Il Braccio Impresses on Debut - Half-Sister by Maurice Heading to Inglis Classic

Mark Smith - Tuesday December 28

A quartet of promising three-year-olds captured the first four races at Yarra Glenn on Tuesday, and there was a lot to like about the Logan McGill-trained debutant Il Braccio.

Il Braccio shows them a clean pair of heels (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos

Ridden by Will Gordon, the son of Air Force Blue (USA) was the lone first-starter in the 1209m maiden and was not expected to trouble the odd-on favourite Tricology. But defeat him he did, leaving the Peter Moody-trained son of Belardo 4-lengths in his wake.  

“He has done everything right to date,” McGill said.

“We came here with our confidence knocked a bit by the odds-on favourite but thinking we had a nice horse, and thankfully it proved that way.

Advertisement

“He is only going to get better and better with time. He is six months off furnishing in to a proper racehorse. He is doing that on ability alone, so it is quite exciting.

“Before today, the intention was to give him one run and tip him out for the autumn. But we will see how he comes through this and assess him from there. “

Il Braccio was a bargain-basement $2,000 purchase by Bill Jones from the Glastonbury Stud draft at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

He is the first winner of two to race out of the unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Praiano.

It will be good news for Riversdale, who consign a Maurice (JPN) half-sister to Il Braccio to the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Praiano is out of the stakes-placed Fastnet Rock mare Miss O’Brien, a daughter of the talented racemare Yvonne (Last Tycoon), whose eight wins included the Group III SAJC Auraria Stakes and a pair of Listed events.

Air Force Blue

Advertisment

Race Result - Bet365 Racing Refunds Mdn 1209m

Yarra Glen Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.68
1
Il Braccio
- 3g Air Force Blue (USA) x Praiano (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Logan McGill Rdr: W Gordon 58
2
4.0
Tricology
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Ohio Girl (AUS) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: J Benbow 58
NZB Karaka Book 2 $13,000
Seller: Haunui Farm
Buyer: Peak Racing
3
4.3
Debatable
- 4g Dissident (AUS) x Toast Of The Coast (AUS) (Rory's Jester (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Smith Rdr: Kiran Quilty 57.5
4
5.0
Turf Flyer
- 4g Turffontein (AUS) x Madame De Costa (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Shand Rdr: B Higgins 59.5
5
5.1
Eurellydidit
- 4g Magic Albert (AUS) x L'aria (AUS) (Lucky Owners (NZ))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 59.5
6
6.1
Leolaine
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Leotie (AUS) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Michael Poy 56
7
6.4
Honest Legend
- 3g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Z'honor (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: J Mott 58
8
9.2
Westminster Abbe
- 5g The King's Cross (AUS) x Abbe Cat (AUS) (Campo Catino (IRE))
Tnr: S S Cunningham Rdr: Lewis German 59.5
9
44.2
Grand Deposition
- 3g Star Witness (AUS) x Splendido (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: C Newitt 58
More Reading...
One to Watch - Sale
A blueblood Super Seth filly retained to race by Trelawney Stud was a standout maiden winner on Sunday.   
Aussie Bred Stakes-Winner in Japan
Arrowfield Stud graduates had another super successful weekend of racing with Little Black Dress (Snitzel) a stakes-winner New Zealand, Shangri La Spring (Castelvecchio) a Group winner at Randwick, Matusalem a new SW for The Autumn Sun and then in Japan on Sunday three year-old Shalaa (IRE) colt Invincible Papa won the Listed Keiyo Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama.
Sires With Winners - Sunday April 20
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi bred Jimmysstar Wins Crackerjack G1 All Aged
Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar has stamped himself as one of the most exciting sprinters in Australia with a brilliant victory in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Machine Gun Gracie Can Shoot For The Stars After Effortless WA Oaks/Derby Double
Every racing carnival needs its headline horse, that special individual who creates a frisson of anticipation and excitement.
The Instructor Delivers a Lesson in Listed Hareeba
Winner of the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview at two, four year-old Russian Revolution gelding The Instructor has had some lengthy spells in his career to date, but has been at his best since returning to racing this year and gave everything he had to cling on and win the $200,000 Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m).
Private Life Confirmed for Coolmore Roster – Fee Set
Coolmore have announced that Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life will join the stallion roster this spring becoming the first son of champion sire Written Tycoon to stand at the farm.
Sires With Winners - Saturday April 19
Here is the full list of 121 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Gilgai Farm Bred and Sold Nepotism Another Inglis G1 Star
Outstanding colt Nepotism (Brutal) scored one of the most remarkable G1 wins by a 2YO on an Australian racetrack in recent memory, coming from last to secure a last-stride victory in today’s Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
Coolmore Announce 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees on their 2025 roster with the exception of Wootton Bassett (GB), who is confirmed as coming to Australia, but his fee still to be decided.