Maurice Gelding Makes Winning Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday June 9

The Julius Sandhu debutant Sharp Response kick-started what could be an important week for his sire Maurice (JPN) with an impressive performance over 1100m at Sale on Wednesday.

Sharp Response makes winning debut (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos))

Ridden by Beau Mertens, the 2yo gelding had a wall of horses in front of him at the 300m. When eased out to clear running, Sharp Response charged home to defeat Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Cable Bay (IRE) filly Tranquil Bay by a short neck. Three-quarters of a length back in third was the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Flying Artie gelding The Art Of Flying, who made it a first season sire trifecta.

Sandhu said he was expecting a big run after the son of Maurice impressed in a recent jumpout.

“Beau rode him in a jumpout, he cuddled him and gave him a chance to finish off, so he taught him a bit there,” Sandhu said.

“That paid off today because he held him together, got some cover and brought him to the right part of the track.  He will benefit a lot from the run, and more importantly, he will only get better over a trip.

“It’s very exciting, and I’m happy the way he performed at his first start. I’m not sure whether we give him another run or tip him out to give him a chance to recoup then bring him back.”

Advertisement

Purchased by Sandhu Racing for $70,000 out of the Flinders Park Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling  Sale, Sharp Response is the second foal and first winner for hard-knocking Host (CHI) mare Marli Magic.

Bred by Bridsan Bloodstock, Sharp Response was a $70,000 Inglis Premier yearling

Also a Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Marli Magic won five and placed in seven of her 30 starts while banking $228,155.

McDonald Racing purchased Marli Magic’s Impending filly for $80,000 when offered by Flinders Park at this year’s Inglis Premier.

Sharp Response becomes the sixth first-crop winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Maurice (JPN).

The Japanese champion has five stakes horses, and two of those, Port Louis and Invinsible Tears, line up in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm.  

Maurice (JPN) back at Arrowfield in 2021 at a fee of $44,000

Advertisment

Race Result - David Wilson / Tony Hart Mdn 1108m

Sale Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:07.04
1
Sharp Response
- 2g Maurice (JPN) x Marli Magic (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
2
0.2
Tranquil Bay
- 2f Cable Bay (IRE) x Balmodena (AUS) (Good Journey (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: C Newitt 56
3
1.0
The Art Of Flying
- 2g Flying Artie (AUS) x Canary (AUS) (Hard Spun (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 58
4
1.4
Gulf Of Aden
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Truly Wicked (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damien Thornton 58
5
1.6
Media Empire
- 2c Winning Rupert (AUS) x Embellished (USA) (Bellamy Road (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: J Mott 58
6
1.7
Chambery
- 2f Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Larissar (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: M J Dee 56
7
3.8
Get On The Gas
- 2g Shamus Award (AUS) x Tear Gas (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: M Zahra 58
8
3.9
Smoke 'n' Gin
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x Junipers (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: J W Price Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
9
4.0
Manhattan Annie
- 2f Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Orphan (AUS) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: Jack Martin 56
10
4.7
Syrup
- 2g Squamosa (AUS) x She's Golden (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Ms L Shand Rdr: A Lynch 58
11
4.9
Power Crunch
- 2g Safeguard (AUS) x Unruffled (AUS) (Nicconi (AUS))
Tnr: D C Harrison Rdr: J Benbow 58
12
5.6
Two Dollar Tom
- 2g Wandjina (AUS) x Ranchy (USA) (Siphon (BRZ))
Tnr: C F Hyland Rdr: W Gordon 58
13
5.7
Sister Vianney
- 2f Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Again Kathleen (AUS) (Danerich (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: W Egan 56
14
6.5
Forged
- 2g Exosphere (AUS) x Real Desire (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Dean Holland 58
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Maurice Gelding Strikes at Sandown
With connections keen to get a run into their two-year-olds before the end of the season, a full field of fifteen went to the post for Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Hcp (1300m) Sandown-Lakeside, and it was won by a horse with a future.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.