Pattisons Canadian International Stakes (Grade 1)

BRITISH invader Hillstar blasted to the lead approaching midstretch and held on firmly for victory under jockey Ryan Moore in the $1 million Grade 1 Pattisons Canadian International last Sunday at Woodbine in Toronto.

Hillstar was the 6/5 favourite in the field of nine, defeating the grinding Big Blue Kitten by three-quarters of a length, with Dynamic in third over good turf for the mile and a half distance. With the victory, Hillstar passed $1 million in career earnings in his first North American start.

The four-year-old son of Danehill Dancer races for Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who won his second Canadian International following Singspiel in 1996.

However, Hillstar provided the second Canadian International winner in a row for champion rider Moore, who won last year’s race with Joshua Tree.

Hillstar raced midpack for the opening mile as Reporting Star set the pace, before The Pizza Man took control leading the field into the stretch as Hillstar, who advanced to fourth on the outside rounding the final bend, loomed into contention.

Three wide coming into the stretch, Hillstar took command after sweeping past The Pizza Man and finished in a drive for Moore all the way to the finish line.

Big Blue Kitten, who was tracking Hillstar all the way into the stretch, rallied willingly for Joel Rosario and was cutting into Hillstar’s advantage.

“I was out a little bit too early but he was fine and plenty and it was going to take a good horse to get by him,” said Moore. “I am sure the boss (trainer Stoute) had this race as a target from a long way out.”

The race’s complexion changed dramatically when morning line favourite and Group 1 Irish St Leger winner, Brown Panther, was scratched prior to the start.

Fractious prior to the race, Brown Panther bucked off jockey Richard Kingscote near the starting gate. He got loose shortly thereafter and bolted past the starting gate, taking off around the course, with the remounted Kingscote, his feet out of the stirrups, unable to control him.

Kingscote was eventually dropped on the backside by Brown Panther, who then continued his journey alone around the turf course before finally being corralled by the course outrider.

“Just before the break, the horse got wound up and unfortunately he got me off,” a dejected Kingscote said.

“When I got back on, I tried to keep him relaxed and as soon as I let go he bolted. There wasn’t much I could do after that. He’s never done that before. He sometimes dances about and gets on his toes, but he’s never been that extreme.”

“It’s very disappointing,” said Tom Dascombe, trainer of Brown Panther. “Well done to the winner. It wasn’t our day today.”

Brown Panter will now head to Santa Anita to contest the Breeders’ Cup Turf.