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First Aussie Stakes-Winner for St Mark’s Basilica

Tara Madgwick - Sunday Jan 25

The 2021 European Horse of the Year, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first Australian stakes-winner after hot favourite Aristopolos kept his unbeaten record intact with an impressive win in the Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m) at Hobart on Sunday.

Trained by John Blacker, the colt was an easy winner at his first two starts scoring at Launceston in early December and at the same venue on January 9.

Aristopolos was ridden again by Erica Byrne Burke and settled comfortably in fourth place in the run before powering into contention after turning for home.

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He surged to the line and kept up a good gallop to win by more than a length over Tiger of Malay filly Momentslikethese and has now won over $160,000 from his first three starts.

A $60,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for his trainer from the Armidale Stud draft, Aristopolos was also bred by Armidale Stud and is the second foal to race and second winner from stakes-placed Flying Krupt.

Aristopolos was a $60,000 Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling purchase.

Aristopolos is the fourth stakes-winner worldwide, and first in Australia, for St Mark’s Basilica, whose best so far in the Northern Hemisphere is Group I winning filly Diamond Necklace.

St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was back at Coolmore Australia last spring and covered 124 mares.

St Mark’s Basilica had yearlings sell for up to $330,000 at Magic Millions this year and has good numbers for upcoming sales with 11 for Inglis Classic, 14 for Inglis Premier and six for Inglis Easter.

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Race Result - Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes LR 1100m

Hobart Track: Good(4) Time: 1:07.24
1
Aristopolos
- 2c St Mark's Basilica (FR) x Flying Krupt (AUS) (Krupt (AUS))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: E Byrne Burke 57
St Mark's Basilica
2
1.3
Momentslikethese
- 2f Tiger Of Malay (AUS) x Mintha (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: Harry Grace 55
Tiger Of Malay
3
4
Sovereign Dash
- 2g Hanseatic (AUS) x Princess Diva (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Adam Trinder Rdr: Shayleigh Ingelse 57
4
5.3
Olindah
- 2f Stratum Star (AUS) x Miss Stralia (AUS) (Sizzling (AUS))
Tnr: Logan McGill Rdr: D Pires 55
5
8
King Candy
- 2c Wild Ruler (AUS) x Peppermint Patty (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: G J McCulloch Rdr: Lauryn Bingley 57
6
8.4
Copper Reign
- 2f Needs Further (AUS) x Why For (AUS) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: Ms K Boxall 55
7
8.9
Precious Illusion
- 2f Needs Further (AUS) x Mariah's Magic (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: T Baker 55
8
9.3
Too Poetic
- 2f Wordsmith (AUS) x Gee Gee Double Hot (AUS) (Sizzling (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: Codi Jordan 55
9
18.1
Tsuyoi Kitsune
- 2g Tosen Stardom (JPN) x Mystical Vixen (AUS) (Foxwedge (AUS))
Tnr: Sarah Cotton Rdr: Jabez Johnstone 57
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