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.
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.
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.
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.
