Fourth Group 1 for Trapeze Artist

Mark Smith - Saturday March 9

Winless for almost 12 months, Trapeze Artist burst back to the winner's circle in Saturday's Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.

With Blake Shinn in the saddle, Trapeze Artist led all the way to defeat Shoals (Fastnet Rock) by one and a half lengths with Prompt Response (Beneteau) three-quarter of a length back in third. (images Steve Hart).

Advertisement


Trapeze Artist's last win came last April when ridden by Tye Angland in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick.

Angland was recently confirmed a quadriplegic after a fall in Hong Kong in November.

"All the jockeys in this race are riding for Tye. He's on track and this is his horse," Shinn said.

"It's pretty emotional really to be given the opportunity. It could've been me in Tye's position, having a fall and breaking my neck. My heart goes out to him and I'm very honoured to be able to ride this horse and ride in these silks in support of Tye. A sensational win on a superstar horse.

"Once I got to the front and I had control and was never in doubt. It was a tricky race to assess but I said to (owner) Bert (Vieria) and (trainer) Gerald (Ryan), 'look we'll just ride the horse, play to his strengths.' He doesn't like a sit-sprint so we made it a bit of a test. How are they going to beat him? On his best, he's up there with the world's best sprinters and he proved that today."

The Vieira family are also dealing with their own tragedy as Bert's wife Gai remains in hospital after being seriously injured when her car was hit by a speeding police vehicle in a well-publicised incident last September.

A good-looking son of Snitzel, Trapeze Artist was winning for the fourth time at the highest level.

"It's the most Group 1s I've won with a horse. We've got two more to go - the TJ and the All Aged. We'll see what happens," Ryan said.

"It will be the same plan as last year. We'll send him away for a week then three weeks to get him ready for the TJ."

Trapeze Artist advances his record to 7 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $5,543,750.

He failed to meet his $130,000 reserve at the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Viera purchased the colt's dam Treppes (Domesday) for $190,000 out of the Edinburgh Park draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale.

She was carrying Trapeze Artist at the time of her sale.

A half-sister to Group I Stradbroke Handicap winner Crawl and the multiple Listed winner Old Man, Treppes has had a series of misfortunes since foaling Trapeze Artist. She missed the following two seasons then her Zoustar colt died after birth.

Treppes has a yearling filly by Wandjina. She missed to Snitzel in 2017 before being covered by the Arrowfield champion again last spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man – Shinzo Rises to Golden Slipper Triumph
Widely regarded as the most open Golden Slipper for years, the $5million high octane dash at Rosehill on Saturday delivered drama and delight as champion trainer Chris Waller collected his first Golden Slipper trophy with a homebred colt for Coolmore trained to the minute.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$2.2 Million Daughter of Snitzel Sets a New Mark for a Filly
Snitzel hit another home run when Arrowfield Stud’s filly from the Group 1 Willian Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition set a new benchmark for a filly when knocked down to Hawkes Racing for $2,200,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.