Second Stakes-Winner for Nechita

Tara Madgwick - Saturday August 28

Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Nechita topped the 2013 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale when selling for $1.55 million to Coolmore and has now produced two stakes-winners with four year-old mare Forbearance capturing the Listed Galtres Stakes (1m4f) at York in the UK last week, while her imported son Harpo Marx (IRE) won the Group III ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Kembla on Saturday.

Advertisement

Harpo Marx wins the G3 Premier's Cup - image Steve Hart

A six year-old gelding by Galileo, the Bjorn Baker trained Harpo Marx has been in great form this preparation for his big team of Darby Racing owners and enjoyed a weight drop and soft ground for his first attempt at Black Type.

He finished with a well-timed run under Rachel King to win by a short neck over Spirit Ridge (IRE), another Darby Racing owned import that was having his first run back from a break.
 



Harpo Marx was bought at the 2019 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 60,000 guineas by De Burgh Equine/ Darby Racing after winning a maiden at Tipperary and has proven an astute purchase with his overall record now seven wins and six placings from 24 starts with prizemoney in excess of $420,000.

"I must say, when I gave him his first few gallops from Europe, I thought, 'we're in a bit of trouble here'," Baker said.

"But he kept improving. You never know with these horses, look after them, give them time, they keep getting better and better, stronger and stronger.

"I think he is going to be well suited in a race like the Newcastle Cup and maybe a race like the Metrop (G1).”

He is a full brother to stakes-winner Forbearance and they are the only two winners from Nechita’s four foals to race so far, all of them by Galileo.

Harpo Marx is the fifth stakes-winner by Galileo bred from a daughter of Fastnet Rock, the nick running at 27% stakes-winners to runners, that figure mirroring the success of the nick the other way around which has produced 23 stakes-winners worldwide.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Agency Illawarra Premier's Cup Gr3 2000m

Kembla Grange Track: Soft(6) Time: 2:04.00
1
Harpo Marx
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Nechita (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 53
2
0.2
Spirit Ridge
- 7g Nathaniel (IRE) x Tates Creek (USA) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 59
3
1.0
Inverloch
- 8g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Ideal (GB) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: S Clipperton 56.5
Fastnet Rock
4
1.4
Criminal Code
- 5g Maschino (AUS) x Pale (AUS) (Ad Valorem (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 53
5
1.5
Quick Thinker
- 5h So You Think (NZ) x Acouplamas (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: J Bowman 58
6
1.6
No Compromise
- 5g Pins (AUS) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 53.5
7
2.0
Luncies
- 5g Iffraaj (GB) x Under The Rainbow (GB) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
8
2.8
Mubariz
- 6g Dansili (GB) x Could It Be (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 53.5
9
19.8
Young Rascal
- 7g Intello (GER) x Rock My Soul (IRE) (Clodovil (IRE))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 57
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).