First Australian Stakes-Winner for Calyx

Tara Madgwick - Friday January 24

Kingman son Calyx (GB) shuttled to Coolmore for just two seasons and got his first Australian stakes-winner at Launceston on Friday night when talented gelding Likeakalix turned the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) into a procession.

Sent out a hot favourite, the Leanne Gaffney trained Likeakalix had won two of his previous three starts on synthetic tracks and had nor trouble transferring that good form to the grass when galloping away to win by more than four lengths under David Pires.

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Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from the Armidale Stud draft for his trainer and has never missed a place in six starts with three wins and three placings netting over $113,000 in prizemoney.

Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from Armidale Stud.

He is the best of two winners from Like a Song (IRE), who was bought by I Katz for $15,000 at the 2021 Inglis Broodmare Sale when in foal to Calyx with Likeakalix the result of the mating. She is an unraced half-sister to Group III winner Ladys First. 

Likeakalix is the fifth stakes-winner worldwide and first in Australia for Calyx, who remains on the Coolmore roster in Ireland for 2025 at a fee of €12,500.

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Race Result - Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas LR 2100m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 2:10.69
1
Likeakalix
- 3g Calyx (GB) x Like A Song (IRE) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Gaffney Rdr: D Pires 58
MM Tasmanian Yearling Sale $30,000
Seller: Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent)
Buyer: Leanne Gaffney
2
4.3
Go Jeanie
- 3f Frosted (USA) x What A Beauty (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: Liandra Gray Rdr: T Baker 56.5
3
5.5
Azonto
- 3f Stratosphere (AUS) x Ehor (AUS) (Val Royal (FR))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: A Darmanin 57
MM Tasmanian Yearling Sale $105,000
Seller: Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA)
4
7.5
Garcon D'espoir
- 3g Omaha Beach (USA) x Triple Asset (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: Yassy Nishitani Rdr: N Tomizawa 59
5
9.8
Don't Give Up
- 3g Needs Further (AUS) x Bet You She Rocks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: B Muhcu 58
6
10.8
Tuskegee
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x High Tea (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: K Sanderson 58
7
10.8
Currencies
- 3f Gold Standard (AUS) x Aurora Miss (AUS) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: G J Stevenson Rdr: Codi Jordan 55
8
25.3
Halen
- 3g Stratosphere (AUS) x Oxy Angel (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: G J McCulloch Rdr: M Ulucinar 57
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