One to Watch – Echuca

Tara Madgwick - Thursday July 27
It was only a juvenile maiden at Echuca, but this Godolphin homebred gapped them by eight lengths and ran more than a second and a half faster than the two other maiden races at the same trip.

BernardiniPrepared by James Cummings, two year-old Bernardini (USA) gelding Esperance stalked the leader and shot away down the running to win the 1100 metre scamper as he pleased.

While the other two maiden races run over this distance were juvenile maidens, this one was also for older horses and Esperance gave them a galloping lesson.

Esperance is a half-brother to Group II winner Obsequious and is the third winner from Commands mare Sycophant, who was on-sold by Darley at the 2015 Inglis Broodmare Sale for $30,000.

Darley shuttler Bernardini (USA) has had sporadic success in Australia with multiple Group I winner Boban his best local representative.

Bernardini did not shuttle to Darley last spring and his final small crop of foals will be yearlings of 2018.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Bernardini Double in South Africa
Two Australian bred sons of former Darley shuttler Bernardini (USA) saluted at the Greyville meeting in South Africa on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 21
Here is the full list of 95 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Verdi's Gritty Goldman wins Pakenham Cup
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday.
Little Brose to Stand at Little Avondale
Arguably there is no better stallion making race in Australasia than Victoria's only Gr.1 event for two-year-olds, the Blue Diamond Stakes, and when you add the hottest bloodline in the Southern Hemisphere to the mix, you have an exciting stallion prospect. 
Godolphin Debut Winner Impresses
Bernardini (USA) has not shuttled to Australia since 2015, but he is the sire of juvenile debut winner Couvre Lit, who saluted at Warwick Farm on Wednesday for James Cummings.
Stakes Racing Catalogue Updates Last Week
A dozen stakes updates in the past week into catalogues for yearlings coming up.
Zoustar Mare Wins for Te Akau - Half-Brother for K1
Consistent sprinting mare Egyptian Queen was rewarded for a string of solid performances at Te Rapa on Saturday, powering away with the Lodge Real Estate 1200.
Aussie 2YO Stakes-Winner in South Africa
The Listed Devon Air Stakes at Greyville on Sunday was won by two year-old Bernardini (USA) filly Firdoas, a homebred for Shadwell that was foaled and raised at Yarraman Park.
Hong Kong Summed Up - Dec 22 - Brave Smash Winning Double
A double for Brave Smash, including a new winner, also new winners for Hellbent and Kermadec, and three yearling catalogue updates amongst seven Australasian bred winners at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Four MM Lead Ups for Icarian Dream - what are the stats?
Two-year-old filly Icarian Dream’s win in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday will see her head into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic having had four starts before year’s end, which might seem a lot in this day and age – but is it? We’ve had a look.