Highland Reel's Brother Finishes Second in Superlative Stakes

Mark Smith - Sunday July 15

Just ten days after breaking his maiden at Tipperary, Highland Reel's brother Cape Of Good Hope (Galileo) was a fighting second in Saturday's Group II Superlative Stakes (7f) at Newmarket to become the fourth stakes horse for Elvstroem's Group 1 placed sister Hveger (Danehill).

The 7-time Group 1 winner Highland Reel will be a welcome addition to the stallion ranks in Victoria this spring when he takes up residence at Swettenham Stud. (photo Swettenham Stud)

Advertisement


"He ran a lovely race and we couldn't be happier," O'Brien said.

"We were very happy with him and he is progressing lovely. We are going gently with him and you can see that with every run he is getting a bit better.

"I think he is still a baby, so he is progressing. Physically he is strong, but mentally he is still a baby.

"I don't think a mile will be a problem when that time comes, but we've plenty of time for that and we don't need to go there yet."

Try as he might, Cape Of Good Hope was no match for Godolphin's Dubawi colt Quorto who had been so impressive when winning over 6-furlongs on the same track when making his career debut on January 22.

Winning trainer Charlie Appleby was confident the colt had come on from his debut and bookmakers were equally impressed as they cut his price from 33/1 to 12/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas:

"We were confident coming here today that he had come forward and that the step up in trip was going to suit," Appleby told Sporting Life.

"He has shown some gears there. William got off and said he has a great racing mind. He travels very sweetly in your hands and he picked up well when he hit the rising ground. He is an exciting horse, for sure.

"Being by Dubawi one would hope we will see a bit more improvement, with a bit of luck. I would say the National Stakes (at the Curragh on September 16) is the more likely target.

"Seven looks to be his trip, but hopefully further down the line a mile will be for him."

There is every reason to believe that Quorto will improve as he is stretched out in distance.

His stakes-winning dam Volume (Mount Nelson) placed in both the Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks and she is a half-sister to the Lindsay park-trained import Velox who has won up to 2000 metres and placed in the Group III JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kingman Colt New Favourite for G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas
It’s been a strong start to the Euro flat season for Juddmonte Farms horses and a Kingman colt they purchased as a weanling  for 530,000 euros has claimed favouritism for the upcoming Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas with a powerful win overnight in the Group III Craven Stakes (1m) at Newmarket.
Blueblood Pierro Filly Returns a Winner
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Pierro filly Candlewick is bred to be well above average as a half-sister to Everest winner Classique Legend  and looks set for a good campaign after kicking off with a first up win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Winner 9 For Ole Kirk With Aerodrome on Debut
Ole Kirk went clear again at the top of First Season Winners list on Wednesday when the Michael Freedman trained Aerodrome made a tough winning debut at Warwick Farm.
Kiwi G1 Winner Grail Seeker Adds G1 All Aged Mix
Grail Seeker has added two Group One victories to her record this season and she will attempt to make it a third when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to tackle the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Cool Aza Beel's Cool Archie Impressive in First Win
Cool Aza Beel’s promising son Cool Archie was already stakes placed but threw off the maiden tag emphatically at Doomben on Wednesday with better races beckoning over the winter.
Hong Kong Wrap - Happy Valley Wednesday
Deep Field had a new winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, making it 22 for the season and 60 overall in Hong Kong, while there were new winners for Needs Further and Showtime and Mark Newnham and Jamie Richards trained doubles.
Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale - New Record Price - Yulong, Too Darn Hot Feature
The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale eclipsed its previous records for highest price, average and turnover with the second session headed by the 1,750,000 guineas sale of a colt by Havana Grey to Amo Racing and a further three lots realising in excess of 500,000 guineas.
Perle De Chocolat Breaks Maiden
Astern two-year-old Perle De Chocolat has always looked a filly with promise and she got the maiden out of the way when winning at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday April 16
Here is the full list of 43 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
1.4mil Gns Record at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up - St Mark's Basilica 750,000 Gns
A colt by Acclamation eclipsed the record price for a lot at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when selling to Godolphin for 1,400,000 guineas on the opening day of the sale with a St Mark’s Basilica colt second highest at 750,000 guineas.