Artorius Bounces Back in Canterbury Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday March 4

A welcome back to Sydney for Zac Purton, who weaved his magic on the hugely talented, though often frustrating, Artorius in Saturday’s Group 1 Furphy Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.

Artorius just about to grab Imperatriz (image Steve Hart)

Settled back worse than midfield, Artorius was strung up between runners but received a charmed run through the pack.

The champion New Zealander Imperatriz looked to have the race in her keeping before Artorius launched late.

Advertisement

The son of Flying Artie defeated Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) by a head with Electric Girl (Declaration Of War) three-quarters of a length back in third.

It was the first win for Artorius since defeating Ingratiating and Anamoe in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes two years ago.

Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Artorius races for a syndicate headed by Newgate Bloodstock, Newgate SF, Horse Ventures, China Horse Club Racing, and Go Bloodstock.

The 4yo entire returned from a three-month working holiday in Europe, where he placed in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and July Cup at Newmarket before finishing sixth in the Group 1 Maurice De Gheest at Deauville.

Artorius looks a picture (image Steve Hart)

Anthony Freedman said consideration will be given to a start in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.

“He came home and wasn’t doing that great,” Freedman revealed.

“Just the last three or four weeks, we’ve been really happy with him, and he turned up in great order today.

“We changed a few things, and learned to keep him active before the race because he just sort of falls asleep. Zac did that very well today, he was just that two or three lengths closer.

“Zac is a world-class jockey. I didn’t give him too many instructions. Most of the instructions were pre-race, keep him moving, keep him active. Don’t just walk around in circles as he falls asleep. The start is everything to this horse; if he starts you can win.”

Zac Purton said it was a dream return, and everything fell into place.  

“It felt good. I just had to wait a little bit for the right opportunity,” he said.

“Nash (Rawiller on Golden Mile) held up behind James (McDonald) on Imperatriz) and I was hoping to get going a little bit earlier. But when he came out, it allowed me to go inside him and get on the back of the favourite. The last 150m he launched, he just jumped out of the ground.

“He’s just a bit tricky, he comes with a little bit of baggage, but he’s obviously very talented.”

From the first crop of Newgate Farm’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie, Artorius advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and four thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $2,074,462.

Artorius a $120,000 Magic Millions yearling

Bred by Greg Perry, Artorius was a $120,000 purchase for Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the unraced Redoute's Choice mare Gracie's Lass, a half-sister to the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal).

Gracie’s Lass is out of the stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Grace And Power (USA).

Runner-up in the Grade 1 Hollywood Park Starlet Stakes, Grace And Power was a $700,000 purchase for the late Steve Brem on behalf of Perry at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton January Mixed Sale.

Tom Magnier shelled out $1,400,000 for a Written Tycoon half-brother to Artorius from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He has been named Oistrach and is in training with Chris Waller.

Vinery consigns a Deep Field colt out of Gracie's Lass to the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (lot 153).

After foaling a brother to Artorius last spring, Gracie’s Lass was covered by Home Affairs.

Advertisment

Race Result - Furphy Canterbury Stakes Gr1 1300m

Randwick Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:15.93
1
Artorius
- 4h Flying Artie (AUS) x Gracie's Lass (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Z Purton 59
Flying Artie
2
0.2
Imperatriz
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Berimbau (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
I Am Invincible
3
1.0
Electric Girl
- 6m Declaration Of War (USA) x Electra (AUS) (Zizou (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Zac Lloyd 57
4
1.1
Golden Mile
- 3c Astern (AUS) x Calaverite (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: N Rawiller 56
5
2.0
Cascadian
- 8g New Approach (IRE) x Falls Of Lora (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Avdulla 59
6
2.5
Kirwan's Lane
- 6g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Galway (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: C Schofield 59
7
2.6
Converge
- 4g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
8
2.8
Quantico
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Hoss Amor (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: K Mc Evoy 59
9
3.6
Lombardo
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Swinging Babe (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: B Prebble 59
10
3.7
Argentia
- 4m Frankel (GB) x Princess Coup (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 57
11
14.6
Old Flame
- 5h Invincible Spirit (IRE) x Lilyfire (USA) (First Defence (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 59
More Reading...
Valuable Black Type Win for Floozie
Bred and raced initially by Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, Floozie changed hands last year and runs now for Yarraman Park, who sent her to Queensland to be trained by Tony Gollan and she landed a valuable Black Type win at the Gold Coast on Saturday when taking out the Listed Silk Stocking (1400m).
Extreme Choice share headlines May (Early) Online Sale
A share in the world’s hottest young stallion Extreme Choice, two breeding rights in leading first season sire Bivouac and a half sister to G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan headline a high quality catalogue for the Inglis Digital May (Early) Online sale.
Wootton Bassett Fee Announced
During a high octane night of trade at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale Coolmore boss Tom Magnier was active at the top of the market purchasing three stunning mares in Amelia’s Jewel, Tiz Invincible and Estriella and also announced the fee for Wootton Bassett (GB).
Best On Breeding
There will be stakes action in four states on Saturday led by the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield and the return of some of last seasons most accomplished two-year-olds.
First Stakes-Winner for King’s Legacy
A dual Group I winning juvenile by the mighty Redoute’s Choice, King’s Legacy is on the board with his first stakes-winner after talented filly Steel Trap scored a dominant win in the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were five heats for juveniles at the Rosehill trials on Friday morning with an eye-catching showing from Magic Millions 2YO Classic place-getter Gallo Nero a highlight, while unraced fillies by Shalaa (IRE), Written Tycoon and Exceed and Excel also came under notice.
Eighth Stakes Winner For The Autumn Sun
With just one win from her prior twenty starts, many may have questioned why Private Legacy has been in Adelaide for her last few starts, but that question was clearly answered on Saturday when the 4yo daughter of The Autumn Sun recorded success in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2017m).
Record-breaking Sydney Breeding Stock Sales Series concludes
Today’s Australian Broodmare Sale concluded a record-breaking Sydney Breeding Stock Sales Series which ended with unprecedented metrics across the board with the highlight today a mare sold in foal to exciting young sire Ole Kirk.
Blue Diamond Under Consideration for Flying Artie's Artorius
Minutes after the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Extreme Choice colt Stay Inside made an explosive debut at Randwick, Anthony and Sam Freedman countered with the Flying Artie colt Artorius who came with a barnstorming finish from the rear of the field to open his winning account over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside.
Queensland Possible for Invincible Colt
At this time of year when a Chris Waller trained juvenile wins a race in good style the question of Queensland is always on the agenda and so it may be for I Am Invincible colt Hidden Achievement, who scored at the standalone meeting at Gosford on Saturday.