Godolphin's Asiago Dominant in the Mona Lisa

Mark Smith - Friday September 4

Making her first start since finishing unplaced behind Toffee Tongue in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 2,  Godolphin’s 4yo Medaglia d’Oro (USA) mare Asiago made winning seasonal debut in Friday’s Listed Bishop Collins Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong.

Asiago wins the Mona Lisa Stakes - image Steve Hart

Given the perfect steer by Rachel King, the James Cummings-trained mare defeated the consistent Wandjina mare Wandabaa by a length with the 6yo Savabeel mare Missybeel a half-length further back in third.

Godolphin representative Nacim Dilmi said it was a pleasant surprise.

“Her first-up record showed she would run a good race, but we didn’t expect her to win that easily,” Dilmi told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“The 1350m was going to be the perfect stepping stone for her next run but she has come back in good order.

“The tempo didn’t really suit her, they went a bit slower than we thought they would, but Rachel didn’t panic, kept a good hold of her and let her finish strongly.

Advertisement

“She had a nice break after Adelaide and is ready for a nice spring.”  

Winner of the Group III NJC Spring Stakes at Newcastle and the Group III Kembla Grange Classic last season at three, Asiago advances her record to 6 wins and 2 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $372,145.

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro (USA)  is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the very talented Disputes (Manton) who won the Listed ATC Reginald Allen Hcp and placed in the Listed AJC Gimcrack Stakes.

Disputes’ half-sister Divorces  (Domesday) won the Group III MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet and placed in eight stakes races including the Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes and was fourth in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks won by Scarlett Lady.

Disputes has a yearling filly by Iffraaj (GB) but missed to Ribchester (IRE) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Bishop Collins Mona Lisa LR 1350m

Wyong Track: Good(4) Time: 1:19.67
1
Asiago
- 4m Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Disputes (AUS) (Manton (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 58.5
2
1.0
Wandabaa
- 4m Wandjina (AUS) x Mabkhara (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: B Avdulla 56
3
1.5
Missybeel
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Sitting Pretty (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Tim Clark 58
4
2.0
Yamazaki
- 5m Real Saga (AUS) x Wabeel (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: G Boss 55
5
2.5
Emeralds
- 4m Sebring (AUS) x Doulmera (USA) (Mr. Greeley (USA))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
6
2.6
Miss Fabulass
- 5m Frankel (GB) x Samantha Miss (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 59
7
2.7
Ondo Pasa
- 7m Love Conquers All (AUS) x Lekhani (IRE) (Imperial Ballet (IRE))
Tnr: S Thomas Rdr: G Buckley 55
8
2.9
Pierrless
- 5m Pierro (AUS) x Ofcourseican (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: R J Quinton Rdr: S Clipperton 55
9
3.4
In Lighten Me
- 5m Star Witness (AUS) x In Lighten (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: K S Latham 55.5
10
4.1
Freehearted
- 7m Dylan Thomas (IRE) x Young And Free (AUS) (Kenmare (FR))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: G Schofield 55
11
4.6
Maid Of Ore
- 6m Duporth (AUS) x Feisty Rose (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: N J Olive Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
12
6.1
Mosht Up
- 5m Moshe (AUS) x Solar (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Stephen Schofield Rdr: Ms M Weir 55
13
7.0
Heart Of The Oak
- 4m Sebring (AUS) x Private (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: J Innes Jnr 55
More Reading...
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Medaglia d'Oro's Asiago Claims the Kembla Classic in a Thriller
Despite drifting alarmingly in betting, Godolphin’s Medaglia d’Oro (USA) filly Asiago carried her topweight to a last stride win against a competitive field of three-year-old fillies in Friday’s $200,000 Group III Carlton Draught Kembla Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.