Consensus Claims the Sunline Stakes

Mark Smith - Friday March 22

The omens were there, the Stephen McKee-trained Consensus made a successful hit and run mission in Friday night's Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

McKee's father Trevor trained the great Sunline and while Consensus will never be compared to that champion, she deserved better respect than her starting price of indicated.

Given the run of the race one out one back by Michael Walker, Consensus gradually wore down the thoroughly game leader Spanish Reef by a half-neck with the fast-finishing Kenedna three-quarter of a length back in third.

The 7yo daughter of Postponed (USA) (pictured) came across the Tasman in red-hot form having won a pair of Group III's and at last start third in the Group 1 Haunui Classic won by the imperious Melody Belle.

Back on Boxing Day, 2016 Consensus claimed the scalp of Volkstok'n'barrell in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie.

It was originally planned to head to Sydney for the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, the race in which she finished fourth behind Gailo Chop last year, but the wet weather forecast resulted in the switch.

"The way it worked out it just fell for us and it just happened to be the Sunline Stakes," McKee said.

Advertisement

"She doesn't go on tracks that are probably worse than dead or slow so we decided to can Sydney and come here and it worked out all right.

"We will make plans for her during the week. She is here until Saturday so we may even take her home and get her ready for Brisbane."

The tough as teak veteran advanced her overall record to 11 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds from 54 starts with earnings of $746,226

Consensus is the best of our winners from five to race out of the 4-time winning Cape Cross (IRE) mare Kate Cross whose great granddam Surround (Sovereign Edition) set Moonee Valley alight back in 1976 when she won the Group 1 WS Cox Plate as a three-year-old.

Kate Cross has a yearling filly by Showcasing (GB) and a filly foal by Iffraaj (GB) and was covered by Turn Me Loose last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Flying Artie 2YO Wins by Four!
Blue Gum Farm have an appealing roster of three sires for this spring and while it’s all in front of Sejardan and Oxley Road, proven favourite Flying Artie remains unbeatable value and the G1 sire produced a four length 2YO winner on Thursday.
More Success for Quality Mare Consensus
Elite-level performer Consensus reminded racegoers about her genuine class when she dominated her rivals in the Group III Barneswood Farm Trentham Stakes (2100m) on Saturday.
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.
Vale, Postponed
Westbury Stud has announced that popular stallion Postponed (USA) succumbed to a health issue on Friday and was humanely euthanized.
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!
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. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
$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.