Stakes double at Doomben for Commands

Commands recorded a Stakes double at Doomben, May 24, with Vilanova taking out the G3 Grand Prix Stakes and Cape Kidnappers claiming the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap.

A winner of the G2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield in February, Vilanova announced himself as the horse to beat in next month’s G1 Queensland Derby with a comfortable victory in the 2200m Grand Prix Stakes.

Bred by G J Cranny, Frantic Bloodstock Ltd and Hanui Bloodstock Ltd, Vilanova previously raced as Catalonia in New Zealand where he was a winner of the Listed Wentwood Grand Stakes. He is out of G3-winning Red Ransom mare Valpolicella, a granddaughter of G2 winner Dopff.

Ultra-consistent gelding Cape Kidnappers recorded a well-deserved Stakes win with victory in the Chief De Beers Handicap over 1110m.

It was the first Stakes win for the six-year-old who took his record to eight wins from 12 starts. He also has three runner-up finishes to his credit.

In winning, Cape Kidnappers became the 10th Stakes winner for the season for Commands, making him the only stallion in the country to record 10 or more Stakes winners in each of the past four racing seasons.

Bred by Mr A Grant-Taylor and Mr R Zuttion, Cape Kidnappers is also out of a Red Ransom mare. His dam Kidnapper was a multiple metropolitan winner and has produced three winners from four foals to race.

The sire of 63 Stakes winners, Commands will stand the coming breeding season at Kelvinside at a fee of $55,000 inc. GST. He will be joined for the first time this season by his multiple G1-winning son Epaulette who stands at a fee of $27,500 inc. GST, while his G1-winning son Skilled stands at Northwood Park at $6,600 inc GST.