Melbourne Cup third Spanish Mission failed to provide the perfect farewell for Glen Boss in the $750,000 Group II Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday that went to the defending champion Sound (GER).
Ridden by Jamie Mott for Mike Moroney, the 9yo son of Lando came with a barnstorming finish to defeat Dr Drill (GB) (Dansili) by a half-length with Wentwood (GB) (Pour Moi) further three-quarters of a length back in third.
It was a well-deserved breakthrough for Sound (GER), who had placed in the Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup and Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes at his most recent starts.
A Group II winner in his homeland, Sound (GER) advances his record to nine wins, eight seconds, and four thirds from 45 starts with earnings of $1,750,617.
“He is nine years old and probably racing at his best,” Moroney enthused.
“These staying bred horses, German horses in particular, they’ve got longevity in their legs without any doubt, and he’s done a great job.
“He’s now won $1.8 millon in prizemoney, so he has done a good job.
“He’s hopefully going to find a stud in New Zealand, we’re hoping. It is a good place to breed nice stayers, and they are renowned for doing it.
“He’d be the right sort of horse in the right home.
“He’ll probably go back to the Auckland Cup at this stage (rather than Sydney Cup). We might back him up in the Pakenham Cup next week. We’ll see how he pulls up.”
A son of Japan Cup winner Lando, Sound (GER) is one of three stakes-winners out of the stakes-winning Exit To Nowhere mare Sky Dancing, whose ten foals to reach the track are all winners,
Sound is a brother to Scalo, the Horse of the Year in Germany in 2010, whose six wins include the Group 1 Preis von Europa and Group II Deauville Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.
Sound’s half-sister Sexy Lady (Danehill Dancer) won four races highlighted by the Group III Prix Chloé at Maisons-Laffitte.
