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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.

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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.

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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
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $400,000
Seller: Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld
Buyer: Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA)/Black Soil Bloodstock
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
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