Medaglia d'Oro's Pohutukawa a Class Above in Kembla Classic

Mark Smith - Friday March 15

In its relatively short history, the Group III Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) boasts a roll call of winners of the calibre of Hot Danish, Appearance, Brazilian Pulse and Single Gaze and it would be no surprise if Friday's winner Pohutukawa is mentioned favourably among that illustrious group when time is called on her career.

Sent off an odds-on favourite in the 15-horse field, Pohutukawa came from mid-field under James McDonald to put the race to bed in the space of 50 metres.

The James Cummings-trained filly defeated Cressfield Stud's Frankel filly Frankely Awesome by one and a quarter lengths with the Sebring filly Scarlett Dream a further half-length back in third.

Advertisement

The daughter of Medaglia d"Oro (USA) came under notice last preparation when she came off a hugely impressive win when making her seasonal debut at Warwick Farm on October 24 before staging a stunning last to first performance under William Buick in the Listed Jim Beam Black Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day. (photo Grant Courtney )


James McDonald said that Pohutukawa could not have been any more impressive.

"She had to do it the tough way and she did it really well, she is a beautiful filly going forward," McDonald said.

"I loved her stamina. She had to make a good, decent run today and it wasn't easy and she was just as strong on the line as she was at the 600m.

"I love the way she relaxes and copes with everything. She'll run 2000m against her own sex - she is an exciting filly for Team Godolphin and they will have a lot of fun with her."

James Cummings said the Group 1 Vinery Stakes at Rosehill on March 30 was the target.

"The critical thing today was for her to demonstrate a lot of strength through the line. Off a tough run, wide, which has proved to be a little hard to do today on that track," Cummings said.

"She's a filly with a great action and a wonderful temperament."

Pohutukawa is the first winner for the Redoute's Choice mare Lumina who won a Mornington maiden and placed in 9 of her 15 starts.

She was the first foal bred by Darley after the purchase of her dam Chiara from the late Ken Turner.

Chiara had been a grand producer for Turner, leaving the multiple Group II winner Chinchilla Rose, Group II Ascot Vale Stakes winner Ferocity and Group III winner Leone Chiara who is the dam of Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner and successful sire Star Witness and the multiple Group III winner Nostradamus.

Chiara kept up the good work for Darley by producing the Listed ATC Darby Munro Stakes winner Chiaramonte who is a full-brother to Lumina.

Unfortunately for Darley, Lumina was consigned to the 2018 Magic Million Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by Lacoste Bloodstock when carrying a filly by Teofilo (IRE).

Godolphin has retained a yearling sister to Pohutukawa.

After foaling her Teofilo (IRE) filly on September 19, Lumina was bred back to Deep Field.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Undefeated 3YO King of Light Wins Listed Belgravia
Dan Morton's exciting three year old King Of Light (Earthlight) remains unbeaten in three starts, as the gelding graduated to stakes company with a scintillating first up victory in the Listed Belgravia Stakes on Cox Plate Day at Ascot.
Impressive Medaglia d'Oro Filly Eyes the Tatts Tiara
Winner of the Group III PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick in April, the James Cummings-trained Multaja capped a wonderful day for Blake Shinn when she powered home to win Saturday’s Listed Mittys Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
Cream Rises at Trentham
A half-sister by Hello Youmzain (Fr) to dual Group I winner Mustang Valley, exciting filly Cream Tart is set to line up in one of the major three-year-old races over New Zealand Cup Week following her impressive win in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old (1400m) at Trentham.
Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 on Sunday
Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb, a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.
Best On Breeding
We are down to the final Group 1 race of the season, Saturday’s $500,000 Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, and for many the final race of their careers before embarking on a new career in the broodmare barn.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Aussie Bred Wins HK Classic Mile
The $HK10million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Monday was won in commanding style by exciting prospect Golden Sixty, an Aussie bred Medaglia D’Oro (USA) gelding, whose half-brother Quiet Riot was also a winner at Warwick Farm earlier in the day.
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Medaglia d’Oro’s Flit Captures Thousand Guineas in a Thriller
Saturday’s Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) was a three-horse war over the final 300 metres and it was Godolphin’s race favourite Flit that edged out Missile Mantra and Southbank and had James Cummings contemplating a run in the Group I Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in a fortnight.
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).