Frankel's Converge Brilliant in Randwick Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday March 5

The Frankel gelding Converge looked something out of the box when ending a successful two-year-old campaign with victory in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm.

Converge beats Anamoe to win G1 Randwick Guineas - image Steve Hart

He disappointed when making his 3yo debut in the Group II Run To The Rose won by Anamoe but has been on an upward trajectory.

Advertisement

It culminated with a dominant performance in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick.

Ridden by Tim Clark, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding showed a brilliant burst of acceleration to defeat Anamoe (Street Boss) by a short-neck with Hilal (Fastnet Rock) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

“I was very happy with the way the preparation has unfolded to date, knowing we were trying to get him to peak today and his next couple of runs,” Bott said.

“It’s the first real time we have seen him under the ideal conditions, and it was great to see him able to respond in the manner we know he can.

“The way the race unfolded worked out perfectly for us. Tim (Clark) was able to put him in a positive position early and the race unfolded around him. He got into a lovely spot and was able to work into it nicely. When Tim was looking around like that before he let down, I knew there was a bit more there and I’m glad he was able to showcase that for us.

“I think the natural race is to go to the Rosehill Guineas and potentially we may look at coming back to the Doncaster, the way the three-year-olds get treated and he is so electric with that turn of foot.”

“I’ve no doubt he could see out a Derby trip as well, he’s just got too much class. I will discuss with the connections which way to go and we will map it out from there.”

Converge is now a two time G1 winner - image Steve Hart

A homebred for the Tony Bott managed Evergreen Rich, Converge is the first foal of the Shamardal (USA) mare Conversely (IRE) who failed to win in five starts in Ireland.

She was purchased for just €6,000 by BBA (Ireland) as an unraced 3yo out of the Godolphin draft at the 2017 Goffs February Sale.

Coolmore Stud consigned the daughter of Shamardal (USA) to the 2018 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale when she was carrying Converge. She left the ring unsold when she fell short of her $300,000 reserve before being purchased privately for a reported $250,000.

A half-sister to the Japanese stakes-winner Danon Go Go (Aldebaran), Conversely (IRE) is a daughter of US Grade III winner and dual Grade 1 placed Melhor Ainda (USA) (Pulpit), who was bought as a yearling for $125,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Sale.

Conversely has a two year old colt by Churchill (IRE) named Conservative, a $28,000 purchase at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. She has a yearling colt by Invader catalogued for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (lot 116)

Conversely foaled a Divine Prophet last September and boarded a plane for Great Britain a few weeks later.

Advertisment

Race Result - Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas Gr1 1600m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:39.13
1
Converge
- 3g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
2
0.2
Anamoe
- 3c Street Boss (USA) x Anamato (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
3
2.5
Hilal
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Salma (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 56.5
Fastnet Rock
4
4.4
War Eternal
- 3c Pierro (AUS) x Aleria (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J R Collett 56.5
5
6.5
Military Expert
- 3c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Gresset (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
6
6.6
Raging Bull
- 3g Bull Point (AUS) x Sunday Sinners (AUS) (Danbird (AUS))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: S Clipperton 56.5
7
6.9
Coastwatch
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Bullion Mansion (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
8
8.4
Sinba
- 3g Xtravagant (NZ) x Kamili (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: J Ford 56.5
9
8.6
Sea Treasures
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Cagliari (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 56.5
10
15.6
Royalzel
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Royal Tithe (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
More Reading...
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
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.
Frankel's Converge Makes a Winning Debut
A two-year-old son of Frankel leading at every call in a pre-Christmas maiden over 1200m at Warwick Farm, provides plenty of promise for the future and there was a lot to like about the career debut of Converge on Wednesday.
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.
Group 1 Next for Frankel's Converge
Two-year-old Frankel gelding Converge has next week’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes in his sights following a convincing win in Saturday’s Listed The Agency Real Estate Mile (Fernhill Hcp) (1600m) at Randwick.
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.
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.
Frankel's Converge Blows Then Away in the JJ Atkins
A week that started for Frankel with a Group 1 win in the Derby at Epsom ended with a Group 1 win a half-world away in the $1million  Treasury Brisbane J.J. Atkins (1600m) for two-year-olds at Eagle Farm.
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).