Ciaron Maher's remarkable spring continued Another prophet declared herself a top-class filly with victory in the Thousand Guineas (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse on November 16, giving the trainer his first victory in the race and his 50th Group 1 success.
The daughter of Brazen Beau was denied by Chris Waller coach Aelia last time out in the Carbine Club Stakes (G3) at Flemington, but finally put that three-length defeat behind him and returned to form in Saturday's AU$1.5 million classic.
The AU$31 chance held off Waller's speedy AU$3.20 favorite and crossed the finish line about half a length ahead of Aeliana ridden by Ethan Brown, who was riding his fifth Group 1 winner and fourth for Maher. The winner of the Thousand Guineas Prelude (G2). Too damn Lizzie achieved a game performance, another 1 1/4 lengths behind in third place.
ANOTHER PROPHET prevailed midway through the stretch and held off Aeliana to win the $1,500,000 Thousand Guineas (G1) at Caulfield. @cmaherracing trained the filly from Brazen Beau (@DarleyAus), @Brown_ethan8 was in a fix.
Bet on Behind schedule Pick 3: https://t.co/P85jVlpptu pic.twitter.com/cdGmaut7Wl
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 16, 2024
It was the second win of the filly's seven-start career – her first since her maiden win at Sale in May – and became the 16th Group winner and fourth Group 1 winner for her stable, The Everest (G1) this season. and Caulfield achieved Cup (G1) doubles across the map courtesy of Lovely granddaughter And Duke of Sessa October 19th. The coach's other elite win this season came courtesy of Southport tycoon's victory in the Manikato Stakes (G1) at Moonee Valley in September.
Sign in Blood horse Daily
“We thought there was a little bit of improvement from her after her last run and she actually performed at a high level in her last start, which gave us confidence going forward,” Maher said. “Of course it was quite a blast, but that was the science behind it. She's been successful (since Flemington) and as I said when I left, 'I think we can win this.'
“I was confident the whole time. I wanted her to put her head down after the first eighth of a mile or so. When I saw her nose drop I thought, 'We're in business'.”
Brown said it all came down to the script.
“She always had good skills and certainly with the right coach,” he said. “I think she just moved on. She made a nice throw early on, which I was a little worried about. But as Ciaron said, once she put her head down, she progressed well, settled in beautifully and showed her true colors today.”
bivouac was purchased by James Bester for AU$250,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year. Set to Skelter gave birth to a filly by Darley Shuttler Harry Angel in September.
Captured by Love Superb in NZ Thousand Guineas
The emerging rivalry between thrilling fillies Alabama girls And Captured by love returned to the latter when she produced a standout performance in the Modern Zealand One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Riccarton on 16 November.
The Matamata-trained stars met for the first time in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (G2) at their home track in February, where Captured by Love beat Alabama Lass by 1 3/4 lengths.
That was the only loss from his first five career starts for Alabama Lass, who has three blowout victories this spring, including the Gold Trail Stakes (G3) at Hastings and last month's Soliloquy Stakes (G2) at Ellerslie. In the Gold Trail, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly reversed the Matamata Breeders' Stakes result with a three-quarter victory over Captured by Love.
The equal pair traveled to Riccarton on Saturday with a score of 1-1 heading into the prestigious NZ$550,000 Classic. Alabama Lass was sent in as favorite at AU$2.20, followed by Captured by Love at AU$4.30, but it was the Te Akau Racing chestnut that beat the all-important Group 1.
Visiting Australian jockey Josh Parr found a midfield spot in sixth and a spot outside the rail with Captured by Love, while Alabama Lass took her expected top position and enjoyed a few basic stretches on the edge of the track.
The field came out to the middle of the Riccarton strip on the home turn and looked for better footing on the Soft7 surface. Parr decided to take Captured by Love closer to the rail again and dived at the 300 meter mark quick on the inside of Alabama Let up.
Alabama Lass saw her nemesis coming and prevailed again in a courageous top performance, but Captured by Love pushed past her in the final 100 meters and took a clear victory. Alabama Lass took second place, while the more subdued Movin' Out stormed home from last place to take third place in just the third race of her career.
“It feels great to win a Group 1 race in Modern Zealand,” said Parr. “Two years ago I came to this carnival to race for Te Akau and that day didn’t go well as the racing was cancelled.
“In the middle to three quarters of the way out the track is ideal, but halfway in it became more open so I took the shortcut. We stayed next to the favorite and she was the stronger filly.”
“The Te Akau team have been great for me in the past and they make a huge contribution both here and in Australia.”
It's Group 1 glory for @joshuaparr8 Captured By Love chases Alabama Lass to win the Modern Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton! 👏 @LOVERACINGNZ @TeAkauRacing pic.twitter.com/hiT4Xaw8FL
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 16, 2024
Captured by Love was purchased by Te Akau Racing director David Ellis from the Milburn Creek Draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year for AU$525,000. The Written tycoon The filly has now had ten starts with five wins and five placings, earning AU$703,435 for the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies' Breeding Syndicate.
“It was a great win,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “Congratulations to our race director Reece Trumper for retaining the services of Josh Parr.”
“It could have gotten ugly at the top of the straight, but Group 1 jockeys make Group 1 decisions and Josh had a nice pass on the inside.”
Captured by Love became the seventh One Thousand Guineas winner for Te Akau.
