Breathtaking Performance by Lonhro's Varda

Mark Smith - Saturday May 22

Godolphin’s Lonhro mare Varda staged a remarkable last to first performance in Saturday’s Listed XXXX Chief De Beers Stakes at Doomben.

Ridden patiently by Kerrin McEvoy, Varda looked to be giving the freewheeling Kylease an impossible start with 200 metres left to run.

The James Cummings-trained 4yo sprouted wings to turn inevitable defeat to a comfortable three-quarter of a length triumph. Kylease (Choisir) held on well for second a neck ahead of Mishani Hustler (Exceedingly Good) in third.

Varda looked like a stakes-winner in waiting when reeling off four consecutive wins on heavy tracks in Sydney last winter, but she subsequently finished unplaced in three Listed races.

The daughter of Lonhro advanced her record to six wins and three seconds from 14 starts with earnings of $395,625.

“She has been a bit in the doldrums. She won four in a row last winter,” Cumming said.

“We tried to keep her up with only a brief break in the spring. She ended up looking too good. She performs better when she looks a little mean, the way we had her today.

“We had her very fit. The guys got her ready at Osborne Park this week. Her fitness kicked in with a solid pace today, and she got the job done.”

Varda becomes the first stakes-winner for the top-class racemare Wild Queen whose five stakes wins were highlighted by the Group III  Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

Wild Queen’s first foal Yavanna is a jewel in the Godolphin broodmare band. The daughter of Redoute’s Choice is the dam of Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari and the Listed Lonhro Plate winner Telperion and the stakes-placed winners Valaquenta (Street Boss) and Palurien (Reset).

A half-sister to Group II winner So Gorgeous, the dam of international Group I winning sprinter Sterling City, Wild Queen has a 2yo filly by Kermadec named Steelsheen and a weanling colt by Impending. She was not covered last year.

Varda becomes the 91st stakes-winner for Darley Stud’s veteran Lonhro, who lines up for his 18th season in the spring at a fee of $66,000.

Lonhro (image Mark Smith)

Advertisment

Race Result - XXXX Chief De Beers LR 1110m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:04.51
1
Varda
- 4m Lonhro (AUS) x Wild Queen (AUS) (Loup Sauvage (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
2
0.8
Kylease
- 5m Choisir (AUS) x Lalani (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Ms S Thornton 54
3
1.1
Mishani Hustler
- 5g Exceedingly Good (AUS) x Mishani Sinner (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: M R Du Plessis 55
4
1.2
Zaniah
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Listen Here (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 55
5
1.9
The Astrologist
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Aquada (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Ben Thompson 54
6
2.1
The Odyssey
- 4h Better Than Ready (AUS) x Jessica's Hope (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: James Orman 59
7
2.3
Just Orm
- 7g Falvelon (AUS) x Stay In Honour (AUS) (Honours List (IRE))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ryan Maloney 57.5
8
2.4
Tycoon Ace
- 8g Tycoon Ruler (AUS) x Meg's Ace (AUS) (Buck's Pride (AUS))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: M Cahill 55
9
2.5
Niedorp
- 4m Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Black Tulip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: G Boss 54
10
2.6
Sugar Boom
- 4m Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Acupuncture (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: J Bowman 56
11
3.8
King Of Hastings
- 4g Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Handcut (AUS) (Danerich (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Damian Lane 56.5
12
4.1
Spurcraft
- 7g Jet Spur (AUS) x Carnivale Queen (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Baylee Nothdurft 56.5
13
6.4
California Zimbol
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zimaretto (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
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.
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.
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.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$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.
$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.