Devoted Toughs It Out in Belmont Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday June 18

The admirably consistent Devoted made it three wins in as many weeks with a typically gritty performance in Saturday’s Listed WAROA-Belmont Guineas (1600m).   

Fair to say Clint Johnston-Porter enjoyed that one (image Western Racepix)

With Clint Johnston-Porter in the saddle for Michael Grantham, the flashy chestnut son of Xtravagant enjoyed a charmed run, one out and one back.

After dispatching the leading pair Rokanori and Black Fantasy shortly after straightening, Devoted held the fast-finishing Searchin' Roc's by a long-head with a further three-quarter length back to Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) in third.

Advertisement

It was the second consecutive stakes success for Devoted following his win in last week’s Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont.

Grantham indicated the Peters Investments homebred had done enough this preparation and would not press on to the Aquanita Stakes or Belmont Classic with a long-range view to the Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Kingston Town Classic later in the year..

The son of Xtravagant is now three for three since his switch to Grantham from Grant Williams while advancing his record to four wins and two thirds from seven starts with earnings of $73,200.

 Devoted is the best of three foals from as many to race from the 6-time winning Anabaa (USA) mare Morning Mist, a daughter of Flaming Heart.

By the Widden Stud stallion Salieri (USA), Flaming Heart won the Group III Thoroughbred Club Stakes and Listed The Great Western on Melbourne Cup day.

Flaming Heart was every bit as successful as a broodmare with ten winners from as many to race. They were led by Group II Perth Cup winner and Group 1 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes runner-up Real Love (Desert War), the Group III Asian Beau Stakes winners Heart Starter (Domesday) and Suspicion (Mukddaam), the dam of stakes-winner Morant (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Morning Mist has two other sons of Xtravagant waiting in the wings. They are the unraced 2yo gelding Authorative and a yearling named Dorset Tide.

After foaling another colt by Xtravagant last spring, Morning Mist visited Toronado (IRE).

Four stakes winners for the season for Xtravagant Only Extreme Choice (5) has more among the second crop sires

Advertisment

Race Result - Waroa-Belmont Guineas LR 1600m

Belmont Park Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:38.38
1
Devoted
- 3g Xtravagant (NZ) x Morning Mist (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Michael Grantham Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 56.5
Inglis May (Early) Online Sale $2,000
Seller: Peters Investments Pty Ltd
Buyer: Mack Hall
2
0.2
Searchin' Roc's
- 3f Awesome Rock (AUS) x Still Searchin' (AUS) (Trade Fair (GB))
Tnr: D R Harrison Rdr: Ms K Yuill 54.5
3
1.0
Black Fantasy
- 3g Blackfriars (AUS) x Dreamalong (AUS) (Southern Image (USA))
Tnr: D & B Pearce Rdr: Lucy Warwick 56.5
4
1.3
Otheroneson
- 3g Demerit (AUS) x Hot Devils (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: Chris Parnham 56.5
5
3.7
War Gem
- 3c War Chant (USA) x Diamonds'n'dreams (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: B Parnham 56.5
6
4.7
Rokanori
- 3c Awesome Rock (AUS) x Nishikawa (AUS) (Fuji Kiseki (JPN))
Tnr: Grant Williams Rdr: P Harvey 56.5
7
11.9
Be Optimistic
- 3f Blackfriars (AUS) x Mekie's Dream (AUS) (Pluck (USA))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Holly Watson 54.5
8
20.1
Rockstar Status
- 3f Awesome Rock (AUS) x Jayquin Star (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Tiarnna Robertson Rdr: T Turner 54.5
More Reading...
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.
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.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
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.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Xtravagant's Devoted shines in Raconteur Stakes
The three-year-old Xtravagant gelding Devoted kept his record at a perfect two for two for his new trainer Michael Grantham with a dominant performance in Saturday's Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont Park.
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).
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.