Okita Soushi Triumphant in Moonee Valley Gold Cup

Mark Smith - Friday October 25

Purchased on Inglis Digital in March, Okita Soushi (IRL) chose the right spot to break his duck in Australia in Friday night's $750,000 Group II Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

Away goes Okita Soushi (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Billy Egan for Ciaron Maher, the 7-year-old son of Galileo took charge before rounding the home turn and held on to defeat the former English Derby winner Serpentine (Galileo), by a half-length with the former NZ Horse Of The Year, Sharp 'N' Smart (Redwood) back in third.

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An honest performer in Ireland, Joseph O'Brien brought Okita Soushi (IRL) out to Australia last year for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups after finishing third in the Group III St Leger Trial at The Curragh having captured the valuable Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at his previous start.

He failed to strike a blow in either Cup and was left in Australia with Ciaron Maher.

Okita Soushi (IRL) indicated he was on the rise when finishing second to Herman Hesse (Frankel) in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).  

Purchased by Alana Maree for $185,000 in March on Inglis Digital, the son of Galileo advances his record to five wins, three seconds and three thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $851,460.

"He's just a classic stayer that wants twelve furlongs," assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.  

"Once you get him to that level and at a level of fitness, he excels. He showed that last start, and he's gone on and done it again today. He's in really good form.

Okita Soushi sporting the winners spoils (image Grant Courtney)

"It's always been the long-term plan (the Melbourne Cup) when he came to us off the back of his last campaign in spring. It's really good and pleasing when things work out in terms of timing. We're very thankful for Rohit. He's given us the horse off the back of Joseph (O'Brien). It's all working out. It's fantastic."

Australia can take 50 percent credit for the breeding of Okita Soushi (IRL), a son of Fastnet Rock's Group 1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner, Amicus.

Okita Soushi (IRE) is a brother to Chief Little Rock, the Group III Gallinule Stakes winner, runner-up in the Group II Beresford Stakes and third in the Group III Autumn Stakes and Listed Blue Riband Trial.

A half-sister to stakes-winner Cheer Leader (Snitzel), and stakes-placed Il Cavallo (Choisir), Amicus is out of the stakes-placed El Moxie mare Gold Chant, a half-sister to 4-time Group 1 winner Starspangledbanner.

She is now back in Australia for Coolmore and has a yearling colt by Frankel and has foaled this spring producing a filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr).  

Okita Soushi (IRE) is a mind-boggling 383rd  black-type winner for the late, great Galileo.

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Race Result - Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Gr2 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:34.77
1
Okita Soushi
- 7h Galileo (IRE) x Amicus (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: W Egan 55
Inglis March (Late) Online Sale $185,000
Seller: Owners
Buyer: Alana Maree
2
0.5
Serpentine
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Shinn 56.5
3
2.5
Sharp 'n' Smart
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Queen Margaret (NZ) (Swiss Ace (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: Craig Williams 59
NZB Karaka Book 2 $55,000
Seller: Westbury Stud
Buyer: Rogerson Bloodstock
4
2.6
Brayden Star
- 6g Twilight Son (GB) x Desert Liaison (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: L Currie 55
5
3
Saint George
- 5h Roaring Lion (USA) x Lady Dragon (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: M J Dee 55
6
3.2
Francesco Guardi
- 7g Frankel (GB) x Trophee (FR) (Mr Sidney (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
7
3.6
Manzoice
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 55
8
5.1
Positivity
- 4m Almanzor (FR) x Pussy O'reilly (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Jye McNeil 52.5
9
5.9
Haaracaine
- 5h Muhaarar (GB) x Fiuise (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: J Mott 55
10
10.6
Just Fine
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Bint Almatar (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
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