Dual Group Winner Too Darn Good At Flemington

Dane Squance - Saturday August 2

A dual group winner during the Spring of her 3yo season, talented mare Too Darn Discreet showed an electric turn of foot, charging home over the top of them to win the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Successful in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) before winning the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) where she defeated eventual Group 1 SA Derby winner Femminile (Dundeel), before failing to run out the trip in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m), the Dan O’Sullivsan trained mare was having just her second start in this time.

An early mix up with the weights saw her originally allocated just 54.5kgs for the race before the discovery had the weight altered to 57kgs, and hence the almost 30/1 starting price.

An Impressive Return To Form For Dual Group Winner Too Darn Discreet - Image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

Settling back in the field under Declan Bates, Too Darn Discreet was getting a lovely run with Hellbent gelding He’ll Rip leading and ensuring a solid tempo.

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As the home turn was reached and the field started to pack up, Too Darn Discreet was coming off the heels of the eventual second placegetter Farhh Flung (GB) (Farhh) to come to the outside of the field where she showed an exciting turn of foot to make up many lengths in a short space.

Just as Farhh Flung had secured a run through the field and it looked like the Danny O’Brien trained gelding was going to take the race, Too Darn Discreet gathered him in, recording her fourth win from ten starts and highlighted herself as a possible black type contender in the Spring.

Trainer Dan O’Sullivan felt a little pressure to get the mare back on track, but was clearly happy with the victory post-race.

“We were very pleased with the way she was working at home,” said O’Sullivan.

“We’ll call it controversial, when she was re-handicapped, but it was an error that had to be picked up.

“I’m glad it happened before the race – if we raced around with 54.5kg, we would probably lose the race (through disqualification).

“It was very important for me to get her back winning today, so it’s a really big thrill.”

Bates, like most who watched the race, was impressed with the mare’s turn of foot.

“Fair play to Dan – he’s got her back on track… I was delighted to get back aboard her, I had a bit to do with her early days,” said Bates.

“She has real good ability, she’s had a few issues and Dan’s just took her along nice and quietly and produced her really nicely today.

“She showed a nice turn of foot.”

Too Darn Discreet is one of 27 international stakes winners for Darley’s Too Darn Hot

Bred and part-owned by David Peacock, Too Darn Discreet is a half-sister to stakes-placed, five-time winner Really Discreet (Helmet) and is the fourth winner from as many foals for Shamardal’s Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks winner Maybe Discreet, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Just Discreet and stakes-placed Always Discreet.

Mill Park Stud sold a full-brother to Too Darn Discreet at this year’s Magic Millions yearling sale on behalf of David Peacock, with the colt knocked down for $550,000 to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and BK Racing.

Maybe Discreet has since slipped to Ghaiyyath (IRE) and is due to foal this season to Street Boss’ Champion son Anamoe.

Too Darn Discreet is one of 27 international stakes winners for Darley’s Too Darn Hot highlighted locally by the multiple Group 1 winner Broadsiding who has retired to stand his first season at a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST) alongside his sire, who will command a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST).

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Race Result - 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (Bm84) 1620m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:36.87
1
Too Darn Discreet
- 4m Too Darn Hot (GB) x Maybe Discreet (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: Declan Bates 57
2
0.8
Farhh Flung
- 7g Farhh (GB) x Flycatcher (IRE) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jamie Melham 54
3
3
Hard To Cross
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Egyptian Cross (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick & Michelle Payne Rdr: Tom Prebble 58
Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale $140,000
Seller: Maluka Thoroughbreds, Avenel
Buyer: Malua Bloodstock Pty Ltd
4
3.1
Ocean Beyond
- 8g Ocean Park (NZ) x Frankly (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Ryan Rdr: C Newitt 57
5
3.2
Angry Skies
- 6g Toronado (IRE) x Iteration (FR) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 59.5
6
3.5
Pudding
- 7g Tavistock (NZ) x Christmas Day (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R & C Jolly Rdr: B Shinn 58
7
3.5
Black Storm
- 6g Caravaggio (USA) x Lady Bligh (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T Fitzsimmons Rdr: Ethan Brown 56.5
8
4
Whisky On the Hill
- 6g Ribchester (IRE) x Ninja Lady (GB) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: Glen Thompson Rdr: Damian Lane 58.5
9
4.7
Unseen Ruler
- 6g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Scarlet's Secret (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M J Williams Rdr: D Yendall 55.5
10
5.1
One Long Day
- 5g Epaulette (AUS) x Flattery (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Ms M Cunningham Rdr: John Allen 56.5
11
5.4
He'll Rip
- 6g Hellbent (AUS) x Clear Ripples (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: Ryan Houston 52.5
12
6.4
Outta Compton
- 6g Artie Schiller (USA) x Missgoblet (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: Mark C Webb Rdr: Luke Cartwright 56
13
6.6
Taramansour
- 9g Dansili (GB) x Tanoura (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Hannah Edgley 59.5
14
8.1
El Soleado
- 6g Toronado (IRE) x Sunnyvale (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Sheridan Clarke 61
15
11.3
Think 'N' Fly
- 9g So You Think (NZ) x Gliding (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D M Noonan Rdr: J Bowditch 59
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