Dubawi Gelding First Light Enters Metropolitan Calculations

Mark Smith - Saturday September 28

The 7-year-old gelding First Light (GB) scaled new heights in Saturday's Group III Toyota Forklifts Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill, earning a golden ticket to next week's Group 1 Metropolitan Hcp.

First Light throttled down (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Tommy Berry for Chris Waller, the son of Dubawi came from last of the seven starters to overpower the leader Changingoftheguard (IRL) (Galileo) by three lengths with the winner's stablemate Strathtay (Preferment) a short-head back in third.

First Light had only one previous start in stakes company, which came when finishing fifth of six in the Listed  Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot three years ago.

A homebred for Gaynor Rupert's Drakenstein Stud, First Light (GB) advances his record to five wins, two seconds, and five thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $410,346.

"It was an exciting win. Tommy just let him do his own thing, flopped out of the barriers, minded his business, and joined in at the top of the straight. And he came away for a really good win," Waller said.

&quo

Advertisement

t;We are (well represented in the Metrop), but it's a Group One race, so I'll talk to Mrs Rupert and her team and see what they've got to say.

 "They bred this horse in England and sent him out, and I'm sure it would mean a lot to them; a Group win and a Group One placing or a win (in The Metrop) wouldn't be the worst thing.

First Light -Tommy Berry (image Steve Hart)

"As we've found in the past, backing horses up is not always the worst thing in a staying race; they need to be fit. He can go home and won't have to do any more galloping; he's had his gallop today."

 

First Light (GB) is the best of three winners from four to race for the Galileo mare Anzhelika (IRE), a half-sister to Gr1 Beverly D. Stakes and Gr1 Diana Handicap winner Angara (Alzao) GrII winner Actrice (Danehill), and Listed winner and exceptional broodmare Arleseanne (Alzao), from the family of Gr 1 Breeders' Cup Classic and Gr1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Arcangues (Sagace).

First Light (GB) is the 286th black-type winner for Darley Stud's champion stallion Dubawi.

Advertisment

Race Result - Toyota Forklifts Colin Stephen Quality Gr3 2400m

Rosehill Track: Soft(6) Time: 2:29.22
1
First Light
- 7g Dubawi (IRE) x Anzhelika (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
2
3.1
Changingoftheguard
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Lady Lara (IRE) (Excellent Art (GB))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58
3
3.2
Strathtay
- 5g Preferment (NZ) x Miss Remington (AUS) (Savoire Vivre (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Ford 54
4
5.1
Waltham
- 5g Roaring Lion (USA) x Ruscombe (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Zac Lloyd 54
5
6.4
Campaldino
- 4g Ghibellines (AUS) x Zuzana (NZ) (Shocking (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 54
6
6.9
Think 'N' Fly
- 8g So You Think (NZ) x Gliding (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D M Noonan Rdr: Craig Williams 54
7
11.2
Canberra Legend
- 5g Australia (GB) x Rocana (GB) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
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.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a five winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
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.
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.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
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.