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Month: September 2023
‘Incredible’ Mr Brightside dominant in Makybe Diva
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) notched his fourth Group One victory in comfortable fashion when landing the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. In a small field of seven that always looked a tactical affair, winning jockey Craig Williams took luck out of the equation as he settled one-out one-back on the unassuming son of Bullbars. With his great rival Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) setting a sedate tempo and giving a strong kick turning for home, Mr Brightside ambled past his chief combatant to score by a length and…
2023 Makybe Diva Stakes Winner Is Mr Brightside
The spring majors are calling for Team Hayes‘ stable ace Mr Brightside who retained his undefeated weight-for-age mile record with a stunning win in the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes Winner Mr Brightside has the Group 1 King Charles II Stakes and Cox Plate races in his sights. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The gun galloper made it five straight wins and was bullish late, flying home the closing stages to run past the gallant Alligator Blood and salute as the…
Amelia’s Jewel a one-act affair in Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes
Amelia’s Jewel ridden by Damian Lane wins the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Amelia’s Jewel (-111.11) has coasted home in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday, kicking-off what’s bound to be an impressive trip to the eastern states for the mare trained out of Western Australia. Jockey Damien Lane went straight to the rear of the field from a wide draw (14) but ensured the four-year-old gained a three-wide position with cover throughout the contest. It was a one-act affair…
Mr Brightside a class above in Makybe Diva Stakes
Mr Brightside ridden by Craig Williams wins the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Mr Brightside (-125) has continued his dominance in the spring with a stunning performance to win the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. Craig Wlliams produced an elite steer from barrier two, allowing the short-priced favourite to drop his head in the one-one position throughout the 1600m weight-for-age feature. Meanwhile, it was left to Damien Oliver aboard Alligator Blood (+260) to dictate terms up on-speed with Princess Grace…
Private Eye claims The Shorts
Nash Rawiller lifted Private Eye to victory in The Shorts. Photo: Racing NSW The Joe Pride-trained Private Eye (+1100) caused somewhat of an upset in the 2023 edition of The Shorts (1100m) at Group 2 level at Randwick. First-up since finishing fifth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 29, Private Eye bought up a fourth win when fresh when claiming Overpass (+400) on the winning post in Saturday’s Group 2. Overpass took up the running for most of the event and looked like he…
Group One winner on track for title defence
Class mare Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) proved a cut above her rivals at New Plymouth on Saturday as she relished the Heavy10 surface on offer to race clear in the feature flat event, the Seaton Park Open (1400m). Last season’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) winner put a massive flashing light on her head as a next up winner when she made good late ground for sixth behind Dragon Leap (Pierro) and subsequent Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) fresh-up in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa…
Viva Vienna claims victory in Canterbury Belle Stakes
Quality three-year-old filly Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) confirmed she will be a major contender for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November with another fighting victory in the feature event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). Arch-rival Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) was expected to provide the main opposition to the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of All Too Hard after the pair had waged a home straight war at their previous encounter at the venue a fortnight…
Trip to Taranaki a profitable one for Phelan
Cambridge horseman Shaun Phelan took two horses to New Plymouth on Saturday and they did him proud by providing the quinella in the second race on the card, the Signright Open (1800m). Noted front-runner Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) showed all his fighting qualities as he defied the challenge of stablemate and little sister Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) after the pair went head-to-head from the 600m, with rider Elen Nicholas and Hit The Road Jack securing family bragging rights by half a neck at the line. Phelan was delighted with…
Lucrative aim for Satness
Five-year-old gelding Satness (NZ) (Sweynesse) scored a strong win in the Midway Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainers Robert and Luke Price, providing returning jockey Brock Ryan with a first metropolitan success since a five-month layoff with a shoulder injury. The hardy son of Sweynesse was given a perfect ride just behind the leader and was resolute late, staving off the challenge of fellow Kiwi breds Elettrica and Loving Cilla. Now the winner of four of his 34 starts with a further 15 placings, a start in the A$500,000 Four…