Tracked – The Saturday Racing Review – June 8

Socks Nation was not among the fancied runners in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, but the Ciaron Maher-trained filly showed her staying tenacity in the sole major race of the day, repelling her rivals to claim success at the highest level.

In her third win from 12 career starts to date, the daughter of Sioux Nation was kept close to a hot speed by jockey Ryan Maloney, with the pair staving off a late challenge from Craig Williams and Our Gold Hope.                                           

Socks Nation is Sioux Nation’s first Group 1 winner and 13th individual stakes winner. His sole southern hemisphere crop also produced the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes winner Magic Control, who raced in Australia as Archo Nacho. 

Fresh off riding Romantic Warrior to victory in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen in Japan on Sunday, James McDonald wasted no time getting back into the groove of Australian racing at Eagle Farm, highlighted by a dominant win aboard Vilana in the Group 2 Moreton Cup.

Already a three-time winner in black-type company, Vilana pounced on Zarastro halfway down the straight, continuing to accelerate away to justify favouritism in impressive fashion.

JMAC MAKES IT 5 ON VILANA pic.twitter.com/mHlQolFNdO

— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) June 8, 2024

He is one of seven stakes winners for Hallowed Crown, who now has two Group 2 winners from the current Queensland carnival, with Vilana joining Queensland Guineas winner Kintyre.                                              

Earlier in the meeting, McDonald was already laying the foundations for a strong day in the saddle, steering Imperialist to victory in The Phoenix at Listed level. 

McDonald rode the colt with confidence, putting him into the race late to claim victory at his third career start.

.@mcacajamez and IMPERIALIST scorch the Eagle Farm turf @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/xYyqa0FAcT

— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) June 8, 2024

By Churchill, Imperialist is the 25th individual stakes winner for the Coolmore-owned stallion, who divides his time between Ireland and Australia.   

Later in the program, McDonald was once again across the line first, this time aboard Yellow Brick in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap.

To date, he is the only stakes winner by The Mission, having also won the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas in his three-year-old campaign.

In the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm, Steady Ready enjoyed a light weight to claim his first black-type success under rider Angela Jones.

His success makes him the 12th stakes winner for the Queensland-based stallion Better Than Ready, who has produced the likes of Group 1 winner Apache Chase. 

Ostraka was another runner to earn their first black-type win at Eagle Farm, winning the Listed Queensland Day Stakes in comfortable fashion under jockey Blake Shinn. 

Following a solid speed, the gelding pounced early in the straight before accelerating away from his rivals. 

Ostraka’s win makes him the third individual stakes winner for Pariah. 

At Randwick, it was a French-bred quinella in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup, with Eliyass scoring an impressive win on Australian debut from the fast-finishing Hopeful.

Already a Listed winner in France, Eliyass is one of 64 black-type winners by Le Havre.  

In the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes, Mnementh denied race favourite Iowna Merc in a great battle at Randwick.

Now twice a winner at Listed level, Mnementh is one of five stakes winners for Eurozone, who also sired Group 1 winner Krone. 

Brave Spirit absorbed a strong speed in the Listed Raconteur Stakes at Belmont, finishing strongly to claim his first win in stakes grade.

He joins Kimochi and the late Brave Mead as black-type winners for Yarraman Park’s Brave Smash.