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.

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“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.

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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
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