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...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
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.
One to Watch Confirms Potential in Town
Highlighted as a Breednet ‘One to Watch’ when bolting in on debut at Echuca last month, Godolphin runner Esperance looked the goods again when cruising clear for an easy win at Sandown on Wednesday.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
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.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
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.
Knight's Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.