NEWS
Sebring solidifies status as top two-year-old in Australia
Posted: Saturday, April 26, 2008 4:50 PM
by Mike Curry
Sebring solidified his status as the top two-year-old in Australia with a one-length victory on Saturday at Randwick in the $421,882 Inglis AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Aus-G1).
The race featured a rematch of the top two finishers of the $3,294,508 AAMI Golden Slipper Stakes (Aus-G1), the richest race in the world for two-year-olds, on April 19 at Rosehill Gardens. But the return engagement did not live up to the Golden Slipper, in which Sebring edged Von Costa De Hero by a head in a thrilling finish.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse for a partnership, Sebring stalked the pace and seized command approaching the straight with an electrifying turn of foot under Blake Shinn, who was unavailable to ride in the Golden Slipper due to a suspension.
Runner-up Samantha Miss rallied strongly but never seriously threatened Sebring, who completed 1,400 meters (6.96 furlongs) in 1:25.99 on turf rated as heavy. The More Than Ready colt improved to five wins in as many starts and can complete the Australian two-year-old Triple Crown with a win in the Salinger Wines Champagne Stakes (Aus-G1) on May 3 at Randwick.
“He's champion two-year-old now, there's no two ways about it,” Waterhouse told Australia’s Herald-Sun. “He's the most dominant two-year-old Australia has seen in a long time.”
Samantha Miss nipped Love and Kisses by a head. Von Costa De Hero faded to finish sixth.
New Zealand-based Nom Du Jeu completed a last-to-first rally under Jeff Lloyd to record a three-quarter-length score in the David Jones AJC Australian Derby (Aus-G1) on Saturday at Randwick.
The Australian Derby was the first Australian Group 1 victory for former South African champion Lloyd.
Trained by Murray Baker for owner-breeder Mrs. W. M. Morton, Nom Du Jeu covered 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) in 2:36.29. Runner-up Red Ruler was two lengths clear of third-place finisher Littorio.
Triple Honour split horses and powered to a neck victory in the $1,688,291 Emirates Doncaster Handicap (Aus-G1) on Saturday at Randwick for trainer Chris Waller, who earned his first career Group 1 victory.
Triple Honour edged runner-up Casino Prince to prevail in 1:38.55 for 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) under Hong Kong-based rider Glen Boss, who won the race for the third consecutive year after victories in 2006 aboard Racing To Win and ’07 on Haradasun.
Talented sprinter Apache Cat earned his third Group 1 victory this year with a convincing 2 3/4-length romp in the $467,857 Sydney City Lexus T. J. Smith Stakes (Aus-G1) on Saturday at Randwick.
Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
