Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (Group 1)

BEN and JD Hayes completed their family’s 10th Blue Diamond Stakes win as the brothers celebrated a second Group 1 as a training partnership, and their first in Melbourne, when Little Brose burst clear of the pack to win the AUD$2 million 1,200 metre juvenile feature by a length.

The Per Incanto colt who was initially earmarked for their father David in Hong Kong until the brothers convinced the colt’s owner otherwise, improves his record to two wins and two seconds from four starts having been purchased for AUD$200,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Second went to the Extreme Choice colt Don Corleone as the Harry Angel colt Arkansaw Kid ran third.

“I’ve got adrenaline, I’m just shaking,” said Ben Hayes after the race. “I really felt like he was good enough to win, I felt like vomiting all day. It was a beautiful ride from Michael (Dee).

“For Little Brose to win so impressively, he’s just such an exciting horse. I’m thrilled for the whole team. It’s good to keep that family tradition going and win Blue Diamonds.”

The third Group 1-winner for his sire Per Incanto, Little Brose will now head north chasing further success.

“We’d love to go to the Golden Slipper with him on the way he pulled up. He was only second-up for the prep. It’s a lovely path to it being three weeks away,” said Ben Hayes.

”We don’t have to do too much with him. He’s very professional and does everything right. He hasn’t put a foot wrong ever since he’s been with us.”

Lamaro’s Hotel Futurity Stakes (Group 1)

ALLIGATOR Blood’s cult following is building as he continues to put a strong case forward as the best in the country up to 1,600 metres.

Stepping out in Saturday’s seven-furlong Futurity Stakes at Sandown, the All Too Hard gelding took a sit behind the leader Nugget, before forging clear in the straight to withstand the late run of Mr Brightside who was second ahead of the Shocking gedling I’m Thunderstruck.

“He continues to amaze me every preparation. He was potentially vulnerable today, but again he was just too tough of a competitor. He’s that good.

“I still feel that there is improvement off the back of today’s run and I feel that the mile should be ideal for him. We’d love the votes to see him there,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott indicating that the AUD$5 million All Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 18th was Alligator Blood’s primary aim.

Ladbrokes Oakleigh Plate (Group 1 Handicap)

THE Group 1 Oakleigh Plate over 1,100 metres under handicap conditions was won by Uncommon James, providing his sire Cable Bay with his first Group 1 winner.

Trained at Eagle Farm by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted, the four-year-old, who has never finished worse than second in eight starts, won by just under a length ahead of the Snitzel colt Lofty Strike and the Flying Artie filly Asfoora.

“It means so much, it means everything, I’m a mess,” said an emotional Ben Thompson after winning his first Group 1.

“Obviously, it’s one thing every jockey dreams of, and not many get to put Group 1-winning rider next to your name. It’s so lucky for it to have happened.

“I have had a lot to do with, I rode him in his first ever jump-out and I’ve ridden him in Queensland three times for three wins. He is a really good horse and we are going to hear a lot more of Uncommon James.”

Co-trainer Matthew Hoysted now has either the Newmarket Handicap or the Galaxy in Sydney ahead for his four-year-old gelding.

“The sky is the limit; he is still learning what he is doing this horse, so hopefully we can have a fair bit of fun in the next 12 months,” added Hoysted.

TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (Group 1)

ANAMOE did what Anamoe does - made a quality field look a class below in winning Saturday’s Chipping Norton Stakes over 1,600 metres at Randwick.

The Street Boss colt won his eighth Group 1, 13th race overall and nudged his stakes past AUD$11.1 million. It begs the question, what more can he do in Australia? Answer: nothing. Royal Ascot awaits.

“We’ve got three weeks to the Ranvet or the George Ryder. We’ll give ourselves some time, we’ll get through next weekend I’d say and then we’ll continue to make sure that we have a solid plan to stick to when it comes to his assault on Royal Ascot,” said James Cummings.

“We’ll nominate him for the Queen Anne and Prince Of Wales. We dare not get ahead of ourselves because he’s got some targets here first.”

Sweeping around the bend with seven ahead of him, James McDonald kicked up a gear on Anamoe as the four-year-old swept up to his rivals at the 300-metre mark to then power away as the Sebring filly Fangirl hung on well for second ahead of the Savabeel horse Mo’unga.

“As long as he maintains that level, if he shows that anywhere around the world he’s competitive, no doubt about that,” said James MacDonald when asked about Anamoe’s future targets.

Drinkwise Surround Stakes (Group 1)

A CLEVER ride by Ryan Malony sent Sunshine In Paris to the winner’s stall in Saturday’s Group 1 Surround Stakes for fillies at Randwick. After conserving energy near the rail Malony didn’t panic, waiting until the gap presented before splitting runners to win by a nose from the Tavistock filly Ruthless Dame and the hot favourite, In Secret, by I Am Invincible, as a head separated the first four. From the first crop of the Snitzel horse Invader, Sunshine In Paris becomes his first Group 1-winner having been bought for AUD$90,000 from the 2020 Magic MIllions National Broodmare Sale. “That was unbelievable, she’s so small you can’t see her,” said Neasham. “She cost $90,000. She’s just an absolute darling. You never quite believe you are going to win these races but I’m just so proud of her.”