Domesday three-year-olds quinella the Spring Fashion Stakes at Flemington

Settling back in the field, the Peter Snowden-trained Backgammon showed his customary late bust to gather in fellow Domesday three-year-old Domesky to record a one-two finish for their sire in the Listed Spring Fashion Stakes over 1800m at Flemington on November 4.

A last start fourth over an unsuitable trip, jockey Mark Zahra allowed Backgammon to find his feet early before working home, relishing the step up in journey to became the third individual Stakes winner for his sire and the second this season.

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Backgammon is out of the winning Grand Lodge mare Varied, a half-sister to G3 winner Youth. From an extensive black type family which includes G1 Doncaster Handicap winner Over and the Listed Widden Stakes-winning Strategic filly Riona, Backgammon is the third winner for his dam.

Red Ransom stallion Domesday is also the sire of last season’s G1 TJ Smith Stakes winner Pressday and the recent G3 winner Divorces. Standing his first season at Darley’s Northwood Park after moving from Twin Hills, Domesday stands at a fee of $11,000 including GST.

Twenty minutes later, consistent four-year-old mare Kanzan, gave her sire Commands his 36th individual Stakes winner, and second in the past two days, with victory at Hawkesbury in the Listed Ladies Day Cup. Settling midfield, the Sheikh Mohammed-owned mare worked around the leaders as the field turned for home to record a half length victory.

G3 placed during the winter, Kanzan’s victory emulates stable mate Beaded (Lonhro) who won the same race last year before going on to finish third in the G1 All-Aged Stakes and the G1 Winter Stakes.

Out of a Grand Lodge mare like Backgammon, Kanzan was also bred by Woodlands Stud. The second Stakes-performer for her dam Cheery Lodge, Kanzan comes from the family of Stakes horse Liberty Rose, Liberty Hall, Tantra and Elusive Wonder.

In the last five weeks, Commands has been represented by five new Stakes winners including G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Erewhon, Soul, She Rules and the exciting Melbourne Cup day winner Palomares. Already the sire of more individual Stakes winners this season than any other stallion, Commands is once again well-placed to record a top ten finish on the general stallion table, a position he has held for the last five racing seasons.

Later in the day Commands five-year-old First Command (Command) finished third in the Listed Swisse Vitamins Stakes down the Flemington straight.

Commands is standing the current season at Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $66,000 including GST.