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...
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.
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.
Another Glorious Group One Winner for Holy Roman
Welcomed back to Aquis Farm in Queensland last weekend for another breeding season, world renowned shuttle sire Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) added a 13th Group I winner to his tally in the US on the weekend when Glorious Empire captured the $1million Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga.
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.
Best On Breeding - Hawkesbury
Thursday’s Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury features a descendent of a mare that has a truly remarkable story.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.