Course Record Setting Win May have Earned Kisukano a Break

Mark Smith - Saturday August 29

We have devoted more column inches, with the possible exception of the stewards, to the hugely talented 3yo Bel Esprit filly Kisukano who, despite a course record-breaking win over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday, will likely have her stakes ambitions put on hold for the time being.

Due to her antics at the barriers, Kisukano needed to trial to the satisfaction of stewards before she allowed to take part in Saturday’s race. That she did with the benefit of a stallion chain and blindfold and her all-the-win by one and a quarter lengths over the promising Snitzel gelding Acrobatic to advance her record to six wins from eight starts with earnings of $665,600.

With Mark Du Plessis in the saddle, Kisukano stopped the clock at 01:08.69 breaking the mark of 1:08.76s set by the 5yo gelding Isaurian in December last year.

The Michael Nolan-trained filly remains the only horse to date to defeat the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes hero Rothfire, which she did by two lengths in the $500,000 Aquis QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 14.

The original intention was for Kisukano to head south to Sydney for the spring carnival however Nolan was sounding more inclined to give the daughter of Bel Esprit a break following her fourth start this preparation   

A homebred for the Reeves family, Kisukano is the first foal of the Show a Heart mare  Kiss For Gran who is a sister to the dam of the Listed SAJC CS Hayes Memorial Cup winner Over Exposure and a three-quarter sister to the stakes-placed Show A Prince and a half-sister to Listed GCTC Silk Stocking Hcp winner Princess Margaret.

The ageless Bel Esprit featured as a sire and broodmare sire on Saturday

Nolan went back to this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale to purchase Kisukano’s half-sister by Better Than Ready for $115,000.

Kiss For Gran had a rest in 2019 after foaling a colt by Rothesay.

Sun Stud stalwart Bel Esprit featured in another capacity on Saturday as the sire of the dam of the unbeaten Snitzel gelding Immortal Love who defeated a star-studded field in the Group III H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield to keep his record at a perfect three for three.

Bel Esprit will stand at the value fee of $7,700 in 2020.

Advertisment

Race Result - Gallopers Sports Club Plate 1200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:08.69
1
Kisukano
- 3f Bel Esprit (AUS) x Kiss For Gran (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: M G Nolan Rdr: M R Du Plessis 53
2
1.3
Acrobatic
- 3g Snitzel (AUS) x Emotional Circus (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ryan Maloney 55
MM Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale $0
Seller: Symphony Lodge, Oakey, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer:
MM Gold Coast National Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Highgrove Stud, Darling Downs, Qld
Buyer:
3
2.6
Mishani Fraudster
- 3g Jet Spur (AUS) x Mishani Sinner (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: James Orman 55
MM Gold Coast National Yearling Sale $8,000
Seller: KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer: Mishani Enterprises
4
3.2
Safework
- 3g Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Ossie's Secret (AUS) (Red Dazzler (AUS))
Tnr: S J Morrisey Rdr: J Byrne 55
5
4.0
Clairvue Star
- 3g Sebring (AUS) x Missy Longstocking (AUS) (Sequalo (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M Cahill 55
6
5.5
I'mtwentyfourseven
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Our Miss Bossy (AUS) (Street Boss (USA))
Tnr: K R Kemp Rdr: A Mallyon 55
7
6.7
Sing For Violet
- 3f Mahisara (AUS) x Silent Song (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P J Fleming Rdr: Ben Thompson 53
8
7.5
Simply Fly
- 3c Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Express Air (AUS) (Piccolo (GB))
Tnr: R G Lipp Rdr: R Fradd 55
9
13.5
Master Red
- 3g Wandjina (AUS) x Hidden Jewel (AUS) (Hidden Dragon (AUS))
Tnr: Jon Walk Rdr: Luke Tarrant 55
More Reading...
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Bel Esprit's Kisukano Heads to Sydney With Half a Million in the Bank
What a ripping filly Kisukano is. The two-year-old daughter of Bel Esprit confirmed her rating at the best of her sex in the Sunshine State with another flawless performance in Saturday’s Bruce McLachlan Classic QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap at the Sunshine Coast.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
A Bit of a Headache but Kisukano is Very Very Good
Kisukano must have been close to wearing out her welcome with the starter before the running of Saturday’s Tab Long May We Play Hcp (1200m) at Eagle Farm, however consenting to take her place in the barriers proved the only worry for her supporters.