In what proved to be an unforgettable day for Ciaron Maher Oct. 19, the trainer scored his second Caulfield Cup (G1) victory and first Everest (G1) win, in his first year with runners in the newly anointed group 1.
In winning the lucrative slot race, Bella Nipotina became the first mare to land Randwick Racecourse's AU$20 million extravaganza as she showed her customary class and bravery to gamely hold off numerous challengers to grab The Everest for her ownership group, which includes her breeder, Longwood Thoroughbred Farms' Michael Christian, and slot holder TAB.
Coming into Saturday's group 1 sprint, Bella Nipotina had the able assistance of usual partner Craig Williams in the saddle and was sent off an AU$9 chance in the 11-runner field, with the Randwick track rated a Soft5.
One of three runners in the race for her trainer, alongside eventual third Growing Empire and I Am Me, who finished 10th, Bella Nipotina had drawn arguably the worst barrier of the trio in gate 12.
Upon jumping, Williams decided to go forward, with the pair leading the field for the opening stages of the race before then settling behind the 3-year-olds Storm Boy and Growing Empire. Pushed up to make her challenge rounding the home bend, the daughter of Pride Of Dubai had still not wrestled the lead back with just 200 meters left in the six-furlong event.
However, with Storm Boy beginning to tire, Bella Nipotina found an enormous amount under the urgings of her rider and, with Giga Kick making his challenge down the inside of the track, the mare rallied to hold off that rival by a short head.
The front pair finished a further 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Growing Empire in third place, with Golden Slipper (G1) winner Lady Of Camelot just another short head back in fourth.
Williams, who has now been aboard Bella Nipotina for three of her four group 1 wins, was hugely proud of the mare post race.
"I couldn't do it without the performance of Bella. We drew 12, we were hoping for more rain, but the track was to her liking and basically the plan was, Ciaron said, let's just trust her," the rider said.
"We might be a bit wide, but let's not be negative, let's be positive and let's go forward."
Maher, who would later go on to win the Caulfield Cup, cut an elated figure after the race, and revealed he had plenty of confidence for a big run even after the barrier draw.
"You know, we thought she was in career-best form and she got her conditions to suit. We said at the barrier draw, she's got an uncanny knack of running very well from any gate," Maher said.
"I can't thank my team enough. She trains up on the beach and she's been at Bong Bong the last two weeks and just the whole team, it's unbelievable."
Purchased for just AU$80,000 at Book 1 of the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for Lindsay Park Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock, and Mt Hallowell Stud from the Rosemont stud draft, Bella Nipotina is the best of two winners out of Star Witness mare Bella Orfana.
Duke de Sessa Wires Caulfield Cup for Maher
Maher's day got even better when the ultra-consistent Duke de Sessa finally got his day in the limelight when making all for an incredible success in the Caulfield Cup (G1).
Imported from Ireland last year, the 6-year-old gelding had made 12 starts in Australia prior to Saturday's feature contest, with his best efforts coming when third in both the Zipping Classic (G2) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G3) in 2023, and fourth on his most recent two outings in the Underwood Stakes (G1) and Turnbull Stakes (G1).
Sent off an $11 chance with Harry Coffey in the saddle for the first time at a weight of 52 kilograms, the son of Lope de Vega jumped quickly from barrier 5 and was sent to the lead by his young jockey.
Still leading the 18-runner field approaching the home bend, Coffey and Duke de Sessa kicked clear coming down the home straight and could not be caught by the fast-finishing favorite Buckaroo to gain victory by 1 1/4 lengths at the line.
There was a further five lengths back to the third-placed Land Legend as Chris Waller filled the second and third spots, while the James Cummings-trained Zardozi finished a further 2 1/4 lengths back in fourth place.
With Maher at Randwick to witness Bella Nipotina's stunning win in The Everest earlier in the afternoon, stable assistant Jack Turnbull was on hand at Caulfield.
"It's magic to be honest, just fantastic to get on the phone with him (Ciaron), especially after Bella (Nipotina)," Turnbull said. "Very good ride by Harry (Coffey). Everyone's so thankful for Harry, and really appreciative of him. Everyone knows how well-deserved it is. It's just amazing."
It was the second win in the time-honored group 1 for Maher, having landed it for the first time in 2016 with Jameka, who was also co-owned by the McKennas.
Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, Duke de Sessa is raced by multiple owners including Maurice Regan, Col McKenna, and Halo Racing.
Duke de Sessa, who landed a pair of group 3s and a listed contest when trained by Dermot Weld in Ireland, is the best of two winners from four to race out of the group 3-placed Cape Cross mare Dark Crusader.
In winning Saturday's Caulfield Cup, the gelding became the 24th individual group 1 winner for Ballylinch Stud's Lope de Vega, who shuttled to Australia for four seasons between 2011-14.
Ceolwulf Scores Back-to-Back Group 1s
Capping off the day's group 1 stakes, the Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf made it back-to-back group 1 victories when taking out Saturday's King Charles III Stakes (G1) at Randwick after previously landing the Epsom Handicap (G1) Oct. 5.
Ridden by Chad Schofield, as he had been in the Epsom, the gelded 4-year-old son of Tavistock came with a booming run down the center of the track inside the final 200 meters to deny the front-running Pride Of Jenni by a widening three-quarters of a length.
There was just a further neck back to the third-placed My Oberon.
Pride revealed postrace that Ceolwulf will not back up in next weekend's Cox Plate (G1), instead being aimed at the race in 2025.
"They can only go so far in one preparation. I'd hate to send the horse to the races and have him not perform," Pride told Racing.com.
"It's only a week away. I'm sure it's too much. I always wanted to win the Cox Plate and he's my Cox Plate horse. I'll wait a year. ... I'm just really grateful to have come across a horse like this. The world's his oyster."
