With six last-start winners, Saturday’s Ranvet Hcp at Randwick has, remarkably for a mid-winter event, brought together an exciting field of 2-year-olds and a stiff initiation for the lone unraced horse in the race, Qatars Choice.
Heading the weights is Godolphin’s Harry Angel (IRE) colt Tarpaulin, who is a half-brother to the Group II ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Stakes winner and $1,200,000 earner Aft Cabin (Astern), Group III ATC PJ Bell Handicap winner Multaja (Medaglia d’Oro), and Listed ATC Lonhro Plate winner Veranillo (Medaglia d’Oro).
Tony Gollan brings last start Calaway Gal Stakes winner Barbie’s Sister down south. The daughter of Spirit Of Boom is a $300,000 sister to 4-time stakes-winner and $1,500,000 earner Outback Barbie.
Scott Darby’s homebred Headwater gelding Ride The River takes his place after a last-start two-and-a-half-length romp at Newcastle.
The $420,000 Capitalist colt Bullfighter looks to finalise a fantastic season for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. A fighting second at Muswellbrook on debut, he is the only non-winner from those that have raced.
The $1,250,000 Snitzel filly Sakima takes her place following an impressive win on the Kensington track. A half-sister to the stakes-placed winner Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution), Sakima is the daughter of Grade 1 Keeneland Alcibiades Stakes winner, My Conquestadory (USA).
Coolmore’s homebred Justify (USA) filly Lutetia created a huge impression when winning on debut at Newcastle. The Kris Lees-trained filly is out of the Fairway Thoroughbreds-bred Fastnet Rock mare Peaceful Sea, a $1,750,000 yearling.
The Pride Of Dubai filly Pride To Follow brings a perfect two-for-two record to town. After winning on debut at Scone, the Brett Cavanough-trained filly defeated Bullfighter at Muswellbrook.
That brings us to the unraced Qatars Choice.
A $950,000 buy for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / David Redvers Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the daughter of I Am Invincible has shown ability in four barrier trials, in which she has learnt to switch off and rush home.
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock, Qatars Choice is a half-sister to Williamsburg.
The son of Snitzel displayed enormous potential at two when winning the Group III ATC The Schweppervescence, Listed Fernhill Handicap and finished third to She’s Extreme and Fireburn in the Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes.
The rising 5-year-old gelding has won just once after his juvenile career, the Listed Dulcify Stakes, but owns placings in the Rosehill Guineas, Gloaming Stakes, Packer Plate, Shannon Stakes, Festival Stakes, Lord Mayors Cup, and $500,000 The Coast.
A $470,000 yearling, Williamsburg has banked nearly $1,000,000 and, judging by his recent barrier trial, is far from done.
Qatars Choice is the fifth foal of the top-class High Chaparral (IRE) mare Fenway.
A $700,000 Easter yearling purchase for Colm Santry Bloodstock, Fenway defeated First Seal and Winx in the Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes.
Raced by Greg and Jenny White of Alpara Lodge, Fenway added the Group II MVRC WH Stocks Stakes and placed in the VRC Myer Classic and SAJC Schweppes Oaks.
Bred by Strawberry Hill, Fenway is a half-sister to Group III ATC Up & Coming Stakes winner and Breeders’ Plate runner-up War (More Than Ready).
Her dam, Deedra (Zabeel), is a half-sister to 4-time Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy and Group 1 ATC Oaks heroine Sunday Joy, the dam of the remarkable 8-time Group 1 winner More Joyous.
Deedra’s dam Joie Denise (Danehill) won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and has done more than any other to spread the influence of her champion dam Denise’s Joy.
Yulong Farm took several of the family back to Victoria from the Strawberry Hill Dispersal, shelling out $450,000 for More Joyous and $575,000 for More Joyous’s Frankel filly Woman.
Phil Cataldo purchased Fenway’s Maurice colt for $240,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
After missing in 2022, Fenway revisited Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Yarraman Park Stud’s I Am Invincible is a matter of days away from being crowned the Champion Australian Sire for the third consecutive season after paying his dues with four successive seconds. His total earnings for the season of almost $32,000,000 is mind-boggling.
