13 for Air Force Blue
New first season sire winners
Air Force Blue
First-season sire Air Force Blue (War Front) recorded his 13th individual winner when Major Frontier (2 c ex Make Haste by Tiznow) made a successful debut at Gulfstream Park West on Saturday, on what was the last day of racing at the south Florida venue. Trained by Lester Barbarzon, the Hinkle Farms-bred juvenile beat King Uhtred (Declaration Of War) by a head, with Stand With Mo (Uncle Mo) two and a quarter lengths away in third. Air Force Blue, who has his first two-year-olds in Australia this season, will stand for a fee of US$10,000 (approx AUD$13,500) at Coolmore America in 2021.
Treble for Shalaa
Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) continues to fire in the winners, with victory for his son Shershab (s c ex Gherdaiya by Shamarda) over 1500 metres at Marseille-Vivaux on Monday providing him with his 20th winner from his first crop. Trained by Frederic Rossi, the Al Shaqab-raced juvenile beat Sens Du Defi (Youmzain) by a length, with Roxy Music (Prince Gibraltar) back in third. Shershab is the first foal out of dual-winning Group 3-placed Gherdaiya (Shamardal). Shalaa was on the mark once again on Saturday, when victory for Mission Accomplise (2 c ex Gaazaal by Iffraaj) in a 1200-metre nursery at Syracuse in Sicily provided him with his 22nd individual winner, following the victory of the Ken Condon-trained Let’s (2 f ex Elizabelle by Westerner) at Dundalk on Friday night. Shalaa’s 2021 fee at Haras de Bouquetot has been set at €15,000 (approx. AUD$24,295).
Vadamos
Rich Hill Stud shuttler Vadamos (Monsun) sired his 12th individual winner when Mammasaidknockuout (2 f ex Open Verse by Black Minnaloushe) kept on well to get off the mark in a LIngfield nursery over six furlongs on Tuesday. Trained by Richard Hannon, the juvenile was having her fourth start when beating favourite Olivia May (Dark Angel) by a length. Decadent (Mehmas) was another three-quarters of a length away in third. A €50,000 purchase by Peter and Ross Doyle at Goffs last year, Mammasaidknockuout is a half-sister to four winners, out of the Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat) mare Open Verse, who herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Polaris Flight (Northern Flagship). Vadamos, a Group 1 winner in France, is standing for NZ$15,000 (plus GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Bated Breath
The Juddmonte-owned Viadera (4 f ex Sacred Shield by Beat Hollow) provided Banstead Manor Stud resident Bated Breath (Dansili) with his first elite-level winner when defeating Blowout (Dansili) and Juliet Foxtrot (Dansili) in the Matriarch Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Del Mar on Sunday. Viadera is the fourth foal out of Sacred Shield (Beat Hollow) – the winner of two races for Sir Henry Cecil – and a three-parts sister to dual Listed scorer Crossed Baton (Dansili). Sacred Shield herself is closely related to Clepsydra (Sadler’s Wells), the dam of four stakes winners including Group 1 scorers Timepiece (Zamindar) and Passage Of Time (Dansili), the latter producing the high-class Time Test (Dubawi) herself. The now 12-year-old Sacred Shield is also a half-sister to Lingfield Oaks Trial (Listed, 1m 3.5f) winner Double Crossed (Caerleon), the dam of multiple top-level winner Twice Over (Observatory). Bated Breath will stand for a fee of £12,500 (approx. AUD$22,615) in 2021.
Bodemeister
Bodexpress (4 c ex Pied A Terre by City Zip) took out the Clark Handicap (Gr 1, 9f) at Churchill Downs on Friday to provide Bodemeister (Empire Maker) with his first elite-level success. The Gustavo Delgado-trained Bodexpress ran on to lead inside the final furlong and kept on well to defeat favourite Code Of Honor (Noble Mission) by a length, with Owendale (Into Mischief) a further length behind in third. WinStar stallion Bodemeister, who landed the Arkansas Derby (Gr 1, 9f) during his race career, stands for US$25,000 (approx. AUD$33,850).
Kingman
Juddmonte stallion Kingman (Invincible Spirit) brought up his third individual Group or Grade 1 winner on Saturday when Domestic Spending (3 g ex Urban Castle by Street Cry) took out the Hollywood Derby (Gr 1, 9f) at Del Mar. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr, the Chad Brown-trained Domestic Spending charged home from second last to get up by a head on the wire over favourite Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute), with Belmont Derby (Gr 1, 10f) winner Gufo (Declaration Of War) a further neck away in third. Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Domestic Spending – a 300,000gns (approx. AUD$567,750) purchase by Klaravich Stables at Book 1 of the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale – is the first foal out of English Listed winner Urban Castle (Street Cry). Kingman will stand for £150,000 (approx. AUD$270,300) at Banstead Manor Stud in 2021.
Street Boss
Darley’s Street Boss (Street Cry) brought up his sixth individual Group or Grade 1 winner on Saturday, and just his second in Australia, when Elite Street (4 g ex Elite Ateates by Exceed And Excel) ran out a surprise winner of the Winterbottom Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Ascot. The victory also represented his 42nd individual stakes winner, with Elite Street making his first appearance against stakes company. The consistent Street Boss stood at Darley’s Northwood Park property in Victoria for $27,500 (inc GST) in 2020.
New stakes winners
Act Of War
Act Of War (Dynasty) sired his first stakes winner when his daughter War Of Athena (3 f ex Qaphela by Requiem) landed Turffontein’s Ipi Tombe Challenge (Gr 2, 1400m) on Saturday. Sent off the 5-4 favourite, the filly was winning for the fourth time in ten starts when beating Queen Supreme (Exceed And Excel) by a length and three quarters, with Sentbydestiny (Master Of My Fate) the same margin away in third. Trained by Paul Matchett, War Of Athena had previously made the frame twice in Group 1 company. Act Of War won eight of his 12 starts, including victory in the Cape Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m).
All Too Hard (pictured above)
Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard (Casino Prince) brought up his 19th individual stakes winner on Saturday when Outrageous (5 g ex Fit And Ready by More Than Ready) took out the Festival Stakes (Gr 3, 1500m) at Rosehill, defeating Royal Celebration (Excelebration) and Evalina (I Am Invincible). All Too Hard stands for $27,500 (inc GST) in 2020.
Can The Man
Former shuttler Can The Man (Into Mischief) sired his fourth individual stakes winner and his first graded winner when his son Beer Can Man (2 c ex Cheesecake by Dynaformer) took out the Cecil B DeMille Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) on the Del Mar turf on Sunday. The Mark Glatt-trained juvenile was winning for the third time in five starts when beating Caisson (War Front) and Commander Khai (Twirling Candy) by half a length and a length.
Dansili
Newmarket trainer Roger Varian landed his fourth French stakes race of the year with a fourth different filly when Stylistique (3 f ex Sleek by Oasis Dream) took out of the Prix Petite Etoile (Listed, 1900m) on the all-weather at Deauville on Tuesday. In doing so, she became the 146th individual stakes winner for former Juddmonte Farms stallion Dansili (Danzig). A Carisbrooke Stud homebred for Yvonne Jacques, Stylistique joined stable companions Believe In Love (Make Believe), Angel Power (Lope De Vega) and Queen Daenerys (Frankel) as successful raiders to cross the Channel in 2020 for Varian, who landed this contest in 2016 with Dawn Of Hope (Mastercraftsman). Ridden by Olivier Peslier, 20-1 chance Stylistique came home a length and a quarter to the good of fellow Newmarket rival Perfect Inch (Dark Angel), who is trained by Charlie Fellowes. Vadsena (Makfi) was a further short-head back in third for Jean-Claude Rouget. Dansili was pensioned from stallion duties in 2018 and his progeny include the outstanding Harbinger and exceptional performers Flintshire, The Fugue and Zacinto.
Elusive Fort
Catch Twentytwo (3 g ex Ignition Lady by Argonaut) brought more success for Paul Peter when impressively taking out The Dingaans (Gr 2, 1600m) at Turffontein on Saturday, providing Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) with his 11th individual stakes winner. Ridden by Gavin Lerena, Catch Twentytwo saw off Mk’s Pride (Willow Magic) by two and a quarter lengths, with 50-1 chance Bingwa (Pathfork) a neck behind in third. Elusive Fort, who has three elite-level winners to his name courtesy of Lauderdale, Out Of Your League and Siren’s Call, stands at Black Swan Stud in South Africa.
Exceed And Excel
Darley’s Exceed And Excel (Danehill) brought up his 179th individual stakes winner when the pregnant Invictus Salute (5 m ex Acquired by O’Reilly) flashed home to take out Saturday’s Starlight Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Rosehill. The Mark Newnham-trained Invictus Salute, ridden by Rachel King, produced a grinding effort after getting off the back of long-time leader Spaceboy (Deep Field) to grab the Gary Portelli trainee by a short neck. Third, three-quarters of a length away, was Viridine (Poet’s Voice), a pimple in front of Inanup (Bon Hoffa). Raced by Sledmere Stud, Invictus Salute – who was passed in with an $850,000 reserve at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale – is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Splintex (Snitzel), while dam Acquired (O’Reilly) was a multiple stakes placegetter. Exceed And Excel stood at Darley Kelvinside for $132,000 (inc GST) in 2020.
Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock (Danehill) registered a pair of new stakes winners on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday with a well-travelled duo providing the Coolmore sire with his 163rd and 164th winners respectively. Gino Severini (7 g ex Green Castle by Indian Ridge), a half-brother to champion Irish filly Millisle (Starspangledbanner), broke through at stakes level in the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Ellerslie, with the one-time Ireland and Hong Kong trainee making it 163 for Fastnet Rock. Gino Severini swept home from near last to grab The Mitigator (Master Of Design) in the shadows of the post, with a length and a half back to Sultan Of Swing (Bachelor Duke) in third. Hours later, The Harrovian (7 g ex Harrow by Dehere) – who began his career with Jim Conlan in Victoria before beginning a new career in northern Queensland – scored a first stakes win with his tenth victory in succession, taking out the Recognition Stakes (Listed, 1350m) at Doomben. Despite carrying top weight of 59 kilograms and conceding at least two kilograms to each of his rivals, The Harrovian proved too strong, defeating Red Chase (Red Element) by a length and a quarter with a short neck to Profit (Dundeel) in third. Fastnet Rock stands for $165,000 (inc GST) at Coolmore this season.
Frosted
Darley shuttler Frosted (Tapit) brought up his second individual stakes winner, his first in the United States, when Travel Column (2 f ex Swingit by Victory Gallop) took out the Golden Rod Stakes (Gr 2, 8.5f) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The Brad Cox-trained Travel Column swept home from last under Florent Geroux to score by a length over Clairiere (Curlin), with Coach (Commissioner) two and a half lengths away in third. Travel Column, sold for USD$850,000 (approx. AUD$1.15 million) at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, has won two of her three starts, finishing third in the Alcibiades Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at her only defeat. She is a half-sister to Neolithic (Harlan’s Holiday), third in the Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (Gr 1, 9f). Frosted, whose first stakes winner was Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Ingratiating, will return to Jonabell Farm in the coming weeks, having stood for $22,000 (inc GST) at Darley’s Northwood Park in 2020.
Jukebox Jury
Burgage Stud resident Jukebox Jury (Montjeu) sired his sixth individual stakes winner when his daughter Santa Rita (4 f ex Sister Act by Act One) took out the Premio Regione Toscana (Listed, 2200m) in Pisa on Sunday. The four-year-old filly was winning for the fourth time in 16 starts as she defeated Deeper Dive (Red Rocks) and Blu Navy Seal (Blu Air Force). Jukebox Jury, a dual Group 1 winner when trained in Britain by Mark Johnston, stood for a fee of €6,000 (approx. AUD$9,720) in 2020.
Just A Way
Danon The Kid (2 c ex Epic Love by Dansili) maintained his unbeaten run and in the process provided his sire Just A Way (Heart’s Cry) with a seventh individual stakes winner when taking out Monday’s Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m). The Takayuki Yasuda-trained juvenile followed up his win in a newcomers’ race at Hanshin back in June by defeating Titleholder (Duramente) by a length and a quarter, with Jun Blue Sky (Duramente) another three-quarters of a length away in third. Multiple Group 1 winner Just A Way stood at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥4,000,000 (approx. AUD$52,670) in 2020.
Laoban
First season sire Laoban (Uncle Mo) brought up his third individual stakes winner from his first crop on Saturday when Keepmeinmind (2 c ex Inclination by Victory Gallop), third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) and the Breeders’ Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f) at his last two starts, broke his maiden in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Gr 2, 8.5f) on Saturday. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Keepmeinmind chased down Smiley Sobotka (Brody’s Cause) to win by three-quarters of a length under David Cohen; Arabian Prince (Mshawish) was a further length and three-quarters away in third. Keepmeinmind will now point towards the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) next May. “I told Robertino after his first start that he was going to be our Derby horse. It’s nice when they don’t prove you out to be a liar,” Cohen said. “He was a horse that had the ability but mentally didn’t grow up yet. But he’s finally figured things out.” Laoban will stand at WinStar Farm for USD$25,000 (approx. AUD$33,850) in 2021.
Le Havre
Leading French stallion Le Havre (Noverre) brought up his 42nd individual stakes winner on Thursday when Orglandes (4 f ex Influence by Dansili) took out the Red Carpet Handicap (Gr 3, 11f) at Del Mar. Prepared by America’s top turf trainer Chad Brown, French import Orglandes made her first start in California a winning one, defeating Going To Vegas (Goldencents) by a half-length with a further length back to Quick (Olympic Glory) in third. The Red Carpet, formerly the Beverly Hills Handicap and a Grade 1 at Hollywood Park from 1988 to 2002, has been won by New Zealand mares Happyanunoit (Yachtie) and Black Mamba (Black Minnaloushe) in the past. However, Orglandes is the first foreign-bred mare to take the feature since Japanese Group 1 winner Nuovo Record swept past her American rivals in 2016. Le Havre stands for €40,000 (approx. AUD$64,600) at Montfort et Preaux, now under the Sumbe banner, in 2021.
No Excuse Needed
Hunta Pence (8 g ex Vanitas by Pins) notched his first stakes victory on his 54th start when taking out the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) on Saturday, in the process providing the late No Excuse Needed (Machiavellian) with his 19th individual stakes winner. Hunta Pence defeated Overtheriver (Mettre En Jeu) by a length, with Sir Nate (Nadeem) another four and a half lengths back in third. No Excuse Needed, who stood at Wakaito Stud, was fatally injured in a 2015 paddock accident aged 17.
Not A Single Doubt
Niedorp (4 m ex Black Tulip by Lonhro) earned Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) his 74th individual stakes winner when taking out the Spirit Of Boom Classic (Listed, 1200m) at Doomben on Saturday. Niedorp defeated Blazing Miss (Sizzling) into second, with Jadentom (Rothesay) in third. Arrowfield’s Not A Single Doubt, the sire of 14 individual Group 1 winners, was retired from stud service in January 2020, following a diagnosis of pulmonary disease.
Ocean Park
Ocean Beyond (3 g ex Frankly by Pins) continued the unbeaten start to his career when taking out the McKenzie Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, earning Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park (Thorn Park) his 11th individual stakes winner in the process. Ocean Beyond, purchased by Daniel Bowman for $60,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready-To-Run Sale last November, impressed on debut at Moonee Valley, comfortably landing his maiden (1212m) by one and a quarter lengths, and made relatively light work of this Listed contest with a half-length defeat of Deep Speed (Deep Field). The front two pulled three lengths clear of third-placed Free To Move (Unencumbered), while $2.50 favourite Nicolini Vito (Nicconi) finished sixth of the seven runners. Ocean Park, the sire of Group 1 winners Kolding and Tofane, stands at Waikato Stud for NZ$20,000 (plus GST).
Oratorio
Ultra Magnus (5 g ex Field Star by Lecture), who finished runner-up in the Sun Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) earlier this year, provided Oratorio (Danehill) with his 59th individual stakes winner when taking out The Merchants (Gr 3, 1160m) at Turffontein on Saturday. The Peter Muscutt-trained gelding scooted clear impressively in the final 100 metres to score by two lengths from Eden Roc (Var), with Bold Ransom (Bold Silvano) a head behind in third. Oratorio, a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe when trained by Aidan O’Brien, stands at Avontuur Estate in South Africa for R20,000 (approx. AUD$1,775).
Rulership
Wonderful Town (2 c ex Sea Of Love by Deep Impact) joined the likes of Victoire Pisa (Neo Universe), Epiphaneia (Symboli Kris S) and Tosen Stardom (Deep Impact) on Saturday by taking out the Kyoto Nisai Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) at Hanshin, giving sire Rulership (King Kamehameha) his 15th individual stakes victor. Ridden by Ryuji Wada, the Yoshitada Takahashi-trained Wonderful Town – sent out third favourite – came from a long way back and wide to produce a tough staying performance, defeating Lagom (Orfevre) by three-quarters of a length with a further three-quarters back to Machaon d’Or (Gold Ship) in third. Rulership will stand his ninth season at Shadai Stallion Station in 2021.
Sacred Falls
Late Waikato Stud stallion Sacred Falls (O’Reilly) sired this third individual stakes winner when Zee Falls (3 f ex Zelitist by Zabeel) took out Thursday’s Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Otaki. In breaking her maiden at start four, Zee Falls ensured trainer Stephen Marsh won the three-year-old feature for the third consecutive year, following on from the victories of subsequent New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro) in 2018 and Derby placegetter Scorpz (Charm Spirit) 12 months ago. The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained Key (Exceed And Excel) ran second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while White Lightning (Reliable Man) was a further length and a quarter back in third. Zee Falls was purchased by Marsh from the Waikato Stud draft at Book 1 of the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft, realising $130,000. Thursday’s victory continued a purple patch for the ill-fated Sacred Falls, who has produced Group 1 winner Aegon, Group 3 winner All Saints’ Eve, and stakes performers Icebath, Tommy Gold, and Salto Angel. Sacred Falls died last December after a short battle with a rare illness of the liver.
Speightstown
WinStar Farm tasted success at Aqueduct in New York on Saturday when veteran Speightstown (Gone West) brought up stakes winner 119 with Discovery Stakes (Gr 3, 9f) victor Forza Di Oro (3 c ex Filare l’Oro by Hard Spun). In a field of five, the Bill Mott-trained, Junior Alvarado-ridden Forza Di Oro scored by almost four lengths over favourite Monday Morning Qb (Imagining) with Shared Sense (Street Sense) a length and a half away in third. Speightstown will stand for USD$90,000 (approx. AUD$121,850) in 2021.
Spill The Beans
Tellall (3 g ex Devil’s Angel by Danehill Dancer) provided the late Spill The Beans (Snitzel) with his first stakes winner when taking out the Trevor Eagle Memorial (Listed, 1500m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Tellall impressively defeated Helsinki (Savabeel) by one and a half lengths, with Fleetwood Maca (Rock ‘n’ Pop) close behind in third. Spill The Beans, who has 27 winners from 81 runners, died unexpectedly last November after standing at Aquis Stud between 2016 and 2019.
Statue Of Liberty
The pensioned Statue Of Liberty (Storm Cat) produced his 22nd individual stakes winner when Grandview Avenue (5 g ex Magic By Gosh by Magic Albert) took out Saturday’s Carlyon Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Moonee Valley. Sent out as a $7.50 chance in a wide-open market, the Simon Ryan-trained Grandview Avenue looked the winner a long way from home, eventually crossing the line a length and three-quarters in front of Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible), with the returning Prezado (Denman) a length and a half away in third. Bred by Ryan’s father-in-law Peter McLaren, Grandview Avenue is a brother to Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic (1000m) winner Claro El Banco. Statue Of Liberty was retired in 2018, having stood 12 seasons in Australia at Eliza Park and its successor Sun Stud.
Stormy River
A breakthrough Listed win for Sky Power (3 g ex Feltzer by Indian Rocket) in the Prix Lyphard (Listed, 1900m) on the Deauville all-weather track on Wednesday provided Haras de Saint Arnoult resident Stormy River (Verglas) with his 14th individual stakes winner. The gelding, who was winning for the fourth time in 14 starts, came out on top in a blanket finish, edging out Winter Reprise (Intello) and Bugle Major (Mizzen Mast) by a head and the same. Group 1 winner Stormy Rover stood for a fee of €2,200 (approx. AUD$3,565) in 2020.
Street Sense
Royal Command (7 g ex Stormy Nova by Metal Storm) brought up a 73rd individual stakes winner for Street Sense (Street Cry) when comfortably taking out Saturday’s Tattersall’s Cup (Listed, 2100m) at Ascot. Seven-year-old Royal Command, who finished third in the Ascot Gold Cup (Listed, 1800m) a fortnight previously, took the lead inside the final 200 metres and pulled clear with ease under Willie Pike, defeating Paddy’s Shadow (Dane Shadow) by one and a half lengths, with Arctic Stream (High Chaparral) close behind in third. Bred by Bob Peters, Royal Command is from the final southern hemisphere-bred crop of Darley’s Street Sense, who stood five seasons in Australia. He will stand in the US for a fee of US$60,000 (approx. AUD$81,200) in 2021.
Tapit
Mrs. Danvers (3 f ex Gracie Square by Awesome Again) trounced her opposition when landing the Comely Stakes (Gr 3, 9f) at Aqueduct on Friday, earning Tapit (Pulpit) his 139th individual stakes winner. Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Mrs. Danvers defeated Ice Princess (Palace Malice) by six and a half lengths, with Thankful (American Pharoah) a further four lengths behind in third. Gainesway Stud-based stallion Tapit, who had his first stakes winner in Australia earlier this year with Love Tap, will stand for US$185,000 (approx. AUD$250,500) in 2021.
Typhon
One More Jack (5 g ex Husson Spirit by Hussonet) gave Glenrae Stud’s Typhon (God’s Own) a first stakes winner when victorious in the City Of Marion Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Typhon stands for $1,650 (inc GST) in 2020.
What A Winter
Winter Smoke (3 f ex Chatanooga Chuchu by Cataloochee) made it three wins in six starts when her victory in Saturday’s Magnolia Handicap (Gr 3, 1160m) at Turffontein provided her sire What A Winter (Western Winter) with his 13th individual stakes winner. Trained by Ashley Fortune, Winter Smoke beat Gallic Princess (Vercingetorix) by three quarters of a length, with Double ‘O’ Eight (Eightfold Path) a further half a length behind in third. What A Winter is the sire of three elite level winners in his native South Africa.
Wordsmith
Tasmanian owner-breeders Paul and Elizabeth Geard enjoyed another stakes winner by their resident GeeGee Stud stallion Wordsmith (Testa Rossa) when Gee Gee Secondover (5 g ex Gee Gees Firstover by Over) took out the Tasmanian Newmarket (Listed, 1200m) at Launceston on Wednesday. Sent off an unheralded $18 chance, the Leon, Dean and Trent Wells-trained Gee Gee Secondover secured his first stakes win, and ninth overall, at start 27 when fending off the challenge of favourite Mandela Effect (Turffontein) by a long neck. Second favourite Street Tough (Tough Speed) was a further length adrift in third. In doing so, Gee Gee Secondover became the sixth individual stakes winner for Wordsmith, a Group 3-winning son of Testa Rossa (Perugino) who is standing the 2020 breeding season at the Geards’ Broadmarsh base for a fee of $4,400. Gee Gee Secondover joins fellow homebreds Geegees Goldengirl, Gee Gees Top Notch, Gee Gee Double Dee, Gee Gee Josie and Geegees Classicboy as stakes scorers for Wordsmith, who covered 26 mares at a fee of $5,500 in 2019.