Fiorente's Apulia Impresses in Moonee Valley Vase

Mark Smith - Saturday October 28

With the retirement of the Fiorente (IRE) stalwart Lunar Flare after her fourth in Friday night’s Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup, the baton has been handed to the 3-year-old colt Apulia, who stormed to victory in Saturday’s Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Promising young stayer (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Mark Zahra for Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, Apulia overpowered the pacesetting Justify gelding Verdad by two lengths with another son of Justify (USA), Air Assault a further one and a half lengths back in third.

Advertisement

In opening his stakes account, the 3-year-old son of Fiorente advances his record to two wins and three seconds from eight starts with earnings of $415,875.

Apulia was backing up seven days after finishing fourth in the Group III Caulfield Classic.

“He really appreciated the quick back-up. He was on the back of a slow pace and he was doing a few things wrong.

“He’s a big, strong colt and he was really tough today. A ten-out-of-ten ride from Mark Zahra.”

“We bred him and race him in conjunction with the Garretts, which is such a huge result.

“We’ll see how he is. He’s a big, strong colt and I dare say he’ll back up again.”

“The horse was on his best behaviour. He must have known the big boss was here today, as we all do. He got his manners perfect. When Dad’s around, we have to be on our best behaviour.”

Mark Zahra said it all fell into place.

“It was a good run last start. In a smallish field and a better barrier, I was able to lob in the right spot,” Zahra said.

Derby next? (image Grant Courtney)

“That was his third run in three weeks and he picked up quick when I needed him to. I needed him to get around the other horse, and he got around them quickly and could join them on the turn.

“I felt I let Zac (Purton on Koning) take me as far as I could. All of these horses were up to the 2000 (metres) for the first time. You factor that in as well.

“But I reckon I won it from the 600 to the 300 with his turn-of-foot.”

Bred by Meadowvale Pastoral and Revelstone Stud, Apulia races for the Garrett family’s Revelstone Stud and Lindsay Park Bloodstock.

He is the first foal of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Giannarelli, a half-sister to Group II Queensland Guineas third Spot The Rock (Fastnet Rock) out of the stakes-placed Fasliyev (USA) mare Can’t Hackit a great-granddaughter of AJC Oaks heroine Just Now.

Giannarell has a 2yo filly by Pride Of Dubai, a yearling filly by Nicconi and was covered by Nicconi last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Drummond Golf Vase Gr2 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:04.36
1
Apulia
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Giannarelli (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 57
Fiorente
2
2
Verdad
- 3g Justify (USA) x Whistle Baby (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Beau Mertens 57
Justify
3
3.5
Air Assault
- 3g Justify (USA) x Elegant Eagle (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: A J Gluyas Rdr: Damian Lane 57
Justify
4
6.5
Bulawayo
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Sense In The City (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: R Mc Leod 57
5
7.3
Sunsource
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Patricia Dawn (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: O P Bosson 57
6
9.3
Koning
- 3c Kingman (GB) x Patsy Boyne (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: Z Purton 57
7
21.3
Mah Ali
- 3f More Than Ready (USA) x Demanding Miss (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Benjamin Smith Rdr: Ms W Costin 55
8
22
Esskay
- 3g Real Steel (JPN) x Lacey Lonhbreak (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: J Mott 57
More Reading...
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have had a super season and underpinning their success has been a string of talented Kiwi breds and they include an interesting debut winner at Wyong on Thursday by Cambridge Stud’s first season sire Hello Youmzain (Fr).
Kiwi Trainer Collects a Unique Double
Riccarton horseman Andrew Carston collected a winning double at his local synthetic meeting on Thursday, firstly as an owner and later as a trainer.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Melbourne Racing Club Partnership Delivers Global Access for Members
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has today announced an exciting new international partnership with the UK’s leading racing operator, The Jockey Club, to provide MRC members with reciprocal access to some of the most iconic racecourses in the world. 
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Too Darn Promising
If there is one thing we have learned about the progeny of Too Darn Hot (GB) this season it is that they train on and whatever his progeny show at two they invariably improve on at three so with that thinking in mind we’ve gone looking for a few spring contenders starting with the obvious.
Is Sponsor: True