Walk In The Park for Camelot's Saracen Knight in Ansett Classic

Mark Smith - Saturday September 24

Fresh off her Group 1 triumph with Coolangatta in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, Jamie Kah was near unstoppable at Mornington on Saturday with five wins, including the days feature, the Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m).

So easy for Saracen Knight (image Jay Town/Racing Photos)

This was no ordinary win. It was a two and three-quarter length romp for the Danny O’Brien-trained Saracen Knight (IRE).

Sent off favourite, the sprightly 8yo son of Camelot (IRE) defeated Verimli (FR) (Born To See) with Harmysian (GB) a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

“The speed was hot, I got into a nice spot and rhythm,” Kah told racing.com.

Advertisement

“It was a little bit tricky to get out, but once he was out, he had a great turn of foot for a stayer that has probably been a bit dour in his past few starts.

“He (Verimli) was quite a way in front, but the feel my boy gave me, he was always going to win. He had a great turn of foot, and he could have gone another lap.”

A €230,000 purchase for MV Magnier from the Whitehall Stud consignment at the 2016 Goffs Orby Sale, Saracen Knight (IRE) advances his record to five wins, one second, and four thirds from 24 starts, with earnings of $391,455.

He is the best of two winners from three to race out of the Raven’s Pass mare Za'Hara, a half-sister to Grad 1 Arlington Millions winner Debussy (Diesis) and Group III winner Laugh Aloud (Dubawi).

Saracen Knight (IRE) is the 52nd stakes winner for the one-season Coolmore shuttler Camelot (IRE).

Camelot (image Mark Smith)

 

Advertisment

Race Result - R.M. Ansett Classic LR 2400m

Mornington Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:31.95
1
Saracen Knight
- 8g Camelot (GB) x Za'hara (IRE) (Raven's Pass (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jamie Kah 54
2
2.8
Verimli
- 7g Born To Sea (IRE) x Verriya (FR) (Zamindar (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: A Darmanin 54
3
6.6
Harmysian
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Adja (IRE) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: J Noonan 54
4
6.7
Port Guillaume
- 6g Le Havre (IRE) x Keira (FR) (Turtle Bowl (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 54
5
6.8
Impulsar
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Propel (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 54
6
6.9
King Of The Castle
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
7
7.9
The Good Fight
- 8g High Chaparral (IRE) x Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 57.5
8
11.1
Tigertiger
- 7g Zed (NZ) x Hoorang (NZ) (Zerpour (IRE))
Tnr: R J Blacker Rdr: B Higgins 57.5
9
13.9
Irish Flame
- 8g Zed (NZ) x Fleur De L'orient (NZ) (Thunder Gulch (USA))
Tnr: Brett Scott Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57.5
10
23.9
Swelter Magic
- 5m Ghibellines (AUS) x Swelter (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 54
More Reading...
Te Akau Select Damask Rose for NZB Kiwi Slot
The owners of Damask Rose have been given a late Christmas present, with Te Akau Racing selecting the exciting filly to represent their slot in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8.
$10million Winx Filly Named
Debbie Kepitis and her family have spent months pondering on what to call the most expensive yearling ever sold in Australia and the Pierro filly from Winx will start 2025 with a name.
Smart Win for Damask Rose Sister
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh light heartedly suggested he was still waiting for his Christmas presents prior to racing commencing at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but didn’t take long to fill his stocking with Provence taking out the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1400m).
Expensive Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus on Boxing Day
The most expensive yearling sold by Torryburn Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale was a lovely Exceed and Excel filly from Group I winner Dixie Blossoms that caught the eye of Godolphin and was secured for $900,000.
Kiwi Bred Winner Kicks Off Caulfield Boxing Day
The Matthew Williams-trained Unseen Ruler came from well back in the field to prevail in the Dennis Hanrahan Handicap (1800m) at Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day as the five-year-old gelding notched his fifth career victory.
Saracen Knight Dominant in Herbert Power
Danny O’Brien’s Saracen Knight (IRE) is in the form of his life, which may have connections regretting his absence from the nominations for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday December 24
Here is the full list of 9 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Kiwi Slot Possible for Centennial Park- Half-Sister K1
A hard-fought victory at the Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day by promising three-year-old Centennial Park, could be a precursor to a lucrative feature across the Tasman and has also brought a timely pedigree update for his half-sister to be offered by Wentwood Grange at Karaka Book 1.
Yes Yes Yes Promising Double on Boxing Day
Champion trainer Chris Waller prepared quality three year-old colt Yes Yes Yes to win the Everest in 2019 and got a Boxing Day reward from the young sire with a pair of promising three year-old maiden winners that saluted within half an hour of each other at Randwick and Newcastle and one of them is the last foal of a celebrated blue hen.
Unraced Trial Report - Smoke on the Horizon
There is always a flurry of trial activity all around Australia before the frenzy of Christmas and New Year racing so it’s worth a look at the Breednet unraced trial report to see what first season sires have some smoke on the horizon that could well turn into fire.