Pride of Dubai Mare Wins Listed Victoria Gold Cup

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 22

A Group I winner last spring for Yulong when winning the Group I MRC Might and Power Stakes over Mr Brightside, Deny Knowledge (IRE) looks primed for another good campaign with a first up win in the Listed MRC Victoria Gold Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Deny Knowledge (IRE) holds them all at bay to win at Caulfield - image Grant Courtney

Offered last year in the Newgate Consignment at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale as agent for Cross Park Stud, Deny Knowledge was purchased by Yulong for $500,000 and was immediately transferred from previous trainer Mick Kent Snr to Anthony and Sam Freedman.

She has blossomed in their care to achieve Group I success and may have more wins in store at the elite level to come.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Deny Knowledge set the pace in front and kicked on to win by the best part of a length under 59.5kg.

“I thought she might be a little bit vulnerable late, but to her credit, for any flaw in fitness that she had today, she makes up for it in toughness and the way that she always puts in,” said Sam Freedman.

"You're doing her an injustice if you send her to the races not completely fit because she's the most genuine mare you'd ever have in the stable so she was pretty forward. She'd had three solid trials and a fair bit of work.

"She may need one more [run]. I thought she was probably 90% there today. I'll have a chat with the boss in Sydney and get his wisdom on it all as he's been there a few times. I'm sure he'll have some nice advice for me to take on that. As I said, she needs to be fit when she goes to the races because she can feel the pinch a little bit late and it gets exaggerated by her racing style."

"So possibly one more [run] between now and the Australian Cup. She'll make them earn it whatever is going to run her down."

Advertisement

Deny Knowledge caps a great day for Yulong - image Grant Courtney

Mark Zahra won the G1 Might and Power (Caulfield) Stakes on Deny Knowledge in the spring and has a good understanding of the mare.

“It was hard work. Race 10 on a 37 degree day. I rode her in the Group I, the Caulfield Stakes. She was deep in the prep so she relaxed a bit better. Where today she was like, 'I'm fresh and ready to go' and sort of had to hold her. I was doing my best to hold her keeping in mind that we were first up with 59kg. But one thing she is, she's tough and so you've always got to have her at her top no matter what the scenario is,” he said.

"At the top of the straight, she kicked and she was out late and then they came and she was that mad she went again. She was like 'no horse is getting near me' and the last 50 was strong again."

Deny Knowledge has the overall record of 10 wins and nine placings from 40 starts with prizemoney topping $1.8million.

She made 26,000 euros originally at the Goffs Sportsman’s Yearling Sale and is the best of two winners from The Paris Shrug, a winning half-sister by Monsun stallion Manduro to Group I Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange.

This is also the family of much loved perennial Melbourne Cup placegetter and Group I winner Red Cadeaux and HK Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance Horse Military Attack, so it’s no surprise Deny Knowledge can run a trip.

Deny Knowledge is one of five Group I winners for Pride of Dubai, who is currently leading the Australian General Sires List by earnings.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Victoria Gold Cup LR 2000m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 2:01.24
1
Deny Knowledge
- 7m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x The Paris Shrug (GB) (Manduro (GER))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 59.5
Pride Of Dubai
MM National Broodmare Sale $500,000
Seller: Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent for Cross Park Stud)
Buyer: Panthalassa Syndicate
2
0.8
Bankers Choice
- 7g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Signorina (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55
3
1.2
Shaiyhar
- 6g Camelot (GB) x Sharliyna (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Craig Williams 54
4
1.3
Torranzino
- 5g Tarzino (NZ) x Goldilicious (NZ) (Helmet (AUS))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
5
2.6
Smokin' Romans
- 8g Ghibellines (AUS) x Inferno (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: B Melham 58.5
6
3.3
Etna Rosso
- 5g Decorated Knight (GB) x Kirouna (FR) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damian Lane 55
7
5.1
Touristic
- 6g Frankel (GB) x Heuristique (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: M J Dee 54
8
5.5
Positivity
- 4m Almanzor (FR) x Pussy O'reilly (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: H Coffey 55
9
11.5
Herman Hesse
- 8g Frankel (GB) x Dream Peace (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
More Reading...
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Pride of Dubai Mares Quinella $150,000 Country Oaks
An Irish bred daughter of Pride of Dubai, Deny Knowledge (Ire) showed some serious staying potential when stepping out in trip to score a commanding 10 length win in the $150,000 Geelong Country Oaks (2200m) on Good Friday.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Pride of Dubai Mare wins G2 Matriarch
Mares by Pride of Dubai have been on fire this spring and Deny Knowledge (IRE) joined the party with a brave front running victory in the $300,000 Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.