Recent barrier antics could see the triple G1 TJ Smith S. winner Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) sit out this year's renewal on Apr. 7, but a highly anticipated clash is likely still in the works after Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) defended his G1 Newmarket H. title at Flemington Saturday while cross-country in Sydney Redzel (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) took out the G2 Challenge S.
Not only did Redkirk Warrior become the first horse in 35 years to win back-to-back Newmarkets; he also made it two-for-two this campaign, backing up from his win in the G1 Lightning S. three weeks ago. The victory wasn't for lack of opposition, with the Feb. 24 G1 Futurity S. winner Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) and last season's standout 3-year-old sprinter Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the lineup, and those three delivered the anticipated thrilling finish. Redkirk Warrior led the stands' side group after exiting the extreme outside barrier, while Brave Smash and Merchant Navy raced under cover in the far side group. Brave Smash looked to have the race won with a bold move inside the final furlong with Merchant Navy at his shoulder, but Redkirk Warrior swooped late to nip him by the barest of noses.
Redkirk Warrior looks to be set for the TJ Smith, but connections are looking even further ahead to a run in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot in June.
“He keeps defying history this horse, he was the first horse to win a Newmarket first-up in 100 years last year and now he has won consecutive Newmarkets,” jockey Regan Bayliss told Racenet.com.au. “The way the track was playing, we couldn't win coming to the middle. We rolled the dice and went to the outside and he travelled beautifully in the run. His name suits his traits, he is a true warrior.”
Pedigree Notes…
Redkirk Warrior is the lone stakes performer for his unraced dam Flag (GB) (Selkirk), who has not produced a foal since Redkirk Warrior; after being rested for a year she was twice barren, and was not bred in 2015 or 2016 with no reports thereafter. The third dam, Arrangement (Floribunda), produced the Listed Solario S. winner and GI Kentucky Derby second Bold Arrangement (Persian Bold).
Saturday, Flemington, Australia
NEWMARKET H.-G1, A$1,255,000, VRC, 3-10, Open Handicap, 1200mT, 1:08.33, Good.
1–REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB), 57.5, g, 7, by Notnowcato (GB)
1st Dam: Flag (GB), by Selkirk (USA)
2nd Dam: Flower Arrangement (GB), by Lomond (USA)
3rd Dam: Arrangement (GB), by Floribunda (GB)
(22,000gns yrl '12 TAOOCT) O-M B Lee & Miss Y C J Tam;
B-Mrs L. Peacock, GB; T-D & B Hayes & T Dabernig; J-Regan
Bayliss; A$755,000. Lifetime Record: 17-8-2-0, A$2,911,080.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A.
2–Brave Smash (JPN), 56.5, h, 5, Tosen Phantom (JPN)–Tosen
Smash (JPN), by Tokai Teio (JPN). O-Australian Bloodstock, Mt
Hallowell Stud, Power Thoroughbreds, G Kairouz, Carty Racing,
Walker Racing, A Brogan, D Butcher, Platinum Breeding &
Racing, Dr P Goel, D Canny, T Porter; B-Takaya Shimakawa; T-D
K Weir; J-Craig Williams; A$225,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Merchant Navy, 52.0, c, 3, Fastnet Rock–Legally Bay, by
Snippets. (A$350,000 Ylg 2016 WI Sydney Easter Yearling Sale)
O-Seymour Bloodstock (Mgr: D S Thomas), Halo Racing
Services Pty Ltd (Mgr: C B McKenna), All Cast (Mgr: M J
Catanzariti), Coolmore (Mgr: T V Magnier), Rockhart (Mgr: E
Irwin), B G Ta; B-Mr C Barham QLD; T-Aaron Purcell; J-C
Schofield; A$112,500.
Margins: 0.1 len, 0.3 len, 0.8 len. Odds: 6.00, 8.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Rock Magic, Supido, Rich Charm, Missrock, Booker, Ken's Dream, Lucky Liberty, Catchy, Thronum, So Si Bon, Lord of the Sky, Fastnet Tempest (IRE). Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree.
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