Qatar Racing's Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), good enough to finish second behind Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and third behind Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G1 Lockinge S. when trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons, is likely to get another crack at Group 1 glory Down Under in the G1 Doncaster H. after taking Saturday's G2 Apollo S. over the same course for trainer Chris Waller. In winning the Apollo by a quarter-length over Global Glamour (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) as the A$4.20 favourite, Endless Drama was making his first start since finishing last of 20 in last year's Doncaster. “It's quite a special win for me because he's had his share of issues so for him to win a race like that, it's close to a Group 1,” Waller told Racenet.com.au. “I think there's more to come from him too. I'm not sure where his rating sits but he's a keep fresh horse, maybe a Doncaster hope.”
Endless Drama was the middle leg of a memorable worldwide treble for Sheikh Fahad's operation, which was also represented by Marching Fire (Midnight Lute) at Turfway Park in Kentucky Friday evening and 2-year-old filly Carioca (SAf) (Var), a maiden winner campaigned in partnership Saturday at Kenilworth, South Africa.
Saturday's Randwick card also marked the return of Godolphin's last-season G1 Flight S. winner Alizee (Aus) (Sepoy {Aus}), who returned a winner in the G2 Light Finger S. as the A$2.50 favourite when holding off a late rally from Emirates Park's Shumookh (Aus) (Dream Ahead) by a head. Trainer James Cummings was bullish about the autumn prospects for the half-sister to Group 1 winner and Darley shuttle sire Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), telling Racenet.com.au, “You can probably tell by how excited I am that she has a big preparation ahead. She has been a horse it's taken a while to tap into the potential she's got. She's returned stronger, she's got more to offer.”
Shadwell also got an eye-catching win on the board with a 3-year-old filly Down Under on Saturday when Rimraam (NZ) (Commands {Aus}) took out the G3 Vanity S. over 1400 metres at Flemington. The Lindsay Park trainee rode the rail in midpack throughout and hit the lead inside the final furlong. She reached the line under a drive by a quarter-length over Bring Me Roses (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) as a A$7.50 shot. Co-trainer David Hayes, who enjoyed a group-race double on the card, said Rimraam would likely have the G1 Schweppes Oaks later in the season as her primary target.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
