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Remarque, trained by the Hawkes' under the guidance of Tyler Schiller, emerged victorious in the prestigious A$1 million Gr.3 Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes. Remarque showcased incredible speed and skill over a distance of 1000 meters. In a closely contested battle, In Secret and Bella Nipotina Nipotina finished closely behind, leaving the highly regarded Eduardo and Nature Strip trailing far behind. Remarque's impressive performance solidified its status as a rising star in the world of horse racing.
As the highly anticipated clash between the experienced sprinters failed to materialize during the race, it became clear that Nature Strip's retirement from racing was imminent. Trainer Chris Waller and part owner Rod Lyons wasted no time in announcing the decision just minutes after the race concluded.
During the race, it was Eduardo, ridden by Nash Rawiller, who took full advantage of the favorable starting position in barrier one. Leading the pack towards the turn, Eduardo was closely followed by Remarque and Schiller, positioned three spots out from barrier seven. Meanwhile, Nature Strip and jockey James McDonald found themselves on the outermost side of the track, starting from barrier eight.
Bella Nipotina Surges Ahead Of Competitors In Thrilling Race Finish
As they approached the 400m mark, Eduardo maintained his lead up the hill. However, Remarque, positioned further out on the track, stayed in close attendance. At the 300m mark, Nature Strip seemed to be struggling to make any progress, while In Secret and apprentice Zac Lloyd, positioned on the inside, were tracking closely behind Remarque. Suddenly, Bella Nipotina and jockey Ben Melham emerged from behind Eduardo, sprinting into second place and racing inside In Secret and Remarque.
With just 75m to go, Eduardo, who had been racing on the rails, was overtaken, and it was Remarque who led the way to the finish line. In Secret, ridden by Lloyd, made an impressive surge and secured second place, while Bella Nipotina, guided by Melham, finished third.
The margins between the horses were incredibly close, with Remarque winning by a short neck, followed by In Secret with a long neck behind. Eduardo, after Rawiller eased up when the leaders passed, finished 3 1/4L behind the winner.
“Plans are there to be made and hatched and his trials have been great. We are just extremely happy that the horse has come back bigger, stronger, better. He has had his ups and downs, he has been gelded, he has had a throat operation,” siad co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
“Obviously first-up today and he is taking on the likes of Nature Strip and Eduardo, but things happen. You put him in the right races, you get them going in the right direction and it’s onwards and upwards. It was good.
“He is not there in the coat yet either, he is just going to improve out of sight," he said.
Hawkes said that the stable would be interested in a slot run for the $20,. The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14th.
“The big one is there, of course you are interested. If you are not interested you are mad. But with us it is all about our horses. Obviously the next step is The Shorts for him and we are heading in that direction and there’s probably a lot of other people out there looking at him as well. If it happens, it happens. But you know what, we have got to train the horse and that is what we are here to do,” he said.
“To see him come out today and actually be interested, he really put himself on speed. Michael said ‘just go with the horse, be happy’ and that is what I did,” said Schiller.
“He was not in an ideal spot three-deep no cover, but I think he is the best horse and he obviously showed that sitting deep and quickening away from them."
Response, a mare sired by Charge Forward, gave birth to Remarque, a 5YO Snitzel gelding, who had previously placed in several black type races but had never won one until this victory. Remarque now boasts five wins out of 14 starts and his stake earnings have increased to $989,750, which is a significant achievement for owners Arrowfield Stud and Northern Farm’s Katsumi Katsumi.
James McDonald (Nature Strip), “A 1000m is always a little bit sharp for him but he ran below par.”
Nick Heywood (Shelby Sixtysix), “He always takes a couple of runs to get into gear. He didn’t meet them quite well here.”
Nash Rawiller (Eduardo), “He ran a bold race. Wanted to hang again around the home turn. I felt he didn’t really let go like he can. In the last 100m he really shortened up the last 50m. I think he has pulled up OK. His action concerned me. I just explained to the stewards why I sat up on him. I sat up on him because he didn’t fell 100% to me. That is the only reason.
Zac Lloyd (In Secret), “An enormous run. Couldn’t have asked much more from her first up. Especially over not a suitable trip. The last 100m was phenomenal. She is on track for the preparation. That was awesome.”
Ben Melham (Bella Nipotina): “A really pleasing first up run. She is just looking for a little bit of give in the ground. Once she finds it she will jump out of the ground.”
Jason Collett (Rocketing By), “That was far better from him today. He has attacked the line really good over a distance a bit short of his best.”
Rachel King (Casino Lord), “He has run super. He is definitely on the right path to The Kosciuszko.”
Remarque, In Secret, and Bella Nipotina are now contenders for The TAB Everest race with a A$20 million prize after their impressive performance in the Concorde Stakes.