COOLMORE TRIFECTA IN THE PHAR LAP

Danehill Dancer 3-year-old Just Mambo (3g, Danehill Dancer-Royal Subject, by Kingmambo) is on the verge of bigger and better things going on the evidence of a determined Group 2 success in the STC Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).

Staged as the final event of a nine race Rosehill Gardens program following torrential rain for a lengthy period during the second half of the afternoon, the prestigious 3-year-old set weights contest became a slog for the 14 horse field with the improving son of Danehill Dancer doing best. Put under immense pressure over the closing stages after setting up a winning break, Just Mambo battled on resolutely close to the line to record his initial stakes victory.

Just Mambo was purchased for $180,000 at the 2005 Gold Coast Magic Millions Premier Yearling Sale. He is the third foal of an unplaced Kingmambo mare who was in turn produced by a stakes winning daughter of Secretariat. Third-dam Welsh Garden was the top filly on the 1975 Irish 2YO Free Handicap.

The Phar Lap Stakes was dominated by the progeny of Coolmore stallions. Running second to Just Mambo was Raheeb, a lightly-raced son of Royal Academy, with the smart Galileo filly Amory Lane finishing a very promising third.