A Well Earned Reward for Zoffany's Hi Stranger in Kilmore Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday November 21

Just seven runners went to the post for Sunday’s $160,000 Listed Bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m), but what a competitive finish it proved to be.

What a finish! Hi Stranger launches late (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

With the favourite Imperial Lad and the outsider Al Passem setting a hot pace, the race set up beautifully for the Shane Fliedner-trained Hi Stranger.

The 5yo Zoffany gelding sailed down the centre of the track under Damien Thorton to down the courageous Imperial Lad (All Too Hard) by three-quarters of a length.

Advertisement

It was a nose back to Tibetan (Shocking) in third as just over a length covered the first six across the line.

With his first stakes success at his tenth attempt, Hi Stranger advances his record to eight wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 34 starts with earnings of $671,300.

“He is a good little horse. He is not overly big, but when things fall his way, he is never far away,”  Fliedner said.

“He is starting to mix it in good company. He was only a couple of lengths away the other day (in the Group III Chatham Stakes), when he peaked on his run at the 100m at Flemington.

“He was spot on for this today. The query was coming down the hill and the firm track. Horses that try hard can overcome those things.

Plenty at Kilmore to celebrate (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

“This was a test for him for the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day, but we might send him up to Sydney for the Villiers in-between. There is not much here for him.

“He is going to be a very hard horse to replace. I love him.”

Bred by Mario and Jenny Cesnik, Hi Stranger was purchased by Fliedners Racing for $50,000 from the Cesnik’s Riverina Downs draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the winning Viscount mare Luxury Suite, who the Cesniks purchased for just $3,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Bloodstock Sale.

Zoffany (IRE) (image Mark Smith)

Luxury Suite was not covered in three seasons following the Hi Stranger.

Last season she foaled a filly by Ribchester (IRE) and on September 9 produced an Epaulette filly.

Hi Stranger becomes the 48th stakes-winner for Zoffany (IRE), who shuttled to Coolmore Stud for four seasons (2012-15)

Due to liver failure, the Group 1 winning son of Dansili was euthanised at age 13 earlier this year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kilmore Cup LR 1600m

Kilmore Track: Good(3) Time: 1:36.16
1
Hi Stranger
- 5g Zoffany (IRE) x Luxury Suite (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: S Fliedner Rdr: Damien Thornton 58.5
2
0.8
Imperial Lad
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Stammer (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: J F Moloney Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
All Too Hard
3
0.9
Tibetan
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Baltis (NZ) (Al Akbar (AUS))
Tnr: M J Enright Rdr: C Newitt 54
4
1.0
Laffalong
- 5m All Too Hard (AUS) x Smiles For Layla (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: M J Dee 54
5
1.2
Justacanta
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Just Casual (NZ) (Casual Lies (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
6
1.7
Sir Simon
- 8g Tickets (AUS) x Kats Clause (AUS) (Weasel Clause (AUS))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
7
16.7
Al Passem
- 7g Al Maher (AUS) x Ruby Bre (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
More Reading...
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.
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.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
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.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
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.
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.
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.
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.