Godolphin Again - Microphone Announces Himself in Talindert

Mark Smith - Saturday February 16

Godolphin's embarrassment of riches in the two-year-old division rolled on to Flemington on Saturday with the Exceed And Excel colt Microphone turning a competitive looking Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) into a walk in the park.

A winner on debut at Flemington on January 12, the James Cummings-trained colt found the unbeaten I Am Invincible colt I Am Immortal a length too good in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) a fortnight later.

Given a sweet ride by James McDonald, Microphone trailed his stablemate Lanigera in the run and when that son of Denman drifted off the fence, McDonald pounced. Microphone kept up a strong gallop to win by two and a quarter lengths over the $500,000 Snitzel filly Talented with a further three-quarters of a length to the Foxwedge filly Charleise who earned some valuable black-type at her career debut.


"I thought his win there was quite promising and I loved the way he kept driving to the line," Cumming said.

"He probably looks a horse well-suited to Sydney now and a race like the Skyline looks ideal for him.

"I held him back from running in a strong race last week against I Am Immortal again and with just three runs under his belt, he looks to have a bit of upside.

"He did his early education in Sydney so switching them between stables has been really helpful for us and extremely effective."

A half-brother to two winners, Microphone is the fifth foal of the Listed Scone Dark Jewel Classic winner Sung (Anabaa) who Godolphin parted with last year. She was purchased by Boomer Bloodstock for $70,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Sung is a sister to the triple Group 1 winning sprinter Yell and a half-sister to Shouts (Strategic) the dam of Group 1 ATC Canterbury Stakes winner Holler (Commands).

The daughter of Anabaa is out of the stakes-winning Bluebird (USA) mare Vocalist who is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Anthems (Palace Music) and to the dam of the Group II ATC Hill Stakes winner Lamasery (Commands).

Granddam Loyal Lyric (Sovereign Red) is a half-sister to the dam of the super popular stallion Written Tycoon.

Sung has a yearling colt by Teofilo (IRE). After slipping her Animal Kingdom foal in 2017, she was covered by Spirit Of Boom last spring.

Microphone becomes the 156th stakes-winner for Darley Stud's flagship stallion Exceed And Excel.

Advertisment
More Reading...
15th G1 Winner for Exceed and Excel
Turning 20 this year, Darley’s champion sire Exceed and Excel has just finished a super successful Magic Millions Sale that saw him with 24 yearlings average $398,542 to be the third leading sire by average and in South Africa on Saturday he posted a 15th Group I winner.
Sires With Winners - Friday May 10
Here is the full list of 50 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Molly Bloom Ready for Australian Debut
Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping to make their mark in the three-year-old filly ranks during the Queensland Winter Carnival, starting at a rain-soaked Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Nine Mares Top $1million at Fabulous Chairman's Sale
Outstanding filly She’s Extreme became the equal second-most expensive horse ever sold at an Inglis Chairman’s Sale when realising $3.4m to the bid of Coolmore at Riverside this evening.
Hong Kong Support Aftercare in Australia – TSHA National Titles Sponsor
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s newly launched RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme are a sponsor at the upcoming Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association National Titles (May 23 – 26) with horses that spent time in Hong Kong eligible for a range of bonuses.
G1 producer Parmalove the star attraction of May (Early) Sale
Parmalove, the dam of this season’s NZ Champion 2YO-in-waiting Velocious and a late withdrawal from The Chairman’s Sale due to a minor cut prior to travelling to Sydney, is the standout entry in another ‘full’ Inglis Digital Online Sale.
$1.8 Million Exceed and Excel Colt from G1 Winner Platelet
A protracted bidding duel marked the sale of Lot 640, a powerhouse colt by Exceed and Excel from dual Group I winning sprinter Platelet with Hawkes Racing prevailing over a persistent Coolmore.
Inglis Broodmare Sale Concludes
A pair of mares on desirable covers shared top billing at today’s Australian Broodmare Sale, bringing to a conclusion a successful week of breeding stock trade at Riverside.
Resolute Racing Secure Tutta La Vita for $3.2million
Three times Group I placed, The Autumn Sun filly Tutta La Vita will be looking to improve on that in the upcoming Group I BRC Queensland Oaks next month, but she’ll be carrying a new set of colours after being purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Racing for $3.2million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Best On Breeding
Sea What I See (IRE) will make her stakes debut in Saturday's Listed Thomas Farms Centaurea Stakes (2019m) at Morphettville. This will be her sixth start of preparation, and nothing has come close to her.