Red Aces Wins a Thrilling G2 Moonee Valley Vase

Mark Smith - Saturday October 26

Scratched at the barriers seven days ago when kicking out in the Caulfield Classic, Red Aces was at his best behaviour in an action-packed Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Red Aces toughs it out (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Jamie Mott for Nick Ryan, the son of Red Aces rounded the home three wide and engaged in a bumping duel with Ethan Brown on Liam Howley’s So You Think gelding Opening Address. Red Aces defeated Opening Address by a long-head with a nose back to the Tivaci gelding King Of Thunder, who rocketed home.

Advertisement

“It's hard to top Perth with Ollie and Munhamek, but to be here on Cox Plate Day and successful and active on one of the biggest days and getting a Group Two win with a lovely colt heading towards a Derby, it's pretty good,” Nick Ryan said.

“He had a really good gallop here Tuesday. I had to do a bit more with him Thursday. He'd come through that so well.

“I actually rode him myself this morning. I had to give him a little whirl around because he's so well.

“So that's what I mean by saying I think today's, or last week, as unfortunate as it was, it could be a blessing in disguise. Seven-day backup. Today's the perfect gallop for next week.

“They had the chance to beat him then. He's tough. He's a good colt.

Ryan said Red Aces will press on to the Victoria Derby. In two starts at Flemington, he won over 1800m and was second in the Listed Super Impose Stakes.

“The beauty is, he just has to walk over the road. It's his home deck and we love playing on our home deck,” Ryan said.

Off to the Derby (image Grant Courtney)

A $380,000 purchase for his trainer from the Musk Creek Farm draft at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Red Aces is a half-brother to the Group III SAJC Chairman's Stakes winner Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War).

He is the third winner from four to race for the winning Encosta De Lago mare Cardiac, a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Da Little Engine and a half to the VRC Oaks heroine Arapaho Miss (Dabnehill Dancer), whose daughter Miami Bound (Reliable Man) also won the VRC Oaks.

Red Aces a $380,000 Inglis Premier yearling

Red Aces is Cardiac's final foal. She died in October 2022.

Red Aces is the 32nd stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Dundeel.

Advertisment

Race Result - Drummond Golf Vase Gr2 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:07.36
1
Red Aces
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Cardiac (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: J Mott 57
2
0.3
Opening Address
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Royal Welcome (GB) (Kingman (GB))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
So You Think
3
0.3
King Of Thunder
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Sheezababe (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
4
3
Politely Dun
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Politeness (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 57
5
3.1
Autumnheat
- 3g Too Darn Hot (GB) x Autumn (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: E J Walsh 57
6
3.3
Peru
- 3g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Salamati (GER) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: Declan Bates 57
7
3.3
Vianarra
- 3c Shalaa (IRE) x Vinavion (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M J Dee 57
8
3.6
Purler Patch
- 3g Soul Patch (AUS) x Zapurler (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: Craig Williams 57
9
5.6
The Bantam
- 3c Hellbent (AUS) x Spirit Mania (AUS) (Lucky Owners (NZ))
Tnr: Brent Stanley Rdr: K Teetan 57
More Reading...
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Red Aces Victoria Derby Bound
A field of maiden 2-year-olds stretching out to 1800m for the first time in the Byerley Hcp at Flemington, which carried the carrot of a golden ticket to the Victoria Derby in November.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.