Hankee Alpha confirmed for Kiwi
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing announced on Saturday that 3-year-old filly Hankee Alpha (NZ) (Proisir) will represent them in the upcoming NZB Kiwi slot race. “She’s impressed in her racing and finished off really well on TAB Karaka Millions night,” Club’s Chief Executive Paul Wilcox told trackside.co.nz.
“We’ve looked at her, we’ve had our ratings expert look at her, and we’ve seen that there is plenty of upside. From her very first start, she was one we identified to keep an eye on and that’s proven to be the case, we’ve liked what we’ve seen and we’re very excited about what she has to offer.
Hankee Alpha (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“We’ve got a great association with Bryan Black, he’s been a massive supporter of our Club, as was his father before him. We mainly worked with Bryan and Dee in making the negotiations, and coming to an agreement with them was very simple. He had in his mind what he wanted, as did we, and it was great to put it together in the end.”
Hankee Alpha becomes the fourth NZB Kiwi runner for Wexford Stables’ trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, alongside Sought After (NZ) (NZ) (Tivaci) representing Waikato Stud, Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) representing Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, and Checkmate (NZ) (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) representing Wexford Stables. Hankee Alpha ran fifth in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes a few hours after the announcement.
G2 Millie Fox won by Firestorm
New Zealand-based Satono Aladdin (Jpn) gained his 11th stakes winner when 4-year-old mare Firestorm (NZ) won the G2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday by 0.18l from Mike Van Gestel-trained 4-year-old mare Dark Glitter (Spieth {NZ}) and the winner’s stablemate 4-year-old mare Scarlet Oak (Kermadec {NZ}).
“A lovely ride from Jason (Collett), she was well prepared for the race today. Two trials and we expected her to show something, but to win a Group 2, it was a big step up for her,” trainer Chris Waller said.
Firestorm took her record to five wins from 19 starts and earnings over $440,000. She is out of Listed-placed winner Dancing Embers (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}), who has produced three winners.
Coeur Volante smashes G3 Mannerism Stakes field
Ballymore Stables trainers Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson enjoyed an impressive group win with 4-year-old mare Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) in the G3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. Ridden by Blake Shinn, she won by 4l from Grahame Begg-trained 4-year-old mare So Glamerous (So You Think {NZ}), with Mark Walker-trained 4-year-old mare Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) a head away in third.
“We'll probably go up to Sydney with her now for the Coolmore Classic. We think she's Group 1 class and she run a good race here in the Thousand Guineas probably on pretty tired legs so I'm pretty sure that she'll handle 1500m no problems,” Moroney said.
Winner of four of her nine starts with earnings over $540,000, Coeur Volante was a dual Group winner as a spring 3-year-old. Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables purchased her for NZ$90,000 from Prima Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. Her older half-sister Hastobemagic (Scissor Kick) is Listed-placed, and they are out of five-race winner Shanina (Testa Rossa), whose current yearling by Noverre (NZ) was withdrawn from the Karaka sale recently. Coeur Volante’s third dam is Group 2 winner Rose O’ War (Danehill {USA}).
G3 Avondale Cup upset by Blue Sky At Night
Staying 7-year-old mare Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) showed her win in the G3 Waikato Cup was no fluke with another long odds win in Saturday’s G3 Avondale Cup. “It’s great to win another big Cup with this beautiful mare,” trainer Shelley Hale said.
“I was a bit surprised that she was at such big odds. I suppose her last two runs weren’t that flash on paper, but she’d been hitting the line well in both of those races. When she gets the right run, 2400 metres is really her sweet spot.”
The win was number 101 for apprentice Tayla Mitchell, who brought up her ton earlier in the day on Please Sir (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}). Blue Sky At Night took her record to seven wins from 26 starts with earnings over NZ$380,000. She is the first foal of After Midnight (NZ) (Viking Ruler) who has only one other foal.
Baker’s summer keeps going in G3 Paramatta Cup
Trainer Bjorn Baker's astonishing form continued in the G3 Parramatta Cup as imported 6-year-old gelding Our Anchorage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won for jockey Ashley Morgan by 0.19l over John Sargent-trained 6-year-old gelding Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines), with Chris Waller-trained 4-year-old entire Kinesiology (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) in third.
“I thought it was a great ride by Ash Morgan. He's a smooth rider, he's a big-time rider, his second win today, and he's going to cement himself at home in Sydney city,” Baker said. Our Anchorage made it four in succession, and took his record to six wins (five in Australia) from 21 starts and becomes stakes winner number 385 for Galileo (Ire).
Quinella for Fiorente in G3 Lord Reims Stakes
Trainer Andrew Gluyas won Saturday’s G3 Lord Reims Stakes over 2600 metres with 4-year-old mare Gotta Go Guru (Fiorente {Ire}) by the tightest of margins (0.01l) from Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea-trained Silent Surrente (Fiorente {Ire}), with Phillip Stokes-trained Taramansour (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) in third.
It was Gotta Go Guru’s fourth win in succession, and she becomes the 10th stakes winner for Fiorente (Ire) as she took her record to six wins from 14 starts with earnings over $260,000. As the name suggests, she is from South Australia’s famed Guru family, being a daughter of G3 Lord Reims Stakes-placed winner of six races Gossip Guru (Reset) who is a half-sister to G3 SAJC Chairman's Stakes winner Gamblin’ Guru (New Approach {Ire}) and G2 Wakeful Stakes-placed Glam Guru (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), who is the dam of this season’s G1 Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA}).
Kiwi contender Sethito wins Listed Uncle Remus Stakes
Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth), who represents Waikato Thoroughbred Racing in the upcoming NZB Kiwi, enjoyed a 0.4l win in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes at Ellerslie. Second last start in the G2 Eight Carat Classic, the consistent 3-year-old filly now has three wins and two placings from six starts with earnings over NZ$194,000.
“Sethito hadn’t been anywhere for a little while, so it was very good to see her do that today,” O’Sullivan said.
“Heading into the NZB Kiwi, I think she has a couple of factors in her favour. She’s got good tactical speed, and also she gets around Ellerslie particularly well. So that’s a couple of very strong points for her.”
Australian Cup target for Listed Victoria Gold Cup winner
Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman will send Saturday’s Listed Victoria Gold Cup winner Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) for one more run before the G1 Australian Cup. “I thought she might be a little bit vulnerable late, but to her credit, for any flaw in fitness that she had today, she makes up for it in toughness and the way that she always puts in,” Sam Freedman said.
“So possibly one more (run) between now and the Australian Cup. She'll make them earn it whatever is going to run her down.” Deny Knowledge won by 0.75l from Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson-trained Banker’s Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Shaiyhar (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in third. The 7-year-old mare has 10 wins from 39 starts and earnings over $1.8 million.
Taunting wins Listed City of Marion Stakes
Michael Hickmott-trained 6-year-old gelding Taunting (Brazen Beau) won the Listed City Of Marion Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday by 1.59l from trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly’s Klabel (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), with Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle-trained My Khalifa (Pride Of Dubai) in third.
It was the second Listed win for Taunting, who won the 2023 Listed Oakbank Railway Stakes, and he has earnings over $570,000 thanks to nine wins from 24 starts. Sold by Flinders Park Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $230,000 to his trainer, he is one of 27 stakes winners for his sire. His dam, Probationary (Northern Meteor) has a 2-year-old full brother to Taunting but no foal since. She is in foal to Capitalist.
Otaki cancelled
The races at Otaki in New Zealand were abandoned after a fall in race one. Wind Talker (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}), ridden by Chris Dell, and Underline (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), ridden by Bailey Rogerson, both lost their riders.
Only the day before, Wanganui was abandoned after race six when two horses slipped.
Dampen adds juvenile winner for Impending
While it was only a small four-horse field at Morphettville, the race didn’t lack drama in the closing stages, with Dampen (Impending) edging out Gazz (Sandbar) in a tight finish. Gazz, who had made the running throughout, fought back gamely but couldn’t hold off the late challenge.
Raceday experience proved crucial, as the Byron Cozamanis-trained gelding was professional throughout. He had finished in the top four in all three of his previous starts behind smart types such as Tiz Worthy (Hanseatic), La Roux (Zousain), and Steel Trap (King’s Legacy).
Positioned in a stalking role outside Gazz, Dampen tracked a leisurely tempo—described by the race caller as a ‘jog-trot.’ When the sprint home began, he ran straight and true, proving too strong in the dash to the line, defeating Gazz by 0.23l.
Purchased by his trainer from Cornerstone Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft for $44,000, Dampen is from Impending’s fourth crop. He is the third winner for unbeaten juvenile Oridane (King Of Danes) ,who won all her four starts at two including the Listed Dequetteville Stakes, and trained on to place at Moonee Valley at three.
Loves Talking wins juvenile race at Ascot
Luke Fernie-trained 2-year-old filly Loves Talking (I’m All The Talk) won on debut at Ascot on Saturday over 1100 metres, winning by 1.59l for jockey Jade McNaught. The $35,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale graduate was purchased by Peter and Luke Fernie from Ruby Racing and Breeding. She is the last foal from Jesse Quick (Due Sasso), who is a half-sister to Listed winner She’s In Demand (Commands) and stakes-placed Moet Me (Oratorio).
I’m All The Talk has three juvenile winners this season. He died in January 2022, so this is his last crop.
Around the Nation: Saturday’s other highlights
At Gosford, 3-year-old fillies Sneaky Choice (Extreme Choice) and Tassaal (Tassort) both won on debut, while at Lismore 3-year-old filly Without Parrallel (Time Test {GB}) stayed unbeaten with her second victory. Jockey Matthew McGuren rode four winners at Lismore.
Headwater sired a double at the Gold Coast with 3-year-old gelding Warrior Head and Ocean Alps, while Hellbent sired a double at Doomben with 2-year-old filly Sunrays and Diablo Bolt. Sunrays formed the first of a quartet of wins for jockey Cejay Graham.
Impending sired a double at Morphettville with 2-year-old Dampen and Gawnski, while at the same meeting 3-year-old gelding Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) stayed unbeaten with his third win.
Voyage Bubble an exception for Yiu
Trainer Ricky Yiu’s only non-sprinting Group 1 winner is Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) who runs in Sunday’s G1 Gold Cup over 2000 metres. “Even the Derby, I never imagined I could have a horse who could do well in that race because I target horses more likely to do well at shorter distances,” Yiu told scmp.com.
Voyage Bubble | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I don’t really like the staying-type horses and I don’t really purchase them, so the Bubble is an exception. He’s doing very well, I’m really happy with him. He came through his grass gallop and dirt trial very well. He’s got a good draw and he’ll be hard to beat.”
Aussies second and third in Jockeys Challenge
Jockey Muhammad Aldaham became the first homegrown rider to take out the International Jockeys' Challenge on the eve of the Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, amassing a total of 30 points with victories in the first two legs of the series. Australia's Rachel King finished on 25 points to finish second ahead of James McDonald, whose 21 points was achieved in three races, owing to the scratching of his ride in race three of the competition.
G2 Balanchine upset in Meydan
The margin was only a head, but a crafty ride from Mickael Barzalona saw the filly Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) spring the upset over Godolphin's Grade I winner Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) in the G2 Balanchine at Meydan on Friday.
“Today there was much more pace early on,” said Barzalona. “I was happy to sit in just behind the leaders. When we hit the straight, I asked her to pick up and she did so very well. It's always a huge advantage for jockeys when horses can be in different positions and today she won because she's very versatile.” A winner of the Listed Snowdrop Fillies Stakes at Haydock in August, she was also a 5l winner in her Meydan debut in the 1600-metre G2 Cape Verdi on January 17.
One of 61 stakes winners and 30 group winners for her Darley sire, Choisya is a half-sister to three black-type horses, with multiple stakes winner Pelerin (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) the best of them with a pair of Group placings in England and Italy. The winner's dam, G3 Severals Stakes second Fragrancy (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}), has fillies by Earthlight (Ire) born in 2022 and 2024 as her latest offspring. This is the extended family of Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the winner of two top-level races, among them the US$2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Queen Azteca impressive in UAE Oaks
Queen Azteca (USA) (Sharp Azteca {USA}) delivered a come-from-behind masterclass in the 1900-metre G3 UAE Oaks presented by DP World at Meydan on Friday. It was the filly's first stakes win. She defeated stubborn pacesetter Arigatou Gozaimasu (USA) (Honest Mischief {USA}) by 0.75l, with Taswaheen (USA) (Mendelssohn {USA}) 16l back in third.
“It was a bit more stressful than I thought it would be!” said Niels Petersen, who is 13-times champion trainer in Norway. “I didn't think Arigatou would be the one to step up, after last time, but both fillies ran great races. From 50 metres out, I thought we had a good shot at it when Arigatou stopped a little, so maybe it looked easier than it was. It's a big racing scene here and we come from little Norway, so to pull it off is a huge achievement. I think all of Scandinavia was cheering us on today.”
A US$22,000 ($34,618) Keeneland September yearling acquisition by Justin Rea, the filly was consigned by Fairgreen Stables to the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, where she caught the eye of Edgar Byrne to the tune of 30,000gns ($62,361). A winner in a trio of 2024 starts in Sweden, Queen Azteca is the sixth stakes winner and second at Group/Graded level for her sire, who moved to Japan in the autumn of 2023 and now stands at Shizunai Stallion Station. His best was GI Beholder Mile Stakes heroine Sweet Azteca (USA).
Her dam, placed Palace Malice (USA) mare Princesa Helena (USA), has two runners and two winners. Third dam My Flag (USA) (Easy Goer {USA}) won four times at Grade I level in the U.S. including the 1995 edition of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and is also the dam of American champion and fellow Juvenile Fillies heroine Storm Flag Flying (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}), who accomplished that feat in 2002. Fourth dam and USA champ Personal Ensign (USA) holds a 13-for-13 record, with her Breeders' Cup rosette earned in the 1988 GI Distaff.
