Success lives here

At Flemington in Melbourne, imported UK-bred 7YO gelding Redkirk Warrior (Notnowcato-Flag, by Selkirk) continued his freakishly strong form down the famous Flemington "straight six" for Hayes, Hayes & Dabernig in winning the $1.25 million Gr1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for the second year in succession, defeating Brave Smash and Merchant Navy. Leading the outside division for the entire race, against his normal swooping pattern, Redkirk Warrior displayed both diversity and courage to become the first horse since Razor Sharp in 1982/83 to achieve the rare back-to-back result. Correct (60/61), Gothic (27/28) and Aspen (1880/81) are the only other sprinters in the history of the Newmarket to do this. Redkirk Warrior was a £22,000 yearling from the draft of Manor House Stud at the 2012 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2). His record now stands at 8 wins (including the Gr3 Sundown Stakes, Gr1 Newmarket Handicap & Gr1 Lightning Stakes) & 2 placings (including the Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup) from 17 starts for $2,911,080. It's now likely that Redkirk Warrior will represent Australia at Royal Ascot, most likely via Hong Kong, reports racing.com. Co-trainer Ben Hayes noted: "Talking to the owners, I think they're pretty keen to go travelling. He seems to have pulled up well this morning...and why not? He's done two amazing runs, and I think we can freshen him up and take him overseas now." Hayes added: "There's no [specific] plans set in stone yet. We'll have a big talk on Monday about it. We can go via Hong Kong and then onto England, or we can really freshen him and run him at Royal Ascot."