Aurora's Symphony Goes Back to Back in Launceston Cup

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 22

Last year Aurora's Symphony broke a 12-month drought to win the Colac Cup, followed by the Group III Ladbrokes Launceston Cup, and he achieved the double again in 2023.

Ridden by Blaike McDougall for Symon Wilde, the 6yo son of Glass Harmonium (IRE) won the $300,000 feature at Launceston on Wednesday, defeating Rising Light (Dawn Approach) by a half-length with Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel), a short-head back in third.

The 6yo gelding A 5yo gelding advances his record to eight wins, five seconds and six thirds from 32 starts with earnings of $646,290.

“We were fortunate to draw barrier one, and Symon sent him out in magnificent order,” McDougall said.

“The way he travelled in the run, he was never going to get beat. He was in a lovely rhythm throughout. When Gai’s dropped out (Military Mission), I thought it was all too easy and was worried that something might be coming.   

“I only arrived ten minutes before I had to because my flight was delayed. I only picked up the ride on Monday night.

Advertisement

“I have some family down here, so it is nice to be rewarded with one of the majors.”

 Aurora's Symphony (Image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

A $40,000 purchase by Wilde Racing from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2018 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale, Aurora's Symphony is a half-brother to stakes-placed Smokin' Val (Valentia).

He is out of the unraced Fantastic Light (IRE) mare Aurora's Hot, a half-sister to Group 1 Sydney Cup winner Niwot (Galileo).

Bought by Meduri Bloodstock for $18,000 at the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Sale, Aurora's Hot has a 2yo brother to Aurora's Symphony and a yearling colt by Highland Reel (IRE). She foaled a Kermadec filly last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Gr3 2400m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 2:31.35
1
Aurora's Symphony
- 6g Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Aurora's Hot (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: B Mc Dougall 55.5
2
0.5
Rising Light
- 5g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Hayaat (AUS) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Gaetan Delon Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
3
0.6
Spirit Ridge
- 8g Nathaniel (IRE) x Tates Creek (USA) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: B Shinn 59
4
2.8
White Hawk
- 9g Tough Speed (USA) x White Yard (AUS) (Partners Choice (USA))
Tnr: Angela Brakey Rdr: M Ulucinar 54
5
4.1
Miss Charlie Brown
- 4m Myboycharlie (IRE) x Red Fever (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Adam Trinder Rdr: T Baker 54
6
4.3
Assaranca
- 5m Nicconi (AUS) x Talulla (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: A Darmanin 54
7
4.4
Brew Horse
- 5g Fiorente (IRE) x Tabrir (IRE) (Unfuwain (USA))
Tnr: Stephen Shaw Rdr: B Muhcu 54
8
4.6
Glass Warrior
- 7m Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Hissy Miss (AUS) (Golden Snake (USA))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: Chelsea Baker 54
9
5.3
Military Mission
- 5g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Ms W Costin 56.5
10
5.4
Dark Dream
- 8g All American (AUS) x Buchanan Girl (AUS) (Lion Hunter (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: C Newitt 55
11
7.4
Travelling Gigolo
- 5g Globetrotter (USA) x Sharpay Magic (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: D Pires 54
12
10.2
Perun
- 8g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Thunderchine (AUS) (Thunder Gulch (USA))
Tnr: Ms A Fulton Rdr: Alana Kelly 54
13
12.4
Super Swoop
- 8g Casino Prince (AUS) x Carolina Bella (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: Sigrid Carr 54
14
14.7
Skyway Star
- 7m Americain (USA) x Lorna's Lass (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: Georgie Catania 54
15
21.2
Creative Hero
- 7g More Than Ready (USA) x Imaginative (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Richards Rdr: Liam Riordan 54
More Reading...
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
Million Dollar Goal for I Am Invincible Filly
Tony and Calvin McEvoy landed a lucrative victory in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May last year with Arabian Summer and are hopeful they have another filly that can do the job this year in Sisstainable.
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
First Win for Sword of State Half-Sister
Well-related filly Paravane broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Castelvecchio Filly Records Promising Victory
Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..