No Denying Count De Rupee Deserved This One

Mark Smith - Saturday April 30

Count De Rupee's claim to fame as the wealthiest multi-millionaire without a stake win has ended after the son of Real Impact (JPN) claimed Saturday's Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Count De Rupee (image Steve Hart)

The Robert and Luke Price-trained 4yo gelding was a 6-time winner before Saturday, including the valuable $1,000,000 The Gong at Kembla Grange last November and was runner-up in the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle and third in the $500,000 Silver Eagle.

But the closest he had come in four previous stakes attempts was his last start second in the Group III Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick.

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The trainers stuck solid with Brock Ryan, who rewarded them with an excellent ride as  Count De Rupee gathered in Scallopini (Snitzel) in the final 50m to win by a long head.

The winner's extremely accomplished stablemate Jamaea (Headwater) was a length back in third.

Purchased by Robert Price for $145,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Count De Rupee advances his record to seven five three from 19 starts with earnings of $2,628,605.

 "I've got a big rap on this horse," Luke Price said.

"We went to the Newmarket first up, and the TJ Smith second up. We were just having a terrible program at home with the wet tracks and getting the horses worked how we needed to get them worked. He went to the Warwick Farm trials before last start, he switched on, and we knew the horse was still going well.

"We were going to go to the Doomben 10,000, but we thought we would get the horse's confidence up. He is a serious racehorse, a very serious racehorse. I haven't ridden many horses as good as this. I think we've still got a lot more to come.

“I think it could be just the (Doomben) 10,000 in two weeks, but nothing's locked in.

“I thought the filly (Jamaea), had the flashing light on.

“She was just outstanding back on a firm track. She could go to the Stradbroke.

Count De Rupee a $145,000 Magic Millions Yearling

“We will sit down, take them home to their own environment for the next week or ten days, and work out the rest of the winter with them.”

In January, Michael Costa Racing/Bevan Smith Bloodstock outlaid $180,000 for a full brother to Count De Rupee at the Magic Millions.

Count De Rupee is the first foal of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Timeless Choice, a sister to Horse Of The Year Lankan Rupee and to the dam of Listed winner Manhattan Street (Manhattan Rain).

Timeless Choice has a yearling Dundeel filly and a weanling Written Tycoon colt.

She was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.

Count De Rupee is the third black-type winner for the Group 1 ATC George Ryder Stakes and Group 1 Yasuda Kinen winner Real Impact (JPN) (Deep Impact), who shuttled to Arrowfield for three seasons (2016-18).

Real Impact (image Mark Smith)

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Race Result - Tab Victory Stakes Gr2 1200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.61
1
Count De Rupee
- 4g Real Impact (JPN) x Timeless Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: Brock Ryan 58.5
2
0.2
Scallopini
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Boris Thornton 58.5
3
1.2
Jamaea
- 3f Headwater (AUS) x Isibaeva (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54.5
Headwater
4
1.7
Startantes
- 3f Star Turn (AUS) x Funtantes (AUS) (Easy Rocking (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Taylor Marshall 54.5
5
2.4
Rothfire
- 4g Rothesay (AUS) x Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: James Orman 58.5
6
3.2
Wild Planet
- 6g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Byrne 58.5
7
3.9
Niccanova
- 8g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: S P Tregea Rdr: Anthony Allen 58.5
8
4.7
Baller
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Fuwa (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ryan Maloney 58.5
9
5.1
Ranch Hand
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Mezulla (NZ) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
10
5.2
Shaquero
- 3c Shalaa (IRE) x Fimatino (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L R Dittman 56.5
11
5.4
Vega One
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x One Funny Honey (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 58.5
12
6.1
It's Me
- 5m Shamus Award (AUS) x It's You (AUS) (Celtic Swing (GB))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: B N Stewart 56.5
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