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The Eagle Farm Timeform recap featuring a race by race overview of key performers and ones to watch from the Tattersall’s Tiara meeting on June 22.
The Star Thoroughbreds-raced Invincibella was rewarded for her consistency by claiming a maiden Group 1 in the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).
It wraps up a stellar season for the daughter of I Am Invincible who recorded five wins from 11 starts through season 2018/19.
Reward for consistency proved to be a common theme later in the day. Brave Song and Duca Valentinois recording the first wins of their respective preps after each produced a string of solid lead up runs.
Race 1: Hirtshals - Benchmark 75 Handicap (1000m)
A Benchmark 75 to kick off a Group 1 day represented something of a soft launch into Tattersall's Tiara Day.
They went lickety split up front and set the race up for something to swoop and it was Hirtshals.
The daughter of Pins ran a figure just short of her best.
If Brian Smith places Hirtshals right she can keep building on that record. Connections have to pick her battles carefully though. Realistically, she is a 1000m sprinter and gets stretched over any further.
Race 2: Kordia - Listed Winning Edge Presentations Stakes (1400m)
The career of Kordia has commenced in excellent fashion, two wins from three career outings.
Eagle Farm Race 2 - Winning Edge Presentation Stakes
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 22 June 2019
Despite being slowly away the @godolphin 2yo Kordia was too strong for Big Parade on the line in race two at Eagle Farm on Tattersall’s Tiara Day @racing_qld @raceQLD. pic.twitter.com/ohCbnYdscW
He’s run to a Timeform figure of 100 so is certainly showing promise.
It sounds like James Cummings is going to give the son of Epaulette a decent spell and may not see him until late in the spring or even summer.
This suggests Kordia is down the pecking order a bit in terms of Godolphin’s current two-year-old team. Regardless, he was well placed on Saturday and capitalised.
James Cummings has a knack of doing that too so there’s every chance this bloke can build an impressive record without having to be thrown in the deep end.
Race 3: Hanover Square - Battle Of The Bush Final (1200m)
The Battle Of The Bush provides a great opportunity for Queensland’s country-based participants to chase a lucrative payday in the big smoke.
Hanover Square had his lead up runs at Charleville, Goondiwindi and Barcaldine. Winning $75k at Eagle Farm must be a dream come true for connections.
The son of Manhattan Rain has been through six stables. At his second career start as a two-year-old, the five-year-old beat Cellarman to win his maiden. Cellarman won the Doncaster Prelude last year.
Hanover Square is looking for the hat-trick next start and after taking out the Battle Of The Bush Final, watch for him returning to Barcaldine for a $7500 Open Handicap on July 6.
Race 4: Vega One - Stella Artois 3YO Plate (1400m)
Vega One bounced back to the winner’s circle after a forgettable last start in the Fred Best Classic. He endured a torrid run there but once again showed his class on Saturday. The son of Lope De Vega got a nice run, ambled up to the early leaders a furlong out and drew clear with relative ease.
Tony Gollan placed Vega One well on Saturday. He’s got a master Timeform rating of 110 for winning the Queensland Day Stakes (1350m) three runs back. To win on Saturday he’s run lengths below that mark.
There are good races for him through the summer sprint series in Brisbane, then likely contests the 2020 Brisbane winter carnival.
Race 5: Smartedge - Stav, Abby and Matt Class 6 Plate (1400m)
Smartedge was strong once he got into the clear that last furlong, the son of Smart Missile lengthened nicely for a last stride success and produced a Timeform rating of 95. It was only his second run this prep and that figure is shy of his best which suggests there is still room for improvement.
The four-year-old will probably have a Benchmark in the mid 80’s after Saturday.
The Team Snowden runner can certainly pick off another win or two this prep. A reason I never get too excited about Smartedge is his racing style. He tends to get back and leaves himself open to needing a lot of luck.
Race 6: Vow And Declare - Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (3000m)
Vow And Declare is certainly one of the more interesting runners on the card moving forward.
Eagle Farm Race 6 - Tattersall’s Cup Replay
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 22 June 2019
The @DOBrienRacing-trained Vow And Declare easily outstayed his rivals and was ridden a treat by @boss_glen to win race 6 at @BrisRacingClub @racing_qld @RaceQLD. pic.twitter.com/iecz9iBnd3
The Declaration Of War gelding put a big margin on more seasoned stayers and wasn’t getting a weight advantage off them.
The three-year-old ran to a Timeform rating of 112. It sounds like connections have always been excited about his prospects as a stayer and this winter has started to justify it.
Danny O’Brien’s stable has had some nice staying types over the years. Master O’Reilly won a Caulfield Cup, Shamrocker won a Derby then almost won the Oaks on a seven day back up. If they want to spruik a staying prospect in the form of Vow And Declare, they’re certainly qualified to do so.
Behind Vow And Declare, don’t be surprised to see a few drop back in trip for the Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 11.
Race 7: Duca Valentinois - Listed G.H Mumm Open Handicap (1820m)
Duca Valentinois is one of a few who on Saturday was rewarded for his consistency so far this prep. The UK import finished ahead of a wall of horses, fighting hard to win at a trip considered a shade further than his optimum journey.
Eagle Farm Race 7 – G.H. Mumm Replay
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 22 June 2019
FANTASTIC THREE-WAY GO! @JamesCummings88-trained Duca Valentinois got home by the narrowest of margins @BrisRacingClub beating off Take It Intern and Another Dollar @racing_qld @RaceQLD. pic.twitter.com/oT3pYlRRju
The son of Holy Roman Emperor ran to a Timeform rating of 113 which is about his mark.
Duca Valentinois has been a great import for the Cummings stable. He’s a very effective miler.
Watch for him to return in the spring and run good honest races contesting events like the Crystal Mile and Toorak Handicap. Thereafter, an extended prep which stretches to the Festival and Villiers Stakes could also be a possibility.
Behind him, it was less than two lengths back to ninth. We could see a few pop up in the Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 11.
Race 8: Invincibella - Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m)
This was an overdue Group 1 victory for both horse and jockey. It was a tough win by Invincibella .
The daughter of I Am Invincible was three wide the journey yet still managed to fend off the Godolphin duo of Pohutukawa and Savatiano.
GROUP 1 TATTERSALL’S TIARA REPLAY
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 22 June 2019
A sensational win by the in-form mare Invincibella to claim her first Group 1 victory @cwallerracing @BrisRacingClub @racing_qld @RaceQLD. pic.twitter.com/cefI8ijXID
The five-year-old ran to a Timeform rating of 115. A new peak for her and the equal highest winning figure of the race since Srikandi won in 2015.
Invincibella ran fifth in the race last season behind Prompt Response. She’s found a new level this season, recording five wins from 11 starts consisting of three Group 2 events, the fillies and mares Magic Millions sprint and now this.
Last start, Invincibella became the first mare since Red Tracer (2012/13) to claim consecutive renewals of the Dane Ripper Stakes. On Saturday, she became the first mare since Cosmic Endeavour in 2014 to claim the Dane Ripper Stakes - Tattersall's Tiara double in the same year.
It sounds like connections have decided Invincibella will be racing on for another season. There are plenty of fillies and mares races for her through the spring.
Chris Waller’s last Tatt’s Tiara winner was Red Tracer in 2013. She went on to win a Tristarc Stakes and Myer Classic in the spring. Invincibella is similarly versatile.
Invincibella is the second horse in as many years to win the Tatt’s Tiara in her second attempt. Prompt Response ran second in the race in 2017 and then went one better in 2018.
If these trends continue, maybe watch for Savatiano here in 12 months time. Like Invincibella in last years' Tatt’s Tiara, Savatiano profiles like a mare who can return bigger and better next season.
Race 9: Brave Song - Group 3 W.J Healy Stakes (1200m)
Brave Song deserved this win. The son of Your Song had run second in his first three runs this prep behind quality sprinters like Trekking and Pretty In Pink too. It’s the second time the Snowden’s and Triple Crown have won the W.J Healy Stakes after Dothraki won it in 2015.
Brave Song ran to a Timeform rating of 113 on Saturday and he’s gradually improved with each run this prep.
W.J. HEALY STAKES REPLAY
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 22 June 2019
The heavily-tried favourite Brave Song from the @SnowdenRacing1 yard ran on superbly from the back to take out the last race of the day @BrisRacingClub giving @blake_shinn a treble @racing_qld @RaceQLD. pic.twitter.com/SEI5qB9OBY
With the W.J Healy Stakes just the fourth run of his latest campaign, Team Snowden may be able to find one more race for him prior to a spell.
A Ramornie Handicap on July 10 or the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on July 13 profile as the most suitable options.
Big Money for Rodney Northam claimed the Healy Stakes - Ramornie double in 2014.
Amanaat was great in second on Saturday and definitely profiles as a Ramornie type. Both his runs this prep have been excellent and should go to the race peaking third up.
Havasay placed in the W.J Healy Stakes 12 months ago before winning the Ramornie Handicap. It is a campaign path commonly travelled.
