An excellent evening at Newcastle on Monday saw both Cotai Glory and Galileo Gold fire in new winners.
Europe’s leading first-crop sire Cotai Glory hit the 30-winner landmark courtesy of Aunt Bethany, who gained a deserved success in the 7f maiden. Previously placed on both her earlier starts, the Archie Watson-trained filly stuck her neck out to hold off Persist to win in cosy fashion.
The Racing Post was impressed, commenting: “She's related to some useful winners and this looked a good race of its type - she's worth a crack in Listed company.”
Aunt Bethany was bred by Robert Ryan, Brendan Quinn & Joan Quinn out of the Spectrum mare Lilac Mist, also the dam of Listed winner Galtee Mist. She was a 55,000gns breeze-up purchase by Blandford Bloodstock from Star Bloodstock.
However, Galileo Gold was not to be outdone as sire of The Menstone Gem, who raced away for a three-length success in the 7f maiden one race later.
Always prominent, the Phillip Makin-trained youngster was never in trouble and as the Racing Post noted, ‘looks to be one to keep on the right side of’.
The Menstone Gem was bred by Oliver Donlon out of Masela, a daughter of Medicean whose previous winners include the Listed-placed Smokey Gem.
His win could mark the start of a big week for Galileo Gold, whose Group 1-winning son Ebro River looks likely to aim for more Group 1 glory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Sunday.
