Toronado's Detroit City Readies for the Spring

Mark Smith - Saturday August 3

Following a four-length win on debut at Wodonga, the 3-year-old Toronado (IRE) colt Detroit City kept his unbeaten record intact when lumping 60kgs to victory over 1410m at Flemington on Saturday.

Detroit City remains unbeaten (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Billy Egan for Dominic Sutton, Detroit City came from the tail of the field to defeat the Brutal gelding Big Brute by two and a half lengths, with the Hellbent colt Warparty three and a half lengths back in third.  

“I loved the way he dropped his head and settled in behind,” Sutton said.

“We’ve had him up on speed in trials and again at Wodonga, so it was nice to see him tuck in behind and switch off.

“We wanted to see what he did today if he is up to the spring, so he will have a light let-up and head towards some nice races in the spring.

“In time, I think he will be a 10-furlong plus horse. His dam is by Pour Moi, an English Derby winner, so he has staying in his pedigree. He is a big, robust horse with a big stride, and I love the way he quickened.”  

Advertisement

Detroit City a typically stunning individual by Toronado (image Grant Courtney)

A $200,000 purchase for McKeever Bloodstock / D Sutton from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Detroit City is the second winner from as many foals for Elle Gagne, a winner at Cranbourne and Sale in 12 starts for Grahame Begg.

A half-sister to Group III-placed Belle Roc (Fastnet Rock), Elle Gagne hails from the family of star Hong Kong sprinter/milers The Duke (Danehill) and Sky Field (Deep Field), the Gigai Stakes winner Keen Array (Bel Esprit), and the Levin Stakes winner and NZ Two Thousand Guineas runner-up Chambord (Zabeel).

Detroit City a $200,000 Inglis Easter yearling

Elle Gagne missed in 2021 and 2022 and visited Grunt last season.

Toronado (IRE) was the fifth most prolific sire of winners last season, with 145 individual winners.

Swettenham Stud’s son of High Chaparral (IRE) stands for $88,000 in 2024. 

Advertisment

Race Result - TAB We're On (Bm70) 1410m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:24.48
1
Detroit City
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Elle Gagne (NZ) (Pour Moi (IRE))
Tnr: Dominic Sutton Rdr: W Egan 60
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $200,000
Seller: Twin Hills Stud, Cootamundra
Buyer: McKeever Bloodstock / D Sutton
2
2.5
Big Brute
- 3g Brutal (NZ) x Tree Of Jesse (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Chris Bieg Rdr: Jye McNeil 58.5
3
6
Warparty
- 3c Hellbent (AUS) x Tremezzina (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: Jordan Childs 59.5
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $100,000
Seller: Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Shane Nichols Racing
4
6.8
Khabalov
- 3g Russian Revolution (AUS) x Cappadocia (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: B Melham 59
5
7.2
Scoundrel
- 3c Pierata (AUS) x Belfast Bella (FR) (Manduro (GER))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Jamie Kah 60
6
8.5
Pieris
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Mother's Milk (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: R E Laing Rdr: Craig Williams 59
More Reading...
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
Flemington Victory for Tarzino Mare
Quirky but talented mare Miss Tarzy has come from last win the Leilani Series Final (1400m) under a patient Jett Stanley ride.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
Sweet Redemption for Stable Favourite Jimmy the Bear
Patrick and Michelle Payne enjoyed a red letter day at Flemington on Saturday with their rising star Buccleuch winning the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final and then later in the day stable favourite Jimmy the Bear won the Listed VRC Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Dubawi Colt from $US8million Mare Wins G1 Coral Eclipse for Coolmore
Blueblood Dubawi colt Delacroix was a beaten favourite in the Group I Epsom Derby when unplaced behind his stablemate Lambourn, but he found his time to shine overnight when scoring a miraculous last to first win in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown.
Sixth Winner for Anders
First past the post at Wyong on June 24, talented Anders filly Sapling lost that race on protest, but quickly made amends when returning to the same track on Saturday to score her first actual victory.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.