Choisir's Malkovich Goes Coast to Coast in Hawkesbury Rush

Mark Smith - Saturday April 22

The triumphant Quakka team of Josh Parr, Bjorn Baker and Darby Racing were back in the winner’s circle when teaming up to capture Saturday’s Listed Hawkesbury Rush (1100m) with the 5yo Choisir gelding  Malkovich.

No catching Malkovich (image Steve Hart)

Making his first appearance in twenty-two weeks and carrying equal topweight, Malkovich led at every call to defeat the 4yo Deep Field mare A Very Fine Red by a half-length with the 5yo Snitzel gelding Andermatt three-quarters of a length back in third.

Second in the race last year and the winner of the Listed VRC Bob Hoysted Stakes at Flemington twelve months ago, Malkovich advances his record to eight wins, eight seconds, and a third from 27 starts with earnings of $845,505.

Like the Quokka winner Overpass, Bjorn Baker said Malkovich benefited from being gelded.

Advertisement

“Another great ride by Josh Parr for the magic team, Baker enthused.

“The common denominator has been new geldings. It was not so much a temperament thing, he was getting too big and strong. He came back lighter and more athletic.

“It is hard to be confident coming to these races first-up. Josh just got beaten in this race last year on a heavy track and he deserved another stakes win.

“We will have a good think about where we go from here. He has longevity now so we can be patient. I will have a talk with the team at Darby and see where we go to. The dam of Malkovich had another stakes-winner a couple of weeks ago (Olentia in the Group III Carr Stakes), so she just keeps delivering.”

  Malkovich was an $85,000 pinhook by Woodpark Stud from the  Ascot Park draft at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He then made $240,000 to the bid of Darby Bloodstock at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale.

Malkovich is one of seven winners from as many to race for the Anabaa mare Mabkhara, who continues to hit the heights in the sales ring and on the track.  

An $85,000 Inglis Classic yearling Malkovich made $240,000 at the Inglis Ready 3 Run sale

Mabkhara is a breeder’s dream. She had ten consecutive foals highlighted by Malkovich, Group III winner and near $1,000,000 earner Wandabaa (Wandjina), and Group III winning Zoustar filly Olentia.

Her stakes-placed Sebring filly Seewhatshebrings made $450,000 at the 2021 National Broodmare Sale, and Wandabaa sold for $800,000 on Inglis Digital, having been purchased by Australian Bloodstock for $36,000 as a yearling.

Australian Bloodstock/Kris Lees Racing/Yes Bloodstock went to $575,000 for Mabkhara’s yearling filly by Deep Field consigned by Tyreel Stud to the 2022 Magic Millions and has been named Mary Ellen.

Darby Racing/Deburgh Equine shelled out $140,000 for Mabkhara’s Capitalist colt consigned by Attunga Stud to the 2023 Magic Millions.

Mabkhara earned a visit to I Am Invincible last spring. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush LR 1100m

Hawkesbury Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:02.23
1
Malkovich
- 5g Choisir (AUS) x Mabkhara (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 59
2
0.5
A Very Fine Red
- 4m Deep Field (AUS) x Italian Storm (AUS) (Nicconi (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
3
1.3
Andermatt
- 5g Snitzel (AUS) x Portillo (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58
4
1.5
Fox Fighter
- 4g Foxwedge (AUS) x Stage Beauty (AUS) (Desert Prince (IRE))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Rachel King 53
5
1.8
Zethus
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Melpomene (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
6
1.9
Surreal Step
- 6g Sidestep (AUS) x Continua (AUS) (Wonderful World (AUS))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53.5
7
2.3
Athelric
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Ida (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: N Rawiller 59
8
2.5
Titanium Power
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Dalkeith (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: B Prebble 57
9
2.6
Juan Diva
- 6m Snitzel (AUS) x Peron (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: J R Collett 55.5
10
5.5
Night Of Romance
- 5m Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Shohrah (IRE) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 55
11
8.2
Zorocat
- 5m Toronado (IRE) x She's Purring (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D Lane Rdr: Zac Lloyd 53
More Reading...
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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.
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.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
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.