Category Archives: lead news

Commands colt takes Doomben 10,000

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Darley’s head trainer Peter Snowden described the speed of the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) as “ridiculous” but he was not complaining after Commands (Danehill – Cotehele House, by My Swanee) colt Epaulette (Commands – Accessories, by Singspiel) claimed Saturday’s weight-for-age event.

Local favourite Buffering (Mossman – Action Annie, by Anabaa) and BTC Cup winner Your Song (Fastnet Rock – Zembu, by Fuji Kiseki) poured on the early pressure before Epaulette came from beyond midfield to score his second victory at Group 1 level in emphatic fashion. Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock – Express A Smile, by Success Express) ran well at her first outing in Coolmore’s silks to grab second ahead of Buffering, who held on for third.

“It was a ridiculous speed really and coming to the corner I was quietly confident he would pick up the leaders,” Snowden said. “They set it up for the backmarkers and he was Johnny on the spot.”

Epaulette won the Golden Rose (1400m) as spring three-year-old before he began his autumn preparation with a solid second to champion mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit – Helsinge, by Desert Sun) in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April.

However, Epaulette disappointed Snowden and Darley with his midfield effort behind Black Caviar’s half-brother All Too Hard (Casino Prince – Helsinge, by Desert Sun) in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). The effort forced Snowden to rethink Epaulette’s training ahead of his first appearance of the Brisbane winter carnival in the Doomben 10,000.

“We call it boot camp out there where he did a bit of jumping which was something new for him,” Snowden said. “He had a bit of down time after the All Aged and it worked wonders for him.

“I was going to keep the winkers on him but (jockey) Kerrin (McEvoy) was firm in his belief that the visor would be a better option and he pulled the right rein.”

Epaulette’s Doomben 10,000 victory left him one Group 1 short of matching his three-quarter brother Helmet’s (Exceed And Excel – Accessories, by Singspiel) tally of wins at the highest level, which will leave Darley with an interesting array of decisions at the end of the younger sibling’s racing days as the operation considers whether to stand both horses at stud.

Sadly, the Doomben 10,000 was the last outing for dual Group 1 winner Ranginrangdoo (Pentire – She Wishes, by Kenfair) after the Chris Waller-trained gelding sustained serious leg injuries before the home turn. Vets had no option other than to euthanize the grand galloper.

British-bred claims Doomben Cup

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Beatén Up, a son of Beat Hollow (pictured) defeated a smart field in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane.

Dominant European influence Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer – Fairy Bridge, by Bold Reason) had a hand in the result of the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) for the second straight year when Beaten Up (Beat Hollow – Frog, by Akarad) claimed the 2013 edition of the weight-for-age event.

Sadler’s Wells was the damsire of last year’s winner Mawingo (Tertullian – Montfleur, by Sadler’s Wells), who defeated Lights Of Heaven (Zabeel –I’m In Heaven, by Volksraad), before Beaten Up posted his maiden Australian win in the Doomben Cup.

Beaten Up arrived in Australia with a Group 3 win to his name in the St Simon Stakes (14f) at Newbury in 2011 but notched two unplaced runs in unsuitable events before showing his ability with a narrow second in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury on May 4. The son of Beat Hollow (Sadler’s Wells – Wemyss Bright, by Dancing Brave) improved markedly a fortnight later to become the stallion’s second Group 1 winner in strong fashion.

The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old settled midfield on the fence before jockey Leith Innes sent him out after Manighar (Linamix – Mintly Fresh, by Rubiano), who surged to a clear lead at the 300 metres.

Beaten Up maintained his sprint all the way to the finish, firstly overhauling Manighar before staving off the challenges of his stablemate Foreteller (Dansili – Prophecy, by Warning) and Secret Admirer (Dubawi – Secret Illusion, by Secret Savings) to score by three-quarters of a length, justifying Waller’s decision to buy the 11-start veteran after he lost form in Europe.

“He just lost his way in the UK as some horses do,” Waller told Sky Racing World. “He was a horse that had all in front of him early.

“I think what Australia does for these horses is it’s a different training environment, it gets them keen and happy again. You don’t need much when they’ve got the ability.”

Beaten Up is one of 12 stakes winners sired by Beat Hollow. Beat Hollow was a brilliant racetrack performer, winning four times at Group 1 level and was the top rated three-year-old in France over distances between 9-1/2 and 10-1/2 furlongs in 2000.

Beaten Up is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Harris Tweed (Hernando – Frog, by Akarad) and the Listed performer Vow (Motivator – Frog, by Akarad).

Beat Hollow attracted a €6,500 service for his 2013 book at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

Stallions Weekly Bulletin – 18th May 2013 – now available

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The Stallions Weekly Bulletin is a comprehensive wrap of the weekend’s racing, the week in stud and sales news and a look at the upcoming events on the bloodstock calendar around the world. 

The Stallions Weekly Bulletin will also provide the latest stallion statistics as well as plenty of news and reviews of international racing and breeding.
Download this weeks edition for FREE

BTC Cup winner to stand at Widden Stud in 2013

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WIDDEN STUD RELEASE – Brilliant three year-old Fastnet Rock colt Your Song has assured his future at one of Australia’s most successful studs with a stunning five length Group I victory in the BTC Cup at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Resuming from a spell, the Anthony Cummings trained colt turned in an explosive performance to thrash a quality field and win the 1200 metre weight-for-age sprint in a breeze from seasoned Group I performers Rain Affair, Buffering& Sea Siren.

He has long been seen by most major studs as a potential stellar sire prospect since his two impressive wins as a two year old and his 2nd placing behind Pierro in the Group III Run to The Rose defeating Group I winners Epaulette and All Too Hard.

A homebred for Gooree Stud, Your Song will now follow in the footsteps of Mr Eduardo Cojuangco’s previous star colt and now leading young sire Northern Meteor in retiring to Widden Stud for the 2013 season.

Widden Stud are thrilled to secure the services of Your Song, the 13th individual Group I winner by his champion sire Fastnet Rock from a peerless international female family, his dam Zembu was a $450,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Gooree whose dam Wanice is a half-sister to the Champion racehorse and multiple Group I sire Fantastic Light.

Additionally, Your Song’s glittering international pedigree spawns an impressive dynasty of stakes-winners around the world, tracing back to Kamar, whose descendants include Group I winners Flashing, Alpha, Desert Lord, Cape Town, Golden Attraction, Seaside Attraction, Turbulent Descent, Swift Temper, Music Show and Gorgeous.

“He’s a colt that has the pedigree, the good looks and that Group I winning brilliance. Fastnet Rock is Australia’s dominant sire so to have the opportunity to stand arguably his most dominant son is incredibly exciting.” said Antony Thompson.

“Physical attributes are all important in a sire and in Your Song we could not be taking on a more impressive individual. It was interesting listening to the post-race comments from Saturday which back up our view that he is one of the best looking Fastnet Rock sons to look through a bridle.”

Your Song will have two more starts in the Group I BRC Doomben 10,000 on May 25 and the Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap on June 8 with a fee to be announced on his retirement to Widden this season.

Fastnet Rock colt hammers BTC Cup opposition

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Fastnet Rock (Danehill – Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) colt Your Song (Fastnet Rock – Zembu, by Fuji Kiseki) looked set to fight out the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) with Rain Affair (Commands – I Believe, by Octagonal) but a dazzling turn of foot ended the Eagle Farm battle within a couple of strides.

Most expected either Buffering (Mossman – Action Annie, by Anabaa) and Rain Affair to record their first Group 1 win but Your Song emphasised the superiority the 2012/13 three-year-old crop enjoys over its older opposition with a stunning last 300 metres.

Your Song ended Rain Affair’s hopes before surging away to post his own maiden success at the highest level, backing up a brilliant barrier trial at Randwick brilliant five-length victory. The colt became the second successive BTC Cup winner sired by Fastnet Rock after Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock – Express A Smile, by Success Express) won the event as a three-year-old filly last year.

Sea Siren went on to win the Doomben 10,000 but failed in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. Your Song’s trainer Anthony Cummings said the Gooree Pastoral Company-owned and bred talent would follow the same path.

“From the first day he came in I thought he was a Group I standard horse,” Cummings said. “He’s taken a bit longer to prove it than I expected but I’m very pleased he got the job done today.

“I always felt he was a Group 1 standard horse and there’s not much point blinking when they’re fit and ready to go.

“I said to his owner Eduardo Cojuangco he was up to this level and if you looked at him in the parade he was the standout on looks.”

Your Song became the 13th Group 1 winner for Fastnet Rock and the third from the sire’s current three-year-old crop, following Nechita (Fastnet Rock – Artistique, by Peintre Celebre) and Super Cool (Fastnet Rock – Queen Mother, by Kingmambo) to victory at the highest level.

He also became the third Group 1 winner with Fuji Kiseki (Sunday Silence – Millracer, by Le Fableux) as the damsire.

Your Song’s dam Zembu (Fuji Kiseki – Wanice, by Mr Prospector) was a two-year-old winner at Moonee Valley during her racing days. Australia’s newest Group 1 winner was her second foal to race. Zembu foaled a brother to Your Song in 2011 and a half-sister to the budding star by Street Sense (Street Cry – Bedazzle, by Dixieland Band) last year.

Stallions Weekly Bulletin – 6th May 2013 – now available

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The Stallions Weekly Bulletin is a comprehensive wrap of the weekend’s racing, the week in stud and sales news and a look at the upcoming events on the bloodstock calendar around the world.

The Stallions Weekly Bulletin will also provide the latest stallion statistics as well as plenty of news and reviews of international racing and breeding.

Download this weeks edition for FREE

Casino Prince sires SA Derby winner

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His brilliant son All Too Hard (Casino Prince – Helsinge, by Desert Sun) is among those in contention for Australian Horse Of The Year honours but Casino Prince (Flying Spur – Lady Capel, by Last Tycoon) is now the sire of a Derby winner after Escado (Casino Prince – Secret Cause, by Giant’s Causeway) held his rivals in the Saturday’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.

The Patinack Farm stallion had never produced a winner beyond 1800 metres before Escado’s victory, which also provided his young trainer, Mornington-based Matt Laurie, his first Group 1 victory.

Escado settled midfield on the fence in the early stages of the South Australian Derby with jockey Ben Melham content to let him roll along at his own tempo while some of the other runners chopped and changed their positions behind a smart speed midrace.

“I didn’t see a problem with the fence and I was happy to stay there,” Melham said.

Melham guided Escado through an opening along the fence when his rival riders began to fan wide rounding the home turn before the gelding hit the front 250 metres out.

Escado’s easy run ensured he had plenty in reserve to comfortably hold off the runner-up Hioctdane (Strada – Autobahn, by Octagonal), which made good ground along the inside from the back of the field while the Listed Galilee Series Final (2500m) victor Shoreham (Reset – Teneales Pearl, by Redoute’s Choice) was the only runner to mount a serious Derby challenge down the outside of the track.

“There are no words to describe it,” the Mornington-based Laurie told Sky Racing. “It’s just my third Group 1 runner. I’m rapt.

“Ben is in great form. He’s a great jockey, a great mare and I’m pleased we’ve been able to do it as a combination. There are no words to describe it.”

Escado failed to meet a $55,000 reserve at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Shoreham was also a graduate of the Oaklands Junction sale as was the unplaced favourite Hvasstan (Fastnet Rock – Snow Hero, by True Hero).

Escado became the third stakes winner for Casino Prince and the second Group 1 winner sired by the 2008 Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) victor.

As for All Too Hard, his co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the star colt could be a surprise entrant in the $500,000 Scone Guineas (1600m) on May 18.

Hawkes, who trains All Too Hard with his father John and brother Michael, said the three-year-old might need another start or barrier trial before his likely trip to England to run in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1m) at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

 

All Too Hard simply brilliant in All Aged

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The carry-on between John Singleton and the Waterhouse camp monopolised the headlines following the Group 1 Yarraman Park All Aged Stakes (1400m) but top colt All Too Hard (Casino Prince – Helsinge, by Desert Prince) produced a brilliant performance to claim the Randwick event.

The newspapers and television stations went to town on the More Joyous (More Than Ready – Sunday Joy, by Sunday Silence)  debacle, which also involved bookmakers Tom and Robbie Waterhouse, overshadowing All Too Hard’s maiden Group 1 victory in Sydney.

All Too Hard’s three previous Group 1 wins had been in Melbourne in the Caulfield Guineas, CF Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes but the son of Casino Prince (Flying Spur – Lady Capel, by Last Tycoon) had won only once in five starts in Sydney before his All Aged Stakes triumph.

The colt’s All Aged Stakes success was due, in no small part, to a terrific training performance from the Hawkes Racing operation. Illness cost All Too Hard the chance to run in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington but Hawkes Racing took its time to get All Too Hard right before sending him out to compete again, waiting until he was 100 percent right before the valuable three-year-old raced again.

All Too Hard jumped well to settle fourth in the early stages of the All Aged Stakes but More Joyous’s rider Nash Rawiller was able to ease out underneath Black Caviar’s (Bel Esprit – Helsinge, by Desert Sun) half-brother, forcing him wider, rounding the home turn. All Too Hard looked to be struggling to produce his dazzling acceleration until he got balanced atop the Randwick rise before he motored home late to consign Rain Affair (Commands – I Believe, by Octagonal) to second in the All Aged Stakes for the second straight year after Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock – Regard, by Zabeel) produced a similar turn of foot to beat him in 2012.

“To do what he’s done today in pulling out all stops takes a gutsy horse. He’s just an absolute athlete, he’s a racehorse and he’s got a big heart,” Michael Hawkes, who trains All Too Hard with his father John and brother Wayne, said.

“It’s been a long road, but he’s just an athlete. He’s got the family, the pedigree and he kicked some arse.”

“He’s up with the best of them, Lonhro and those horses.”

All Too Hard’s owners, a Vinery Stud-led consortium, has an eye on taking him to race at the Royal Ascot carnival in June with a victory to help them position him as a dual-hemisphere stallion prospect. However, Hawkes said the horse’s welfare would come first when assessing the merits of such an excursion.

“The horse comes first. He’s got to pull up enormous and then we’ll decide,” Hawkes said.

As for Waterhouse and Singleton, Racing NSW stewards will hear the latest round of their spat on Friday.