Having dabbled unsuccessfully in group company earlier in her career, Precious Gem has certainly come into her own under the care of Henry Dwyer this season, having now won two of three for her new trainer, including her first Group 1 in Saturday's G1 Robert Sangster Classic. Transferred to Dwyer after an 11th-place finish in Caulfield's Listed Lord S. going 1700 metres Dec. 26, Precious Gem made a belated seasonal return when second in Mornington's 1200-metre Listed Hareeba S. under Jake Noonan Apr. 2. The mare found her way back to the winner's circle when stepped up to 1400 metres for Caulfield's Listed Anniversary Vase three weeks later, and led home a trifecta of longshots when dropping back down in distance here. Restrained early by Noonan to take up a midpack position in the compact field, Precious Gem was fortunate to avoid serious trouble when Miss Promiscuity (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) clipped heels and unseated rider Luke Nolen on the outside of the pack. Still with about five lengths to make up as the riderless Miss Promiscuity led the field into the straight, Precious Gem stormed down the middle of the track once finding running room and got up just in time to nip Sheidel on the wire, the riderless horse having crossed the wire in front of them.
The race was a complete reversal of fortune for Nolen who, a race earlier, had won the G1 Schweppes Oaks aboard the exciting Abbey Marie. Nolen was kicked by another horse after falling to the track and was reported to be in serious but stable condition after being transported to hospital. He was reported to have movement in his arms and legs but suffered a shoulder injury and was complaining of severe back pain. Nolen, best known as the rider of the undefeated champion Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), had taken a hiatus from riding to recuperate from a back injury and only returned in February.
Noonan, who was notching his first Group 1 win, told Breednet.com.au, “This is amazing, the best feeling although I'm feeling for Luke. Five years ago to the day I was face down on the turf at Flemington and thought my life was over, the fall was that serious. Twelve months ago I was going nowhere and I took myself to Caulfield and started riding work. Henry has supported me and it's a great thrill to win a Group 1 race for him.” Of his trip, he added, “We got caught up in some of the backwash from the fall so I was a bit further back than I intended to be, but she just found for me in the straight and dug deep.”
Precious Gem is entered in June's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale as lot 528, but Dwyer was still making plans to race the mare.
“There's a few options for her,” he told Breednet. “The race I had in mind was the Glenlogan Park Stud S., but she's meant to go through the sales on June 2. We've nominated for the [G1] Stradbroke [June 11] and the [G1] Tatt's Tiara [June 25]. I'm pretty sure she will still go through the ring, so it's a chance for someone to buy a mare going to Group 1 races and a chance in them.”
Precious Gem is the first Group 1 winner for her G1 Caulfield Guineas-winning sire Econsul. Her dam, Gem Of Gems, has a yearling colt by Turffontein (Aus) and a filly foal by this season's leading 2-year-old sire Written Tycoon (Aus).
Saturday, Morphettville, Australia
ROBERT SANGSTER CLASSIC-G1, A$401,020, SAJC, 5-7, f/m, 1200mT, 1:09.49, gd.
1–&@PRECIOUS GEM, 56.5, m, 6, by Econsul (NZ)
1st Dam: Gem of Gems, by Peintre Celebre (USA)
2nd Dam: Gem's Box (NZ), by Kaapstad (NZ)
3rd Dam: Betty Box (IRE), by Northfields (USA)
O-G A McGee, P Papos, G A Dempsey, P A Cardamone, W V
Leppard, B J O'Neill, Mrs L Byers, Mrs D Kerry, Byers Boys
(Mgr: D McGee), Smact (Mgr: T Dodgson) & B B Racing Gem
(Mgr: J P Bye); B-Millford Thoroughbreds VIC; T-Henry Dwyer;
J-J Noonan; A$257,020. Lifetime Record: 35-8-7-3, A$660,400.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: D.
2–Sheidel, 56.5, m, 4, Holy Roman Emperor–Laventour, by
Metal Storm (FR). O-Dorrington Farm Syndicate (Mgr: R J
Crabtree); B-Mr DP DE Largie WA; T-David Hayes & Tom
Dabernig; J-M Neilson; A$68,000.
3–I Love It, 56.5, m, 5, Artie Schiller–Not That Innocent, by
Foxhound (USA). O-F P Salanitri, Mrs P L Salanitri, J P Salanitri, J
Damiano, Mrs M Damiano, R Mittica, D Ross, D Cicivelli, S G
Dimer, J Slucki, J S Paltos, Miss S L Chapman, A Salanitri, N M
Searles; B-Mr FP Salanitri VIC; T-J P Salanitri; J-S Baster;
A$32,000.
Margins: 0.1 len, 1.6 len, 1.7 len. Odds: 20.00, 9,00, 17.00.
Also Ran: Griante, Tuscan Sling, Runway Star, Private Secretary, Vezalay, Miss Seton Sands, Tempt Me Not, Badawiya, Sultry Feeling, Petits Filous, Wawail, Don't Doubt Mamma, Tycoon Tara, Scarlet Billows, Sabatini, Pittsburgh Flyer, Miss Promiscuity.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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