Viridine Becomes a Millionaire

Mark Smith - Saturday July 25

While he may not have lived up to his rising superstar status predicted after winning his first four starts, Viridine has proved himself a wonderful servant for Godolphin.

The 5yo gelded son of Poet’s Voice (GB) took his earnings to over $1 million courtesy of a rails-hugging Damien Oliver ride in Saturday’s Group III Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Viridine hugs the rail to claim the Bletchingly Stakes  (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Viridine hugs the rail to claim the Bletchingly Stakes (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Oliver found whatever little room there was between the pacesetting Great Again and the rail in the closing stages.

Advertisement

The James cummings-trained gelding defeated Magnus’ high-class, Group 1 winning son Streets Of Avalon by three-quarter of a length with the Viscount gelding Great Again a long-neck back in third.

It was the fifth stakes win for Viridine to advance his record to 8 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 29 starts with earnings of  $1,021,090.

"I was kind of surveying my options when we came to the turn," Oliver told Racing.com.

"I could see them opening up a little bit. One of them was going to the fence and got a bit neat. The horse was going good enough to push through.

"I learned a lot from riding this horse the other day.

"Even going to the start, if I could get him to relax, give a bit of rein at him and gave him a long hold.

"He wasn’t brilliant away, so I wanted to work on getting him relaxed and let the rest of the race unfold."

Poet's Voice (Mark Smith)

Poet's Voice (Mark Smith)

Viridine is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the dual Melbourne winner Patina (Anabaa) who was sold by Darley at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Mario and Jenni Cesnik for $15,000 while carrying a filly foal by Epaulette.

The resultant foal, St Edward's Crown, is a stakes-placed winner.

Patina is a half-sister to Listed winner Jerezana (Lonhro), who is the dam of the $2.8 million earner Osborne Bulls (Street Cry).

Patina is a daughter of Saddler's Silk (Barathea) who was placed in the Group I QTC Sires Produce Stakes and is a sister to dual Listed stakes winner and Group 1 placed Barawin.

Patina has a yearling colt by Frosted (USA). After slipping in 2018, Petina was covered by three stallions, Kementari, Epaulette and finally Darley’s flying Dark Angel stallion Harry’s Angel (IRE).

Advertisment

Race Result - Big Screen Co Bletchingly Stks Gr3 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.16
1
Viridine
- 5g Poet's Voice (GB) x Patina (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
2
0.8
Streets Of Avalon
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: B Melham 58.5
3
1.2
Great Again
- 7g Viscount (AUS) x Free At Last (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: M Rodd 58.5
4
2.1
Sansom
- 3g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Bryony (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: L Nolen 58
5
2.6
She Shao Fly
- 3f Epaulette (AUS) x Shao Shao (AUS) (Shinko Forest (IRE))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: D Dunn 56
6
3.4
I Am Someone
- 5g Onemorenomore (AUS) x Vanity Sky (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: Declan Bates 58.5
7
5.4
Jungle Edge
- 9g Dubawi (IRE) x Jungle Girl (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: M A Bell Rdr: Ms J Da Rose 58.5
8
5.6
I'm Telling Ya
- 6g Reward For Effort (AUS) x Rapid Sensation (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: Amy & Ash Yargi Rdr: D Yendall 58.5
More Reading...
Viridine Chalks up Stakes Win Number Six in Regal Roller
Godolphin’s million dollar earner Viridine continued on his winning way at Caulfield on Saturday with a typically gritty performance in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.