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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

The 2018 running of the Australian Cup at Flemington. RACING PHOTOS PREVIEW Spectacular Group 1 racing looms in and Melbourne The most significant Racing Club will stage the Newmarket winners. Handicap and the Australian Cup, races In Sydney, the Randwick day in Australian racing that are synonymous with Melbourne at Guineas over 1600m for three-year- since last year’s spring this time of the year. olds will be the highlight race as the carnival has arrived Our best sprinters will be showcased valuable colt The Autumn Sun attempts under handicap conditions in the to advance his record at the elite level. with four Group One Newmarket, run over a straight six Weight-for-age racing will also contests spread furlong course. be in the spotlight via the Group One In the biggest field for almost three . across two states. decades, 23 horses have accepted to Eleven other black-type races chase a share of the $1.25 million purse. will feature across the two meetings, or the purists, nothing will beat The Australian Cup is a weight- including important Golden Slipper Flemington on Saturday on the for-age race run over 2000m and it has lead-ins at Group Two level at F score of tradition. The Victoria attracted a field of 15 that includes two Randwick.

SHARE THIS EDITION 1 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 Godolphin takes bullish approach to Group 1 Newmarket Handicap

Godolphin Australia’s head trainer, James Cummings. RACING PHOTOS

Godolphin seems to have his claims as one of Australia’s best racing days. The Newmarket was first all angles covered as sprinting talents and create global run in 1874 and one trainer stands out opportunities that have been put on on the race’s honour roll - Cummings’ the world’s best-known hold for a Newmarket bid. grandfather Bart. stable strives to win the It would also continue a remarkable Because he is revered as a 12-time Newmarket Handicap for Australian season for Sheikh Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Bart Mohammed’s team that has cut a swathe Cummings’ record in sprint races is the first time. through our major races, including a often overlooked. historic Melbourne Cup triumph. But he trained eight Newmarket rainer James Cummings will send But if Osborne Bulls can’t deliver winners between 1972 and 1991 to leave out Osborne Bulls (Street Cry) at Group One level at the third time of an indelible mark on the race that often as favourite for the Group One asking, Godolphin will be hoping it will attracts a capacity field of 24 runners. Tsprint in Flemington’s straight-course be Encryption who can get the job done. This year’s field of 23 includes test that provides a spectacle few other While Osborne Bulls is a gelding, Redkirk Warrior (Notnowcanto) who is Australian races can match. Encryption is an exciting colt. chasing a record-breaking third win. Cummings will also start Encryption A Newmarket victory will make him In 2018, Redkirk Warrior became (), a young sprinter with an a valuable one if he salutes on Saturday. the fifth horse to claim back-to-back impressive pedigree who is in form with That means it will be good for victories and the Lindsay Park import a last-start placing in the Group One business because he will be rewarded with goes up 1kg to 58.5kg equal topweight over 1100m. a prominent role on Sheikh Mohammed’s with Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega) An Osborne Bulls win will validate Darley stallion roster at the end of his this year.

SHARE THIS EDITION 2 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 Import Avilius primed for biggest victory in $1.5m Australian Cup

Avilius (GB) after his most recent win in the G2 Peter Young Stakes. RACING PHOTOS

Imports have won four traditional weight-for-age lead-in to by John Gosden. His arrival at David of the past seven the Australian Cup. Hayes’s Lindsay Park stable continues Avilius won in a canter to improve a long association between the Australian Cups and the his Australian record under James decorated Australian racing family odds are in favour of Cummings to six wins from eight starts. and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al that trend continuing at He reached Group Two level from Maktoum. limited appearances for legendary Sheikh Hamdan’s Australian success Flemington. French trainer Andre Fabre before for the Hayes clan includes Melbourne finding his way to Australia last year. Cup wins with At Talaq (Roberto) and nglish-bred Avilius (Pivotal) is The Lindsay Park operation has a Jeune (Kalaglow) as well as the 1999 an overwhelming favourite to knack for shock Australian Cup wins Australian Cup with Istidaad (Chief’s post his first Group One win after with imports, claiming it most recently Crown). Ea faultless build-up to the $1.5 million as last year when Harlem (Champs Two Melbourne Cup winners will weight-for-age race over 2000m. Elysees) scored as one of the outsiders. step out for Macedon Lodge in what will Entrenched as a high-profile Harlem returns as one of five be abbreviated autumn campaigns. member of the Godolphin yard, Avilius runners for the stable and of the Almandin (Monsun) and Rekindling is unbeaten in two starts since having quintet, Muntahaa (Dansili) shapes as () return to racing off his Melbourne Cup chances dashed the most interesting. extended spells. because of interference. Winner of the Group Two Ebor The 2016 Melbourne Cup winner The most recent of those wins Handicap in England, Muntahaa was Almandin hasn’t been seen for almost came in the Group Two Peter Young left in Australia after finishing ninth 12 months while Rekindling has been Stakes over 1800m at Caulfield - a in the Melbourne Cup when trained absent since his 2017 triumph.

SHARE THIS EDITION 3 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 Top fillies to take on glamour colt in Two fillies who fought out a Group One race last week will add interest to the Randwick Guineas.

akeeta Jane () and Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt) have taken up Nthe challenge to try to lower the colours of high-profile colt The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice). They continue their campaigns as the quinella pair from the Group One Surround Stakes when Nakeeta Jane edged out Fundamentalist in a tight finish. Run over 1600m and offering a $500,000 purse, the Group One Randwick Guineas is the first leg of a Sydney triple crown for three-year-olds. It was introduced to the Sydney The Autumn Sun. LISA GRIMM calendar in 2006, replacing the now- defunct Canterbury Guineas which was wins in Melbourne and Sydney. 1600m during the Brisbane winter a 1900m race. The Autumn Sun will be chasing carnival. In the Randwick Guineas’ short his fourth Group One win at his eighth He blossomed into an even more history, Mosheen () stands start. formidable racehorse as a spring three- alone as the only filly to beat the males As a two-year-old, the colt was year-old with wins in the Golden Rose when she won in 2012 during an autumn an end-of-season benchmark after and at Group One sequence of three successive Group One winning the Group One JJ Atkins over level.

Trapeze Artist, Kementari poised for Canterbury Stakes battle The Canterbury Stakes best after an indifferent start to his will stand up as a true campaign when unplaced in the Group Two last Group One test despite a month. clash with the Newmarket In a move that is common among Australian trainers, Gerald Ryan has Handicap in Melbourne. given Trapeze Artist two barrier trials since the Expressway to have the entire hree Group One winners have in the right order for Randwick. accepted for the $500,000 Kementari has also been kept up race over 1300m at Randwick, to the mark with a Sydney barrier trial Tincluding Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and hit-out since his first-up Group One Godolphin’s Kementari (Lonhro). CF Orr Stakes start when runner-up in While the Newmarket has long Melbourne last month. been Australia’s premier handicap for The entire claimed last year’s sprinters, the Canterbury Stakes is run Randwick Guineas but he has been under weight-for-age conditions. winless since in a period where four Trapeze Artist will be trying to re- Group One placings have added to a Trapeze Artist. LISA GRIMM establish his rating as one of Australia’s frustrating run.

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AUSTRALIAN-BREDQUINELLA

Congratulations to the connections of Australian-bred CROWN PROSECUTOR for capturing the Group One New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Saturday, leading home IN A TWINKLING to complete an Australian-bred quinella.

Medaglia d’Oro - Riptide by Exceed And Excel

Owners: Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (Mgr: Harvey Green) & JML Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: L Petagna) Breeder: Hesket Bloodstock Trainer: S B Marsh

Sold at 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $50,000

THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY Aushorse.com.au

SHARE THIS EDITION 5 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 Premier’s international spend was brazen It didn’t take long for the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale to find its swing.

The top priced horse of Melbourne Premier 2019, Lot 4 by Brazen Beau from Up In Lights (NZ)

flashy colt from Bhima Brazen Beau’s sire, , who While the bulk of the overseas by Darley’s Group galloped away with the leading average spend was from Chinese and Hong Kong One winner, Brazen Beau (I Am - $301,875 for eight sold. interests, South Africa, Singapore and Invincible)–A just the fourth yearling The second highest price of the sale the United Kingdom were similarly into the recently renovated Oaklands - $675,000 for a Written Tycoon colt involved in the mix. Junction sale ring – sparked some from Gilgai Farm – went, quite literally, Overall the sale would bring in spirited bidding before eventually being to another overseas ‘player’ when the $45,167,500 – down on last year due to knocked down to Hong Kong operation, youngster was purchased by Mark nearly 50 less horses being offered – Orbis Bloodstock, for $800,000. Player’s International while the average itself of $117,624 was It would be the second highest Solutions. only marginally short of 2018. price ever paid for a yearling in Victoria (Interestingly, ’s “It’s an international sale if you and the highest price thus far for breeder, Gilgai Farm, sold the most look at the people out here this week,” Brazen Beau, who is based at Darley’s expensive yearling in Melbourne - $1.4 Inglis Managing Director, Mark Webster, Victorian arm. But it wouldn’t stop million for an I Am Invincible colt – two pointed out to the media post sale. there for the second crop stallion whose years ago). “We had people here buying on behalf 2YOs include $500,000 Inglis Nursery By the close of play on the 462 lot- of Hong Kong and Chinese interests winner, Accession (Brazen Beau) and strong first book, Orbis Bloodstock was who were happy to spend $500,000 to the Godolphin Group Two Silver Slipper the leading buyer in terms of aggregate $600,000 on horses and that gives us runner-up, Tassort (Brazen Beau). ($1.86 million) and average ($620,000) great confidence. Ultimately, five of the top 10 lots in for three lots purchased, while Yuesheng “Fortunately they are bidding on Book 1 of the Premier were by Brazen Zhang’s YuLong Investments had Victorian-sired progeny like Brazen Beau, with Orbis Bloodstock also weighed in with $1,645,000 for nine. Beau, which hasn’t always been the chiming in with $560,000 for another Leading bloodstock agent, John Foote case. colt, while China’s YuLong Investments spent $1,130,000 for Hong Kong clients, “I think those internationals would snapped up the highest price filly for Hermitage Thoroughbreds was active like to see a broader mix of those elite $420,000. with six buys, Hong Kong’s Upper stallions and we’ve demonstrated Not surprisingly, Brazen Beau’s 17 Bloodstock paid $520,000 for a Kermadec we can get that overseas bench here yearlings put him over the top in terms colt and China’s Rifa Mustang snapped bidding strongly. A lot said they wish of gross ($4.85 million), but it would be up a Golden Horn colt for $425,000. there was more on offer.”

SHARE THIS EDITION 6 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 FEATURE ‘Rags’ to riches . . . It’s been some journey

Mystic Journey becomes the first Tasmanian trained horse in 133 years to win the Australian Guineas. RACING PHOTOS

Imagine purchasing a yearling for $11,000 at the Tasmanian south. Magic Millions Yearling Sale and, just on two years later, Then, on the back of a stakes win in Hobart last month, she was sent out cheer on as said filly wins the $1 million Group One a deserved favourite for the Australian Australian Guineas over 1600m at Flemington. Guineas, winning with over two lengths to spare. No wonder they’re calling her the of Tasmania! The Guineas also he stuff of dreams? You betcha. “… we never thought took her earnings to $1,012,600 and she Mystic Journey (Needs will next appear in the $5 million All- Further) is, in every sense of the in our wildest dreams Star Mile at Flemington on 16 March. Tword, the pride of the Apple Isle. While that it would end up That $11,000 is looking better by the admittedly bred by Victorian based minute! Ralph Zito, along with his wife Peta, in a Group One “We thought she was a lovely, cheap Joe and Rhonda Cichello and John and little filly who would go and do a job for Diane Button, the filly’s dam, White at Flemington!” us, but we never thought in our wildest Gold (Colombia), has spent the majority ADAM TRINDER dreams that it would end up in a Group of her life in Tassie, while Mystic TRAINER One at Flemington!,” an elated Trinder Journey’s sire, Needs Further (Encosta reveals. “This was my fiancée, Leah’s de Lago), stands at one of Tasmania’s peeling off five straight since the Listed pick at the sales … she loved her.” oldest farms, Armidale Stud. Jim Maloney at Caulfield last September. As does Wayne Roser, a major client Trained at Spreyton (northern She backed that up with a of Trinder who races Mystic Journey in Tasmania) by Adam Trinder, Mystic comfortable victory in the Group Two white, red diamond and sleeves silks. Journey simply goes from strength to Aquis Farm Fillies Classic at Moonee A former barrister in New South strength with nine wins from 12 starts, Valley on Cox Plate day before returning Wales, Roser began sending horses to

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Trinder around seven years ago and the pair’s success stories include 10-time winner, Valiant Warrior (West Quest). Quite a few horses but nothing too earth shattering … until now. But get this, Roser returned to the scene of his climb last year where he purchased another Needs Further filly, this one out of a half sister to Mystic Journey, for $28,000, at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Naming her Mystical Pursuit, the filly has won four from four – including the Listed pair of Elwick Stakes and Gold Sovereign – for a tick over $200,000 in prizemoney. Mystical Pursuit was also bred by Zito and co. and, like Mystic Journey, was sold by Armidale Stud: “I’m fairly certain that Wayne has only purchased the three yearlings from us … one is a Owner Wayne Roser and trainer Adam Trinder with Mystic Journey. RACING PHOTOS Group One winner, the other is likely to be Tasmania’s Champion 2YO, while he becomes the first Tasmanian trained “I can’t even begin to tell you how bought a Dissident filly for $30,000 at horse to win a Group One on the excited we all are. It’s a real shot in the the Tassie sale last month,” Armidale’s Australian mainland since Malua’s arm for the local breeding industry. David Whishaw explains. “Probably be Australian Cup in 1886 – nearly 133 years It’s great for Adam Trinder, great for a good idea to keep your eye on the ago. Wayne Roser, great for the breeders who Dissident filly!” “I’ve been confident for weeks continue to support Tasmania and great As for Zito and crew, if they’re that Mystic Journey would run well in for our stallion Needs Further. dirty on only getting $11,000 for their the Australian Guineas and I started “Needs Further’s oldest are now 4YOs yearling, they’ve done a good job of phoning around to a lot of people I and he’s had a stakes winner with every hiding the hurt. know in the industry, asking them crop: Pateena Arena, Mystic Journey and A devotee of line breeding, Zito is about the last Tassie trained horse to Mystical Pursuit, have won the Elwick quick to point out that they while they win a Group One,” David Whishaw Stakes in successive years and have nine retain quite a few of what they breed, reveals. “I kept getting ‘not in my stakes victories between them. when they do send one to the sales they lifetime’ and I even rang a couple of “Tasmania is only a small industry like to be known as sellers. people in their 80s who said the same with not a lot of mares go around, “We’re only a relatively small thing … ‘not in my lifetime’. but Needs Further is really starting operation with half a dozen mares to hit his straps and wins like that on but we’ve managed to breed some “They say it’s all about Saturday will draw a lot more attention 80 winners in the last 20 years,” Zito the journey and not from other states. enthused. “People might think I regret “He’s a Group winning sprinter by selling her but there are no guarantees the destination and and a half brother to in this game and things might not have Hallowed Crown (), while worked out if I’d kept her. the way that filly won his yearlings have sold up to $95,000 “I focus more on what a great result on the weekend, it’s off a fee of $3,300 (now $5,500). What’s it is for Tasmania. Mystic Journey’s more, they’ve averaged over nine times dam, White Gold, produced a lovely turning out to be a service fee. Fighting Sun filly last spring and is in bloody good journey!” “His stablemate, Alpine Eagle (High foal to Fiorente, but will be heading Chaparral) has got some very nice foals DAVID WHISHAW back to Armidale Stud shortly to be ARMIDALE STUD on the ground, so it’s all great for us again covered by Needs Further. at the moment and, I’m happy to say, “He’s a serious horse that Needs Ironically, Adam Trinder’s absolutely tremendous for Tasmania. Further. Hopefully the rise and rise of grandfather Ray had Piping Lane “They say it’s all about the journey Mystic Journey, and Mystical Pursuit for (Lanesborough) but handed the horse and not the destination and the that matter, will bring more focus on over to Victorian trainer George Hanlon way that filly won on the weekend, the stallion from mainland breeders.” prior to the galloper’s victory in the 1972 it’s turning out to be a bloody good Remarkably, Mystic Journey Melbourne Cup. journey!”

SHARE THIS EDITION 8 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 REVIEW Winx in a world of her own despite a minor scare in Group One win No.23

Winx claims her fourth consecutive G1 . LISA GRIMM

It wasn’t easy but Winx left the 600m, leaving Winx six lengths in when she runs over 1500m in the Group arrears and her jockey One George Ryder Stakes - another no doubt she is heading busier than usual in the saddle. weight-for-age race she will be trying towards retirement at the But as she has done so many times, to win for the fourth time. peak of her powers after Winx had the situation under control It will be a significant moment at the 200m and Sydney’s first Group because Winx will step out to race at a Chipping Norton Stakes One race in 2019 developed into the Rosehill, the western Sydney racetrack win created more records procession it was meant to be. where she is trained, for the final In beating Happy Clapper by 1-3/4 occasion. for the champion mare. lengths, Winx became the outright Happy Clapper is unlikely to be owner of a world record for Group One waiting for her after finishing runner- ipped to be another benefit as wins, edging past the Irish hurdler up to Winx for the fifth time in his Winx (Street Cry) tried for a Hurricane Fly (Montjeu). career. world record 23 Group One wins, She also posted the fastest Randwick A true warrior of Australian racing, Tthe Chipping Norton was anything but mile of her career in eclipsing the Happy Clapper has banked $1.6 million of a charity event for the world’s best race record while joining decorated his $6.5 million prize money in chasing racehorse. weight-for-age performer home one of the greatest of the turf. Thanks to a calculated ride from () as a four-time winner of The superlatives also flowed for one Blake Shinn on Happy Clapper (), the Chipping Norton. of Happy Clapper’s most courageous the 1600m weight-for-age contest It was the 35th win of her career performances and his latest heroics became a genuine race. with the past 31 in succession. auger well for his chances in the All- The expected romp turned into a Winx will be next seen on Golden Star Mile - a $5 million race run at wrestle as Happy Clapper shot away at Slipper day at Rosehill on March 23 Flemington next week.

SHARE THIS EDITION 9 aushorse.com.au DOWN UNDER DELIVERED THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 A fairytale Journey continues in Australian Guineas victory

Jockey Anthony Darmanin and trainer Adam Trinder after winning the G1 Australian Guineas. RACING PHOTOS

There has always been a Group One winner trained out of for Lloyd Williams’s Macedon Lodge Tasmania in nearly 133 years when she with weekly visits to ride in Tasmania, place in Australian racing trounced a high-class field in the $1 Australia’s island state. for a small-scale stable million race. Darmanin’s fly-in fly-out modus Completing her rise to the upper operandi is into its sixth season and he to reach the top with an echelon of Australia’s three-year-old has ridden Mystic Journey in all but one inexpensive racehorse. ranks, Mystic Journey defeated Hawkshot of her 12 starts that have delivered nine (Fiorente) and Amphitrite (). wins and stakes of more than $1 million. nd so the tradition continued The placegetters were among three n even bigger payday than the when Mystic Journey (Needs runners for the powerful Lindsay Guineas looms next week after Mystic Further) captured the Group One Park operation while fourth-placed Journey received one of four wildcards AAustralian Guineas at Flemington. Ringerdingding (Sebring) was the first for the All-Star Mile. In an era where mega stables with home from Chris Waller’s quartet. Staged over the Guineas course, the strings of richly bred racehorses for Adding to the theme of Group One All-Star Mile is the richest race of the wealthy overseas owners dominate the firsts for trainer and horse, jockey Australian autumn with a $5 million racing landscape, trainer Adam Trinder Anthony Darmanin also celebrated a purse on offer for the inaugural running. and his $11,000 filly are the toast of breakthrough win at racing’s elite level. Australian racing. Victorian-based Darmanin Read more about Mystic Journey Mystic Journey became the first supplements his income as a track rider in this week’s feature on Page 7.

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Oaks favourite boosts growing reputation in Surround Stakes The ATC Australian Oaks favourite Nakeeta Jane has collected a Group One bonus on her way to the premier staying test for three-year-old fillies.

aught midfield in a slowly run Nakeeta Jane and Josh Parr. LISA GRIMM race and forced to make a run wider than her jockey wanted, 13 - the second and final day of The as a September three-year-old, Nakeeta CNakeeta Jane (So You Think) overcame Championships. Jane figured on the wrong end of a both obstacles to win the $500,000 Nakeeta Jane is unbeaten in her desperate three-way finish to the Group Surround Stakes at Randwick. Oaks campaign after winning the One Stakes. Her win confirmed Mark Newnham Group Two Light Fingers over 1200m at Newnham’s stable is overflowing is a trainer to be reckoned with while Randwick last month. with talented sophomore fillies despite Josh Parr might just be one one of most Of all the three-year-old fillies the loss of Group One Spring Champion underrated riders in Sydney’s jockeys’ who raced during the spring carnival Stakes winner Maid Of Heaven (Smart ranks. in Sydney, Nakeeta Jane has made the Missile) to injury. It also kept Nakeeta Jane at the most improvement to win a Group One He also trains VRC Oaks runner-up forefront of betting on the Australian race at her fifth start. Greysful Glamour (Stratum) who ran Oaks, a $1 million race over 2400m It shouldn’t have been unexpected in the Surround as she warms into her to be staged at Randwick on April because 24 days after making her debut autumn campaign. Snowden, Godolphin yards dominate Slipper qualifiers naheed is the first confirmed Sepoy (Elusive Quality) during his time runner for this year’s Golden as head conditioner when the Australian Slipper to come out of the stable of Sheikh Mohammed raced Apowerful Peter and Paul Snowden stable. under the Darley banner. A blue blood filly for Sheikh Bin Sheikh Mohammed’s current primary Kahlifa Al Maktoum, Anaheed (Fastnet Australian trainer James Cummings also Rock) secured her place in the world’s figured in the colts and geldings Golden richest two-year-old race with her win Slipper qualifier on Saturday. in the Group Two Sweet Embrace Stakes Recent Melbourne winner at Randwick. Peter Snowden. RACING.COM Microphone (Exceed And Excel) showed She will go into the $3.5 million he was just as adept on his Sydney leg Slipper without another start after the race with a minor joint issue. to win the Group Two Skyline Stakes. improving her record to two wins from The Snowdens, who train two-time The Sweet Embrace and the Skyline three starts. Everest winner Redzel, enjoyed Slipper were contested over 1200m with There were excuses for her defeat success in 2016 with Capitalist (Written Microphone earning bragging rights on in a lead-up to the Group One Blue Tycoon). the stopwatch in running 0.39 seconds Diamond Stakes when she came out of Peter also trained the 2011 winner faster than Anaheed.

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in Australia last season that went through a sales ring were bought or passed in for under AU$100,000 including: Viddora $40,000 Hellbent $95,000 In Her Time (PI) $38,000 She Will Reign $20,000 Hey Doc $85,000 Santa Ana Lane $80,000 Seabrook $85,000

It pays to buy Australian. Aushorse.com.au

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