There were five Group I races contested in Australasia on Saturday including two horses winning at the elite level for the first time one of which put the spotlight on an emerging broodmare sire.
The Group I ATC Doncaster Mile (1600m) was one by Lindsay Park trained gelding Mr Brightside, who led home a trifecta for Kiwi breds, read about him here.
Mr Brightside is the first G1 winner for Bullbars, a G3 winning half-brother to G1 winning sires Epaulette and Helmet. He is one of three stakes-winners for Bullbars, who has had limited opportunities, but can get a quality horse given the other stakes-winners are multiple G2 winners Beauden and Countess Vanessa.
He is the first G1 winner for ill-fated Tavistock as a broodmare sire, and the son of Montjeu has already sired the dams of five stakes-winners including Straight Arron, who won the G3 Carbine Club, read about him here.
As a broodmare sire, Tavistock is running at 15.6% stakes-winners to runners which will prick the ears of breeders. There are three Inglis Easter yearlings from Tavistock mares. Click to see them.
The Group I ATC Australian Derby (2400m) was won in eye-catching style by Hitotsu, who was headed by runner-up Benaud and came again, read about him here.
Already the winner of the Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas, Hitotsu is very clean winded athlete that has not been over raced having just five starts this season for four wins. He is the first Australian G1 winner for Japanese superstar Maurice and is one of 23 for Redoute’s Choice as a broodmare sire.
There have been seven runners so far by Maurice from Redoute’s Choice mares and two have won, while 2YO Matcha Latte is Group placed. Expect to see a lot more of this cross as time goes on.
The Group I ATC TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) was won in scintillating fashion by champion sprinter Nature Strip for the third year in a row, read about him here.
Nature Strip is one of two G1 winners for his sire Nicconi and is clearly his best offspring. He is one of four G1 winners for his dam sire Desert Sun (GB), but is not the best with that honour going to Black Caviar, who logged up 15 G1 wins against Nature Strip’s eight.
The Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) went the way of Golden Slipper winner Fireburn, who is stamping herself as an exceptional 2YO, read about her here.
We’ve seen the pedigree before, first G1 winner for her sire Rebel Dane and dam sire So You Think, but looking at it now with an eye to her potential to run a strong mile next start in the Champagne Stakes you would have to be optimistic.
Grand-dam by Zabeel and third dam Danarani won G1 Flight Stakes (1600m), both big plus factors so am inclined to think she is a Triple Crown winner in waiting! The only filly to ever achieve the feat is Burst, who won all three races in 1992.
The Group I Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) for 2YOs at Awapuni in New Zealand was a hot race on paper with the filly Maven Belle prevailing, click here to read about her win.
Maven Belle is the second Group I winner for ill-fated Redoute’s Choice stallion Burgundy following on from his NZ Oaks winner Belle en Rouge and the first for staying bred Kilimanjaro (GB) as a broodmare sire.
Kilimanjaro is by influential sire Shirley Heights, who has a good record with Redoute’s Choice combining with him in the pedigrees of 43 stakes-winners, 11 of them Group I winners including his champion colt The Autumn Sun.
Pedigree would suggest she will be even better at three with her stakes-placed dam Doyenne featuring a 3 x 3 double cross of European Champion of the early seventies 3YO Mill Reef. Doyenne is a half-sister to current dual Group I winning sprinter Levende (by Proisir), so there is a bit going on in this family and the potential of a lot more when Levende and Maven Belle eventually go to stud.
