Cepheus Joins the Millionaires Club

Mark Smith - Sunday October 8

While still processing the mind-boggling win of Gold Trip (FR) in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, the Melbourne Cup hero led another successful day for European imports.

Nash gets the best out of Cepheus (image Steve Hart)

Future History (GB) earned a ticket to the Melbourne Cup with his win in the Group III Bart Cummings Hcp, and Fancy Man (IRE) proved the best in the Listed BRC Queensland Cup.

At least Fancy Man (IRE) is a son of our own Pride Of Dubai, but that was countered somewhat by the wins of Tamerlane in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes and Zardozi in the Group II Edward Manifold Stakes.

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Zardozi (Kingman) and Tamerlane (Golden Horn) were imported in utero.

We have yet to mention the win of OTI Racing’s in-form Sea The Stars gelding Cepheus (GB) in the $1,500,000 Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Coming off a win in the Group II Shannon Stakes, the Matthew Dunn-trained 6-year-old defeated the Tavistock gelding Cotehele by a half-head, with Flying Artie gelding Flying Craze three-quarters of a length back in third.

Showing his love for the Rosehill track, Cepheus (GB) advances his record to seven wins, six seconds, and three thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $1,564,572.

Cepheus (GB) qualified for the Big Dance following his win in the South Grafton Cup and Dunn said that is the target.

“That’s been his goal right through, and the fact that he’s been able to pick these couple of races up along the way with huge amounts of prize money is fantastic for me and the owners. We’re certainly looking forward to the Big Dance,” he said.

Cepheus (GB) has been a good horse for Nash Rawiller, who was on him in his wins in the Group II Ajax Stakes and Group II Shannon Stakes.

“That was gallant,” Rawiller said.

Barriers win races don’t they? He got the perfect run, there was genuine tempo, and he was there to be beat. He was going to get beat, but he found a bit. When he saw that horse (Cotehele - 2nd) coming late, he actually dove at the line. Not many horses do that, but he’s in such a rich vein of form.”

OTI purchased Cepheus (GB) in a private deal brokered by Stuart Boman after winning a Listed race over 2500m at Deauville in December 2020. 

Purchased as a Melbourne Cup hope, the son of Sea The Stars has excelled at distances around a mile.

Cepheus loves Rosehill and Nash (image Steve Hart)

He is the best of two winners from five to race for the Van Nistelrooy mare Crimson Cheer, a half-sister to Group III Princess Margaret Stakes winner Mythical Girl (Gone West), whose son Toruk Macto (Authorized) was the Champion Imported 3YO Colt and Stayer in Turkey in 2012.

Mythical Girl’s daughter Miss Avalon (IRE), is the dam of the Group 1 ARC Diamond Stakes winner Vespa and Group II WATC RJ Peters Stakes winner Hazzabeel.

Another half-sister Matikanehatusimada (Private Account), is the dam of Dark Shadow, who defeated Real Impact (JPN) in the Group II Mainichi Okan. He was second to Tosen Jordan in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and was fourth in Gentildonna’s Japan Cup.

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Race Result - Alan Brown Stakes 1400m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:21.22
1
Cepheus
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Crimson Cheer (USA) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: N Rawiller 59
2
0.1
Cotehele
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Bequests (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Tom Sherry 53
3
0.9
Flying Crazy
- 5g Flying Artie (AUS) x Forever Crazy (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Zac Lloyd 54
4
1.2
Attractable
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Affable (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
5
1.2
Roots
- 5m Press Statement (AUS) x Arctic Success (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
6
1.3
Palmetto
- 5g Ghibellines (AUS) x Carolina Island (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: K Mc Evoy 52.5
7
2.4
Detonator Jack
- 5g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Red Delicious (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J R Collett 54
8
2.7
Bandersnatch
- 7g Casino Prince (AUS) x Divine Faith (AUS) (Falbrav (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: K Jennings 57.5
9
3.1
Waterford
- 5g Awtaad (IRE) x Wake Up (GER) (Soldier Of Fortune (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 53.5
10
3.8
Argentia
- 5m Frankel (GB) x Princess Coup (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
11
3.9
Cuban Royale
- 9g Casino Prince (AUS) x Cuban Girl (AUS) (Hemingway (IRE))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: Brock Ryan 53
12
4.0
Lion's Roar
- 6g Contributer (IRE) x Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: S Clipperton 54.5
13
4.2
Wild Planet
- 8g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: A Adkins 52
14
4.8
Cisco Bay
- 9g So You Think (NZ) x Imagining (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 52
15
5.6
Skyman
- 8g Mukhadram (GB) x Skyrider (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 58.5
16
5.9
Olentia
- 4m Zoustar (AUS) x Mabkhara (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Ford 52
17
6.4
Banju
- 7g Benfica (AUS) x Overlooked (AUS) (Blevic (AUS))
Tnr: Lyle Chandler Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 55
18
9.9
Stockman
- 7g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Ryan Maloney 57.5
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