Kermadec's Gundec Brave in Bendigo Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday April 2

Purchased online for just $10,000, the Symon Wilde-trained Gundec looked a Derby winner in the making when breaking his maiden in the Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington last September.

Strong win (image Grant Courtney)

He didn’t strike a blow behind Hitotsu in the famous Flemington classic, so a reduction in the distance has seen a revival in his form.

The 3yo son of Kermadc opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Mitchelton Wines Bendigo Guineas (1400m).

Ridden by Joe Bowditch, Gundec kept up a relentless gallop to defeat the So You Think filly Asymmetrical by a half-length, with three-quarters of a length to the Maurice gelding Sharp Response in third.

Advertisement

“We bought him to run in the Derby. He got there, but we did a speed gene test on him and it showed that he might be better, more effective, over shorter trips, and we’ve trained him that way, and he’s been really sharp, Wild said.

“The first-up win was good, I think the favourite was following him but he showed a great turn of foot. Up to 1400 today he took the race by the scruff of the neck and he’s hard to get past.”

“We might just gradually go up in trip, I think there might be something over in Adelaide for him now he’s got a couple of wins and we’ll probably track that way.”

Bred by St Aubins Scone Partnership, Gundec was a $10,000 purchase at the 2020 Inglis August (Early) Online Sale. He was sold privately after impressing at his first two starts in Sydney.

The son of Kermadec is the third named foal and first winner from two to race for the winning Fanstaic Light (IRE) mare Sunup, a half-sister to the talented Paulini (Singspiel), who placed in the Group II AJC Light Fingers Stakes and Group III Silver Shadow Stakes.

Gundec is the most recent foal of Sunup, which was dropped from the official record last year.

Gundec is the third black-type winner for Darley Stud’s dual Group 1 winner Kermadec (Teofilo).

Advertisment

Race Result - Mitchelton Wines Bendigo Gneas LR 1400m

Bendigo Track: Good(4) Time: 1:24.51
1
Gundec
- 3c Kermadec (NZ) x Sunup (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: J Bowditch 59
2
0.5
Asymmetrical
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Akoonah (AUS) (Ready's Image (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
So You Think
3
1.3
Sharp Response
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Marli Magic (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
4
1.5
Chartres
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x The French House (AUS) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Ethan Brown 59
5
1.8
Cardigan Queen
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Queen Of Eight (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 57
6
2.6
Mars Mission
- 3g Deep Field (AUS) x Roulettes (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 59
7
3.6
Prowling
- 3g Wolf Cry (AUS) x Great Dame (AUS) (Danerich (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: J Mott 58
8
3.7
From Pantherland
- 3g Ready For Victory (AUS) x Tycoon Peri (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: C Newitt 58
9
5.9
Airclash
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Crazy Life (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Damien Thornton 58
10
7.2
Hesket
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Hard Rider (NZ) (Maroof (USA))
Tnr: M J Ellerton Rdr: M J Dee 59
11
8.7
Celtic Glory
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Reward For Glory (AUS) (Reward For Effort (AUS))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: Will Price 56
12
10.7
Aktolgali
- 3g Adelaide (IRE) x La Bahia (AUS) (Grey Swallow (IRE))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
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.
Melbourne Cup Winner for Extreme Choice – Rare Slice of History
This year’s $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) produced a genuinely amazing fairytale result for the connections of five year-old Extreme Choice gelding Knight’s Choice, but part of that fairytale is his sire Extreme Choice, who has carved out something seriously special as being only the second sire in history to produce the winner of a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup.
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.
$10,000 Online Purchase Books His Spot in Victoria Derby
The Symon Wilde-trained Gundec booked his spot in the Group 1 Victoria Derby after the son of Kermadec broke his maiden in the Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington on Wednesday.
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.
$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.
Coolmore Announce Euro 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees for their 20 strong European sire roster with three new additions City of Troy (Justify), Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)and Henry Longfellow (Dubawi) and a significant increase for Wootton Bassett, who is currently in Australia.
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.
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.
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.