Lofty Strikes Again

Mark Smith - Saturday February 12

Julius Sandhu will head to Caulfield in a fortnights time with a chance of a maiden Group 1 after his blueblood colt Lofty Strike made it two from two in the Group II Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g)  (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

All roads lead to the Blue Diamond (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Jamie Mott, the son of champion sire Snitzel and Golden Slipper heroine Overreach powered home to defeat the Shalaa (IRE) colt Semillion by one and a quarter length with the Epaulette colt Daumier a further half-length back in third.

The favourite Jacquinot (Rubick) missed the start and was never a factor.

Advertisement

“It’s exciting, that was a big win, Sandhu said.

“it was really nice to see him actually get here at a different course that has its own challenges.

“He was off the bit a long way from home and then just picked it up and went down to the line quite impressively.

“He put them away quite well.

“We’ll make sure he comes back and pulls up well and hopefully he ticks all the boxes and is sound.

“We’ll go back home and celebrate this a little bit, as we should.

“It is an endorsement to the team, not just me, as the stable has worked really hard to keep him the way he is.

“There’s a lot of excitement, that’s for sure.”

Lofty Strike. What is he worth now? (image Grant Courtney)

Mott was impressed how lofty Strike finished the race off after coming under pressure before the turn.

“It was a very special moment, I’m sure Julius agrees, Mott said.

“He’s a beautiful animal. I was really confident after last start that he has the makings of a nice horse and he showed us that today.

“I felt I had to get into the race to make sure the ones upfront hadn’t skipped away. I was under pressure around the corner. I wouldn’t say I was worried but I wasn’t really making good ground at that stage but once I balanced on straightening he put them away quite easily.

“He’s handling it all well. Julius’ team have done a good job with him and he’s a horse with a really bright future and hopefully he can be back here in two weeks and do it again.”

Lofty Strike was a $280,000 purchase by the Paul Lofitis managed Lofty Thoroughbred Group from the Corumbene Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions.

Lofty Strike a $280,000 Magic Millions yearling

The son of Snitzel is the second foal of Corumbene’s 2013 ATC Golden Slipper winner Overreach.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel had a troubled start to her broodmare career.

Her first foal by Sepoy died then she missed to Fastnet Rock before foaling a Snitzel colt named Talbragar.

Retained to race by George Altomonte, Talbragar won his only start at Narromine in October last year for Kody Nestor. He has not been seen since and is now in the stable of Cody Morgan.

A sister to Group II ATC Expressway Stakes winner Standout and Widden Stud’s stakes-placed Outreach, Overreach is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort a great stalwart for Chatswood Stud before his death last November.

Overreach has a yearling filly by Snitzel and a filly foal by Zoustar.

She was covered by Capitalist last spring.

Snitzel. His 2yos are flying

Advertisment

Race Result - Neds Blue Diamond Prelude-C&G Gr3 1100m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:03.98
1
Lofty Strike
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Overreach (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: J Mott 57
2
1.3
Semillion
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
Shalaa
3
1.8
Daumier
- 2c Epaulette (AUS) x Illustrate (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 57
4
1.9
Counttheheadlights
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Tahni Dancer (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ben Allen 57
5
2.0
Jacquinot
- 2c Rubick (AUS) x Ponterro (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Damian Lane 57
6
5.3
River Ribble
- 2c Ribchester (IRE) x Donna Dingles (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 57
7
5.8
Philosopher
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Lone (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Ms L J Meech 57
8
7.5
Lascars
- 2c Sepoy (AUS) x Alizes (NZ) (Rory's Jester (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
11.5
Crowning Moment
- 2g Pariah (AUS) x Kenzie (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 3
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Filly of the Year Series Springs to Life with Gold Trail Stakes
One of the traditional signs that spring racing has arrived in New Zealand is the running of the first leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). The $150,000 race looks a little different this year in a temporary new home, but it will still give us that same first look at the latest crop of fillies vying for the coveted title.
Snitzel Colt Makes a Statement on Debut
The impeccably bred Snitzel colt Lofty Strike stamped his Blue Diamond ticket with a stunning debut over 1100m at Flemington on Saturday.
Vivid Sun Shines Bright At Sandown
Recording her second win in as many starts, 3yo The Autumn Sun filly Vivid Sun looked something special as she resumed from a spell at Sandown to trounce her rivals by more than two lengths on Wednesday, signalling a step up to black type races during the Spring.
Alabama Lass Primed for G1 Moir
Tackling Group Ones on either side of the Tasman is nothing new for Ken and Bev Kelso, and they will do exactly that this weekend.
G3 Tibbie Next for Tuileries
Lightly raced So You Think mare Tuileries has long promised to measure up to stakes class and will be given that opportunity next start after returning to top form to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sunlight’s Sister Clean Energy Retired
The most expensive yearling filly sold in Australia in 2023 when fetching $2.6million for Widden Stud at Inglis Easter, Clean Energy has been retired to stud.
Consecutive Wins As Cantiamo Defeats The Boys
With 60kgs on her back against the boys, it’s clearly evident there are bigger and better things ahead for the Kris Lees trained Cantiamo as the 3yo daughter of Too Darn Hot went back-to-back, winning the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Lofty Strikes in the Rubiton
Connections of the Snitzel colt Lofty Strike can expect renewed interest from studmasters after the three-year-old returned to the winners circle for the first time in a year in the Group II McCafe Rubiton Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
Almanzor Mare Salutes for Cambridge Stud
Daring Dame broke through for an elusive win when taking out the Kensington Tavern 1200 at Ruakaka on Wednesday.