Pisces a Class Above in G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday November 16

A deserved reward for Godolphin's consistent 3-year-old Frosted (USA) gelding Pisces, who opened his stakes account in Saturday's $500,000 Group III Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

A walk in the park (image Grant Courtney)

A walk in the park (image Grant Courtney)

With the unstoppable James McDonald in the saddle, Pisces settled fifth of the seven runners. Eased out three wide before the turn, the son of Frosted picked off the leaders with remarkable ease and was being eased down to defeat Rue De Royale (Per Incanto) by two and a half lengths with one and a quarter lengths back to Catoggio (Written Tycoon) a troubled third.

On the board in eight of his ten starts, Pisces advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and two thirds with earnings of $571,125.

"He’s been held back for a race like this and it has paid off,” winning trainer James Cummings said.

“I loved the way James rode him from the inner gate. In his trials he was quite content to be further back and out of the breeze, but he just cruised up to the opposition like he’s really going somewhere.

“He’s an exciting horse heading into his future as a lightly raced three-year-old.

“We like the idea of targeting racing in the autumn.

“He was excellent first-up at Moonee Valley, but it is one thing run well behind them and it is another thing to win in a race like this and put them away with style.

“This was a rich race worth targeting. A horse like Pisces this was ‘low hanging fruit’ it was worth targeting. We like going fishing for races like this and he is one to keep aiming for races like it.”

Good boy (image Grant Courtney)

Good boy (image Grant Courtney)

Pisces is the best of three winners from four to race for the Group III-placed Redoute’s Choice mare Pleiades, a sister to Godolphin’s star producer Glissade.

Runner-up in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude, Glissade is the dam of the Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Flit (Medaglia d'Oro) and multiple Group III-placed Flow (Street Cry).

Glissade has hit new heights as the granddam of the triple Group 1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot).

Godolphin consigned Pleiades to the 2023 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. Carrying a filly from the first crop of Shamardal's Poule d'Essai des Poulains (2,000 Guineas) and  Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Victor Ludorum (GB), Pleiades was a modest $16,000 purchase for Matt Houldsworth/Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA)/Merricks Station.

Emirates Park has catalogued the Victor Ludorum (GB) filly to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pleiades foaled a Hellbent filly on September 12.

Pisces is the 32nd black-type winner for the former Darley shuttler Frosted (USA). 

Race Result - Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes Gr3 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:25.42
1
Pisces
- 3g Frosted (USA) x Pleiades (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
2.5
Rue De Royale
- 3c Per Incanto (USA) x Urban Royal (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Craig Williams 57
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $180,000
Seller: Sledmere Stud, Scone
Buyer: McEvoy Mitchell Racing Pty Ltd / Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA)
3
3.8
Catoggio
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Palazzo Pubblico (AUS) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $460,000
Seller: Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW
Buyer: Rosemont Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
3.9
I Am Velvet
- 3f I Am Immortal (AUS) x Black Velveteen (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55
5
4.9
Cavity Bay
- 3f Cable Bay (IRE) x Nooks And Crannies (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 55
6
7.2
Coleman
- 3c Pierata (AUS) x Sboog (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
7
9.2
Runway Ruler
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Fashion Sense (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Tom Dabernig Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
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