All Too Hard unveiled Group 1-bound filly Amangiri at Randwick on Wednesday, leading into another exciting long weekend of autumn racing for Vinery.
As the focus swings between Randwick and Flemington on Saturday, Vinery sires and graduates like Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates are ready to build on the momentum started by Amangiri. Racing second-up in a 1550m maiden around the Kensington course for owners Jenny and Clare Hawkes, she lived right up to an even-money quote under the guidance of Tommy Berry.
He made a mid-race move to counteract a slow clip and then gave her a quick breather in front before accelerating to a three-length victory. “Wow! That was a very good win,” Team Hawkes tweeted. “Änd it was a perfect ride by Tommy.”
Amangiri holds a Group 1 nom for the Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 13 and she has all the credentials of a classic filly. Group 1 breeder Neil Werrett owns her dam Secret Indulgence (Fastnet Rock) who is a winning half-sister to Victoria Derby Gr.1 winner Amalfi. The mare foaled Amangiri to All Too Hard in her first visit to a Vinery sire and followed up with two fillies by More Than Ready.
All Too Hard has Za Zi Ba (Wenona Girl Hcp Gr.3) and All Too Soon (Aspiration Hcp Gr.3) engaged at Randwick on Saturday and his Lindsay Park filly Fling has accepted for the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Gr.2 at Flemington. “She continues to improve and her work on Monday morning in preparation for this race was excellent,” co-trainer Tom Dabernig said. “She has been a bit green under raceday pressure but the extra distance over 1400m will suit.”
In South Africa, All Too Hard 2yo colt Frosted Gold will take beating in the Storm Bird Stakes LR at Turffontein. The Mike de Kock-trained youngster never raised a sweat during a last-to-first victory on debut at Vaal a month ago. His dam Mary d’Or (Fr) is a sister to Prix Jean Prat Gr.1 winner Stormy River.
de Kock also produced All Too Hard 3yo Belton Road for an easy maiden win at Turffontein last Saturday. He was bred by Tony Santic and is from a half-sister to Group 1 winners Abbey Marie (South Australian Oaks) and Absolutely (Australian Oaks).
More Than Ready can keep Team Hawkes rolling at Randwick when up-and-coming sprinters God of Thunder and Trope face their first black-type tests in the Fireball Stakes LR.
God of Thunder is on a hat-trick after wins at Rosehill and Warwick Farm and it won’t be long before he repays a $310,000 price-tag from the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions. The Vinery legend sired him from Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock), a Group 2 winning sister to champion colt Merchant Navy.
Trope won on debut at Randwick last month and he also owns a stallion’s pedigree. His dam Personify (Galileo) is a stakes-winning half-sister to Champion South African mare Laisserfaire and Stakes sires Time Thief and Foreplay.
More Than Ready has several black-type prospects in North America on Saturday. His 3yo fillies Winning Envelope (4-1) and Stellar Agent (8-1) are in the market for the Florida Oaks Gr.3 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trainer Steve Asmussen is hoping his colt Title Ready (6-1) can turn the tables on the favourite Sunny Ridge (8-5) in the Stymie Stakes LR at Aqueduct. They last met on January 26 when Sunny Ridge was second and Title Ready fifth in the Jazil Stakes LR.
More Than Ready can finish the long weekend with a flourish when The Executioner attempts to parlay a debut win at Morphettville into a $200,000 a pay-day on Monday. He will jump from a wide gate but has opened a $3.60 favourite for the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic.
The Executioner is from a half-sister to Vinery stallion Star Turn and was a $90,000 bargain at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
The Adelaide Magic Millions Sale commences on Tuesday and there are 26 lots by Vinery sires All Too Hard, Casino Prince, Headwater, Press Statement, Pluck (USA) & Testa Rossa.
