More Stakes Success for All Too Hard Mare

Media Release - Saturday November 6

Speedy mare Babylon Berlin got her spring campaign off to the best possible start when she proved too slick for her rivals in the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton.

Babylon Berlin streaks to victory in the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton Photo Credit: Race Images South

The Ben Foote-trained daughter of All Too Hard had shown she has a touch a class about her during a three-year-old campaign where she finished in the top three in nine of her ten starts, winning four times including the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) in her last start before being put aside for a winter break.

Foote has played a patient game as he prepared her for her four-year-old season, giving her just the one trial back in September, where she won untouched by nine lengths over 800m at Cambridge.

Sent out a raging $1.30 favourite for Saturday’s contest down the Riccarton 1000m dogleg, Babylon Berlin and rider Lisa Allpress speared to the lead after a slightly tardy start and gave nothing else a chance as they streaked clear in the run home to win by two lengths in a slick 56.53 seconds for the journey.

Allpress, who was having her first ride on the mare, was suitably impressed by the performance after receiving some advice from former rider Sam Collett, who is now plying her trade in Queensland.

“I had a nice message from Sam Collett this morning saying she (Babylon Berlin) was super fast,” Allpress said.

“When we stood in the gates a little, I was like “ooh”, but she bounced away and got to her favourite spot in front and stacked them up a little.

“When I asked her, she kicked away really nicely, she is a willing wee girl.”

Foote, who couldn’t travel to Riccarton due to COVID restrictions, was happy to watch the race unfold how he had imagined.

“She has really come up well and strengthened up considerably this time in,” he said.

“While I couldn’t get down there, it was a pretty good deal as all I had to do was send her down to Terri Rae, who has looked after her and I could just sit on the couch and watch her win.

Advertisement

“She did miss the kick a little, but she has done that before, so I wasn’t too worried.

“When she was in front, I thought she would be too good for them and that’s how it worked out.”

Foote will now forego a start in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) on Wednesday in favour of getting Babylon Berlin back home in time to contest the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) at Te Rapa on November 20.

“When we planned to go to Riccarton it was only if we could fly down there and fly home again,” Foote said.

“We put a nom in for the Stewards, but I don’t think we will start in that as I want her back home for the Counties Bowl later in the month.

“The main aim all along has been the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) on New Year’s Day, so that’s what I will be setting her for.

“Terri told me she hasn’t missed a beat and is pretty full of herself, so I’m hoping the race and trip home won’t take too much out of her.

“She can be a pretty bad-tempered piece of work and Lisa said after the race she was playing up on the way to the barrier, while she was also gawking around over the final 50m.

“She has so much ability it’s something you just have to put up with and once she is the finished product, she could be something special.”

Raced by her breeder Scott Williams along with Foote, Kim Rogers, Sam Beatson, Cedric Foote and Andrew Stuart, Babylon Berlin is a half-sister to Group III winner Darci Be Good out of Fusaichi Pegasus mare You Can’t Say That, a daughter of What Can I Say who won eight races including six at stakes level. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Pegasus Stakes LR 1000m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(3) Time: 0:56.53
1
Babylon Berlin
- 4m All Too Hard (AUS) x You Can't Say That (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: B W Foote Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
All Too Hard
2
1.8
Live Drama
- 5m Ghibellines (AUS) x Sheeza Drama (AUS) (Pure Theatre (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A Comignaghi 60
3
2.8
Madam Hass
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Elusive Red (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: S R Weatherley 54
4
4.1
Khimar War
- 6g Sweet Orange (USA) x Flame Of Atlanta (NZ) (Clay Hero (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: R Cuneen 60
5
7.6
Devious
- 6g Per Incanto (USA) x Angel Del Dinero (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: T R Moseley 55.5
6
7.8
Love Squirrels
- 6m Eurozone (AUS) x Mrs Vanderbilt (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: M J House Rdr: C W Johnson 54
7
8.6
Grand Mayson
- 7g Power (GB) x Java Silk (AUS) (Kashani (USA))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: D S Johnson 58
8
8.7
Our Girl Gilly
- 6m Guillotine (NZ) x Remembrance (NZ) (Coats Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S L Wynne 54
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.
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.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.