Duca Valentinois Captures Mumm Stakes in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Saturday June 22

In a slogging finish to Saturday's Listed GH Mumm Stakes (1820m) at Eagle Farm, Godolphin's import Duca Valentinois (IRE) earned his first win in over a year.

Responding to hard riding from Tim Clark after receiving a cosy run on the rail, gradually overhauled the Kris Lees-trained Take It Intern (IRE) to win by a half-head with Chris Waller-trained Another Dollar a short-half-head back in third. (image Racing Queensland)

Advertisement


Winless in 12 starts since the Group III Lord Mayors Cup at Doomben in May last year, the James Cummings-trained son of Holy Roman Emperor (IRL) advances his record to 8 wins, 7 seconds and 4 thirds from 47 starts with earnings of $703,244.

"We thought the horse was in winning form his last four starts and getting Tim Clark on last start for a narrow second and a win today is just rewards," Cummings said.

"Tim really held his nerve on him today, he was sweating on a run and it was great to see him have that desire to the line once he got out.

"He's shot up in the ratings and he's another great example of an imported horse that's come over and done well.

"He has excuses once he gets up in the ratings, but he's carried weight well in the past at the Scone Cup and The Lord Mayor's Cup at weight for age and has added a listed win at the Queensland carnival now."

It was the fourth stakes win for Duca Valentinois (IRE) who is a son of the former shuttler Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) (image Mark Smith ) out of the Fruits Of Love mare Love Valentine who is a half-sister to Salsa Brava (Almutawakel) who placed in the Group II York Lowther Stakes and Group II Newmarket Cherry Hinton Stakes.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Best On Breeding - Hawkesbury
Thursday’s Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury features a descendent of a mare that has a truly remarkable story.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Group Double for Holy Roman Emperor
What a shame Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) will not be returning to Aquis Farm this year as he had a red-letter day at The Curragh on Saturday with Romanised winning the Group II Minstrel Stakes while the 2yo colt Roman Turbo keeping his record at a perfect two for two in the Group III Anglesey Stakes.
One to Watch – Sha Tin
A full brother to a Group I winner, this promising two year-old has won two of three starts and appears to have many more wins in store.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Top Sales for Holy Roman
Some very good stallions always seem undervalued by the local marketplace and one of those is high class shuttler Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), who had two youngsters offered and both sold at the NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YO’s this week for $240,000 and $200,000.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.