shake off He Who Dares, with the pair engaging in a two-horse war all the way to the line. Ultimately, it was Return to Conquer who did just enough to win by 0.4l, with To Bravery Born (Snitzel) finishing a further 3.3l back in third, rounding out a stable and sire trifecta.
“It was a good effort by the second horse because he has only had that one run and the winner is obviously more experienced,” co-trainer Mark Walker said.
“It was a top effort and the other horse managed to get third so it was a good all round result.
“Return to Conquer just seems to win but not by big margins so we’ve got a bit of thinking to do. Most likely the first two will go to the Sistema Stakes and we will just have a think about the third horse.”
Return To Conquer winning the G3 Matmata Slipper | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Despite the small margin Michael McNab was full of praise for the unbeaten colt.
“It was a good win,” McNab said.
“It was like trackwork on Tuesday morning, the same two horses, same result.
“He’s a star in the making, he’s got a great attitude. You can’t fault him.”
“He’s (Return To Conquer) a star in the making, he’s got a great attitude. You can’t fault him.” - Michael McNab
Jockey of the runner up, Craig Grylls was impressed by the tenacity his colt showed.
“I thought the winner was going to put a length on me when he got to me but to his credit he fought back,” Grylls said.
“He’s a nice horse in the making.”
Return to Conquer is currently the $2.20 favourite for the G1 Sistema Stakes (1200 metres) on March 8, while stablemate He Who Dares is currently on the third line of betting at $8.
Dead heat in Listed Talindert Stakes
Nothing could separate Shining Smile (Spirit of Boom) and Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}), not even a protest, in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100 metres) at Flemington on Saturday.
Despite the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Shining Smile being called the winner across the line by Matt Hill, the judge declared the race a dead-heat with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris, who got his nose down on the line thanks to a well-timed lunge by champion jockey Mark Zahra.
Jockey of Shining Smile, Daniel Stackhouse quickly fired in a protest due to contact inside the final 50 metres however this was swiftly dismissed by stewards and placings confirmed, with Brave Design (Brave Smash {Jpn}) finishing a further 3l back in third.
A $160,000 Gold Coast National Weanling sale purchase by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), it was Shining Smile’s third consecutive win and second stakes success after taking out the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000 metres) at Sandown last start. On the other hand, it was somewhat a surprise result for Godolphin homebred Tentyris who was sent out a $26 chance after finishing fifth in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes on debut.
“To the horse’s credit, he’s turned it around,” Sam Freedman said.
“He’d been trialling really well leading into his first run, he just got it wrong, which colts can do on debut, but he’s made really good steps forward.
Tentyris after winning the Listed Talindert Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The stallion (Street Boss) can get a two-year-old, so it’s nice to see this one stand up.”
Freedman said they will discuss a Blue Diamond Stakes start with Tentryis’ owners Godolphin.
“I’ll chat with Andy (Makiv) and Jase (Walsh) and the team at Godolphin, but we’ll let the dust settle and see how he pulls up,” he said.
“It’s a very different dynamic here down the straight where they amble up there, to go to a high-pressure 1200 metres is a challenge, but we’ll have a chat to the team and work it out.”
While disappointed, Will Hayes indicated putting in a protest was a worth a shot.
Tentyris and Shining Smile dead-heat in the Listed Talindert Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I believe that if ‘Stacky’ was able to use the whip we do probably get the bob of the head but, at the end of the day, the two horses have run great races and they’re in the same boat as we are right now as to what they do next week,” he said.
A meeting on Monday with the Lindsay park team will also decide whether Shining Smile joins stablemates Typhoon Star and Miss Celine in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Love To Torque topples odds-on favourite to stamp Winter Carnival claims
Love To Torque (Maurice {Jpn}) was friendless in betting, but it mattered not as she swept to an impressive victory at just her second start, toppling long odds-on favourite Atomic Time (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) in the QTIS 2YO Handicap (1300 metres) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
A $140,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Fernrigg Farm by her trainer Stuart Kendrick, Love To Torque had a less than desirable parade pre-race. The daughter of Maurice (Jpn) became very hot and sweaty, leading to a significant drift in the market while the Tony and Maddysen Sears trained Atomic Time firmed into $1.45 favourite.
However, despite a comfortable lead, Atomic Time was easily accounted for. Kyle Wilson-Taylor settled the Love To Torque last, before letting her loose down the outside where she quickly swept to the lead and went on to win by 0.76l to Nottington Prince (Whittington), who grabbed Atomic Time in the shadows of the post.
Love To Torque as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It was a good win, she’s a lovely filly,” Stuart Kendrick said.
“She got me a little bit worried, she got a little bit hot in the yard and on her toes. She showed us a lot last time in and we gave the one run over the shorter trip. We gave her a spell and brought her back and we thought we’d kick her off at 1300 metres. She looks like a filly that will get a mile so it was good to get the win first-up.
“She’s got a lovely big action on her and she still has a lot of filling out to do. I think she is going to be a lovely 3-year-old filly, hopefully in some of those nice staying races down the track. She has a great pedigree and is an exciting horse. I’m looking forward to it.”
Kendrick indicated that should Love To Torque continue on an upward spiral, a tilt at the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600 metes) in June would be the ultimate target.
Stuart Kendrick | Image courtesy of Kendrick Racing Stables
Love To Torque is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Group 3 winning mare Koonoomoo (Dubleo {USA}). She has already produced a stakes-placed full-sister Morioka (Maurice {Jpn}).
Koonoomoo had a filly by So You Think (NZ) last season and was served by Prague.
Chris Parnham rides Do I Feel Lucky to third Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic
In an exciting and desperately close finish, Do I Feel Lucky (Dirty Work) has scrambled home in a display of sustained speed to deliver his rider Chris Parnham his third consecutive R. Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200 metres) at Pinjarra on Saturday.
A $100,000 purchase by Maureen Daly from the draft of Mogumber Park at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, the Sean and Jake Casey trained gelding was set alight from barrier 11 to quickly assume the lead. Parnham made every post a winner and really put the foot down rounding the home bend, slipping clear from the field in what appeared an unassailable lead coming to the final furlong. However, Perfectly Proper (Pierata) motored late under hard riding from Clint Johnston-Porter to dive late and make it a desperately close photo-finish, ultimately just missing by the barest of margins. Strideaway (Alabama Express) finished a further 1.07l back in third.
Parnham, who had previously won the race aboard Big Shots (Sizzling) and Super Smink (Super One) in 2024 and 2023, was amazed by the acceleration Do I Feel Lucky showed from the gates.
“He really jumped well and showed a lot of speed,” Parnham said.
“I’ve ridden him previously and he showed speed that day but he went to another level today. It was a good training performance and good to get the win.
“I thought I’d just held on but I didn’t want to mock myself. It was good to see my number in the frame.
“I’ve won the last three now which is good. I’ve been lucky enough to get on some pretty handy juveniles so, just thank you for all the support.”
Chris Parnham after winning the R. Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Co-trainer Jake Casey said he was quietly confident coming into the $250,000 event.
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong and to win a race like this win is great,” Jake Casey said.
“We were very confident, probably more confident before the barrier draw. We were very happy with that run last start and he was always going to benefit from that and he did. He probably paddled a bit late but he had to do a bit of work from the barrier but he was good enough to just hang on.
“We will probably freshen him up again and go first-up into the Karrakatta Plate, all going to plan.”
The 2-year-old took his record to 3 wins from five starts, with another two runner-up performances, earning over $375,000 in prizemoney.
Gallery: Images courtesy of Western Racepix
Do I Feel Lucky is the only named foal of Mindarie (Safeguard) and becomes the first stakes-winner for Widden Stud Victoria's Dirty Work, Mindarie was a 2-year-old winner herself and boasts a strong juvenile pedigree, being a full-sister to stakes performers Specialism (Safeguard) and More Special (Safeguard) as well as a half-sister to Royal Strata (Stratum). It’s also the extended family of Dynamic Beau (Dynamo) who won the G1 Karrakatta Plate.
Mindarie had a colt by A Lot (USA) last season and was served by Awesome Rock.
