96th stakeswinner heads Sydney treble for Redoute’s Choice
Cantonese became the 96th stakeswinner for his champion sire Redoute’s Choice in emphatic fashion at Rosehill today.
Pictured: Cantonese and Jim Cassidy are out on their own in today’s Christmas Cup LR at Rosehill. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
The Bjorn Baker-trained 5YO gelding made his 6th win this season really count, with a dominant, six-length victory in the $100,000 ATC Christmas Cup LR, at his first start over 2400 metres. And he travelled it like a toff, rolling forward to the lead without pressure and striding out comfortably into the straight. Jockey Jim Cassidy then asked him to change gear and Cantonese responded generously to run out the winner in 2.28.79.
Cassidy described Cantonese afterwards as “a courageous horse who loves racing…a high roller who likes a nice tempo, I just let him go through his gears without fighting him and I was surprised how good I was going at the 600m but congratulations to Bjorn and his staff, marvellous training effort.”
Cantonese was bred and previously raced by Gerry Harvey, who has retained Cantonese’s 4YO sister Chateau Margaux, twice Group-placed in Victoria this season, and his 3YO half-sister Wokpool (by Hussonet), a winner on debut last month.
They are the first three progeny to race from the Group 1-placed Red Ransom mare Kylikwong, a sister to 2010 Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy, from the splendid Princess Tracy family. Kylikwong has a colt foal at foot by Redoute’s Choice.
Cantonese’s current ownership group includes Michael Virgo, also a part-owner of Group 1 winner Master of Design, winner of the ATC T.J. Smith S. G1 earlier this year.
Cressfield’s strapping home-bred 3YO filly Lilliburlero (ex Group 1 winner Regimental Gal), and Ingham Racing’s 4YO Arrowfield-bred mare She’s Clean (ex Feather Duster) completed the Rosehill treble for Redoute’s Choice.
The two-time champion sire of Australia has 13 “choice” lots in the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast, including three colts and a filly in the Arrowfield draft .
