Sixties Groove Leads Home an Irish Trifecta in Brisbane Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday June 8

Following placings in the Group III Hawkesbury Cup, Group 1 Doomben Cup and Group II PJ O'Shea Stakes, Australian Bloodstock's import Sixties Groove (IRE) was rewarded for his consistency with a fighting win over a game Grey Lion (IRE) in Saturday's Group II Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

Ridden by Damien Oliver, the Kris Lees-trained gelding was given a ground-saving ride before weaving a passage to hook up with Grey Lion (IRE) in the final 100 metres.

Advertisement

Grey Lion (IRE) was in for the fight but Sixties Groove (IRE) came away to win by three quarters of a length with a further two and a quarter lengths to Big Duke (IRE) completing an Irish-bred trifecta.


A three-time winner in England, it was a well-deserved maiden stakes win for Sixties Groove (IRE) who advances his record to 7 wins, 3 seconds and 4 thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $726,536.

Oliver said he rode for luck and got it when he needed it most.

"I've had a few minor placings today and very nice to crack it with a big race like The Brisbane Cup," Oliver said.

"We had to take our medicine early go back and hope to pick our way through.

"He has a good turn of foot for a stayer so I knew if I could ride him cold and produce him at the right time he'd be hard to beat.

"We got some nice runs coming down to the turn and it was a real war with Grey Lion over the closing stages there, but he wanted it more.

"He had strong form lines leading into the race and I think getting to Eagle Farm the bigger track ticked all the boxes.

"He's got a bit of go about him this horse, he pulled up a bit sore near the post so he may need a little spell."

Purchased by Hugo Merry for 80,000 guineas from Book 2 of the 2014 Tattersalls October Sale, Sixties Groove (IRE) is the best of two winners out of the unraced Imperial Dancer mare Gift Dancer who is a half-sister to Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas and Grade 1 Garden City Stakes winner Samitar (Rock Of Gibraltar) who is the dam of the Group III winning Deep Impact colt Danon Chaser who was fourth in the Group 1 NHK Mile at Tokyo.

Sixties Groove becomes the 13th stakes-winner for the Group 1 St Leger winner Sixties Icon (Galileo).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.