Breeding & Racing Magazine

Cape Cross Adds Turkey Gr2

In Turkey overnight, former Darley shuttler Cape Cross (Green Desert-Park Appeal, by Ahonoora) added a European group success when Irish-bred & British-trainer 5YO entire Halicarnassus (Cape Cross-Launch Time, by Relaunch) scored a half-length victory in the Gr2 Bosphorus Cup (2400m) during the 2-day Turkish International Racing Festival at Veliefendi racecourse in Istanbul. Halicarnassus (ridden by Alan Munro for trainer Mick Channon) defeated 4YO entire Pan River (Red Bishop-Wanganui River, by Unfuwain) & German-bred fellow 5YO entire Sassoaloro (Acatenango-Spartina, by Northern Baby). In his previous 4 starts this year, Halicarnassus has notched placings in each of August's UK Gr3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (13.5 furlongs) at Newbury, July's UK Gr3 Glorious Stakes (12 furlongs) at Goodwood, June's UK Listed Tapster Stakes (12 furlongs) at Goodwood & May's UK Listed Festival Stakes (10 furlongs) at Goodwood. Halicarnassus was a 35,000 guineas (A$71,000) yearling at the UK Tattersalls October Sale & also previously won 2007's UK Gr3 Arc Trial Stakes (11 furlongs) at Newbury, UK Gr3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (10.5 furlongs) at Haydock & Listed Cocked Hat Stakes (11 furlongs) at Goodwood, as well as placing in both that season's UK Gr3 Strensall Stakes (9 furlongs) at York & UK Gr3 Grenham Stakes (7 furlongs) at Newbury. And as juvenile in 2006, he also won the UK Gr2 Superlative Stakes (7 furlongs) at Newmarket. Overall he now has 8 wins & 7 placings from 43 starts.