Crystal Pegasus Captures Mornington Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday March 26

Coming off a win in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington, the Chris Waller-trained Crystal Pegasus (GB) made it four wins on the bounce when earning a golden ticket to the Caulfield Cup with his victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).

Crystal Pegasus in rare form (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Craig Williams, the Chris Waller-trained gelding bettered Pondus after a short, sharp battle to win by one and a quarter length with Dadoozdart (GB) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

“We thought he would be the horse to beat today. The barrier was going to be a little bit tricky to get him in the right position,” stable representative Jo Taylor said.  

Advertisement

“Pondus was the right horse to follow. We were hoping that it was not going to be too much of a sit and sprint, but Craig certainly rated him perfectly.

“He’s earned himself a trip back up to Sydney, and Chris has a few plans for him up there first. Then I think he will have a well-deserved spell before we start a Caulfield Cup campaign with him.

“We’ll have a look at how he pulls up and how it fits in to his program now, but the (Sydney Cup) is the plan. Take him home, wrap him up in cotton wool and get him up to Sydney in one piece for Chris.”

Craig Williams was celebrating another big in for the stable after guiding September Run to victory in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

“It’s a great race now the Melbourne Racing Club, in conjunction with the Mornington Racing Club, have made this an exempt ballot for the Caulfield Cup, and it’s now a target race,” Williams said.

Crystal Pegasus has eyes on the Sydney Cup (image Brett/Holburt/Racing Photos)

“It’s also two weeks before the Sydney Cup, and this is a lovely imported horse they have been developing, and he’s really starting to hit his straps now.”

A son of Galileo’s Epsom Derby winner Australia, Crystal Pegasus advances his record to seven wins, five seconds, and two thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $564,050.

Bred by Southcourt Stud, Crystal Pegasus won twice and placed five times in nine starts before Sir Michael Stoute’s Freemason Lodge sent him to the 2020 Autumn Horses In Training Sale.

Waller liked what he saw and outlaid 190,000 guineas.

A half-brother to stakes-placed Crystal Hope (Nathaniel), Crystal Pegasus (IRE) is out of the Dansili mare Crystal Etoile, a half-sister to the champion Crystal Ocean (Sea The Stars), Group 1 winner Hillstar (Danehill Dancer), and multiple Group II winner Crystal Capella (Cape Cross).

Advertisment

Race Result - Neds Mornington Cup LR 2400m

Mornington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:30.64
1
Crystal Pegasus
- 5g Australia (GB) x Crystal Etoile (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 56
2
1.3
Pondus
- 6g Sea The Moon (GER) x Diablerette (GB) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: M J Dee 59.5
3
3.1
Dadoozdart
- 6g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Hairpin (USA) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
4
4.0
Defibrillate
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 59.5
5
6.0
White Hawk
- 8g Tough Speed (USA) x White Yard (AUS) (Partners Choice (USA))
Tnr: Angela Brakey Rdr: Declan Bates 54
6
21.0
Sacramento
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Alzora (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: D Oliver 59
7
26.0
Corbulo
- 4g Belardo (IRE) x Crossanza (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: J Warren & D Krongold Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
More Reading...
Yulong Win G1 Met Mile at Saratoga
Yulong have made high profile bloodstock investments all over the world and while they have a US trained miler headed to Royal Ascot in Carl Spackler (IRE), they have another currently racing in North America and Raging Torrent carried their colours to victory at a rain soaked Saratoga to win the Group I Metropolitan Mile (1m).
A Stroll for Crystal Pegasus in Roy Higgins Stakes
The $2,000,000 Sydney Cup at Randwick is on the agenda for Crystal Pegasus (IRE) after the progressive son of Australia routed his opponents in Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington.
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Aussie Owned Wootton Bassett Colt Wins French G3
Exciting Wootton Bassett colt Maranoa Charlie went on his winning way overnight at Longchamp  in France taking out the Group III Prix Paul de Moussac (1400m), a race won last year by high class 3YO Lazzat, who then finished second in the $10million Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
G1 Pedigree Watch – Blueblood 3YOs Win Queensland Classics
A funny thing happened at Eagle Farm on Saturday when both the Group I BRC Queensland Derby (2400m) and Oaks (2200m) were won by 20-1 shots that had never won a stakes race, but they had two interesting things in common and that was very famous families and the Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral!
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).