Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday June 24

There are few more intriguing races for the two-year-olds on Saturday than the opening event, the GH Mumm Maiden Plate (1100m), at Morphettville.  A debutant crossing the border from Victoria is the Ben and JD Hayes-trained Extreme Choice filly Extreme Step.

At the time of writing, the newly formed partnership of the Hayes brothers has yet to put a winner on the board, although they have several chances to get off the mark on Thursday and Friday.

Extreme Step was the poor relation of the four yearlings by Extreme Choice to sell at the 2020 Easter Yearling Sale.

The top three went for $340,000, $260,000 and $255,000. The star has been the Group II BRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Tiger Of Malay, who has turned his $255,000 purchase by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock into an $826,000 windfall with the promise of more to come.

By contrast, Extreme Step sold for $70,000, with Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock having the final say.

Extreme Step a $70,000 Easter Yearling

Consigned by Newgate Farm, the chestnut filly carried the confidence of Henry Field, who described her as a 'quality, well put together filly with a great shoulder and hip'.

There is also a lot to like on the dam's side. She is the third foal and first in Australia, out of the stakes-placed Giant's Causeway (USA) mare Magical Steps (USA).

The first two foals of Magical Steps (USA) have hardly set the world on fire. Her first foal Red Centre (Australia), is off hurdling and has yet to break his maiden in nine starts. Second foal Magic Mojo (Uncle Mo) remains a maiden after five starts, although he has placed twice at Saratoga.

Advertisement

A sister to the stakes-placed and Grade 1 American Oaks fourth Magic Affair, and a half-sister to stakes-winner Mystic (Unbridled's Song), Magical Steps was purchased by SF Bloodstock for $350,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale when carrying Magic Mojo.

The dam of Magical Steps, Mayville's Magic (Gone West), is a half-sister to Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Gay Gallanta (Woodman) and Group II Gallinule Stakes winner Sportsworld (Alleged).

Gay Gallanta is the dam of Group II Mille Reef Stakes winner and Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Byron (Invincible Spirit), the sire of cult hero Gordon Lord Byron.

This is a family that has flourished in Australia. Mayville's Magic's dam, the Group 1 Prix Morny runner-up, Gallanta (Nureyev) is a three-quarter sister to Wolfhound and Fotitieng, and a half-sister to Weekend Surprise, Foxhound (USA), Al Mufti, Spectacular Spy (USA) and Lassie's Lady, the dam of Bite The Bullett (USA).

Weekend Surprise is the dam of AP Indy, Summer Squall, Eavesdropper (USA), Honor Grades (USA) and Saithor (USA).     

Magical Steps has a yearling colt by Flying Artie. Sadly it is her final foal. The daughter of Giant's Causeway died in 2019, not long after being covered by Capitalist.

Despite his limited representation, Extreme Choice maintains a $200,000 lead over his Newgate farm barn mate Capitalist in the race for Champion First Season sire and Champion 2yo Sire.

Extreme Choice

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.