More Stakes Success for Rip Van Winkle 6YO Germanicus

Media Release - Saturday April 2

Enigmatic galloper Germanicus was back to his best when he produced an irresistible finish to take out the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

The Danica Guy-trained son of Rip Van Winkle, who finished sixth in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki at his last start back in February, appreciated the strong pace throughout the race and loomed into contention for rider Taiki Yanagida rounding the home turn.

Taiki Yanagida gets the best out of Germanicus to win the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni  Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

Advertisement

A wall of horses stretched across the track at the 250m but Yanagida had Germanicus fully wound up as he headed the well-favoured Brando in the final 100m to take the win with Miss Cartier charging home late to snatch third from Belclare.

Sent out at odds of better than $34, Germanicus rewarded Guy’s faith in him after his wayward tendencies had seen him strike trouble in a number of his starts since his last victory in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) back in January 2020.

“He always tries hard but is a horse that is always unlucky as he gets himself into awkward situations,” Guy said.

“There is so much relief to see him do that today.

“I’ve been trying to get him to the races lately but the tracks have been so wet. I really have to thank my owners as they have been so patient and trusted me.

“There was a question mark dropping him back in distance today, but he has been working enormous to be fair.

“He needs pace on in front to take some of the bad luck out of the equation and he got that today.”

The victory was the fifth for the six-year-old from just 28 starts and takes his stakes earnings to over $167,000. He is a son of Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner St Germaine, who also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
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.
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.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Knights 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.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.