3 minute read

Lands the Star Kingdom at Rosehill.

Lope De Vega (Shamardal) was provided his 67th stakes winner and 15th in Australia when the Anthony Cummings-trained Vegadaze (4 g ex Rainy Daze by Commands) took out the Star Kingdom Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. 

Ridden by visiting jockey Tom Marquand, the four-year-old gelding stayed on stoutly when tackled by Godolphin pair Manicure (Exceed And Excel) and Kementari (Lonhro), to come away with a neck victory over Manicure. Kementari, who was having his first start since March 2019 after a failed attempt in the stallion barn, finished third. 

"He's got great determination," Cummings said.

"We thought he's handled wet tracks before and last time the heavy track and the 1500 was just beyond him unfortunately.

"Back within his comfort zone in terms of distance and on a testing track, finding out the first starters was just a perfect recipe."

The four-year-old gelding, who has now won five of his 11 starts and almost $420,000, is out of the unraced Commands (Danehill) mare Rainy Daze, whose other runner is also a winner. 

Rainy Daze herself is a sister to Listed winner Deltona, while further back this is the family of Group 2 winner Rain Affair (Commands) and Listed-winning pair Walk Alone (Honour And Glory) and Wayupinthesky (Snitzel). 

Rainy Daze has most recently been served by Coolmore Stud's Triple Crown-winning sire American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile). 

Lope De Vega's progeny is headlined by ten Group 1 winners, including three Australian elite level winners; Santa Ana Lane, Gytrash and Vega Magic. He shuttled to Patinack Farm for four seasons between 2011 and 2014 when he covered 467 mares and his 2020 fee at Ballylinch Stud is €100,000. 

Lope De Vega's Group 1 winning son Belardo shuttles to Haunui Farm.