Call Me Handsome Repaying The Faith

Mark Smith - Sunday September 2

Call Me Handsome (IRE) arrived in Australia off the back of a third behind rising young star Pakistan Star in a Griffin race over 1200 metres at Sha Tin back in July 2016.

Purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for €325,000 at the 2014 Goffs Orby Sale, Call Me Handsome was resold at the 2016 Hong Kong International Sale for HK$5.5 million

Advertisement

After two starts for trainer David Hall, he was sent to Australia to recover from an injury to his suspensory ligament. It was 73 weeks before he was seen on the track again under the training of Peter Gelagotis.


That came at Sandown Hillside on November 29 last year. He finished third that day and has missed a place just once in 13 starts in Australia. He earned a reward for his consistency with a maiden stakes win in Saturday's Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m).

Under a front-running ride by Craig Williams, the Irish bred son of Kodia safely held the challenges of Mr Garcia and Sin To Win. (photo Grant Courtney)

It advances his overall record to 6 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $365,306.

"He's a popular horse, very honest and has got a big heart," Peter Gelagotis' brother Manny said.

"This horse had serious form behind Pakistan Star and it's just nice to get him back after a little soundness issue.

"Pete's done a good job and it was a great ride by Craig.

"I've been watching Weary (Darren Weir) and I've been following the way he patterns his horses. I like it when they are performing well when they are up in class and down in weight.

"He is a set weights and penalties horse I think so we'll look at some nice options coming up.

"To win a stakes race on the opening day of the Spring Carnival is really important for the stable."

Call Me Handsome becomes the 45th stakes winner for the resounding stud success Kodiac who is a non-stake winning half-brother to Invincible Spirit by Danehill out of the French Oaks winner Rafha.

At a cost of €325,000, Call Me Handsome was the second-most-expensive of the 111 yearlings by Kodiac to sell in 2014.

A half-brother to Listed winner Be Ready (New Approach), Call Me Handsome is one of five winners from as many foals out of the unraced Gone West mare Call Later who is a half-sister to 4-time Grade 1 winner Ventura (Chester House).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
It's Godolphin Again - Best Solution Toughs It Out in Caulfield Cup
Following wins in the Group II Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket and a pair of Group 1 wins in Germany, Godolphin's Best Solution (IRE) carried his topweight to victory in Saturday's $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup to round out a wonderful seven days for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor and jockey Pat Cosgrave.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.