Aqlaam's Alward Earns a Belated Stakes Win

Mark Smith - Saturday November 30

With nearly half the field it was no surprise to see a Chris Waller runner claim Saturday’s Listed ATC Cup (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens and it was the connections of the favoured Alward (IRL) who took home the trophy.

Given a peach of a ride by Hugh Bowman, Alward (IRL) struck the front inside the 300 metres and was untroubled to defeat his stablemate Black Gold (Sebring) by one and three-quarter lengths with the Joe Pride-trained Tamarack (Redwood) a short-half-head back in third.

Two years back Alward (IRE) raced through his classes with four wins in five starts but it’s been lean pickings since. He has shown improved form since sent to Waller’s Gold Coast stable and was coming off a win over 2000 metres at Doomben.

"It has been a while between drinks but he found winning form in Queensland and has come down in great condition," Waller told AAP.

"He arrived earlier this week and obviously the team up there do a pretty good job.

"The change of scenery for the horse just keeps them interested and Hugh Bowman gave him a beautiful ride.

Waller said he favoured the Summer Cup (2000m) on Boxing Day for Alward (IRE) rather than the Christmas Cup (2400m).

Advertisement

"I'd like to keep him around the same distance so I'm thinking the Summer Cup," he said.

"There is the Christmas Cup in two weeks but I don't really think he gets 2400m.

The 7yo gelding advances his record to 8 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 39 starts with earnings of $619,027.

Alward (IRE) is the best of four winners from five to race out of the winning Pivotal mare Sharedah who is a three-quarter sister to the stakes winner Laraaib and a half-sister to Maraahel (Alzao) who won two runnings of the Group II Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Alward (IRE) becomes the seventh stakes-winner for Shadwell Stud’s short-lived Oasis Dream stallion Aqlaam.

Advertisment

Race Result - Atc Cup LR 2000m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 2:03.44
1
Alward
- 7g Aqlaam (GB) x Sharedah (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 56
2
1.8
Black On Gold
- 6g Sebring (AUS) x Fools Gold (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
Sebring
3
1.9
Tamarack
- 6g Redwood (GB) x Our Squeezer (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: C Reith 54
4
2.1
Taikomochi
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Geisha (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
5
2.2
High Bridge
- 9g Monsun (GER) x Ameerat (GB) (Mark Of Esteem (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Ford 53.5
6
2.3
Emperor's Way
- 6g Roman Emperor (NZ) x Laylia (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Rachel King 55
7
3.1
Naval Warfare
- 6g Born To Sea (IRE) x Three Days In May (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: G Schofield 54
8
3.2
Morton's Fork
- 6g Ad Valorem (USA) x Dilemmas (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: N Rawiller 55
9
5.7
Tumultuous
- 6g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Boisterous Lady (AUS) (Rivotious (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: O Orr 56.5
10
5.9
House Of Cartier
- 4m Alamosa (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: B Avdulla 53.5
11
6.1
Artarmon
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Aljumar (IRE) (Marju (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 53
12
14.5
Admire Winner
- 6g Workforce (GB) x Song Bird (JPN) (Dance In The Dark (JPN))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
13
21.8
Grey Lion
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Grey Lilas (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 59
More Reading...
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.