Eremein Triumph Spoils Danehill Sweep

Eremein, a belated southern advertisement for his sire, Timber Country, took his earnings past $4 million (Australian funds) in winning the $800,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Aust-I) at Randwick April 22.

To collect his fifth group I success, last year's Australian Derby hero defeated another 4-year-old, Aqua D'Amore, the distaffer making sure Eremein finished his race strongly, going under by a half-length. In truth, the winner was far too good.

Had Aqua D'Amore resisted the 9-10 favorite's challenge, it would have completed a grand day for team Danehill. She is by the deceased Danzig son whereas the other three group I winners on the closing day of the Australian Jockey Club's 4-day fall meeting fell to progeny of Danehill sons.

The Woodlands rostered Commands started it off as Paratroopers broke his run of group I seconds to narrowly win the All-Aged Stakes by a short head from longshot Niconero as a 7-10 elect. Another Danehill, Shania Dane, escorted that pair over the wire, a mere long head away. Niconero is by another Danehill son, Danzero.

The Danehill pattern continued through the QE II undercard as Mentality upset 6-4 favorite Miss Finland in the Champagne Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile. They are by Arrowfield's Danehill sons Flying Spur and Redoute's Choice. The problem for Arrowfield head John Messara is that he races Miss Finland although he owns the dam of the three-quarters of a length winner.

Gallant Tess, a first crop daughter of Galileo did best for current shuttlers with a splendid third, only a short head from Miss Finland.

Danewin, the first crop Danehill son to supply the winner of the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes, Excites, the previous (opening day) Saturday, sired the $700,000 Sydney Cup winner, County Tyrone.

At the 7-year-old's fourth shot at the Randwick's famous two-mile handicap he was an emotional 2 1/2 lengths winner over New Zealand pair Zabeat (by Rhythm) and Three Chimneys (Generous).

County Tyrone is prepared by Kris Lees, who won the 2004 Metropolitam with the gelding soon after the death of his father, Max, who prepared the horse to win the Queensland Derby (Aust-I). He was also second in the 2003 Sydney Cup.

Nassar Lootah bred County Tyrone at his Emirates Park, where Danewin heads the roster with Slew o'Gold horse Secret Savings.

But Eremein was the real star at Randwick.

The chestnut has partly filled the void left by Makybe Diva, at least in weight-for-age races. His fall group I total of three includes the 1 ½-mile Tancred Stakes, which she won in 2005.

Heading to a winter break, his record to earn $4 million for breeder/owners Geoff and Beryl White, stands at 21 starts for 10 wins, six seconds and a third.

The gelded 4-year-old is tougher than his record shows according to handler Allan Denham and should be collecting group Is for two or three seasons yet He is by Marrego, a daughter of the White's favorite champion, Marscay. She visited Timber Country in the third and final year the Preakness (gr. I) winner (and Kentucky Derby, gr. I, third) shuttled between Shadai and Arrowfield farms. His three Australian seasons yielded just five stakes winners. The Woodman horse from Fall Aspen currently resides at Shadai's Lex Stud in Japan.