breednet.com.au

Animal Kingdom's Wild Planet Earns First Stakes Win

Mark Smith - Saturday October 6

Runner-up in Listed races at Moonee Valley and Flemington, Wild Planet broke his maiden at his most recent start at Ballarat then went back to back when overcoming a wide run in Saturday's Listed Antler Luggage Stakes (Poseidon Stakes) (1400m) at Flemington.

Ridden by Dwyane Dunn for team Hawkes, the son of Animal Kingdom (USA) defeated the tragically unlucky favourite Ranier (Lonhro) by a head with Khulaasa (Epaulette) a long-head back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)


"I was three wide with no cover but had Hughie (Hugh Bowman on Ranier) where I needed him. I just had to keep him balanced and save him for one last surge," Dunn said.

"He's still got plenty of improvement fitness wise and has a bright future."

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said he had all but given up shortly after the field jumped.

"He was three and four deep with no cover and after they went two hundred metres I half looked away and thought we are gone here," Hawkes said.

"He rode him the best he could. He didn't panic and crept up and crept up and when he came around the corner he held him for as long as he could before he went for him. He had every chance to be beaten and it was a gutsy win.

"He had a hard run so I don't know where he will go next. The Caulfield Guineas is next Saturday and he is still in it but I don't know if you back up after a hard run today but you never know.

"The Carbine Club here at Flemington or put him in the paddock and bring him back for an Australian Guineas, we just don't know yet "

Purchased by Hawkes Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Planet is the third foal and first winner for the Redoute's Choice mare Salutations who is a daughter of Group II winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory's Jester).

Salutations had a Dundeel colt at this year's Easter Yearling Sale that also made $280,000, this time to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock.

After having a Dundeel filly last spring, Salutations was bred back to Animal Kingdom (USA) but slipped.

Wild Planet becomes the sixth stakes-winner for Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom (USA) who did not return to Arrowfield Stud this year.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Skybird Flies in Tobin Bronze
Out of luck in two starts since kick-starting her career with three wins culminating in the Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Classic, Skybird burst back into the winner’s circle in Saturday’s Group II Sportsbet Tobin Bronze Stakes at Morphettville and earned a likely shot at the Group 1 Goodwood on May 18.
More Group Success for Apostrophe
If Apostrophe has run her final race, the talented mare signed off on a successful career in style with a powerful finish to capture the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Winning Rupert Mare Seonee Salutes in G2 Queen Of The South Stakes
The 5yo Winning Rupert mare Seonee has won two stakes races in as many starts at Morphettville, the latest coming in Saturday’s $250,000 Group II Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m).
Aussie Angel Wins Derby
There was an army of Kiwi raiders lining up in the $2million Group I ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday but the victory went to the Aussie's with Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell taking the prize with her Animal Kingdom (USA) gelding Angel of Truth.
Zoustar Mare Rolls Favourites in G1 Sangster
Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar had another red letter day on Saturday with a Group double at Morphettville when exciting juvenile colt Growing Empire bolted away with the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes followed later in the day by progressive mare Climbing Star, who tipped out the favourites to score a tenacious win in the $1million SAJC Rober Sangster Stakes (1200m).
Rich Enuff Filly Tiger Shark Opens Stakes Account in Mick Dittman Plate
Fourth in the Listed Mode Stakes and Listed Gold Edition Plate last preparation, the 3-year-old Rich Enuff filly Tiger Shark went off an unloved $26 chance in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm and came up trumps.
One to Watch – Scone
The Esplin family have had a lot of success racing the progeny of their former good producer Pay My Bail, who produced her sixth winner at Scone on Friday.
Animal Kingdom Gelding Too Strong in Tulloch Stakes
The winner of three races on his home track at Kembla Grange, the Glenda Markwell-trained Angel Of Truth made a winning trip to the big smoke on Saturday when leading all the way in the Group II Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and in the process earned his chance in next weeks Group 1 ATC Australian Derby.
Vibrant Sun Leads Home The Autumn Sun Trifecta in G1 Australasian Oaks
With the reins dangling around her shoulders, Vibrant Sun led home a trifecta for Arrowfield Stud’s ailing stallion The Autumn Sun in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
Starspangledbanner 2YO Wins $1million Showdown on Debut
Well known bloodstock agent Shane McGrath has already had a hand in the purchase of one outstanding juvenile trained by Clinton McDonald this season in Hayasugi and he has also unearthed another with exciting Starspangledbanner gelding Stanely Express landing a sizable betting plunge to win the $1million MRC TBV Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.