All Too Hard Mare Chasing Fairytale Group One

Breednet - Friday February 7

Emotions will run high at Te Rapa if All Too Hard’s specialist short course performer Babylon Berlin can finally break through at the highest level.

Babylon Berlin will contest the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The multiple top-flight placegetter will chase a deserved victory in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) on Saturday with the Ben and Ryan Foote-trained mare to jump from a handy enough barrier in gate six.

Stablemate Myakkabelle will also be in action at the meeting when she pursues a maiden black-type victory in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) on her way to a higher goal.

Babylon Berlin has an excellent conversion rate of 10 win from 33 starts, including four victories at Group Three level and three Listed events.

She has gone close to an elusive Group One on several occasions with placings in the Railway Stakes (1200m) and Telegraph (1200m) and finished runner-up behind Imperatriz in the BCD two years ago.

Two starts back, Babylon Berlin was too good for Waitaki and Crocetti in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) in early December and following a pair of trials finished fourth in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m).

“It was six weeks between runs and it always takes a toll on them, especially a good doing horse like her,” Ben Foote said.

“She has come on a lot in the coat since that run and she’s thriving.

“She’s good to go again, we’re happy and she’s been working very well.”

Vinnie Colgan has partnered Babylon Berlin in each of her last four starts and will take the reins again.

Advertisement

“He’s had a few rides on her now and has worked her out well,” Foote said.

“Hopefully, the track will be good and they run along. I don’t see why she won’t get the 1400m again, she ran a cracker of a race when second to Imperatriz.”

Colgan will also guide the fortunes of Myakkabelle, having been aboard the two-time winner in her last three outings.

The daughter of War Decree was a resuming third before she overcame a slow start to run fifth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m).

The Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) hope then stepped up to a middle distance to finish a sound fourth, after being held up at the top of the straight, in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m).

“It’s a good race for her (at Te Rapa) and even though it lacks numbers, there’s quality there,” Foote said.

“It will give us a really good line on her before the Oaks. We think she will get better as she gets over further and whatever she does on Saturday will bring her on again.”

By Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
All Too Hard Mare Overdue for G1 Win
Cambridge horseman Ben Foote was left disappointed following Babylon Berlin’s head defeat to glamour mare Imperatriz in this year’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and he is hoping she can go one better in the sprinting feature at Pukekohe on Monday.
All Too Hard Speed Mare Wins Legacy Lodge Sprint
Quality sprinter Babylon Berlin successfully defended her crown in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) within a display of pure sprinting power at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Anxious Few Months for Babylon Berlin
It has been an anxious few months for the father-and-son training partnership of Ben and Ryan Foote with their star sprinter Babylon Berlin.
Melbourne Racing Club Partnership Delivers Global Access for Members
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has today announced an exciting new international partnership with the UK’s leading racing operator, The Jockey Club, to provide MRC members with reciprocal access to some of the most iconic racecourses in the world. 
Another Group Win for All Too Hard's Babylon Berlin
Class mare Babylon Berlin lead her rivals a merry dash when she outgunned a small but quality field in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Kiwi Trainer Collects a Unique Double
Riccarton horseman Andrew Carston collected a winning double at his local synthetic meeting on Thursday, firstly as an owner and later as a trainer.
Is Sponsor: True