Lope De Vega's Archedemus Claims Hawkesbury Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday April 27

Lightly raced five-year-old gelding Archedemus took a five-run winning streak in the $500,000 Provincial Championship final at Randwick but after troubled run he could do no better than eighth.

Trainer Gwenda Markwell, owner Ross Williams and jockey Corey Brown had combined to claim the Group 1 Australian Derby with Angel Of Truth and the trio found a consolation for Archedemus in Saturday's Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

The son of Lope de Vega (IRE) dominated the race from the front and kept up a relentless gallop to defeat cult hero Tom Melbourne by half a length with Sixties Groove three and a quarter lengths back in third. (image Steve Hart )

Advertisement

It advances the record of Archedemus to 6 wins and 1 second from 9 starts with earnings of $311,680.


"He's certainly a nice horse and he knows how to win a race," Markwell told AAP.

"I looked at him at the 600 (metres) and I thought 'you're cantering' and I knew he'd keep going.

"My only worry was the firm track. I really liked him with the 53 kilos and if it had been a bit wet I would have declared him."

"We'll see how he pulls up whether he heads to Queensland.

"He's been up a long time because the preparation was geared around the Provincial Championship but he's only had the five starts."

A half-brother to the Group III-placed filly Mandylion (Nicconi), Archedemus is the best of four winners from five to race out of the Peintre Celebre mare Carolyn's Star who had been purchased by Colm Santry Bloodstock for $50,000 at the 2008 Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Carolyn's Star is a granddaughter of the Group 1 SAJC South Australian Derby winner Mapperley Star (Sir Tristram) who is a sister to Group 1 WRC New Zealand Oaks Stakes winner Royal Heights from the family of the champion Battle Heights.

Carolyn's Star has an unraced 2yo filly by Zoffany (IRE) named Librarian and a yearling by Adelaide.

She was covered by Flying Artie last spring having not been served in 2017.

Archedemus becomes the 53rd stakes-winner for Lope de Vega (IRE) who shuttled to Australia for four seasons (2011-14).

Advertisment
More Reading...
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Lope De Vega Service Fee Rises to 100,000 euros
It seems a long time ago that French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm in Australia, the top class son of Shamardal now one of Europe’s most desirable stallions with Ballylinch Stud lifting his fee for 2020 to 100,000 euros.
Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Fireworks were expected at Te Rapa on Saturday as several of last season’s equine stars kicked off their new spring campaigns in the Group II US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and it was recent Group I  Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) placegetter Endless Drama who delivered with a stunning victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Thumping Win for Lope De Vega's Gytrash in Creswick Stakes
The Gordon Richard’s trained Gytrash gave Australia another reason to regret the departure of Lope De Vega (IRE) following a brilliant performance in Saturday’s Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).