Ranier Sheds Maiden Status in Gothic Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday October 20

Following a luckless second in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington at his most recent start, Hugh Bowman made sure the James Cummings-trained Ranier was not going to suffer a similar fate in a dramatic finish to Saturday's Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

The outsider Brickdrop parted company with Jamie Mott shortly after the start then proceeded to loop the field to take up the running from the well-supported Yulong January.

Advertisement

After settling midfield in the running line, Bowman tracked three and four wide on Ranier coming in to the straight, receiving an uninterrupted run to gun down a defiant Yulong January (King Of Prussia) by a long-head with a long-neck back to Wild Planet who edged Zoutori for third. Both third and fourth looked to be hampered by the riderless horse in the closing stages. (photo Grant Courtney)


"The race didn't work out that smoothly for me, I was about to drop to the fence, I had a run on my inside but the loose horse dropped the speed which made it a bit hard," Bowman said.

"But I was able to get my horse into clear running, unlike last start, and he produced for us."

Cummings said he was undecided whether Ranier's next start will be in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) or the Group III Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day.

The horse brought great form here and I was impressed by his effort," Cummings said.

"Hugh asked me where I was heading with him and I said I wanted to reflect on his performance because I think he is a blow-out chance in a race like the Coolmore but he is hard to assess as he is so calm and collected. 

"A race like the Carbine Club would suit him also. Because I think he is still three or four months away I've got no problem running him in the Carbine and hoping that he is a better horse when we get to, perhaps an Australian Guineas in March."

Touted as one of the nation's best maidens, Ranier shed that tag after four seconds and a third at his only four starts.

The good-looking son of Lonhro is the second foal of the talented Commands mare Kanzan whose three stakes wins included the Group III BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes.

A half-sister to the stakes-placed Giresun (Domesday), Kanzan has a 2yo filly by Medaglia D'Oro (USA) named Katalin and foaled a colt by Lonhro on September 9.

Ranier becomes the 77th stakes-winner for the charismatic champion Lonhro who is covering his 15th book of mares at Darley Stud at a fee of $55,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Nicks That Click - Two Darley Champions Combine
A powerful nick between champion Darley sires Lonhro and Exceed and Excel produced it's tenth stakes-winner on Saturday.
85th Stakes Winner for Lonhro
A bit of shrewd placing by the Godolphin team resulted in the 5-year-old Lonhro mare Soothing earning a valuable black-type win in Saturday’s Listed W H Wylie Hcp (1100m) at Morphettville.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Lonhro's Ranier in Heartstopping Festival Stakes Win
An inspired rail hugging ride by Brenton Avdulla had supporters of Live And Free counting their money in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III Iron Jack Festival Stakes at Rosehill when down the outside came Kathy O’Hara on Godolphin’s honest Lonhro gelding Ranier to spoil the party.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Five heats for juveniles at the Rosehill trials on Monday included  some eye-catching winners including Godolphin’s Lonhro colt Beyliks, who was placed in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate.