Chateau Margaux impresses in Geelong Cup
Gerry Harvey‘s home-bred mare Chateau Margaux confirmed the progress she has made this season with an excellent second in today’s $295,000 Geelong Cup 2400m G3.
Pictured: Chateau Margaux after winning at Caulfield on 30 September 2012, Luke Nolen up. (PHOTO: Martin King)
The 4YO daughter of Redoute’s Choice was the only Australian-bred runner in the 7-horse field and found plenty during the final, punishing 600 metres, run by the winner, British-bred Gatewood, in a remarkable 32.09 seconds.
Chateau Margaux finished less than a length away, and just shaded the US-bred Brigantin, having his first start in Australia. Both Gatewood and Brigantin are likely Melbourne Cup starters.
Trained by Peter Moody, Chateau Margaux had two starts has a late 2YO, then returned last summer to win three consecutives races, including two in Melbourne.
Her current campaign opened with placings at 1400 and 1600 metres, before a third in last month’s MVRC W.H. Stocks S. 1600m G2, then city wins at 1800 and 2040 metres in preparation for today’s race.
Chateau Margaux has now won five times and placed three times in 11 starts, earning almost $250,000.
The quality of her pedigree is expressed in her name – one of the great wine estates of Bordeaux. She is from the Red Ransom mare Kylikwong, a Group 1-placed sister of Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy. That makes her a relative of Group 1 winners Master of Design (also by Redoute’s Choice), Danasinga and Suntagonal, and Group winners Topasannah, Cullen, Towkay, Happy Morning, Fatal Attraction & Prince of War.
Kylikwong is due to foal a full sibling to Chateau Margaux this spring.
