See You Tuesday - Cismontane Rallies to Win Lexus

Mark Smith - Saturday November 4

The best way to describe Saturday's $300,000 Group III Lexus Stakes (2400m) winner Cismontane is that he is a tough, gritty, no-nonsense, professional, a typical product of Tulloch Lodge.

The 5yo son of High Chaparral earned a spot in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup when fighting back after the Geelong Cup winner Vengeur Masque (IRE) put a neck margin on him halfway down the Flemington straight.

Advertisement

Refusing to yield an inch, Cismontane rallied back to win by a short-neck from Vengeur Masque (IRE) with the John Wheeler-trained Pentathlon a short-head back in third after looking likely to break a drought that dates back to December 2015. (photo Grant Courtney)


Described by Stephen Baster as flat out to win a mid-weeker six months ago, Cismontane recorded a first stakes win to earn a shot at the $6.2 million feature at Flemington on Tuesday.

Third in the St Leger Stakes at Randwick and the Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Cismontane advances his record to 5 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $425,925.

"A phenomenal performance, he's an incredibly tough horse, he keeps showing up every start this preparation and there's still a lot more to come from this horse going forward," co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

"We are very keen to see him in the Melbourne Cup the 3200 metres will suit him down to the ground, so looking forward to Tuesday."

Consigned by Windsor Park Stud to the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Cismontane was purchased by Waterhouse Racing/James Harron B/S for $200,000.

A year after purchasing Cismontane Gai Waterhouse teamed up with Henderson Racing & Breeding to purchase his half-sister by Rip Van Winkle (IRE) for $125,000.

That filly is the promising Awoke who has wins on the board at Rosehill and Canterbury.

Cismontane hails from one of Windsor Park's very best families.

He is the fifth foal of the Volksraad mare Viviane a sister to the stakes-placed Equuleus and a half-sister to Group 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas and Group 1 Levin RC Bayer Classic winner Nimue (Star Way) as well as Group 1 Arc Handicap winner Sirstaci, Group 1 Wellington Cup winner Smiling Like and multiple Group III winner (Mr) Eurostar.

Viviane has a yearling filly by Zacinto (GB) and was bred back to Rip Van Winkle (IRE).

Cismontane becomes the 106th stakes-winner for Coolmore Stud's deceased High Chaparral (IRE).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.