As is the nature of things, the progeny of two stallions relocating to new homes in 2019 fought out of the finish of Saturday’s Group III Hong Kong Jockey Club J H B Carr Stakes at Randwick.
It was won by Godolphin’s Denman filly Laburnum who given a positive ride by Kathy O’Hara to nose out the favoured Foxwedge filly Into The Abyss with the Street Boss (USA) filly So Taken a long-head back in third.
“She is a gutsy filly,” winning trainer James Cummings said.
“She has done a wonderful job this preparation, placed in the Canberra Guineas and we got her confidence back at the provincials. After a tough run in the PJ Bell she was geared up to run a bold race from a forward position.
“I love the toughness of the filly. She has been able to sustain the preparation. We’ve got no fear of keeping her in training for longer. We have reaped the rewards for that. She is a Group III winner now.”
After nine seasons at Darley, Denman will relocate to Twin Hills Stud this year and they will be hoping he emulates the success of Smart Missile whose career took off after his move to Twin Hills from Arrowfield. Denman’s 2019 fee has been set at $8,800 (inc. GST) and Smart Missile will stand at $22,000 (inc. GST).
Prolific winner getter Foxwedge is also on the move from Newgate Farm to Woodside Park.
In becoming the 15th stakes-winner for her sire, Laburnum advances her record to 3 wins, 4 seconds and 2 thirds from 14 starts with earnings of $213,620.
Laburnum is the first foal of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Nunes who was sold by Darley to Corumbene Stud for $240,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She hails from the famed Newhaven Park family of Group 1 winners Grand Armee, Dealer Principal, Absolute Champion, Drum and Anamato.
A full-sister to the $1.1 million purchase, Group III winner Mearas, Nunes hasn’t had a lot of luck since. Her Shooting To Win foal was born dead and she missed to the same stallion in 2016 before foaling a filly by the Caulfield Guineas winner last spring. She was bred back to Dissident last spring.
Story courtesy of Breednet
