breednet.com.au

Vengeur Masque Breaks Through in Geelong Cup

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 25

For the eighth consecutive year, a foreign-bred has won the $315,000 Group III Geelong Cup.

The Mike Moroney trained Vengeur Masque (IRE) has hardly been a pin-up boy for punters, failing to win at his previous 11 starts in Australia, but he was a worthy winner here.

Ridden by Patrick Moloney, the son of Monsun was let to run outside the pacesetting Lizzy L'amoure before hitting the front on straightening the holding on to a half-head win over the favourite Gallic Chieftain (FR) with Violate three-quarters of a length away third.

Monsun

Vengeur Masque (IRE) follows, Qewy (IRE), Almoonqith (USA) Caravan Rolls On (GB), Ibicenco (GER), Gatewood (GB), Dunaden (FR) and Americain on the Geelong Cup honour board while Media Puzzle (USA) won the race in 2002 before his Melbourne Cup triumph and Bauer (IRE) won in 2008.

Vengeur Masque will attempt to emulate three other sons of Monsun, Fiorente (2013), Protectionist (2014) and Almandin last year to win the Melbourne Cup but it looks like he will need some help from the handicapper to make the field.

The 6yo is eligible for a re-handicap following the win and he is currently down the order in 45th spot.

"We've been tinkering with his gear and getting him to relax and he finally has now," Moroney said.

"We've had a lot of faith in this horse, he's been a slow maturing horse, a really late foal by their terms and he's only just come of age.

Advertisement

"We could have gone to the Caulfield Cup but decided to come here instead because we are really keen on getting him into the Melbourne Cup.

"He's a real two-miler, a similar horse to Brew - when they get stronger they can keep up a strong gallop and he's starting to get there."

Moroney said the gelding may start in the Lexus Stakes on November 4, three days before the Cup.

There's a lot to like about Vengeur Masque's breeding.

Besides being by the all-conquering Monsun, his dam Venetian Beauty (Lear Fan) is a sister to Group II Prix de l'Opera winner Verveine who was multiple Group 1 placed in France.

Verveine is the dam of four stakes winners headed by the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes winner Volga (Caerleon) and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Vallee Enchantee (Peintre Celebre).

A half-sister to Venetian Beauty, Vanishing Prairie, also left four stakes winners including the dual Group 1 winner Vespone and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2023 Queensland Derby Hero Kovalica Triumphs in Q22 Thriller
Kovalica made a welcome return to winning form when he prevailed in a pulsating three-horse finish to the A$1.2 million Gr.2 HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Sunshine Coast Success For Sister to Group 1 Winner
Racing at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday saw the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained For Better (Better Than Ready), a full sister to the stable’s Group 1 winner Port Lockroy break her maiden at just her third start for the stable.
Hong Kong Double for Brutal
With Hong Kong races on Saturday this week and so much going on in Brisbane it was easy to miss the action at Sha Tin with a winning double for young sire Brutal worth noting as it featured a two year-old that has now had two starts for two wins and broke 56 seconds for 1000m!
G1 Tiara Next for Flying Zoustar Mare Floozie
Bred and raced initially by Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, Zoustar mare Floozie changed hands last year and runs now for Yarraman Park, who sent her to Queensland to be trained by Tony Gollan and that decision is reaping impressive rewards.
Riverbank Going to Extremes
There’s an old saying about keeping yourself in the best of company and Victoria’s Riverbank Farm adheres to it better than most.
War Machine Wins $3million G1 Stradbroke for Lindsay Park
With Lindsay Park's much loved stable star Mr Brightside set to turn eight this year, the time is ripe for a new star to emerge for the stable and it looks like being another Kiwi bred in the shape of Harry Angel (IRE) gelding War Machine.    
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO Wins Raconteur Stakes
The So You Think's are absolutely flying with no less than 33 winners in the past 30 days highlighted by his daughter You Wahng’s emphatic victory in the G1 Queensland Oaks and now another exciting three year old has appeared!
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 14
Here is the full list of 104 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 15
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Consecutive Winter Cup Wins For Sir Lucan (IRE)
Although it’s been a while between wins for Camelot stayer Sir Lucan (IRE), the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 7yo returned to the scene of his most recent success some 12 months prior to the day, recording consecutive victories in the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.