Written by Paul Vettise
In the mould of her older half-sister, Celestial Falls (Hinchinbrook) has shown an appreciation of a step up in distance to open her winning account on the Kensington track at Randwick.
The 2-year-old is out of the Dalakhani (Ire) mare Rippled (GB), who is also the dam of Celestial Falls’ stablemate and this season’s G1 VRC Oaks runner-up Greysful Glamour (Stratum).
“Apart from colour, they are very similar fillies,” trainer Mark Newnham said.
Celestial Falls as a yearling
Celestial Falls has shown steady improvement as she has gone out in trip, following up a debut fifth over 1200 metres at Canterbury with a third placing over 1400 metres at Kembla Grange before claiming the thick end of the stake in the Winter Racing H.
“This filly has been looking for a bit of ground. She was rising in class but dropped in weight and she’s very fit,” Newnham said.
“This filly has been looking for a bit of ground. She was rising in class but dropped in weight and she’s very fit.” - Mark Newnham said.
Ridden by in-form stable apprentice Robbie Dolan, Celestial Falls settled in fourth spot before she was angled three wide before the turn and she finished resolutely to down Hey Mighty (Fastnet Rock).
Celestial Falls' pedigree page features an array of European Group performers, including the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Zelzal (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
She was purchased out of Edinglassie Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $80,000 by Darby Racing and Hubie De Burgh after they had paid $60,000 for Greysful Glamour from the Muswellbrook farm’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale consignment the previous year.
Top filly back
Newnham also said his quality filly Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) has returned to his Randwick quarters.
“She’s back in the stable after six weeks in the paddock. She’s a monster now so we couldn’t leave her out any longer.”
Nakeeta Jane
Nakeeta Jane won the G1 Surround S. and the G2 Light Fingers S., as well as finishing third in the G1 Randwick Guineas, last preparation.
“We’ll give her a couple of runs and then decide whether we stay for the Golden Eagle or head to Melbourne,” Newnham said.
Leviathan effort
Meanwhile, Leviathan (Zoustar) made his first appearance in the Kensington H. and he produced a professional performance to come across heels from his trailing position in the straight to dash clear and an early return on a healthy investment.
The first foal of the Group performer Lady Lakshmi (Lonhro) to race, he was a $375,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for James Harron.
Leviathan as a yearling
Lady Lakshmi is a half-sister to the two-time stakes winner Celebrity Girl (Starcraft {NZ}) with their dam Dashing Granada (Keltrice) a Listed winner and a sister to the G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Northeast Sheila.
Leviathan is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and was ridden by Tim Clark.
