Sierra Sue has doubled her Group One tally with a strong win in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The winner of the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over the same course and distance last spring, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained mare went to a new level when claiming elite level success under weight-for-age conditions on Saturday. The five-year-old daughter of proven sire Darci Brahma headed home a New Zealand bred trifecta, scoring by a comfortable 1¼ lengths from the fast-finishing Savabeel entire Mo’unga, with race…
Month: February 2022
Langkawi upsets in Kaimai Stakes at Matamata
Underrated stayer Langkawi came off the ballot and into the winners’ enclosure at Matamata on Saturday when he produced a determined finish to claim the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The Peter McKay-trained six-year-old has been in a purple patch of form of late with three wins in his last four starts after a disappointing two seasons where he failed to deliver on the promise he showed during his three-year-old campaign where he finished third in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m). McKay has played a patient game with…
Maven Belle remains unbeaten after stylish Breeders’ Stakes victory
Classy juvenile filly Maven Belle made it three wins from three starts when she swept to a clearcut victory in the feature race at Matamata on Saturday, the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). The Jamie Richards-trained daughter of Burgundy had looked to have a touch of class when she won on debut over 1000m at Te Aroha in early January. That impression deepened when she produced a similar performance to win the Gr.3 Platinum Homes 2YO Classic (1200m) at Te Rapa a fortnight ago and rose…
Ruby – a ‘sparkling’ Super Stayer
If you don’t succeed at first – try, try again! It’s an adage that has stood the test of time. And Victorian staying queen Mepunga Ruby did just that in tonight’s Group 1 TAB Fanta Bale Super Stayers final (725m) at The Meadows. Trained at Anakie by Jeff Britton, Mepunga Ruby snared her first G1 win – at her fifth attempt. Her previous attempts at G1 glory produced the following results – Sale Cup (2nd), Bold Trease (3rd) and Topgun Stayers (6th), all last year, and the Zoom Top (5th)…
Marabi sprints away with the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate
Marabi ridden by Ben Allen wins the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Unbeaten sprinter Marabi silenced any doubters as she maintained her perfect record in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained five-year-old went into the 1100m feature as the $2.60 favourite, and although she didn’t lead like she has in her first six career victories, jockey Ben Allen gave her a terrific steer and booted home his first Group 1 winner as a jockey. Allen allowed the speedy Malkovich…
2022 Oakleigh Plate Results: Marabi Makes It Seven Straight
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s undefeated mare Marabi has added a Group 1 to her growing resume with a win in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. The daughter of I Am Invincible was installed as a short $2.60 favourite in the field of 13 after taking out the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley last month, and she did not disappoint thanks to a perfect ride from Ben Allen. After dropping significant weight to jump in the irons, the winning hoop claimed his first Group 1 by remaining…
2022 Blue Diamond Stakes Winner: Blinkers Prove the Trick for Daumier
A Blue Diamond battle for the ages took place at Caulfield on Saturday with Team Freedman prevailing in the $1.5 million 2YO feature for the second year in a row. A year removed from Artorius’ victory, it was stablemate Daumier in the winner’s stall post-race after edging out last fortnight’s Fillies Prelude winner Revolutionary Miss in a ding-dong battle right to the line. The son of Epaulette went around as a rough $20.00 chance in the field of 15 despite showing plenty of ability in two starts prior. The two-year-old…
2022 Chipping Norton Stakes Winner: Verry Elleegant Defends Crown, Wins 11th Group 1
A rain-soaked Randwick proved no match for reigning Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant on Saturday. Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner added an 11th Group 1 to her world-class resume whilst simultaneously defending her crown in the $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes. Chris Waller’s champion six-year-old was again given the perfect ride by long-time hoop James McDonald, overcoming a three-wide position early on before shifting out four-wide at the top of the straight to grab the lead 200m from home. The mighty mare fended off a late challenge from Think It…
Defibrillate claims consecutive wins in Mornington Cup Prelude
Defibrillate (NZ) ridden by Billy Egan wins the Mornington Cup Prelude for the second year in a row. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Patrick Payne-trained Defibrillate has won the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield for the second year running. It was a terrific training performance by Payne to get the seven-year-old to win first-up over the 2000m journey. On a day where many front-runners were successful, jockey Billy Egan was happy to settle back in field where he found a position on the rail. Egan was then able to…
Hinged clings on in thrilling Surround Stakes finish
Hinged (inside) claims Group 1 Surround Stakes. (Photo: Lisa Grimm) Just 40 minutes after Verry Elleegant gave Chris Waller his 132nd Group 1 victory, Hinged added one more to the tally with a tenacious victory in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Royal Randwick. Waller trained both Espiona ($2.60F) and Fangirl ($3.50) in the Group 1 or 3YO Fillies, but it was his outsider who saluted at $10 odds in the 1400m event. It was an emotional victory for both jockey and trainer, as Brenton Avdulla returned to the saddle…