First Australian Winner for Admire Mars

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 22

Admire Mars (Jpn) is not shuttling to Arrowfield this year, but he did produce his first Aussie winner at Pakenham on Thursday with a debut victory for Planet Red.

Planet Red scores on debut - image George Sal / Racing Photos

Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, Planet Red was easy in the market, but showed plenty of talent coming with a late surging run for Beau Mertens to win the 1200m maiden by three-quarters of a length.

Advertisement

“Like all good horses he has a turn of foot and he really lengthens,” said Michael Kent Jr.

“He was in a really tricky spot and the horse was there for him when Beau brought him through.

“He’s a lovely horse and I’m just rapt for the connections, just a really good bunch of people involved in him.”

Planet Red was a $260,000 NZB Ready to run purchase for Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Ohukia Lodge, who purchased him as a pinhook prospect from Magic Millions for $100,000 from the Kenmore Lodge draft.

Bred by John Ramsey, Planet Red is a striking chestnut that is very similar in appearance to his sire Admire Mars and also his dam sire Helmet. He is the first winner from Lucky Helmet, a winning half-sister by Helmet to Group III winner Flying Mascot and stakes-winner Koala Bear from the family of Champion NZ 3YO Xtravagant.

Lucky Helmet went back to Admire Mars in two subsequent seasons and has a yearling and weanling colt by him to follow.

Admire Mars (Jpn) is not shuttling to Arrowfield this spring.

Admire Mars has sired 21 winners from his first crop in Japan that have now turned three and they are headed by Group I winner Embroidery and stakes-winner Namura Clara.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ryan Cracknell Takes On Sportsbet Mdn Plate 1200m

Pakenham Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.27
1
Planet Red
- 2g Admire Mars (JPN) x Lucky Helmet (AUS) (Helmet (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2 $0
Seller: Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld (As Agent for Turangga Farm)
Buyer: Psd $50000 Res $60000
2
0.8
Observer
- 2c Ghaiyyath (IRE) x Smooth (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Mott 58
3
1
Ruska Roma
- 2f Super Seth (AUS) x Sansa (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
4
1.2
Neverenoughlego
- 2c Ole Kirk (AUS) x Excessabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Shinn 58
5
1.6
Aitu
- 2g Tagaloa (AUS) x Mystical Moment (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: J Noonan 58
6
1.8
Coulter
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Matilija (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: L Currie 58
7
3.1
Veomas
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Midnight Revels (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: Jamie Melham 58
8
3.8
Bermondsey
- 2g Hanseatic (AUS) x Gin Lizzie (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
9
6.3
Oda Mae
- 2f Microphone (AUS) x Tarot (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Jack Laing Rdr: Melea Castle 56
More Reading...
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Pericles Turns Back the Clock
Six year-old Street Boss (USA) gelding Pericles won the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m) two years ago in 2023 when trained by James Cummings and he repeated the effort at Randwick on Saturday, but this time he is in the care of Bjorn Baker.
G1 Haydock Sprint Cup Upset
Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.
Stakes Goals Ahead for Supido Mare
Astute trainer David Payne is no stranger to G1 success and has always held Supido mare Shohisha in high regard and she showed the potential of better things to come this spring when powering home to win the Benchmark 94 event over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday September 6
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Plus That G1 Late Bloomer
Saturday delivered another exciting instalment of early spring racing with three stakes races for 3YO’s and once again all of them were won by new first time stakes-winners that were virtually unsighted at two and we also had a new G1 winner, whose path to the top has been anything but smooth.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Ka Ying Rising Straight to Everest Quarantine after Return Romp
Hong Kong Champion Ka Ying Rising was headed straight to quarantine to prepare for the Group I The Everest after another stunning performance when resuming for the new season on Sunday at Sha Tin.
More Stakes Success for Impending - Cool Memory Wins Listed Farnley
A son of Larneuk Stud's value Lonhro stallion Impending, five year old Cool Memory bolted in to claim his second stakes win and bring joy to favourite backers on a rain-drenched Saturday at Belmont Park.