Kiwi Trained Mares Renew Rivalry in G1 William Reid

Media Release - Tuesday March 21

All Too Hard mare Babylon Berlin will be out to shed her perennial bridesmaid tag when she heads to The Valley on Friday for the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m).

Babylon Berlin is chasing G1 success in Australia on Friday night - image Trish Dunell

The mare has finished runner-up in her three Group One assignments this year, two of which were taken out by Saturday race rival Imperatriz.

She returned to her winning ways last start when demolishing her rivals in the Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m) by seven lengths at Te Rapa earlier this month and looks to be on song for this weekend’s assignment.

Advertisement

The mare worked alongside the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained A Case Of You at Moonee Valley on Monday morning and trainer Ben Foote was pleased with what he saw.

"I couldn't have been happier with her gallop. She likes to run a bit and she left the other horse behind," Foote told Racing.com.

"You could say I was happy with her work and also with the track, which will suit her.

"She was really strong to the line and Fred Kersley rode her. He thought she's going really well."

Foote said he has eyed the Melbourne trip with his mare for some time, particularly given her key Kiwi rivals’ success in Australia, having measured up against the likes of Roch ‘N’ Horse, Levante, Imperatriz and Entriviere.

"She's right up to them and it's a bit enticing coming to Moonee Valley, which should suit her style of on-speed racing," he said.

"She was always going to come over for this race. Mares like her have been measuring up in Australia and there's nothing left for her in New Zealand, so the only option was to come over here.”

Following Friday’s assignment, Babylon Berlin will head to Perth where she will run in the A$4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse next month. - NZ RAcing Desk 

Visit the profile page for All Too Hard

All Too Hard in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
$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.
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.
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.
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.
All Too Hard Mare Overdue for G1 Win
Cambridge horseman Ben Foote was left disappointed following Babylon Berlin’s head defeat to glamour mare Imperatriz in this year’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and he is hoping she can go one better in the sprinting feature at Pukekohe on Monday.
More Stakes Success for All Too Hard's Babylon Berlin
Quality sprinter Babylon Berlin put her recent bridesmaid tag well behind her when she bolted home in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Kings Plate (1200m).
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.
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.
All Too Hard Mare on G1 Path
Babylon Berlin was the bridesmaid behind Imperatriz and Levante in the feature sprints last season and trainers Ben and Ryan Foote are hoping it is now her time to earn her elite-level crown.