First Win for Smokin' Romans Brother

Mark Smith - Sunday December 17

Flamin' Romans (NZ) seems to have inherited a good deal of ability and toughness from his brother, Smokin' Romans and dam Inferno.

Flamin' Romans shows a clean pair of heels (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

The son of Ghibellines came close to giving Dylan Browne McMonagle a perfect introduction to Australia when second over 1450m at Kilmore when on debut on November 26.

The star Irish apprentice made no mistake at start two in the Bertocchi Maiden Plate (1500m) at Bendigo on Sunday.

After taking a step back at the start, Flamin' Romans had little trouble railing through to lead from his inside barrier, and it was an easy watch from there for those who took the short odds.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the 4-year-old son of Ghibellines defeated the Highland Reel mare Reel Bonnie Lass by one and a quarter lengths, with the 3-year-old Alpine Eagle gelding Crossoverkid two lengths back in third.

&quo

t;I've had a very good weekend, and this lad was a good ride today," McMonagle said.

"The horse that beat him first-up (Interlinked) won really well the other day at Caulfield, so the form is good.

Advertisement

"He has improved a lot. He settled well and relaxed, and when he picked up, nothing was getting passed.

A promising stayer in the right stable (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

"He was a bit of a baby the first time and wanted to get it over and done with, but he was a lot more laid-back today.

"He is still a big boy, will progress, and has a big future ahead of him. The further he goes, the better he will be."

Bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton of White Robe Lodge, Flamin' Romans races for many of the same owners in Smokin' Romans, whose career highlight came in the 2022 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes after defeating Uncle Bryn (GB) and Gold Trip (FR) in the Group III Naturalism Stakes.

Flamin' Romans is the fourth winner for the tough-as-teak Inferno (Yamanin Vital), whose ten wins included the Group III Canterbury Gold Cup twice.

Inferno is a half-sister to Listed winner Ortem Fire (Gallant Guru), and the stakes placegetters Unfurl (Raise the Flag) and Ronnie (Seasoned Star).

Inferno has a 2-year-old sister to Smokin' Romans and Flamin' Romans and was retired this year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Bertocchi Mdn Plate 1500m

Bendigo Track: Good(4) Time: 1:31.87
1
Flamin' Romans
- 4g Ghibellines (AUS) x Inferno (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59.5
2
1.3
Reel Bonnie Lass
- 4m Highland Reel (IRE) x Bona Fides (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: Ryan Houston 54.5
3
3.3
Crossoverkid
- 3g Alpine Eagle (AUS) x Oh My Claudia (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Payne Rdr: R Mc Leod 58
4
3.5
Brave Glow
- 3f Brave Smash (JPN) x Glowing (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
5
4
It'sbruce
- 4g Dissident (AUS) x Satellites (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: Mitchell Freedman Rdr: Beau Mertens 59.5
6
4.5
Toganmain
- 4g Divine Prophet (AUS) x Demilune (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: Ben O'Farrell Rdr: Alana Kelly 59.5
7
7.2
Last Raider
- 4g Rebel Raider (AUS) x Fiona Crystal (AUS) (Crystal Finale (AUS))
Tnr: D W Whitworth Rdr: Jordan Childs 59.5
8
8.5
Deep Stream
- 4g Ghibellines (AUS) x Whare Creek (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: M Aitken 59.5
More Reading...
Blue Gum Farm Find Positive in Debutant Result for Sejardan
The victory by Torture in Wednesday's Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield kicked off the New Zealand based stallion Sword Of State's career in fine style and Blue Gum Farm have reason to be excited by the impressive performance.
Mr Mozart First Foals Impress at Highview Stud
Young Snitzel stallion Sword of State kicked off his stud career in the best way possible on Wednesday with an Aussie 2YO stakes-winner in Torture, but he’s not the only well credentialed son of Snitzel in New Zealand with Highview Stud home to Mr Mozart.
Too Darn Hot Filly Chasing Guineas Start
Stablemates Oratia Beauty and Geneva will have opportunities to book their passages south when they step out at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Not This Time 2026 Fee Surges to US$250,000
When Widden Stud announced they would be shuttling Group I winning sprinter Cogburn (USA) to Australia this spring there were many Australian breeders who had to start doing some homework on his sire Not This Time.
State of Excitement for Cambridge Stud
In a week where Cambridge Stud’s focus is largely around Joliestar’s tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), it was their first-season sire Sword Of State who was making headlines across the Tasman on Wednesday.
Wootton Verni Wins G3 Coongy Cup
The late Wootton Basset was one of those stallions whose progeny can excel over all distances and we saw a taste of it at Caulfield on Wednesday when his French bred five year-old Wootton Verni (Fr) won the $240,000 Group III MRC Coongy Cup (2000m).
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 The Everest
The moment has arrived! And what a journey it has been to The TAB Everest eve of 2025 - Official G1 status secured, 20 million bucks up for grabs, the fastest horse on the planet flown in and TV coverage going global - it's all happening!
$1.5Million Dundeel 3YO Salutes
When Arrowfield boss John Messara turns up to a Thursday meeting at Hawkesbury to watch a $1.5million Dundeel 3YO go around it’s a fairly safe bet that it will be winning.
800k Night of Thunder Colt Stars - Record-Breaking Tattersalls October Book 2 Concludes
Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale concluded with new benchmarks set for turnover and median. The sale aggregate of 70,124,500 guineas was well clear of the wide-margin record set in 2024, and the median of 76,000 guineas was a 9% increase on the previous year’s record equalling figure. The sale clearance rate was an excellent 92%.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 15
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.