Champion jockey James McDonald admitted it had been a long day at the office after punching home hot favourite Garza Blanca to finish a winner on a demanding program at Randwick on Saturday.
Garza Blanca was the top-priced Vinery Stud graduate at the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions and he settled well back against an on-pace bias that still ruled in Race 10. “They haven’t been winning from behind today but he’s come from an almost impossible position,” J-Mac declared. “He feels like a nice horse.”
McDonald rode Backrower in Race 1 and the opening favourite was beaten four lengths by Strait Acer (Headwater) before he bounced back aboard Waverider Buoy for Chris Waller in Race 3.
The curtain came down on his dream partnership with Nature Strip in the Concorde Stakes (Gr.3, 1000m) but the champion sprinter was unable to bow out a winner. It didn’t get much better aboard Group 1 mare Montefilia who also burned favourite punters in the Chelmsford Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m).
J-Mac was looking down the barrel in the ‘lucky last’ when Garza Blanca went out a $2.60 favourite. They balanced up some 8 lengths from the leader Time To Boogie and did best in a stirring duel with Godolphin galloper Pereille (Fastnet Rock).
“He had many lengths to make up and I’m actually surprised he won! He powered home and had the audacity to dig deep late in the piece. They will place him well and win a really good race.”
Pereille was coming off a Moonee Valley victory and Garza Blanca had begun his career with trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Melbourne. Known as ‘Big Gaz’ at home, he broke the Cranbourne 1200 metre record (pictured) as a spring 3yo clocking 69.52s.
Garza Blanca (4h I Am Invincible – Mousai by Fastnet Rock) was bred by Vinery partners Steve McCann and Neil Werrett with Seymour Bloodstock’s David Thomas and they have his yearling half-sister from the first crop of Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).
Leading bloodstock agents Mark Player and Robert Roulston bid $700,000 for Garza Blanca to top the Vinery consignment to the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions. He was purchased for a colts syndicate managed by Noorilim Park owner Peter Carrick.
Garza Blanca has stallion potential with I Am Invincible over a half-sister to Starspangledbanner and Roulston recalled he looked a terrific type as a yearling on the Gold Coast. “He has a deep girth, strong hindquarter, lovely temperament and uses himself so well.”
The Randwick result capped a tremendous 24 hours for Vinery following a dramatic finish to the Mona Lisa Stakes (LR, 1350m) at Scone on Friday. Late, great shuttler More Than Ready (USA) led home a Vinery black-type quinella when his mare Mirra View defeated Sanstoc (NZ) in a no-holds-barred contest at White Park.
Mirra View advanced her record to five wins from 18 starts with earnings of $346,390 for Bennelong Bloodstock owner-breeders Peter and Catherine Campbell. “She’s very determined and always gives 100 per cent,” co-trainer Peter Snowden said. “She loves the sting out of the ground, so there were a few things in her favour today.
“She got out in plenty of time and I’m thrilled for Peter and Catherine. They are great supporters of the stable, and the black type means so much to them as breeders.”
Runner-up Sanstoc (Tavistock) was purchased by Vinery General Manager Peter Orton and Allan Cox for $140,000 from Carlaw Park at the 2020 NZB Book 1 National Yearling Sale. A subsequent protest was dismissed by Scone stewards, however, the 5yo mare did return home to John O’Shea’s Randwick stables with a black-type addition to her page.
Mirra View is the 221st Stakes winner by More Than Ready. It came a week after the first anniversary of his death at WinStar Farm in Kentucky. He had earned more frequent-flyer points than any other stallion in shuttle history when leaving Vinery for 19th and final time in December 2019.
Footnote: McDonald had been dislodged from Godolphin favourite Razors at Wyong on Friday and a subsequent MRI confirmed he rode in five races with a fractured foot the following afternoon.
