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By Colin Hodges

Eighty three years after the movie Casablanca was first screened, a handsome four-year-old chestnut gelding by the same name won a Maiden Handicap on Saturday at Parkes.

Set in Morocco and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the 1942 film is regarded as a masterpiece and the owners who paid big money for the equine Casablanca were hopeful of Academy Award-winning performances.

There was justification for the high price as Casablanca was by the champion sire Snitzel and from the ATC Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance.

Dubbo-based trainer Cindy Monaghan

Adding further to the sales ring appeal, the Arrowfield Stud-bred Casablanca was a full brother to the Team Hawkes-trained filly Yearning, winner of the Group 1-Caulfield 1000 Guineas when ridden by Damien Thornton and placed three times in Group 2 races, the Edward Manifold, Armanasco and Lets Elope Stakes.

But alas, the hope for rewards did not eventuate and Casablanca was knocked down for $1.4 million to TFI/Kia Ora Stud at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and sold again for $11,000 in 2024 through the online Inglis Digital platform to clients of Dubbo trainer Cindy Monaghan.

Angus Barlow, a Dubbo-based stock and station agent who doubles as a livestock market reporter on ABC Radio, is now a part-owner of Casablanca and takes up the story.

“Originally trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou at Rosehill, Casablanca had no luck after three starts was transferred to Stuart Kendrick at the Gold Coast where the best result from two starts was a second on the Polytrack.

“Entered for the April 2024 Inglis online sale, shrewd horse investor Tim Moses from Dubbo snapped up Casablanca for $11,000 after making enquiries with Brisbane jockey Michael Cahill.

“Tim then formed a syndicate to race Casablanca with trainer Cindy Monaghan and after a couple of dismal runs it was deemed to need a tie-back operation.

“The operation was performed, the horse was put back in work and presto, a good win at Parkes,” Angus Barlow related.

Ridden by Nick Heywood in the 1200m Parkes Farm Centre/Kennards Hire Maiden Handicap, Casablanca jumped quickly and led for home.

Donna Emilia ((Dylan Stanley, $19) finished well but was beaten a nose by Casablanca ($12) with three-quarters of a length to the third-placed Rebel Flyer (Shayleigh Ingelse, $41).

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Keenly awaited was the appearance of the highly promising galloper Zarizatycoon in the 1400m Parkes Couriers/Standen Building Class 2 Handicap.

Trained at Bathurst by Gayna Williams, Zarizatycoon had looked well above average when leading throughout to win at Narromine and Mudgee, however, bled when unplaced at Rosehill.

Following the mandatory time away from racing, Zarizatycoon resumed over 1280m at Orange and after travelling wide finished less than a length from the winner Nomorenightshift, the Mack Griffith-trained four-time winner and half-brother to Zarizatycoon.

Away quickly from an outside barrier at Parkes, Zarizatycoon was eased back and at the 600m trailed the leading trio by several lengths.

Expertly ridden by Clayton Gallagher, Zarizatycoon ($1.65 favourite) gained an opening at the top of the straight and broke clear for a comfortable win by over a length from Extravagant Choice (Ellen Hennessy, $21) and Lockadente (Claire Ramsbotham, $13).

A big 5yo gelding, Zarizatycoon looks to be still learning how to gallop and with further improvement is forecast to win plenty more races.

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The good crowd on Saturday has Parkes Jockey Club officials looking forward to the Parkes Cup meeting on Sunday 18th May.

Meanwhile, Bathurst races on Friday and Dubbo next Monday (3rd February).