A Kiwi Quinella in Sydney Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday April 11

New Zealand can claim the bragging rights after the seven-year-old mare Etah James and the four-year-old Savabeel entire The Chosen One turned back the European challenge in Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

Previously trained by Matt Cumani, Etah James was transferred to part-owner Mark Lupton when she returned too NZ earlier this year. Following a fourth in the Group 1 Auckland Cup when she returned to Australia the daughter of Raise The Flag was sent to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

In a slogging finish, Glen Boss extracted everything Etah James had to offer to hold the challenge of The Chosen One by a long-head with the Sea The Stars gelding Raheen House running a troubled third a further half-length back.Etah James Glen Boss images Steve Hart

Winner of the Group III SAJC Lord Reims Stakes and Listed Packenham Cup, Etah James advances her record to 8 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 30 starts with earnings of $1,226,494.

“It’s not like a wet track where they go in and out. The ground is grabbing them a bit and it’s very testing for them. It’s very very slow. It’s nice to be here with a good book of rides and get the job done.”

Etah James is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the Danasinga mare Etah who is a sister to the dual Group III winner Tickle.

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Etah has a 2yo colt by Alamosa and a filly foal by Raise The Flag (GB). She was covered by US Navy Flag last spring.

The sire of Etah James, Raise The Flag (GB), is proving an exceptional source of stamina

The White Robe Lodge resident is a half-brother to Dansili by  Sadler’s Wells out of the Broodmare of the Year Hasili, the dam of five Group 1 winners including Group 1 Breeder’s Cup winning sisters Banks Hill (Danehill) and Intercontinental (Danehill).

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Race Result - Schweppes Sydney Cup Gr1 3200m

Randwick Track: Heavy(8) Time: 3:28.46
1
Etah James
- 7m Raise The Flag (GB) x Etah (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: G Boss 51.5
2
0.2
The Chosen One
- 4h Savabeel (AUS) x The Glitzy One (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53.5
3
0.7
Raheen House
- 6g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Jumooh (GB) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: B Avdulla 54
4
3.2
Sweet Thomas
- 8g Dylan Thomas (IRE) x Sworn Pro (GER) (Protektor (GER))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Rachel King 51
5
4.0
Mustajeer
- 7g Medicean (GB) x Qelaan (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 57.5
6
4.3
Angel Of Truth
- 4g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Scarletini (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Ms G Markwell Rdr: S Clipperton 53.5
7
6.2
Young Rascal
- 5g Intello (GER) x Rock My Soul (IRE) (Clodovil (IRE))
Tnr: W J Haggas Rdr: T Marquand 56
8
18.1
Gallic Chieftain
- 7h Tamayuz (GB) x Katerini (FR) (Cacique (IRE))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: J R Collett 53.5
9
18.3
Yogi
- 7g Raise The Flag (GB) x Malozza (AUS) (Grand Lodge (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 52.5
10
26.6
Saunter Boy
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Marie Des Fleurs (FR) (Smart Strike (CAN))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Ford 51
11
59.4
Hush Writer
- 5g Rulership (JPN) x Star Of Sapphire (USA) (Tapit (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 54.5
12
66.5
Azuro
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Anthropologie (IRE) (Okawango (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: G Schofield 53.5
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