Hard Spun's Hard Empire Downs Jonker in George Moore

Mark Smith - Saturday December 5

Given a ground-saving ride by Brad Stewart, the rejuvenated seven-year-old gelding Hard Empire overpowered the favourite Jonker in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.

Advertisement

At his fifth change of stables, Hard Empire made a winning debut for Toby and Trent Edmonds at Doomben on November 3 before finishing fourth in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben 11 days later.

The son of Hard Spun (USA) had been competitive in stakes races in Tasmania, Adelaide and Melbourne and earned a Group III win in the SAJC RN Irwin Stakes at Morphettville in April last year.

Purchased by part-owner Charles white for $11,000 out of the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2015 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Hard Empire advances his record to 11 wins, one second and six thirds from 37 starts with earnings of $525,380.

He is the best of two winners from three to race out of the Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Last Quill a half-sister to the dam of Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Power Trip who is also by Hard Spun (USA).

Not covered in the previous two seasons, Last Quill’s most recent foal is the unraced 3yo Fiorente (IRE) filly Dahwilly.

Hard Empire defeated Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) by a half-neck with Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom) two and three-quarter lengths back in third after being caught wide the trip.

Advertisment

Race Result - George Moore Stakes Gr3 1200m

Doomben Track: Good(3) Time: 1:08.11
1
Hard Empire
- 7g Hard Spun (USA) x Last Quill (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: B N Stewart 57.5
2
0.2
Jonker
- 5h Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Hearts And Arrows (AUS) (Kempinsky (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: J Byrne 56.5
Spirit Of Boom
3
3.0
Outback Barbie
- 5m Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Pure Purrfection (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: M Rodd 57
Spirit Of Boom
4
3.9
Tambo's Mate
- 5g Mossman (AUS) x Passagemaker (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: M Mc Gillivray 58.5
5
4.0
Deep Image
- 7g Testa Rossa (AUS) x Starwish (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: M Cahill 59
6
4.2
Spurcraft
- 7g Jet Spur (AUS) x Carnivale Queen (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: James Orman 56.5
7
4.3
Chapter And Verse
- 6g Rothesay (AUS) x McFly (AUS) (Perugino (USA))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: M R Du Plessis 55.5
8
4.5
Scallopini
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Ben Thompson 58.5
9
7.0
The Odyssey
- 4h Better Than Ready (AUS) x Jessica's Hope (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ms S Thornton 57.5
10
13.3
Mishani Hustler
- 5g Exceedingly Good (AUS) x Mishani Sinner (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: Taylor Marshall 55
11
17.8
River Racer
- 7m Hidden Dragon (AUS) x Royal Yangtze (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: Dale Smith 54
More Reading...
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hard Empire Shocks in Missile Stakes
The Missile Stakes has thrown up some shocks since its inception in 1978, and here is another one, the nine-year-old Queenslander Hard Empire who went off an unloved $101chance in Saturday’s $250,000 Group II feature at Randwick.
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.