Imported star Sir Delius (Frankel) announced himself as a spring staying force after producing a fighting victory in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) at Caulfield, a performance that confirmed the entire as a major player in both the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) and the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m).
Seemingly beaten when Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) surged past him early in the straight, Sir Delius rallied under Craig Williams to claw back the margin and score by a half-length, with outsider Golden Path (Belardo) just 0.02 lengths away in third.
Sent out the $2.10 favourite, the win was his first Group 1 triumph and the latest step on a journey that began in France and has been carefully mapped out by co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
“It’s the most exciting thing I’ve seen in years,” Waterhouse said after claiming her third Underwood in four years, following Alligator Blood’s (All Too Hard) back-to-back successes in 2022 and 2023.
“He was not in a good position throughout the race. He was trying, trying [to get a position] and when he came around the home straight, he wasn’t any good thing, but then all of a sudden he saw the winning post, and he took off. He was just fabulous.”
Raced as Delius in Europe, the four-year-old son of Frankel (Galileo) was trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Coolmore and proved his quality with three wins, including the Prix du Lys (Gr 3, 2400m). He also finished third in the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr 1, 2400m) and second in the Prix Niel (Gr 2, 2400m) before tackling the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) last October, in which he wasn’t disgraced when finishing eighth behind Bluestocking (Camelot).
When offered at the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, he topped the auction at a record 1,300,000gns. Waterhouse and Bott, alongside Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Hubie De Burgh and Johnny McKeever, signed the ticket, eclipsing the previous sale record of 1,000,000gns.
“He was always purchased as a Melbourne Cup prospect,” Bott explained at the time of Sir Delius’ Australian debut win in the JRA Chairman’s Handicap (Gr 3, 2000m) at Doomben in May.
Sir Delius pedigree
Show
Sir Delius pedigree
Pedigree information supplied by Arion Pedigrees
Bay colt
Foaled in 2021
Frankel
Sire
Whatami
Dam
Galileo
Kind
Daylami
Wosaita
Sadler's Wells
Urban Sea
Danehill
Rainbow Lake
Doyoun
Daltawa
Generous
Eljazzi
Northern Dancer
Miswaki
Danzig
Rainbow Quest
Mill Reef
Miswaki
Caerleon
Artaius
|
FRANKEL (GB) (Bay 2008-Stud 2013). 14 wins-4 at 2, Ascot Champion S., Gr.1. Champion Sire in Europe 3 times. Sire of 983 rnrs, 699 wnrs, 168 SW, inc. Alpinista (ParisLongchamp Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Gr.1), Inspiral, Hurricane Lane, Mostahdaf, Westover, Adayar, Cracksman, Lake Victoria, Nashwa, Hungry Heart, Anapurna, Soul Stirring, Triple Time, Homeless Songs, Logician, Courage Mon Ami, Quadrilateral, Minnie Hauk, Chaldean, Measured Time, etc.
1st dam
WHATAMI, by Daylami. Placed at 3. Sister to WHAZZAT (dam of
JAMES GARFIELD), half-sister to WHAZZIS,
(SIR) DELIUS (c by Frankel) 5 wins. See below. NKOSIKAZI (f by Cape Cross) 3 wins from 1m to 10¼f, Newcastle Hoppings S., Gr.3, 2d Newmarket John Deere & Ben Burgess H., 3d Lingfield River Eden S., L, Newmarket Premier Fillies' H. Dam of- Queen of the Bogs. Winner at 9f in 2025, Curragh Visit Keadeenhotel.Ie Fillies. JUAN ELCANO (g by Frankel) 2 wins-1 at 2-at 7f, 1¼m, £130,854, Royal Ascot Wolferton S., L, Haydock British Stallion Studs 2YO S., 2d Newmarket Superlative S., Gr.2, York S., Gr.2, 3d Doncaster Champagne S., Gr.2, York Dante S., Gr.2, Sandown Gordon Richards S., Gr.3, Ayr Doonside Cup, L, 4th Royal Ascot Hampton Court S., Gr.3. Constantine (g by Holy Roman Emperor) 10 wins-2 at 2-from 1000m to 3000m in GB and Italy. Whatzupwithme (g by Lethal Force) 2 wins at 1m, 1¼m in GB and Jersey. Whatamoon (f by Sea the Moon) Placed at 3 in 2025. Ravenswood (g by Lawman) Placed. Wotnot (f by Exceed and Excel) Placed. Dam of- Geliceaux. Winner at 1¼m. I'm Impressed (f by Toronado) Unraced. Dam of- Titainium. 3 wins from 7f to 1¼m to 2025.
2nd dam
WOSAITA, by Generous. Placed. Half-sister to RAFHA (dam of
INVINCIBLE SPIRIT, ACTS OF GRACE, SADIAN, MASSARRA),
CHIANG MAI (dam of CHINESE WHITE), Franky Furbo,
Al Anood (dam of PRIDE OF DUBAI, ENAAD, AL ANEED,
GHAANATI), Chamela Bay, Fayfa (dam of HILLFA),
WHAZZIS (Desert Prince) 3 wins-1 at 2-at 1450m, 1600m, Milano Premio Sergio Cumani, Gr.3, Ascot Valiant S., L, 2d Newbury Catridge Farm Stud H., 3d Epsom Surrey S., L, Chester Combermere 2YO Fillies' S., 4th Warwick Eternal S., L. Dam of- Whim (Nayef) Winner at 2, Chantilly Prix de la Butte Blanche, 3d Longchamp Prix de la Seine, L, Maisons-Laffitte Prix Kasteel, 4th Saint-Cloud Prix Joubert, L. Dam of- Whimsical Dream. Winner at 1¼m. Dam of- Green Triangle (Gleneagles) 2 wins-1 at 2-at 7½f, 9½f, €146,600, to 2025, Gowran Classic, 3d Tipperary Churchill S., L, 4th Leopardstown Champions Juvenile S., Gr.2. Endless Charm. Winner at 2. Dam of- Oxagon (Frankel) Winner at 2 in 2025, 2d Doncaster Champagne S., Gr.2. WHAZZAT (Daylami) 2 wins at 2, Royal Ascot Chesham S., L, 2d Doncaster Gillies S., L, 4th Newcastle Hoppings S., L. Dam of- JAMES GARFIELD (Exceed and Excel) 3 wins-2 at 2-to 7f, £124,066, €86,868, Newbury Mill Reef S., Gr.2, Greenham S., Gr.3, 2d Deauville Prix Maurice de Gheest, Gr.1, York Acomb S., Gr.3, 3d Royal Ascot Windsor Castle S., L, 4th Goodwood Vintage S., Gr.2, Haydock Sandy Lane S., Gr.2. Sire. Hallelujah U (Pinatubo) 2 wins-1 at 2-at 1m, 1½m to 2025, 3d Newmarket Bahrain Trophy S., Gr.3, Each Way Extra at Bet365 H. The Shrew (Dansili) 2 wins-1 at 2-at 7½f, 1m, 2d Kempton Hyde S., L, 3d Newmarket Rosemary S., L. Dam of- JM JUNGLE (Bungle Inthejungle) 6 wins-1 at 2-to 5½f, £468,346, €5,000, 1,216BDhs, to 2025, Goodwood King George S., Gr.2, York Symphony Group H., Epsom Aston Martin Dash, Goodwood World Pool H., 2d York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash H., Lindum H., Irish Champions Festival H., 3d York City Walls S., L, Sky Bet and Symphony Group Heritage H., William Hill More Top Prices H., Doncaster Portland H. Morag McCullagh (Exceed and Excel) Winner at 6f, 3d Chelmsford City Chelmer S., L. Eva Maria. 3 wins at 1m, 1¼m, Newmarket Premier Fillies' H., 4th Newmarket Dahlia S., Gr.2, York Lyric S., L. Dam of- WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE (Kameko) 3 wins-2 at 2-from 7f to 10½f, £282,936, US$1,109,800, to 2025, Newmarket Royal Lodge S., Gr.2, Kentucky Downs Nashville Derby, Gr.3, 2d Newmarket Princess of Wales's S., Gr.2, Goodwood Gordon S., Gr.3, York Acomb S., Gr.3, Newmarket Craven S., Gr.3, 3d Doncaster Futurity Trophy, Gr.1, York Dante S., Gr.2, Newmarket Superlative S., Gr.2, 4th Royal Ascot King Edward VII S., Gr.2. Theladyinquestion. 2 wins-1 at 2-at 6f, 7f, Newmarket Kelly Shea Fillies' H., 4th Sandown Fortune S., L. Dam of- NATE THE GREAT (Nathaniel) 6 wins-2 at 2-from 6f to 16¾f, £215,529, €500, 281,250SAR, Newmarket Jockey Club Rose Bowl, L, Lope Y Fernandez H., 2d Sandown Henry II S., Gr.3-twice, Royal Ascot Chesham S., L, 3d Newmarket Bahrain Trophy, Gr.3, Zetland S., L, Ascot Pat Eddery S., L, Lingfield Derby Trial S., L, Newmarket Trade on the Betfair Exchange H. Perfect Lady. Placed. Dam of- Perfect Prophet (Nathaniel) Winner at 2, 3d Doncaster May Hill S., Gr.2. Unaided. Unplaced. Dam of- UNI (More Than Ready) Champion Turf Female in USA in 2019. 11 wins from 1500m to 1800m, €58,300, US$2,588,000, Breeders' Cup Mile, Gr.1, Keeneland First Lady S., Gr.1-twice, Del Mar Matriarch S., Gr.1, Belmont Sands Point S., Gr.2, Noble Damsel S., Gr.3, Perfect Sting S., L, Maisons-Laffitte Prix Matchem, L, Saratoga De La Rose S., L, Aqueduct Plenty of Grace S., L, Deauville Prix d'Epreville, 2d Saratoga Lake Placid S., Gr.2, Chantilly Prix du Vivier Madame, Deauville Prix de la Placiere, 3d Saratoga Fourstardave H., Gr.1, Belmont Just a Game S., Gr.1, Belmont Oaks, Gr.1, Cagnes-sur-Mer Prix de la Californie, L, 4th Keeneland Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, Gr.1. Matroshka. Unraced. Dam of- Ketil (Karakontie) 2 wins at 2, Deauville Prix Hernando, Saint-Cloud Prix as d'Atout, 2d Deauville Prix Hocquart, Gr.2, ParisLongchamp Prix du Lys, Gr.3, Chantilly Prix de Champerret. Thread Bare. Placed at 3 in U.S.A. Dam of- Flying Scotsman (Phoenix Tower) 6 wins at 1400m, 1600m in India, 2d Mumbai Gool S Poonawalla Million, L.
Race Record: 9 Starts 5-2-1 €164,680, A$777,000. 5 wins from 1800m to 2400m, €164,680, A$777,000, to 2025-26, MRC Underwood S., Gr.1, Chantilly Prix du Lys, Gr.3, BRC Chairman's H., Gr.3, Chantilly Prix du Puits Aux Chiens, ParisLongchamp Prix Juigne, 2d ATC Chelmsford S., Gr.2, ParisLongchamp Prix Niel, Gr.2, 3d ParisLongchamp Grand Prix de Paris, Gr.1. |
Saturday’s victory showcased the winner’s temperament as well as talent, as he was forced to dig deep on an unfamiliar way of going.
“He’s just such a weapon and when Blake [Shinn] came past me [on Buckaroo] I thought ‘oh no’, but I just kept urging him,” Williams said post-race. “I have always said he reminds me of [Melbourne Cup winner] Dunaden. He’s got that great tenacity and great will to win. He laid back his ears and we got the win today.
“The discussion we had pre-race [was] to let him be a really good horse. He gave me a really good run from an awkward draw [barrier 11]. When the chips were down, he had to be tough.”
Waterhouse, who trained Fiorente (Monsun) to Melbourne Cup glory in 2013, has plotted a near-identical path for Sir Delius. Next stop is the Might And Power (Gr 1, 2000m) at Caulfield on October 11, followed by the Cox Plate at The Valley on October 25 before the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4.
“They are both very similar, both are very handsome horses,” Waterhouse said of the comparison. “They have fabulous attitudes, like a will to win. They’re a pleasure to ride, they’re big-striding horses and just know where the winning post is.”
The trainer acknowledged that it was her co-trainer who insisted the Underwood was the right race after a narrow second in the Chelmsford Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) last time out.
“It was Adrian’s decision to send him to Melbourne,” she said. “And it was the right one.”
Bred by David and Trish Brown of Furnace Mill Stud, Sir Delius is out of Whatami (Daylami), making him a brother to Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) victor Juan Elcano.
Sir Delius became the 40th individual Group 1 winner for Frankel, and the latest addition to his sire’s growing southern hemisphere legacy, which includes Group 1 winners Hungry Heart, Converge and Mirage Dancer.
Waterhouse and Bott are now firmly focused on keeping Sir Delius sound and peaking for November’s first Tuesday. Striking his fifth career win from just nine starts, the performance also tightened the colt’s grip on Melbourne Cup betting, where he now shares favouritism with Al Riffa (Wootton Basset).
“We’ve got a great horse, it’s [the Melbourne Cup] a great race, it’s got the world talking,” Waterhouse said.
“He was trying all the way. He’s a horse that knows where the post is — and that’s what you need.”
SEN Underwood Stakes (GR 1)
Show
SEN Underwood Stakes (GR 1)
$1,000,000, Caulfield, 3yo+, 1800m, Good(3)
-
Sir Delius (GB) 4 b H 59kg
Frankel (GB) - Whatami (GB), by Daylami (IRE)
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott J: Craig Williams -
Buckaroo (GB) 6 b G 59kg
Fastnet Rock (AUS) - Roheryn (IRE), by Galileo (IRE)
B: The Roheryn Partnership T: C J Waller J: B Shinn
-
Golden Path (NZ) 6 ch G 59kg
Belardo (IRE) - Golden Destination (AUS), by Dubai Destination (USA)
B: Ardsley Stud Ltd, Central, NZ T: M Price & M Kent Jnr J: Jordan Childs
Betting: $2.10, $4.80, $21.00
Then followed: Moira (CAN), Desert Lightning (NZ), Land Legend (FR), Zardozi (AUS), Casino Seventeen (AUS), Smokin' Romans (NZ), Middle Earth (GB), Anisette (GB), last.
Sepals superb to land maiden Group 1 in Sir Rupert Clarke
An in-form Craig Williams added a remarkable eighth Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) to his record on Saturday as he guided the Cliff Brown-trained Sepals (Calyx) to a gritty breakthrough top-flight victory in the $1 million handicap.
Able to make the 52-kilogram lightweight, Williams was replacing Sepals’ last-start partner Ethan Brown and produced a masterful ride, urging the progressive four-year-old gelding to sit second after a tardy start from barrier 14 of 15.
The pair kicked clear upon straightening and Sepals – lining up for just his seventh start off the back of a brilliant first-up win over course and distance last month – was strong to line, holding off the challenge of Miss Roumbini (Zoustar) to score by 0.8 lengths, with the autumn’s Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Feroce (Super Seth) finishing just 0.3 lengths further away in third.
Angel Capital (Harry Angel), sent off the $2.90 favourite ahead of Sepals ($3.50), suffered a troubled passage from barrier 12 and flashed home late to take fourth. The winning time of 1m 21.39s was just 0.19s outside of the course record on the Good 3 surface.
For Cliff Brown, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer before he departed for Singapore in 2007, the win was a first elite-level triumph since his return from that now-obsolete jurisdiction four years ago.
"To win this race, it's tremendous," Brown said. "These are races I grew up with as a kid and that was a long time ago. To win it, it's very special.”
The Mornington-based trainer admitted his surprise at seeing Williams take up a forward position early.
“It was quite interesting,” he said.
"He came out and said I will just let him find his feet. That went out the window, but that's what he does, and that's why you put the best on. He's done a great job."
Sepals has a nomination for this year's Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) but Brown said there are no plans in store as to where the gelding would head next.
"I'll see what the boys want to do, but this is very special," the winning trainer said.
"I'm really pleased for everyone. [Wife] Jo and the kids and the staff, they're amazing. There's a lot of work that goes into these horses. He's a special horse and he deserves the attention that he gets."
Strengthening his lead as the most successful jockey in the race’s history, Williams was completing a Group 1 double having also landed the Underwood Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) aboard the impressive Sir Delius (Frankel) 40 minutes earlier.
It was therefore the veteran rider’s third Group 1 in the space of a week, adding to victory onboard Mr Brightside (Bullbars) in last Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m).
Williams was impressed with Sepals’ performance, adding there are bigger things in store for the son of late Coolmore sire Calyx (Kingman).
"It's hard to win Group 1s and he's done it and that's not it for this horse. He's got more to come," he said.
"He's got such a good action, he's got a great motor, and I was very fortunate to ride him today."
Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (GR 1)
Show
Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (GR 1)
$1,000,000, Caulfield, 3yo+, 1400m, Good(3)
-
Sepals (AUS) 4 b/br G 52kg
Calyx (GB) - What's New (NZ), by Casino Prince (AUS)
2nd Dam: Pussycat Dream (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: The Cat's Whiskers (NZ), by Tale of the Cat (USA)
B: Mr GJ Perry NSW T: C I Brown J: Craig Williams
$80,000, William Inglis & Son Pty. Ltd. Classic Yearling Sale 2023
V: Vinery Stud
P: Cliff Brown Racing
-
Miss Roumbini (AUS) 5 b M 52kg
Zoustar (AUS) - Bleu Roche (AUS), by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
B: Yulong Investments Yulong Stud VIC T: M Price & M Kent Jnr J: Beau Mertens
-
Feroce (NZ) 4 b G 56kg
Super Seth (AUS) - Corinthia (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ)
B: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd, Waikato, NZ T: Dominic Sutton J: W Egan
Margins: 0.8 lens, 0.3 lens. Time: 1:21.39 (last 600m)
Betting: $3.50, $13.00, $31.00
Then followed: Angel Capital (AUS), Pinstriped (AUS), Zou Sensation (AUS), Damask Rose (NZ), Jennilala (AUS), Here to Shock (NZ), Arkansaw Kid (AUS), Port Lockroy (AUS), Is it Me (AUS), Another Wil (AUS), Zarastro (AUS), last.
1st dam: WHAT'S NEW, by Casino Prince. Champion 4YO & Older Female in Singapore in 2019. 6 wins from 1200m to 1600m, S$659,333, Singapore TC Stewards' Cup, L, Silver Bowl, L, 2d Singapore TC Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy, 3d Singapore TC New Paper Cup, 4th Singapore TC Chairman's Trophy, L, Singapore Derby, L. Dam of-2021 SEPALS (g by Calyx). 3 wins at 1400m, A$173,590, in 2024-25, VRC CS Hayes S., Gr.3, MRC Lockettled.Au H.
2022 c. Cashemcowboy, by Star Turn. Unraced.
2024 c. by Star Turn.
Bred by Greg Perry and an $80,000 purchase for his trainer at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sepals is the first foal and first winner out of Casino Prince (Flying Spur) mare What’s New, who was prepared by Brown to become Singapore’s Champion Four-Year-Old and Older Female in 2019.
His fourth dam is Good Faith (Straight Strike), the dam of two stakes winners and herself a winner of the Sistema Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) who was named the top filly on the 1996-97 Australasian Two-Year-Old Classification.
In winning the Sir Rupert Clarke, Sepals (4 g Calyx – What’s New by Casino Prince) became the first Group 1 winner for Coolmore’s ill-fated Calyx, who died aged nine due to an acute foot injury in May.
Rapid stakes double for Extreme Choice
Paul Symes
ANZ News
A more expansive track at Caulfield and the step up to 1400 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude (Gr 3, 1400m) brought out the best in Estremo (Extreme Choice) as the colt laid down a marker for the stallion-making feature in three weeks’ time.
Some 20 minutes later at Randwick, Apocalyptic made it a quickfire stakes double for her remarkable sire Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) when she made it back-to-back wins with a dominant display in the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).
Trainer Michael Freedman now has a decision to make on whether to back up his in-form filly in next Saturday’s Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m), for which she is now the $7 fourth favourite behind Tempted (Street Boss).
There is no doubt where Estremo’s immediate future lies, however, with Chris Waller’s right-hand man Charlie Duckworth confirming that the colt would take his place in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) after becoming his trainer’s first winner of the Prelude.
Waller may have endured a barren run in the Prelude but he unquestionably knows what it takes to win the big one, having masterminded a hat-trick of Caulfield Guineas victories over the past decade - most notably when The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) blitzed his rivals back in 2018.
The Autumn Sun, who has returned to stud duties at Arrowfield for the upcoming breeding season, started at the prohibitive price of $1.70 that day whereas Estremo, following two solid rather than spectacular outings at Moonee Valley, jumped at the more enticing odds of $7 in Saturday’s seven-runner Prelude.
The old adage about horses for courses may ring true in the case of Estremo, who looked much more comfortable at Caulfield than he did navigating The Valley’s tight turns in the McKenzie Stakes (Listed, 1200m), won on debut by Clinton McDonald’s speedster Rosberg (Deep Field).
Waller conceded he may have erred in not stepping Estremo up in trip sooner in his preparation but, as ever, the master trainer got his preparations spot-on this time with the colt’s fact-finding mission at Caulfield on Tuesday morning producing the desired outcome.
With the Good 4 surface (upgraded to a Good 3 after race two) favouring on-speed runners, the Matt Laurie-traineed colt Vega For Luck (Lucky Vega) looked to have stolen a march on his rivals but under the urgings of Ben Melham, Estremo eventually reeled in the long-time leader to prevail by 0.1 lengths with race favourite Planet Red (Admire Mars) running into third - beaten 1.3 lengths.
Given the manner of his powerful finish, albeit off a muddling tempo, the step up to the mile in the Caulfield Guineas should only enhance Estremo’s prospects of becoming the first horse since Helmet (Exceed And Excel) in 2011 to achieve the Prelude-Guineas double.
“He came here early in the week to have a look around and Ben [Melham] was really happy with that piece of work, so I think that had him in good stead for today,” said Duckworth.
“The extra distance was brilliant and I think that with Ben having had that sit on him earlier in the week, it just allowed him the confidence to ride him where he wanted to ride him. He obviously had to dig deep late and he had to fight all the way to the line but it was a great win.
“I think it was just a case of The Valley getting him beaten on the two previous occasions. We sort of ummed and ahhed over whether we ran that second time around The Valley [in the McKenzie Stakes], because he was probably already looking for the 1400 metres.
“But we opted to run as he was well-fancied in the market and there were enough indications that he’d taken benefit from his first go around there. It didn’t pan out for us that day, but it has today.”
Stablemate Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun), who contests next week’s Golden Rose in Sydney before making the journey south to Melbourne, is currently the $4 favourite for the Caulfield Guineas after he resumed with an eye-catching second in the Ming Dynasty (Gr 3, 1400m).
Estremo had his odds trimmed to $18 from an opening quote of $51 but despite the disparity in the market between the two stable companions, Duckworth believes that his familiarity with Caulfield could give the Prelude winner a key advantage.
“Obviously we’ve got a quartet of horses heading towards a Golden Rose next weekend, and some of them would be likely to then come down to the Caulfield Guineas,” said Duckworth.
“But he [Estremo] will have the advantage of winning around here, whereas they won’t. It’s always hard to exactly measure up, because course specialists are a big thing and it could give him a significant advantage, having that experience.”
Melham made it back-to-back wins in the Prelude having piloted Angel Capital (Harry Angel) - before he joined Waller’s stables - to victory 12 months ago.
Melham is likely to be glued to Rosberg’s back but given the crack colt is set to stick to sprint trips with an eye on the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), there is every chance he will be reunited in the Caulfield Guineas with Estremo.
“He’s a horse that’s got nice ability and, just watching him, he didn’t look like he was really suited to Moonee Valley and he was probably looking for the trip,” said Melham.
“I worked him the other morning and I thought he’s a horse that you just want to keep happy. If you can keep him happy and balanced, he’ll run well for you. He had a beautiful run, he tracked up behind the leader then came off his back, and it was pretty soft in the end.
“I didn’t really get to the bottom of him, he did just enough to win. He’s had a good experience and he was good at the trip.”
Estremo became Extreme Choice’s second individual stakes winner of the season after Apocalyptic got her fertility-challenged father on the board courtesy of her win in the Furious Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
Estremo was a $230,000 purchase by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds syndicate from the Newgate Farm draft at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Martin has enjoyed top level success with Extreme Choice, having raced Group 1-winning mare Espiona in her distinctive purple colours.
He is the best of five winners to come out of the metro-winning Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Tree Of Jesse, herself a half-sister to stakes winner Related (Elusive Quality). Extreme Choice is standing at a career-high fee of $330,000 (inc GST) this season.
Despite not having a runner in the Prelude, Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have been interested observers in the result, having purchased Estremo’s sister for $200,000 at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Prelude (GR 3)
Show
Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Prelude (GR 3)
$300,000, Caulfield, 3yo, 1400m, Good(3)
-
Estremo (AUS) 3 b C 56kg
Extreme Choice (AUS) - Tree Of Jesse (AUS), by Street Cry (IRE)
T: C J Waller J: B Melham -
Vega for Luck (NZ) 3 b C 56kg
Lucky Vega (IRE) - Badea (NZ), by Darci Brahma (NZ)
B: Inglewood Stud (N.Z.) Ltd, Canterbury, NZ T: M M Laurie J: J Mott
-
Planet Red (AUS) 3 ch G 56kg
Admire Mars (JPN) - Lucky Helmet (AUS), by Helmet (AUS)
T: M Price & M Kent Jnr J: M Zahra
Margins: 0.1 lens, 1.2 lens. Time: 1:24.51 (last 600m 34.02)
Betting: $7.00, $31.00, $2.50
Then followed: Space Rider (AUS), Stay Cosmic (AUS), Cinturato (AUS), Bingi (AUS), last.
Apocalyptic all class to claim Tea Rose Stakes
Mary-Jo Jackson
ANZ News
Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) confirmed herself a serious filly at Randwick on Saturday when she ran away with the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).
It was the second victory of the Princess Series for the daughter of Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) having landed the Furious Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) in thrilling style on September 6 – just her second start after a runner-up finish on debut last December, with a foot abscess ruling her out of the autumn.
Despite travelling in a less-than-ideal position from barrier eight on Saturday – with her and jockey Tommy Berry forced to sit three-wide for the majority of the 1400-metre contest – the Michael Freedman-trained filly showed professionalism beyond her experience to relax and kick on when asked.
Letting down at the 200 metres, the striking three-year-old swiftly hit the front and stretched clear, making it two Group 2 victories from as many starts this preparation by 1.7 lengths, with a jubilant Berry lifting out of his irons to salute on the line.
Sent off a $3 chance after her last-start heroics, the winner defeated Artistic Venture (Trapeze Artist), who out-ran her $41 odds, with $2.50 favourite and Furious Stakes second Tupakara (Trapeze Artist) crossing the line another 0.4 lengths behind in third.
Freedman admitted to concern over the gate pre-race and was delighted to see his filly prove a class above her ten rivals.
"I think she's pretty special," the trainer said.
"I was very impressed with her first-up two weeks ago but overcoming a few difficulties there today with the wide run, through no fault of Tommy's, we were always worried about that gate.
"To let down like she did, from a training perspective, you don't get too many horses that can do that."
Apocalyptic was cut from $4.50 to a clear-cut $2.20 favourite for the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on October 4, and her trainer believes another step up in trip for the Group 1 is likely to suit.
"I'll speak to Tommy and see what he thinks but she did relax a little bit better today even though she didn't have cover, which gives me some encouragement going up to the mile in two weeks' time should suit her," Freedman said.
"She has always given us the impression the longer trip should suit so hopefully it will play that way."
Berry was not overly concerned when he had to track wide on Apocalyptic but was aware the race may have been a hard watch for Freedman.
"I would have loved a heart monitor on Michael halfway around," the winning rider quipped.
"We both knew before the race it was a very tricky barrier. She's got such a big stride…I didn't really mind being wide on her, it was better than being in.
"We've had a big wrap on her for a long time and I've had wraps on horses before and it doesn't come to fruition, which today it has."
Apocalyptic (3 f Extreme Choice – Shadow by Medaglia D'Oro) was a $400,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by MyRacehorse, her trainer and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock from the Coolmore Stud draft in 2024.
Bred by Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds, she is the second foal and second winner out of Shadow (Medaglia D’Oro), a granddaughter of dual Group 1 winner Virage De Fortune (Anabaa) from the family of champion Emancipation (Bletchingly).
Apocalyptic’s brother sold to Chris Waller Racing, Mulcaster Bloodstock and B2B Thoroughbreds for $1.7 million at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year. Shadow was covered late last season by Pierro (Lonhro) after missing to Extreme Choice.
Myplates Tea Rose Stakes (GR 2)
Show
Myplates Tea Rose Stakes (GR 2)
$300,000, Randwick, 3yo, 1400m, Good(4)
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Apocalyptic (AUS) 3 b F 56kg
Extreme Choice (AUS) - Shadow (AUS), by Medaglia d'Oro (USA)
B: Etak Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd NSW T: Michael Freedman J: Tommy Berry
$400,000, Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2024
V: Coolmore Stud
P: MyRacehorse/Michael Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxlan
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Artistic Venture (AUS) 3 b F 56kg
Trapeze Artist (AUS) - Secret Venture (AUS), by Husson (ARG)
B: Vieira Group Pty Ltd NSW T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton J: Dylan Gibbons
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Tupakara (AUS) 3 b F 56kg
Trapeze Artist (AUS) - Catchulata (AUS), by Charge Forward (AUS)
B: Sledmere Stud Pty Ltd NSW T: Annabel & Rob Archibald J: J B Mc Donald
Margins: 1.7 lens, 0.4 lens. Time: 1:23.26 (last 600m 34.74)
Betting: $3.00, $41.00, $2.50
Then followed: Queen of Clubs (AUS), Karinska (AUS), Within the Law (AUS), Enviable (AUS), Next Jen (AUS), Open Secret (AUS), Autumn Blonde (AUS), Kujenga (AUS), last.






















