Japan's Real Impact Wins George Ryder

With James McDonald riding for trainer Noriyuki Hori, Real Impact set off with favorite Cosmic Endeavour and rallied to take charge 600 meters out. The winner led comfortably approaching the finish until Criterion loomed almost alongside with Craig Williams. Real Impact found another gear when challenged and thrust out his nose on the line.  

 

Real Impact covered 1,500 meters (about 7 1/2 furlongs) in 1:28.29 on a turf course rated good, while making his Australian debut for Japan's U Carrot Farm. Winner of the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-I) in 2011, Real Impact scored a nose victory in the Hanshin Cup (Jpn-II) Dec. 27 at Hanshin in his previous start and improved to five wins from 25 career starts. 

 

Kermadac was third, about two lengths behind the pair, while Caulfield Guineas (Aus-I) winner and favorite Shooting to Win finished fifth in the 14-horse field.

 

By leading Japanese sire Deep Impact, out of the winning Meadowlake mare Tokio Reality, Real Impact was bred by Northern Racing. Plans call for the 7-year-old to take aim on the Doncaster Mile (Aus-I) April 4 at Royal Randwick. 

 

McDonald's win on Real Impact capped a group I double for the rider. Later on the card, he denied Real Impact's fellow Japan-bred Tosen Stardom when guiding Contributer to a 1 1/2-length victory over that rival in the Ranvet Stakes (Aus-I). 

 

Fast Dragon was first away, setting a solid pace, ahead of Silent Achiever, Tosen Stardom, and Dominant. Approaching the home turn, Fast Dragon upped the tempo and extended his lead to six lengths, with McDonald biding his time on Contributer, who was ready to pounce on the final turn.

 

When Fast Dragon tired in midstretch, McDonald guided Contributer between that opponent and third-place finisher Lucia Valentina to secure the win from hard-trying Tosen Stardom, a group III winner in his native country.

 

A 5-year-old Irish-bred son of High Chaparral, out of Serisia (by Exit to Nowhere) and owned by Godolphin, Contributer finished 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 2:03.10 for his second straight top-level win. He entered off a victory in the Chipping Norton (Aus-I) Feb. 28 for trainer John Shea, and has won eight of 14 career starts and his fourth from five Australian starts for Godolphin. 

 

Also Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, Sweet Idea scampered away to a clear win in The Galaxy (Aus-I).

 

Gai Waterhouse's 4-year-old Snitzel filly closed with a rush under Black Shinn to win by 2 1/4 lengths from Kuro, while favorite Deep Field checked in 11th in the 14-horse field after breaking from the widest post. 

 

Saturday's triumph marked the first at the highest level for Sweet Idea, who came in with four group II victories and four placings in group I company. She was timed in 1:02.69 for 1,100 meters (about 5 1/2 furlongs) while taking her career line to 8-7-1 from 19 starts for a large ownership group. 

 

Bred in Australia by the Arrowfield Group Ltd., Sweet Idea was produced by Timber Country's stakes-placed daughter Flidais. Second dam Electronic is an Australian Mare of the Year. Waterhouse and bloodstock agent James Harron teamed to by Sweet Idea for $240,000 ($247,728) from the Arrowfield consignment at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale.