breednet.com.au

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...
Lope De Vega's Spanish Whisper Strikes in Let's Elope
Seymour Bloodstock’s Spanish Whisper has the race performance and pedigree to grace any broodmare paddock in the land but that has been put on hold as she strives for that elusive Group 1 victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday February 7
Here is the full list of 95 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tempted Eyes G1 Surround Stakes After Eskimo Prince Victory
Having clearly come back in outstanding form, Ciaron Maher’s G2-winning, G1 placed Street Boss filly Tempted justified her short odds with an emphatic victory in the G3 ATC Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), setting herself up nicely for the G1 ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) on February 28.
Yarraman Sold Colt Fireball Wins $2million Inglis Millennium
The $2million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday drew a full field of 16 with a myriad of different formlines, but in the end why go past the obvious – Chris Waller, James McDonald and a Snitzel colt with a debut win on the board!
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.
Lope de Vega's Vega One Too Strong in MM Cup
Tony Gollan has his eyes firmly fixed on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap for Vega One after the four-year-old son of Lope de Vega captured Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Cup (RL) at the Gold Coast.
Observer Continues His Winning Ways – G1 Australian Guineas Next
Ending his 3yo spring campaign with success in the G1 VRC Derby (2500m) off the back of his G2 MVRC Vase (2040m) win, Ciaron Maher’s Ghaiyyath colt Observer resumed with another impressive performance, taking out the G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Brilliant Return for Capitalist Filly Alpha Sofie
A decision to transfer talented Capitalist  filly Alpha Sofie from the Queensland stable of Jason Edwards to Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in Victoria last year is proving a good one with the filly staking a serious claim for the big autumn sprints at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ocean Park Filly Wins G2 Fillies Classic for Yulong
Progressive filly Ohope Wins completed the perfect dress rehearsal for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in a fortnight when she stormed home out wide from last on the corner to take out the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa.
New SW Savabeel - Witz End Wins Listed Hazlett Stakes
Former northern galloper Witz End made his presence felt for new trainer Terri Rae when he scored the second win from just four starts from Rae’s Canterbury base when taking out the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.