The stakes winners continue to flow for Godolphin, with close relations Kallos and Bacchanalia striking within minutes of each other in stakes at Flemington and Rosehill, respectively.
Back to the form that won him the Group II Danehill Stakes in 2021, the Medaglia D'Oro (USA) gelding Kallos scored a hard-fought success in Saturday's Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Hcp (1000m) at Flemington.
Under a perfectly timed ride by Ben Melham, Kallos defeated the Nicconi gelding The Bopper by a long-neck with the Deep Field mare A Very Fine Red the same distance back in third.
Kallos advances his record to five wins, two seconds, and a third from 15 starts with earnings of $532,090.
Melham said the win might cost him some money.
"I spoke to Jamie (Kah) this morning, and she wasn't too happy I was riding her horse, but she said if I win on him, we're going halves, so we're keeping it in the family at least," Melham revealed.
"It was a good performance, typical of the stable. They did a good job to win with him first up, and he's improved again here today. He went up a little bit in weight and improved fitness-wise and will obviously improve into his campaign."
Kallos is the first foal of the Group II ATC Magic Night Stakes and Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Calliope.
The daughter of Exceed and Excel made just four career starts. She is a sister to Group III Canonbury Stakes winner Zethus.
Calliope's dam Melpomene (Elusive Quality) is a half-sister to Group III Tatt's NSW Furious Stakes winner Bound For Earth (Northern Meteor), out of the Group 1 Victoria Oaks heroine Bulla Borghese.
After foaling a Street Boss (USA) filly, Calliope visited Pinatubo (IRE) last spring.
Kallos's stakes-placed three-quarter sister Thalia (Medaglia d'Oro) is the dam of the Group III EGroup Security Star Kingdom Stakes winner Bacchanalia.
Ridden by Rachel King for James Cummings, the 4yo son of Exceed And Excel defeated the Capitalist gelding Clemenceau by a half-head, with the Turffontein gelding Coal Crusher a short-head back in third.
The winner of the Listed Gosford Guineas in 2021, Bacchanalia advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $517,250.
"He won the Bert Lillye (at Kembla Grange) very impressively last start. He just went through his gears; it was a soft win," stable representative Darren Beadman said.
"He's won a Gosford Guineas; he's been a very, very honest and game horse for us and a lovely ride with a lightweight with Rachel (King) on board. She kept it very simple, but she was strong at the finish."
Bacchanalia is a brother to the Listed BRC Mick Dittman Plate winner Aquitaine.
He is the third winner from as many to race out of the Medaglia d'Oro (USA) mare Thalia who failed to win in four starts, although placed in the Group III Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.
After foaling a Snitzel colt last spring, Thalia missed to a cover by Too Darn Hot (GB).
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