Junipal Breaks Three-Year Drought in Seymour Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday October 22

Palentino’s half-brother Junipal won his first race in 153 weeks when leading home a 1-3-4 for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Sunday’s Listed Bet365 Seymour Cup (1600m).

Junipal turns back the clock (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Under a patient ride by John Allen, the 8-year-old son of Reset came with a well-timed finish to defeat Chandon Burj (Pride Of Dubai) by one and a quarter lengths with Ascension (GB) (Dark Angel) a short-head back in third.  

It was the first win for Junipal since the Group III Sandown Stakes in November 2020.

Advertisement

The veteran pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia after disappointing in the Gold Nugget at Ballarat at his most recent start.

With his second stakes success, Junipal advances his record to seven wins, five seconds, and six thirds thirds from 36 starts with earnings of $711,420.

“We threw a few darts at the board and got one,” stable representative Mitch Conners said.

“Johnny Allen gave him a good ride.”

Allen said Junipal appreciated a little cut in the ground.  

“A great training effort by Ciaron and David to get him back,” Allen said.

All smiles (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

“There is a little give in the track was the key. He has been running OK this prep, but he hasn’t been letting down on the firm tracks.

“There could be another country cup for him with a little a little ease in the ground.”

 Bred in Tasmania by Jenny Watson, Junipal is a half-brother to Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Palantino (Teofilo).

The wait made it sweeter (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

He is one of five winners from seven to race for Palatine Hill (Palace Music), who Watson purchased for $25,000 at the 2011 Inglis Great Southern Sale before selling her to Rob Crabtree.

Pensioned in 2021, Palatine Hill’s final foal is a 2-year-old filly by Toronado (IRE).

Advertisment

Race Result - Bet365 Seymour Cup LR 1600m

Seymour Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:37.02
1
Junipal
- 8g Reset (AUS) x Palatine Hill (AUS) (Palace Music (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 58
2
1.3
Chandon Burj
- 5m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Chandana (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
Pride Of Dubai
3
1.4
Ascension
- 7g Dark Angel (IRE) x Making Eyes (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 60
4
3.9
Flash Flood
- 6g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Giuditta (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Carleen Hefel 58.5
5
4.3
Midnight Blue
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J Leek Jnr Rdr: A Lynch 59.5
6
4.5
Golden Path
- 4g Belardo (IRE) x Golden Destination (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 54
7
4.7
Station One
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x Alittle Loose (AUS) (Onemorenomore (AUS))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: Ms W Costin 54
8
6.7
Lyrical Lad
- 6g Roman Emperor (NZ) x Grecian Melody (NZ) (God's Own (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 54.5
9
7.0
Teewaters
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x My Girl Lil (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Patrick Moloney 56
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
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.
Zoustar Filly Wander Dune Impresses On Debut In South Africa
Making her debut as favourite in the Race Coast Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) at Kenilworth, South Africa on Saturday, 2yo Australian-bred Zoustar filly Wander Dune impressed with an emphatic victory.
Memorable Day for Jenny Watson and Kulani Park
It is not for nothing that Rhys and Chloe Smiths Kulani Park have a well-earned reputation as the king of pinhookers. Two foals bred by Jenny Watson and purchased by Kulani Park out of the fertile paddocks in Tasmania made it a memorable day out at Sandown on Saturday.