Oz Empress Toughs it Out in Moloney Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday September 23

A close-up fifth behind Charm Stone in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes proved the perfect appetizer for the Exceed And Excel filly Oz Empress to open her stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Down Syndrome Victoria Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Pocket rocket Oz Empress (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Winona Costin for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Oz Empress made the running in the typical take-no-prisoners fashion of the stable.

On tired legs in the closing stages, the daughter of Exceed And Excel staved off the Spirit Of Boom filly  De Sonic Boom by three-quarters of a length, with the Pierro filly Poifect the same distance back in third.

With her stakes breakthrough, Oz Empress advances her record to two wins, a second, and a third from six starts with earnings of $180,975.

“I’m sure Gai is at home watching this, and likewise Adrian back in Sydney. It was a beautiful watch, a brilliant ride by Winona,”stable representative Emma Coleman said.

“It took a lot of catching from the others to get up to her. It was a beautiful ride, and I’m delighted that she got that win.

“I think she ran a great race first-up to come second and then in the Atlantic Jewel it was a pretty solid race from her to finish fifth and I think the fitness on side and the 1400 metres today proved the making of her. I’m delighted for all her connections.

“I will leave it in the capable hands of Gai and Adrian, but I think if we could win a Guineas with her. We would be absolutely delighted, so we will see how she pulls up and have a chat with the team.”

Oz Empress strikes a pose (image Grant Courtney)

Winona Costin said she has a connection with the family.

“She jumped nicely from the barriers and just urged her along to retain the lead, and once we got there, she got into a nice rhythm. She gave such a good kick at the top of the straight and she was so tough late.”

A homebred for Tony Bott’s Evergreen Rich, Oz Empress is a sister to Group III-placed winner Key, who sold at last year’s National Broodmare Sale for $1,100,000 when carrying a Frankel (GB) colt.

Oz Empress is the fourth winner from as many to race for the Randwick winner Vanilla Princess.

A daughter of Lonhro and Princess Coup, Vanilla Princess is a half-sister to the dual Group III winning Frankel filly Argentia and the talented Redoute’s Choice sprinter Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), a Group III winner in Hong Kong.

The 4-time Group 1 winner and $3.8 million earner Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) was a $3,000,000 purchase for e Thoroughbreds at the 2009 National Broodmare Sale.

Rosana Thanos shelled out $50,000 for an American Pharoah colt from Vanilla Princess consigned by Evergreen Stud Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

After foaling a Farnan filly last spring, Vanilla Princess was covered by Snitzel.

Oz Empress is stakes-winner 211 for Darley Stud’s flagship stallion Exceed And Excel. 

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Race Result - Down Syndrome Victoria Jim Moloney Stakes LR 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.32
1
Oz Empress
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Vanilla Princess (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Ms W Costin 56
2
0.8
De Sonic Boom
- 3f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Demasheen (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: D Moor 58.5
Spirit Of Boom
3
1.6
Poifect
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Without Exception (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 56
Pierro
4
1.8
Aprilia
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x Miss Avalon (IRE) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Fred W Kersley 56
5
1.9
Amazonian Lass
- 3f More Than Ready (USA) x Dynastic Lady (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
6
2.1
Subrising
- 3f Needs Further (AUS) x Grisbi's Run (AUS) (Savoire Vivre (GB))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: R Downey 56
7
2.2
Zoukerette
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Walk With Attitude (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 57.5
8
2.9
Chill The Krug
- 3f Shalaa (IRE) x Earth Angel (AUS) (Animal Kingdom (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 56
9
3.4
Coco Sun
- 3f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Miss Hufflepuff (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: H Coffey 57.5
10
3.5
Treasurway
- 3f Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Miss Toorak Flyer (AUS) (Toorak Toff (AUS))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Jamie Kah 58.5
11
3.6
Dolphin Skin
- 3f Telperion (AUS) x Tempo Manor (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Craig Williams 57.5
12
3.8
Stellar Mofeed
- 3f Akeed Mofeed (GB) x X Star (USA) (Pulpit (USA))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56
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