First Australian Winner for Mendelssohn

Mark Smith - Sunday February 26

Coolmore Stud's one-season shuttler Mendelssohn (USA) is off the mark in Australia with Felix The Scat, a facile winner of the Tattersall's Life Members Hcp (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Ridden by Mark Du Plessis for Peter and Will Hulbert, Felix The Scat came from well back early to win by a widening four-and-a-quarter length from the Defcon filly Crimson Warning with the Kobayashi filly Mishani Mystique a long-neck back in third.

It was the third start for Felix The Scat, who debuted with a fifth in the  Pat O'Shea (1000m) at Toowoomba before a third behind the talented Mishani Renegade over 1000m at Eagle Farm last October.  

Will Hubert has big ambitions for the strapping son of Mendelssohn (USA), which include a shot at the Victoria Derby.

"At the end of this colt's last preparation, I said to the owners to be patient and trust me because I think we will be having a look at the Victoria Derby," Hulbert told Racenet.

"I got that sort of idea from riding him at trackwork; this horse doesn't even know what he is doing yet.

"He has no early speed; it takes him 200m in his races until he gets going.

"I don't think you will see the best of him until he gets to 2000m.

Advertisement

Mark Du Plessis believes the colt is untapped.

"You only have to look at him to see he already looks like a three-year-old. He moves like one, and he thinks and races like one," Du Plessis said.

"He's pretty laid back; hence the blinkers went on today."

Mendelssohn (USA) (image Coolmore Stud)

The homebred is the first winner from three to race from the Fairway Thoroughbreds-bred Smart Missile mare, Miss Pocket Rocket.

A $140,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase for Gai Waterhouse, Miss Pocket Rocket did not see a racetrack again after a debut 13th over 1000m at Hawkesbury.

Her dam Petrushka is the daughter of the stakes-winner Irongail (Canny Lad), a half-sister to multiple Group III winner Walking And Dancing, Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes runner-up Aim For Gold, and Godolphin's exceptional broodmare Youthful Presence.  

Youthful Presence is the dam of four stakes-winners headed by the Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap winner Hauraki and Group 1 SAJC South Australian Derby hero Kidnapped.

Advertisment

Race Result - Tattersall's Life Members Hcp 1350m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:20.16
1
Felix The Scat
- 2c Mendelssohn (USA) x Miss Pocket Rocket (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: P & W Hulbert Rdr: M R Du Plessis 56
2
4.3
Crimson Warning
- 2f Defcon (AUS) x I Like Red (AUS) (Red Dazzler (AUS))
Tnr: Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn Rdr: J Byrne 54
3
4.7
Mishani Mystique
- 2f Kobayashi (AUS) x Real Mystique (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: L V Cassidy 54
4
4.8
Storm Force Ten
- 2c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Shrill (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: A Mallyon 55.5
5
6.0
Adelad
- 2c Adelaide (IRE) x Elsaray (AUS) (Red Dazzler (AUS))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: James Orman 58
6
6.1
Beasticon
- 2g Prized Icon (AUS) x Prefidio (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Morrison Rdr: Anthony Allen 55.5
7
9.6
Saxon Brave
- 2c Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Manrose Hattan (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: D Chujo Rdr: Noriyuki Masuda 55.5
8
11.3
O'Polly
- 2f Cable Bay (IRE) x Olivia Grace (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Erhart Rdr: Angela Jones 52
More Reading...
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.