Maurice colt Namesake Toughs it Out in Oxlade Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday June 10

The honest two-year-old Maurice (JPN) colt Namesake opened his stakes account with a hard-fought victory in the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm.

Namesake hangs on (image Grant Courtney)

Given a ground-saving ride by Mark Zahra, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained colt defeated the $850,000 I Am Invincible colt Heman by a nose with the honest Rich Enuff filly Abounding a half-length back in third.

Namesake made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on April 10 and did not have the rub of the green at his two starts when second at Gosford behind the promising Chrysaor and fourth at Rosehill behind  Celestial Legend.

"The team have done a great job with him," Maher said.

&quo

Advertisement
t;He hasn't had the last couple of races go his way. He drew well today and was always going to get a nice run with a beautiful ride by Mark Zahra.

"He's really maturing through the prep, and I think he'll have a little break now and likely get ready for the spring."

Mark Zahra said it was a timely change of luck.

"He's got a good turn-of-foot, and the last two runs haven't been able to use that," Zahra said

"He drew well, soft run, and the gap came at the right time. He kicked and held on at the end."

A $100,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the flashy chestnut is the second foal and second winner for the Redoute's Choice mare Banksia.

Namesake is an attention grabber (image Grant Courtney)

Shortly after Namesake went through the ring, his brother Bank Maur won the Group III Alister Clark Stakes and Moonee Valley, placed in the Group III Manfred Stakes, and was fourth in The Group 1 Australian Guineas.

Banksia is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and successful sire Foxwedge and Listed winner She's A Fox.

John Warren Bloodstock purchased Banksia for $380,000, on behalf of Arrowfield, from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Namesake a $100,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Kendrick Racing went to $120,000 for a Written Tycoon filly from Banksia consigned by Collingrove Stud to the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Banksia visited Admire Mars (JPN) last spring, having not been served in 2021.

Namesake is the second 2yo stakes winner of the season for Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (JPN) and his 15th stakes winner worldwide. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Nova 106.9 Oxlade Stakes LR 1300m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:16.99
1
Namesake
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Banksia (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 57
2
0.1
Heman
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Nayeli (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
I Am Invincible
3
0.6
Abounding
- 2f Rich Enuff (AUS) x Transonic (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: J R Collett 55
Rich Enuff
4
1.0
Zoukerette
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Walk With Attitude (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 55
5
1.1
Infancy
- 2f Wandjina (AUS) x Childhood (USA) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Craig Williams 55
6
1.5
Queen Of Dragons
- 2f Pierro (AUS) x Entrancing (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tim Clark 55
7
3.0
Bangetta
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Elimbari (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 55
8
4.9
Golden Decade
- 2g Sooboog (AUS) x Sister Emma (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: N Rawiller 57
9
5.2
Isthmus
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Shoals (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M J Dee 55
10
5.7
Mighty
- 2f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Great Dansaar (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
11
9.3
Boom Master
- 2c Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Widow's Walk (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: Justin Huxtable 57
More Reading...
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.
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.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Maurice Colt Namesake Makes Winning Debut
On a day when Maurice (Jpn) had four winners, the star was a two year-old that won on debut.
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.
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.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!