Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Race-Day Recap
On Saturday, McDonald sadded-up the unraced Stanley Express (Starspangledbanner) in the $1 million The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown at Caulfield over 1200 metres.
Zoustar's Growing Empire hinted at bigger things to come with an assertive performance in the G3 Breeders' S. at Morphettville.
Ikasara (I Am Invincible), a $800,000 colt, made a dream start to his career with a strong victory on debut at Rosehill.
Cambridge Stud's Almanzor posted a new winner with the impressive juvenile Thooza at Te Rapa. Bred by The Oaks Stud, Thooza was purchased and raced by Cambridge Stud.
The Neville Parnham-trained Gold Flakes (Playing Gold) defied her outsider odds to defeat the raging favourite Rainline (Rommel) and Siren Assault (Rich Enuff).
Lazzura a $500,000 yearling by Snitzel won on debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Stanley flies on debut
The Cranbourne-based stable of Clinton McDonald has enjoyed a fruitful season with its juveniles this season in Victoria. Earlier in the year, McDonald claimed the G1 Blue Diamond S. with the classy Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}).
On Saturday, McDonald sadded-up the unraced Stanley Express (Starspangledbanner) in the $1 million The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown at Caulfield over 1200 metres.
Despite his relative inexperience Stanley Express was kept safe by bookies sent out as a $7 chance. The race was rocked by the scratching of the hot-favourite Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) after the Lindsay Park-trained filly opened the barriers prior to the jump. She was subsequently deemed unfit to start after being assessed by veterinary staff.
Stanley Express, ridden by Luke Nolen, launched from the tail of the field to deny a brave Symphony Of Colour (Shamus Award) and Stormbourg (Strasbourg).
The gelding bred by Emirates Park is the fifth foal from Vivid (Eavesdropper {USA}). His fourth dam La Brillante (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) although unraced hailed from a prominent family. She was a full sister to Kaapstad (NZ) and a three-quarter-sister to the Champion Octagonal (NZ).
Stanley Express (white silks) takes out the The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown | Image courtesy of Melbourne Racing Club
Stanley Express was a $110,000 purchase by Josiah Ma and Shane McGrath from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale.
Starspangledbanner stood the 2023 breeding season at a fee of $33,000 (inc GST). A 2024 fee has yet to be announced.
Empire assets dominance
Zoustar’s progressive son Growing Empire asserted his dominance over the juveniles in the G3 Breeders’ S. at Morphettville on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, in the bottle green silks of Yulong, despite showing some signs of inexperience was too classy for his opponents in the 1200-metre feature.
Jumping from barrier 11, with Mark Zahra in the saddle, Growing Empire was posted wide through the first half of the race before Zahra elected to push the colt forward to take up the lead.
Growing Empire, burst away the pack to win by 4.5l from Flattered (Yes Yes Yes) and Flyer (Exceedance).
Speaking to Racing.com, Maher said, “I am not surprised by the style of the victory; Growing Empire is a very good colt.
“He’ll probably have a breather now and get ready for the spring. He had a few tricks we had to iron out earlier in his career, I think he’s pretty progressive.”
Growing Empire | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Growing Empire is a veteran of three races, winning twice. With both victories coming at stakes level, having earlier claimed the Listed Valley Pearl S.
The colt is the second foal from the Snitzel mare Miles Of Krishan, who won five races. Her first foal, Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) won six races and has been placed in the G3 Furphy Sprint.
Bred by P Hodgens, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Encompass International, Growing Empire was offered by Vinery Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where Yulong paid $700,000 to secure him.
“I am not surprised by the style of the victory; Growing Empire is a very good colt.” - Ciaron Maher
Zoustar, who stands at Widden Stud, stood the 2023 breeding season at a fee of $220,000 (inc GST). A 2024 fee has yet to be announced for the son of Northern Meteor.
Waterhouse and Bott flex juvenile muscle
It has been well documented the power and prominence of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juveniles this season, and on Saturday at Rosehill the operation unveiled another in Ikasara (I Am Invincible).
Ikasara making his debut over 1100 metres, with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle, defeated Althoff (Written Tycoon) by 0.8l and Point And Shoot (Blue Point {Ire}).
On her X handle, co-trainer Gai Waterhouse said, “Ikasara showed exceptional talent to win on debut at Rosehill. This son of I Am Invincible is ranked right up there with top stable juveniles this season and the best is yet to come!”.
The colt is the third foal from the More Than Ready (USA) mare Ektifaa, who won four races, including the G2 Kenilworth Choice Carriers Championship.
Ikasara is from the family of the G3 Widden Stud victress Fireworks (Snitzel), the dam of the Listed VRC Foundation Plate winner Millane (Zoustar).
Ikasara | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and TFI secured Ikasara for $800,000 from the draft of Kia Ora Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The Champion Sire I Am Invincible stood for $302,500 (inc GST) in 2023. A 2024 fee has yet to be announced.
Daughter of Almanzor impresses at Te Rapa
Thooza (NZ), donning the Cambridge Stud silks of her sire, Almanzor (Fr), marked an impressive debut for the operation and trainer Tony Pike at Te Rapa last Saturday. Under the guidance of jockey Warren Kennedy, the filly secured victory in the Cambridge Raceway 2YO over 1200 meters, surpassing rivals Sister Cynane (I Am Invincible) and Moneypenny (NZ) (Proisir).
Thooza comes from a lineage that's been making waves this season. Her dam, Sea Goddess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), a three-time winner, is descended from the illustrious mare Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and is a half-sister to Pelican (NZ) (Fastnet Rock), who is the dam of the exceptional juvenile Storm Boy (Justify {USA}). Another notable member of the family is the recent G2 Alister Clark S. victor Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc de Cambes {NZ}).
Bred by The Oaks Stud, Thooza was presented at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where Cambridge Stud secured her for NZ$155,000. Almanzor, her sire, is set to stand the 2024 breeding season at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, with a reduced fee of NZ$30,000 (plus GST), down from the previous NZ$50,000 (inc GST).
Gold latest winner for God
The Neville Parnham-trained Gold Flakes (Playing Gold) defied her outsider odds to defeat the raging favourite Rainline (Rommel) and Siren Assault (Rich Enuff).
The filly had never finished any better than fourth, prior to Saturday’s victory at Ascot. Gold Flakes is the fifth foal from the Oratorio mare Corn Flakes.
She is the dam of the prolific winner Corn Cob (Awesome Rock), who has won 11 races and the four-time winner Cornflower (Trade Fair {GB}).
Furthermore, Gold Flakes is related to the G3 Hobart Cup winner Double You Tee (Written Tycoon). The filly was a $155,000 purchase by Parnham Racing Stables from the draft of Alwyn Park Stud (as agent for De Grey Park) at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Her sire, Playing God, stood the 2023 breeding season at a fee of $33,000 (inc GST) at Darling View Thoroughbreds. A 2024 fee has yet to be announced.
Lazzura salutes on debut
Sent out at odds of $41, the Chris Waller-trained Lazzura (Snitzel) saluted on debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The filly, ridden by Jeff Penza, defeated Megastar Heart (Star Turn) and Happy Bellie (I Am Invincible).
Lazzura as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lazzura is the third foal from the Heart’s Cry (Jpn) Laguna Azzura (Jpn). She is also the dam of the Listed-placed Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt). She was a $500,000 purchase by B2B Thoroughbreds from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Arrowfield Stud’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel stood the 2023 breeding season for $247,000 (inc GST). A 2024 fee has yet to be announced.
