Fiorente's Apulia Impresses in Moonee Valley Vase

Mark Smith - Saturday October 28

With the retirement of the Fiorente (IRE) stalwart Lunar Flare after her fourth in Friday night’s Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup, the baton has been handed to the 3-year-old colt Apulia, who stormed to victory in Saturday’s Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Promising young stayer (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Mark Zahra for Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, Apulia overpowered the pacesetting Justify gelding Verdad by two lengths with another son of Justify (USA), Air Assault a further one and a half lengths back in third.

In opening his stakes account, the 3-year-old son of Fiorente advances his record to two wins and three seconds from eight starts with earnings of $415,875.

Apulia was backing up seven days after finishing fourth in the Group III Caulfield Classic.

“He really appreciated the quick back-up. He was on the back of a slow pace and he was doing a few things wrong.

“He’s a big, strong colt and he was really tough today. A ten-out-of-ten ride from Mark Zahra.”

“We bred him and race him in conjunction with the Garretts, which is such a huge result.

“We’ll see how he is. He’s a big, strong colt and I dare say he’ll back up again.”

“The horse was on his best behaviour. He must have known the big boss was here today, as we all do. He got his manners perfect. When Dad’s around, we have to be on our best behaviour.”

Mark Zahra said it all fell into place.

“It was a good run last start. In a smallish field and a better barrier, I was able to lob in the right spot,” Zahra said.

Derby next? (image Grant Courtney)

“That was his third run in three weeks and he picked up quick when I needed him to. I needed him to get around the other horse, and he got around them quickly and could join them on the turn.

“I felt I let Zac (Purton on Koning) take me as far as I could. All of these horses were up to the 2000 (metres) for the first time. You factor that in as well.

“But I reckon I won it from the 600 to the 300 with his turn-of-foot.”

Bred by Meadowvale Pastoral and Revelstone Stud, Apulia races for the Garrett family’s Revelstone Stud and Lindsay Park Bloodstock.

He is the first foal of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Giannarelli, a half-sister to Group II Queensland Guineas third Spot The Rock (Fastnet Rock) out of the stakes-placed Fasliyev (USA) mare Can’t Hackit a great-granddaughter of AJC Oaks heroine Just Now.

Giannarell has a 2yo filly by Pride Of Dubai, a yearling filly by Nicconi and was covered by Nicconi last spring.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Drummond Golf Vase Gr2 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:04.36
1
Apulia
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Giannarelli (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 57
Fiorente
2
2
Verdad
- 3g Justify (USA) x Whistle Baby (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Beau Mertens 57
Justify
3
3.5
Air Assault
- 3g Justify (USA) x Elegant Eagle (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: A J Gluyas Rdr: Damian Lane 57
Justify
4
6.5
Bulawayo
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Sense In The City (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: R Mc Leod 57
5
7.3
Sunsource
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Patricia Dawn (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: O P Bosson 57
6
9.3
Koning
- 3c Kingman (GB) x Patsy Boyne (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: Z Purton 57
7
21.3
Mah Ali
- 3f More Than Ready (USA) x Demanding Miss (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Benjamin Smith Rdr: Ms W Costin 55
8
22
Esskay
- 3g Real Steel (JPN) x Lacey Lonhbreak (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: J Mott 57
More Reading...
Star Turn's Beauty Destiny On Fire in HK
The penny has well and truly dropped for Star Turn’s Beauty Destiny, winning his fourth race in five starts at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Stakes Goals Now For Promising Pride Of Dubai Filly
Promising Pride Of Dubai filly Sun ‘N’ Sand will tackle stakes grade at her next start after winning the Casino Canberra Canberra Guineas Preview at Canberra on Friday.
About Time Chasing G3 Avondale Cup - Half-Brother for Inglis Easter
The Lance Noble-trained About Time will be rewarded for her consistent run of form with a tilt at stakes level for the first time in more than a year when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.
Star mares confirmed among early entries for Chairman's Sale
Entries for the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale – a world class boutique auction for elite breeding stock – are now open.
Bargain Hellbent Filly Heading For Black Type
Legendary trainer Les Bridge can make something special out of a horse and will likely tackle stakes grade with his up and coming bargain Hellbent filly Scintilla after making it three in a row on Wednesday.
Breeders Cup Turf Mile Winner To Stand At Yulong In 2025
Yulong is delighted to announce the acquisition of G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner More Than Looks, who will join their Victorian roster in 2025.
Apulia Targets Victoria Derby
Six lengths second to Veight in a 1200m maiden when on debut at Pakenham in February, Apulia closed the gap to two lengths behind the high-class son of Grunt in the Group II VRC Sire’s Produce Stakes at Flemington on March 11. That’s handy form for a 1500m maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday, and the son of Fiorente (IRE) got the job done with minimal fuss.
Playing God Youngster Sets Colt Record in Perth
The all time record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale was broken on Thursday with a youngster by Playing God topping proceedings when selling for $450,000.
New Record Priced Colt Early at MM Perth
A new record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling was set early on Day One which was also a new record for a colt by his sire Playing God.
Breednet on Tour – All Things Cambridge Stud
When my daughter Jasmine was given the task of taking Konasana to New Zealand by her boss Chris Waller it was originally proposed as a likely 10 day trip, but when the Dundeel mare won the $500,000 Group II Westbury Stud Classic on Karaka Million night, plans changed and long story short, Jasmine is still there and will be until next month so I’ve grabbed the opportunity for a working holida