Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-day Recap
Stylish globetrotting entire Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) gained his first top flight win in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, with co-trainer Adrian Bott sure that the best is still yet to come.
A trip back to Flemington for the G1 Newmarket Handicap was just what Joliestar (Zoustar) needed to get back on top, claiming a decisive victory that has the Waller team dreaming of Royal Ascot.
It was Tom Kitten's (Harry Angel {Ire}) time to shine in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington, where he defeated Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) to clinch a narrow victory.
El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) won his third Group 1 win in succession for Stephen Marsh, and looks to be favourite for NZ Horse Of The Year.
Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) made it a huge day for her sire and dam in winning the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, only a few races before her full sister Damask Rose (NZ) won the NZB Kiwi.
Defying his breeding, Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) continued his super sprinting ways with a defiant win in the G2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick.
Royal Patronage continues the Wootton Bassett boom with Canterbury Stakes victory
Whilst most of the attention to Wootton Bassett’s (GB) offspring in the Southern Hemisphere has been around his first juveniles born down here, but his older imported offspring have also been flying the flag for the Coolmore-based stallion, and it was his son Royal Patronage’s (Fr) turn on Saturday in the G1 Canterbury Stakes. The 6-year-old entire has raced successfully in Great Britain and in the United States, and scored his biggest win at Randwick in the Canterbury Stakes, defeating Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) by 0.37l.
“He’s an incredible horse, you know, to do what he did in his first start in Australia,” co-trainer Adrian Bott referenced the Tulloch Lodge trainee’s first-up G2 Tramway Stakes victory in the spring. “First preparation, I thought (he) was one of the most forward Europeans that we’ve had over. I always felt there would be some improvement to an extent, in this preparation from him, and we’ve seen that today.
“He’s come and won an important weight-for-age Group 1 race for him and being an entire, that’s going to help his value going forward, but I still feel there’s a bit more to come from him.”
“He’s an incredible horse, you know, to do what he did in his first start in Australia.” - Adrian Bott
The autumn path for Royal Patronage leads now to the G1 George Ryder Stakes, and onto the G1 Doncaster Mile.
“We’ve always had a big circle around the Doncaster, (we) felt kicking off here and through the George Ryder would be a nice style of preparation,” Bott said.“We’re open-minded how far to stretch him, but feel that mile’s probably his real sweet spot.”
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Gai Waterhouse, Bott, and McKeever Bloodstock teamed up to purchase the entire at the 2023 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale for 300,000gns ($646,000), and was twice a Group winner in Britain prior to export. He is from the close family of G3 Balmerino Stakes winner Cheval Prometteur (GB) (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Joliestar back to her best with slashing Newmarket victory
Chris Waller’s Joliestar (Zoustar) was back on top in the G1 Newmarket Handicap on Saturday at Flemington, flying home to a 1.25l victory over Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}), with Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}) in third. It was Waller’s second victory in the event and was courtesy of a deviation in plans that led to the talented 4-year-old mare heading south, while boom colt Switzerland (Snitzel) stayed in Sydney instead.
“With a Group 1 handicap, we were always trying to protect Switzerland’s value being a colt and this mare, in particular, she has already won Group 1s,” Charlie Duckworth, Waller’s assistant trainer, told 7Racing. “She is a very good sprinter, and it looked like a Newmarket where she might not be crippled with the weights.
“There is a lot that goes on from Monday to Friday. It’s not just about getting a photo on Saturday. It is amazing. Chris’ craftsmanship in terms of planning, and plotting, and scheming, to try and get the right horse to maximise their potential and their value is unbelievable.”
It was Joliestar’s first visit to Flemington since her G1 Thousand Guineas victory in the spring of 2023.
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We had faith about her being the best horse in the race,” Duckworth said. “That is what we thought going out there. It made the watch a little less stressful knowing that she does have that electric turn-of-foot because when she is at her best, she is amazing.
“She’s gone full circle now. She’s won a Guineas, she’s won a Newmarket. She’s an amazing athlete and we’re just happy to be involved.
He added that a trip to England could be on the cards in the near future, given her talent; “If she could go to Royal Ascot, it would be amazing. We managed to achieve it with Nature Strip, who is enjoying his life now with us, and it would be really special to take a filly there and do that like we saw last year.”
“She’s (Joliestar) gone full circle now. She’s won a Guineas, she’s won a Newmarket. She’s an amazing athlete and we’re just happy to be involved.” - Charlie Duckworth
Owned by the Lindsays of Cambridge Stud, Joliestar extends her record to five wins in 12 starts and over $3.6 million in prize money.
Tom Kitten topples Mr Brightside in narrow All Star victory
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) were the best bets going into the smallest G1 All-Star Mile starting field ever on Saturday, but it was Godolphin 4-year-old Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) that emerged victorious from the race. Trained by James Cummings, the gelding reversed his fortunes from the G1 Futurity Stakes to pounce on Mr Brightside and hold him off by just 0.06l for victory under Ben Melham.
Stylish import Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) finished third, a further 1.25l back, and Another Wil finished just behind him, with an internal bleed reported shortly after the race.
“(Tom Kitten) has got a lot of ability,” Godolphin's Melbourne foreman Nacim Dilmi said. “He's had many luckless races. The way he has been going, we knew he was in for a good prep and he sure has.
“Now it is onwards to the Australian Cup over 2000 metres and he'll put in another good fight.”
Dilmi paid respect to Mr Brightside, the 2023 winner of the event and last year’s runner-up, “Never underestimate Mr Brightside. He's the best miler in the world and, gee, at the top of the straight the way he was travelling, we knew he'd put up a good fight. He sure did all the way to the end.”
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Winner of the G1 Spring Champion Stakes as a 3-year-old, Tom Kitten is one of three stakes winners for Godolphin out of Street Cry (Ire) mare Transfers, along with Listed winners Va Via (Astern) and Promotions (Exceed And Excel).
El Vencedor makes a case for HOTY in G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes
David Price and Mark Freeman-owned El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) must be in line for NZ Horse Of The Year with his third Group 1 in succession in Saturday’s G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes. It was another tight finish with Stephen Marsh-trained El Vencedor getting up by 0.1l for jockey Wiremu Pinn from Simon & Katrina Alexander-trained La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) with Te Akau’s multiple Group 1-placed mare Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) gaining another Group 1 placing in third.
“I’m so proud as he is just amazing,” Marsh said.
“I thought we had been beaten on the line again as La Crique was so tough, tried her hardest and it was just a great spectacle. What can I say as I’m a bit overwhelmed as the last half an hour has been the best in racing you could ask for.
“The owners (David Price and Mark Freeman) have bred him, have been long term with us and I’m just proud of everyone involved including Wiremu who has done a lot of work for us. We have got six weeks to go until Hong Kong so he might enjoy a little time in the paddock, not too much as he will get too fat, then Hong Kong here we come.”
El Vencedor (NZ) winning the G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
The 6-year-old gelding has now won 12 of his 41 starts with earnings over NZ$2.1 million, and is one of five Group 1 winners for his sire. His dam, Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is unraced and has produced six winners including Listed Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and El Vencedor’s full brother G2 Brisbane Cup winner Chocolante (NZ). Her last foal, 3-year-old filly Milagro (NZ) is unraced. El Vencedor also picked up NZ$300,000 for winning the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series.
Provence shocks the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes field
Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) capped an amazing day for the broodmare Sombreuil (Flying Spur), who also won the NZB Kiwi with 3-year-old filly Damask Rose. The $30 outsider Provence knows how to mix her form, coming into the race off a 10th place in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes, but had won the G1 Thorndon Mile the start prior. “This is a great feeling,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.
“Throughout the last few weeks and months, I just couldn’t wait to get to this day. It’s the greatest day ever and so awesome for New Zealand racing. You just come into it hoping that your horses can step up, and this mare has done that.
“We’ve had so many seconds this season, and when they hit the line there, I thought that was going to be another second placing in the books. But then the photo popped up on the screen and it was just the best feeling.”
Provence has won six of her 16 starts with earnings over NZ$800,000, and was not offered at auction.
“We’ve had so many seconds this season, and when they hit the line there, I thought that was going to be another second placing in the books. But then the photo popped up on the screen and it was just the best feeling.” - Stephen Marsh
“You’d love to have a few more like this mare in your stable. She’s so tough and has an amazing will to win. She has now won two Group 1 races this season and she’s a beautifully bred Savabeel mare, so it couldn’t be any better than that. It’s great for Tony Rider, for Brent and Wendy Cooper and a massive syndicate of owners with Social Racing.”
Provence (NZ) winning the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Sombreuil, a winner over 1400 metre, now has three foals for three winners, two stakes winners, as well as an unnamed 2-year-old filly full sister to Provence and Damask Rose, as well as a Super Seth colt foal.
Jedibeel keeps on surprising with smooth Challenge stakes victory
Savabeel is renowned for his stayers, so it’s understandable that Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup would always be a little (pleasantly) surprised with 5-year-old Jedibeel’s (NZ) (Savabeel) aptitude for sprints, as shown off in the G2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Last start winner of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap, the gelding delighted again in the Challenge, mowing down Group 1 winner Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) and 11-time winner I Am Me (I Am Invincible) to win by 1.15l.
“He's been a terrific horse from day one for us, and it's great to see him do this,” Widdup said. “Obviously, we aimed at the Razor Sharp last time and gave him a short break to get him back for these sorts of races.
“I was keen to run him next week, but if I did that, I'd miss out on The Galaxy, so I threw the cards on the table and rolled the dice today, and away we went.”
Gallery: Images courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Jedibeel's career-best win extended his record to eight wins and seven placings from 18 starts, taking him to over $800,000 in prize money. He was a $190,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase for his trainer from Cannon Hayes Stud.
