CF Orr Stakes (Group 1)

THE Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil proved giant killer in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, taking down the crowd favourite Mr Brightside in a thrilling finish.

The result was a poignant moment for Ciaron Maher’s camp as he was a home-bred of the recently deceased Colin McKenna who had played an enormous role in Maher’s success. Third five lengths away was the Artie Schiller gelding Steparty.

“It’s beautiful,” said Maher. “I think it’s the first one that Col and (wife) Janice bred, so to win a Group 1 is very, very special. Colin always loved this horse in particular. I’ve resisted the temptation to take him to that top level because he’s needed time to mature.

“Col was always very patient and it’s probably not fitting that he can’t be here, he just would have been so thrilled. But I’m pretty proud, he was such a great mentor and friend and supporter. It’s just beautiful.”

Meaningful success

In what was her first Group 1 success since her marriage to fellow jockey Ben Melham, Jamie Kah, now Jamie Melham, saw the synchronicity in wearing McKenna’s blue and lime green hoops just days after what would have been McKenna’s 75th birthday.

“I thought about this day, I dreamed about it the last few days, but it’s amazing that things like this happen in racing,” said Melham.

Amazing

“There’s a God in racing. This horse has deserved it for so many starts, but to do it for Col after his birthday on Tuesday is just amazing. I know he’s watching down on us and Another Wil lifted for his dad. That was amazing.”

This was Another Wil’s first Group 1 win and he improved his record to nine wins from 14 starts, with over $1.5 million in earnings with Ciaron Maher then indicating that he will likely head to the Australian Cup to be run onMarch 29th.

BRED by Newtown Anner Stud, the Caulfield Cup winner, Duke De Sessa, by Lope De Vega, won first-up on Saturday in the Group 3 JRA Plate over 1,600 metres at Caulfield.

Trained by Ciaron Maher, the six-year-old had Harry Coffey in the saddle and won well at a generous $17. He defeated the Per Incanto mare Marble Arch and another Irish-bred, the Mehmas gelding Chorlton Lane who was third.

“You always know that good horses are going to run well, but he just had a lot against him,” said Coffey.

“I pulled him out at the top of the straight, when I got the run, and he pinned his ears back and found plenty. He’s just getting better the longer Ciaron and the team have him.” The win was part quartet for Harry Coffey who bookended the programme winning races 1, 3, 8 and 10.

Rivellino’s Millennium

Purchased for A$180,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale the Too Darn Hot colt Rivellino took home the biggest stake on offer last weekend, winning the A$2 million Inglis Millennium, open to horses purchased through an eligible Inglis sale, at just his second race start.

Trained by Kris Lees, Rivellino won by a long-neck over the Lucky Vega filly Within The Law ahead of the Trapeze Artist filly Artistic Venture over Randwick’s 1,100 metres.

“He’s a lovely colt. I trained the mother, that’s often a bit of a start when you go to a sale,” said Lees. “He’s by a very good stallion of course. He’s just a horse that’s continued to improve since we’ve had him in work. Each trial to race, he’s just continued to go the right way. He’s got a lot of upside. I could see him in a (Golden) Slipper for sure.”

New Zeland

Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1)

THE 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking sired a Group 1 double at Te Rapa on Saturday. The son of Street Cry, who began duties at Rich Hill Stud in 2011, had El Vencedor salute in the Herbie Dyke Stakes over 2,000 metres before Here To Shock completed the double in the 1,400 metre BCD Group Sprint.

“You don’t take these things for granted, but for one stallion to win two Group 1s on the same card with one over 2,000 metres and one over 1,400 metres is a pretty unusual occurrence,” said Rich Hill Stud principal John Thompson.

“They all seem to keep improving and even his lesser horses are still running around and competitive as seven and eight-year-olds.

“They’re not all going to reach the level of El Vencedor and Here To Shock, but he’s always got a good horse and provides longevity. I think he’s an under-rated stallion and gets forgotten a bit when people are breeding their mares.”

Stephen Marsh claimed the first for the Kiwis when El Vencedor held up his even-money quote to dominate the Herbie Dyke Stakes. Having led for the majority of the race, Rory Hutchins let him loose at the top of the straight as the six-year-old gelding won with ease by four lengths.

“The horse gave me an incredible feeling. It’s hard to be that confident in a Group 1, but when he let down, I knew they’d have to be very good to catch him,” said Hutchins.

Next in was the Vadamos mare La Crique who has now run second at her past three starts, all Group 1s, as third went to the Proisir gelding Whangaehu.

BCD Group Sprint (Group 1)

It was a successful raid for Ben, Will & JD Hayes, having travelled the seven-year-old gelding Here To Shock to New Zealand off the back of three wins in his past four starts. Ridden by Nash Rawilller, the pair box-seated as Babylon Berlin took up the running.

On straightening, Here To Shock took over at the 300 metre mark and quickly put the contest to bed. Cruising away, he won by four lengths as the Blue Point colt Bosustow nosed out the Savabeel colt Savaglee to claim second.

“I’m a bit blown away by him,” said Rawiller. “He’s shown that he can do that. He’s just racing with so much confidence now and has won some very good races in this preparation.

“You sense he could go back to Australia and be very competitive in a Group 1 while he’s fit and confident and others might still be on their way up. He’s really got his tail up, this horse. He’s turned his career around and he just gives you a lot of confidence going forward.”