Wild Planet Stakes His Claim for the Epsom

Mark Smith - Saturday September 12

Wild Planet has not had the best of luck in two starts since winning the Listed VRC March Stakes at Flemington in March but everything fell into place for the son of Animal Kingdom (USA) in Saturday’s Group II  Iron Jack Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

Some luck at last for Wild Planet (Steve Hart)

While James McDonald was forced to cover plenty of extra ground on the favourite Funstar, Tommy berry was able to extricate Wild Planet from a pocket to have last shot at the daughter of Adelaide(IRE) to win by a long-neck with Godolphin’s consistent Lonhro gelding Ranier a length back in third.

It was a career highlight for Hawkes Racing’s 5yo gelding who advances his record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $615,900.

He has earned a chance in the Group 1 Epsom handicap according to co-trainer Michael Hawkes.

"He's in the Epsom and that's the way we're heading with him at this stage," Hawkes said.

Advertisement

"There was a little bit of deja vu there when he got locked up coming around the corner but you've got to give this horse credit, he really fights hard.

Wild Planet was a $280,000 Easter Yearling

Purchased by Hawkes Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Planet is a half-brother to Group 1 MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel) out of the Redoute's Choice mare Salutations who is a daughter of Group II winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory's Jester).

Salutations has a yearling brother to Super Seth and was bred back to Dundeel again last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Theo Marks Stakes Gr2 1300m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:15.73
1
Wild Planet
- 5g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
2
0.4
Funstar
- 4m Adelaide (IRE) x Starspangled (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
3
1.4
Ranier
- 5g Lonhro (AUS) x Kanzan (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J R Collett 56
Inglis July (Early) Online Sale $120,000
Seller: Godolphin
Buyer: DL Freedman Racing Pte Ltd
4
1.6
Special Reward
- 5g Demerit (AUS) x Special Kiseki (AUS) (Special Bond (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 57
5
2.2
Duca Valentinois
- 9g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Love Valentine (IRE) (Fruits Of Love (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 53.5
6
2.5
Signore Fox
- 5h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J Penza 53
7
2.7
Fender
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Ceccanti (AUS) (Arena (AUS))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 54
8
3.1
Tyzone
- 7g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Rezonet (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: J Byrne 58.5
9
4.0
Riodini
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Giardini (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 53
10
5.1
Niccanova
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: Craig Carmody Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
11
10.8
Crack On Crack On
- 6g Havana Gold (IRE) x Almunia (IRE) (Mujadil (USA))
Tnr: Gary & John Moore Rdr: G Boss 54
More Reading...
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO WA's New Excitement Machine
One month to the day since he first set foot on a racecourse, So You Think’s three year old son  Opportunistic remains undefeated from three starts, is a dual stakes winner with earnings of $200,250 to his name, and is WA's new rising star of the turf.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Fourth Stakes Win for Wild Planet
Following his win in the Group II Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on August 12, Wild Planet did not have much luck when midfield in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick as he most recent start.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.