Six G1 winners for Commands

The Darley stallions enjoyed a spectacular afternoon's racing at Royal Randwick on 2 October, taking three of the four G1 races on offer.

Darley Japan sire Commands sired his sixth winner at the highest level when Erewhon turned the tables on his Darley stable mate Retrieve to take out the 2000m Spring Champion Stakes in a time of 2;02.95. Erewhon who was ridden by Hugh Bowman, became Commands' 30th individual winner for the season.

Bred by Woodlands stud, Erewhon is out of the Quest for Fame mare Pseudonym. Darley trainer Peter Snowden said Erewhon's win over Retrieve was extremely satisfying because he never dreamed the horse would come close to reaching the heights he has. “When a horse lifts like this bloke has it gives you a real buzz,” Snowden said.

A prolific sire of winners, Commands ended the 2009/10 Australian racing season having recorded more individual winners than any other sire, and has started the current season in fine form. Earlier in the day, Commands mare Purple ran a gallant second in the G3 Craven Plate and will now continue on towards the Melbourne Spring carnival.

Also at Randwick on Saturday, Dubawi recorded his fourth G1 winner when Secret Admirer swept to victory in the one-mile Flight Stakes, while Shamardal also celebrated a new winner at the highest level when Captain Sonador landed the prestigious Epsom Handicap, also run over a mile.