Gallic Chieftain Earns a Spot in Sydney Cup after Win in Chairmans

Mark Smith - Saturday April 6

Out of the winner's circle since the Listed Warrnambool Cup in May last year, the Archie Alexander-trained Gallic Chieftain (FR) revelled in the heavy conditions in Saturday's Group 11 Schweppes Chairman's Handicap (2600m).

A field of 19 lined up for the traditional Sydney Cup lead-up. In a slogging finish Gallic Chieftain (FR), with Damian Lane in the saddle, defeated the Chris Waller-trained Shraaoh (IRE) (Sea The Stars) by a half-length with the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Semari (Sebring) one and a quarter lengths back in third. (images Steve Hart).

Advertisement


Carrying the colours of OTI Racing, Gallic Chieftain (FR) advances his record to 9 wins, 6 seconds and 5 thirds from 40 starts with earnings of $1,013,745.

It was a career highlight for Alexander who took over the training of the 6yo entire after the disqualification of Darren Weir at the beginning of this preparation.

"OTI are a big help to me and always have been and this horse is terrific, Alexander said.

"Coming up here I was really confident. We've brought horses up here before and it's hard travelling horses, some horses just don't settle but this horse has done really well up here, he had barrier one, light weight and one of the best jockeys in the world on him.

"The whole way I was pretty confident. I never thought he was in trouble. The plan was to stick to the rail the whole way, obviously, Damien scrapped that plan and did the best thing and when he got out I knew he would be strong to the line.

"We came up here just for this race, but with the Sydney Cup in the back of our mind. You probably can't go back home now so we will keep him here, keep him nice and fresh for a week, and tackle the big one. Perfect weather, nice money. It's been a real mission of mine to come up and beat you guys in Sydney and I'm really happy to do it."

Golden Slipper-winning jockey Damian Lane said Gallic Chieftain deserves his chance in the Sydney Cup.

"Credit to Archie and his team. They've got the horse so happy. He can be a sour bugger at times but he was in the zone in the yard and he raced that way," Lane said.

A son of the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Tamayuz (Nayef), Gallic Chieftan is a half-brother to Group III Prix Texanita winner Aladdine (Naaqoos) out of the stakes-placed Cacique mare Katerini.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Navy King sails to Valley victory
A well-judged front-running ride by Daniel Stackhouse has aided five-year-old gelding Navy King to claim the lion’s share of the prize in the MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hard To Cross swoops to Valley win
Six-year-old gelding Hard To Cross was aided by the three-kilo claim of Rose Hammond as the Kiwi bred landed his first victory of the preparation when landing the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1523m).
Via Sistina Joins Two Group One Legends
Via Sistina is certainly in rare air and if you want another stat to put her in perspective – yesterday’s Winx Stakes win saw her become one of only three horses in the last 40 years to win eight Group One races in a 12-month period.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bates gets creative at The Valley
Six-year-old gelding The Creator led throughout to claim the Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting Handicap (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday under a perfect Logan Bates ride.
First Stakes Success For Cafe Millenium
While having just turned 5, former Sydneysider Cafe Millenium (Not A Single Doubt), who now calls Lindsay Park home, broke through for his first black type victory on Saturday, winning the Listed SAJC Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville in impressive fashion.
Idyllic Prince Stakes - Phanta Leads a Sweet Trifecta for Gingerbread Man
Yarradale Stud's senior stallion Gingerbread Man achieved a rare career high for any sire when the son of Shamardal provided the trifecta in Saturday's Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes over 1300m at Belmont Park.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).