Pheonix Thoroughbreds enjoyed a magnificent end to August recording six wins in seven days.
The sequence which spanned three continents and four countries began with Starzip’s success at Louisana Downs on Monday, 24 June. Breaking from the outside box in the six-furlong contest the Steve Asmussen trainee duelled for the lead throughout. With the leading pair clear of the rest in the stretch, the son of City Zip broke away from his last remaining rival and jockey Joel Dominguez was able to ease his mount down for a four-length win.
Victory number two came less than 24 hours later thanks to a dominant display from Back To Brussels at Cork. The consistent black-type performer made light work of a small field to power to a three-length success. Jockey Chris Hayes was on board Fozzy Stack’s charge and said:
“I thought she was very well placed by Fozzy with that kind of rating to be getting weight off lesser rivals. It was a good confidence boost for her; she never had a moments worry. She settled well, got through the ground fine and hit the line good.
“Hopefully we can step her back up to black-type company. She deserves to win one — she was second here earlier on in the year. She is just unfortunate that she has bumped into a few.
“Hopefully we can get her to win a Listed race before the end of the year.”
Again the Dubai-based group didn’t have to wait long for the next instalment of their golden week thanks to Cadre Du Noir. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace inmate couldn’t have been more impressive as he notched up a first win in Australia at Sandown under Ben Melham.
With no runners on Thursday and no luck from a handful of entries on Friday Phoenix had to wait until Saturday for their next taste of victory. It was worth it. A cross hemisphere double kicked-off with another ultra-impressive performance, this time from Holyfield in the Group Three Ming Dynasty Stakes. A run in the Caulfield Guineas is now on the cards after Tim Clark guided the horse, raced in partnership with Aquis, gate to wire.
“I always thought a Guineas would be a good race for him.
“He may go down for a Guineas Prelude to get used to that way of going as it looked like he was laying a fraction so the Melbourne way might suit him.
“We will just work out a plan, but he has a few options.”
The second part of the double arrived at Redcar thanks to Frankenstella’s second win in three starts. Looking a different proposition since stepping up to staying trips, John Quinn’s runner was given a great ride from Killian Leonard who angled his mount out from the rail with a furlong to go before the pair stayed on the best of the field.
Phoenix Ladies Syndicate added to the celebrations on Saturday thanks to Backshot, splashing through the mud at Monmouth to record a first success. And it would be another Peter Miller trainee to cap off a winning week. Lil Miss Moppet claimed a nice prize, also at Monmouth, after the Uncle Mo filly pulled away in the closing stages to break her maiden’s tag at the fourth time of asking.