Adelaide Cup on the Radar for Animal Kingdom's Skelm

Mark Smith - Friday February 18

Second in the Listed Bagot Hcp at Flemington, the 7yo Animal Kingdom (USA) gelding Skelm disappointed at his most recent start over 1800m at Caulfield, but he was at the top of his game at Moonee Valley on Friday night with a well-deserved maiden stakes win in the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m).

Skelm off to the Adelaide cup (image Grant Courtney)

Sent to the front by Michael Poy, the Terry Kelly-trained gelding led them through slow sectionals in the middle stages. Set to an all drive at the 600m, Skelm kept up a relentless gallop in the straight to defeat Daqiansweet Junior (Sweet Orange) by three lengths with South Pacific (Galileo) a further length back in third.

“They gave it to me pretty soft out in front,” Poy said.

Advertisement

“I didn’t mind letting one go because he is a better chaser. He has the visor on for a reason because he stargazes out in front.

“He was strong through the line. At the mile I was pretty confident because we were walking. He has a good turn of foot and can run home in 34s and not many of these can do that.

“He is headed to the Adelaide Cup. I went there last week for a look at the track, so everything is lining up.

“He will have no problem running two miles, he was strong in the Bagot.”

Bred by Darley, Skelm advances his record to seven five seven from 42 starts with earnings of $611,490. He is the best of seven winners from as many foals out of the Spinning World (USA) mare Lajoie a sister to Group 1 Stradbroke hcp winner and top-class stallion Thorn Park.

Animal Kingdom

 Lajoie died in 2016 and Skelm is her penultimate foal.

Skelm becomes the 17th stakes-winner for former Arrowfield shuttler Animal Kingdom (USA).

Winner of the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World cup, Animal Kingdom (USA) now stands at JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan.

Advertisment

Race Result - McE Torney Night Cup LR 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:41.64
1
Skelm
- 7g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Lajoie (AUS) (Spinning World (USA))
Tnr: T D Kelly Rdr: Michael Poy 56.5
2
3.0
Daqiansweet Junior
- 4g Sweet Orange (USA) x Paulette (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Jamie Kah 56.5
3
4.0
South Pacific
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Tonnara (IRE) (Linamix (FR))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
4
4.1
Za'ex
- 4g Exosphere (AUS) x Za'atar (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ms C Alderson Rdr: B Prebble 54
5
5.3
Future Score
- 7g Cape Cross (IRE) x Theola (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Jye McNeil 60
6
5.5
Spirit Of Gold
- 5m Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Full Of Spirit (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: J Benbow 54
7
5.6
Into Rio
- 7g Zacinto (GB) x Mardi Gras (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: C F Hyland Rdr: Alana Kelly 54
8
9.6
Skymax
- 6g Maxios (GB) x Set Dreams (FR) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: R Dolan 55
9
10.4
Dragon Storm
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Prize Lady (NZ) (Prized (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: B Mc Dougall 56.5
10
15.1
San Remo
- 8g Frankel (GB) x Rosie's Posy (IRE) (Suave Dancer (USA))
Tnr: Dane Smith Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 54
More Reading...
Brave Blood
With the Group I Queensland Oaks and Derby to both be run at Eagler Farm this Saturday, after appalling weather forced racing to be abandoned last week, there is no chance this year of one horse winning both, but a filly that achieved the feat in 1988 is playing a key role in this year’s carnival.
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Brendan Lindsay honoured - Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Spring Goals for Progressive Per Incanto
Spring stakes assignments are in the crosshairs for exciting gelding Twain following his victory in the Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha on Monday.
Pony Racing Series Finals This Saturday
The excitement is building as the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Finals prepare to take centre stage at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, 7 June, showcasing the nation's most promising young riders and their ponies.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.