Gemma’s Son broke a long run of outs in the TABtouch Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday and that’s down to being more genuine this prep according to trainer David Harrison.

He was gelded earlier this season and is showing the sort of form that earned early-career victories in the LR Perth Stakes (1100m) at Ascot and RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra.

The 5yo son of former Scenic Lodge stallion Snippetson stalked front-runner Puli (Dick Turpin) and he was in for the fight when challenged by Ghost Who Walks (God Has Spoken) and Premium Choice (I’m All The Talk) in the straight.  It was his 8th win 35 starts.

“Gemma’s Son has been a great horse for the stable,” Harrison said.  “He was unlucky at both starts since coming back from a spell and Paul (Harvey) took luck out of equation today.  We decided to geld him because I thought he wasn’t giving 100%.”

Gemma’s Son (5g Snippetson – Princess Gemma by Dr Fong) was bred and sold by Scenic Lodge for $20,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions.  His earnings now stand at $945,633 including Westspeed bonuses of $237,200 for a Bridge Patrol Lodge syndicate managed by Harrison.

Princess Gemma is carrying a last-crop PPT to Snippetson.  Now rising 22, she will be pensioned after foaling a full-relation to Gemma’s Son in August.

Scenic Lodge has a second degree of separation to Rare Encounter who won the Amelia Park Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.  The Donna Riordan-trained 4yo mare is a Peters Investments homebred by Al Maher from Miss Encounter (Tale Of The Cat) who is a half-sister Confront (G2 Karrakatta Plate) and Celebrity Miss (LR Bolton Sprint) who in turn foaled Celebrity Queen (G1 Oakleigh Plate).

Miss Encounter won a Bunbury 3yo maiden and she was purchased by Scenic Lodge for a mere $1,250 at the 2020 Inglis Digital May Sale.  Subsequently sent to Magnus, she foaled a colt that sold for $130,000 to Ryan Hill at this year’s Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Universal Ruler sired a quinella to cap a winning day at Belmont for the Muchea nursery when Universal Flair defeated Aztec Ruler in the Crown Perth Hcp (1200m).  “She got her own way in front today and was always going to be hard to catch,” trainer Ted Martinovich said.  “She makes her own luck and is a beautiful little filly.”

Universal Flair showed potential from the outset finishing fifth in last year’s LR Supremacy Stakes and sixth in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes – both times behind Amelia’s Jewel.  Long-time stable client Stan Quinlivan bred her by using the Scenic Lodge cross of Universal Ruler over a Blackfriars mare (Formula) which has a 64% strike-rate.

Her second-dam Refurbish (Joindre) foaled Modem (Bletchley Park) who carried Quinlivan’s colours to Group 1 victories in the 2004 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) and Railway Stakes (1600m).

Scenic Lodge legend Blackfriars was also in the frame in Darwin on Saturday when his veteran gelding Noir De Rue produced an explosive late finish to win the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m).  The former Perth galloper shouldered 62.5kg at his first start since March for trainer Jason Manning.

Noir De Rue was bred by White Diamond Bloodstock’s Terry and Lyn Dowling and won 7 races in Perth and Kalgoorlie for Justin Warwick and Peter Fernie.  He has finished fourth and third in the last two Darwin Cups over 2050m and a repeat of Saturday’s eye-catching victory will see him right in the mix for the Top End’s signature event worth $200,000 on Monday, August 7.

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler for $8,250 alongside Dash For Cash at $2,200.  Fees (inc GST).