Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
G1 Underwood S., $1,000,000, 1800m
An intriguing G1 W.S Cox Plate clash with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) awaits Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) who was virtually untouched recording his second elite-level victory.
Bred by Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades Stud at Newmarket, the 40000 gns (AU$76,000) yearling was purchased for the Annabel Neasham stable for 150,000 gns (AU$286,000) at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
He is one of 25 stakes winners and three Group 1 winners sired by the multiple Group 1 winner Leroidesanimaux (Brz), who was once slanted to shuttle but it did not eventuate. Zaaki is out of the two-time winner Kesara (GB) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) who has also produced the Singapore-based stakes-placed and seven-time winner Kirks Ryker (GB) (Selkirk {USA}).
A half-sister to the dual Listed winner Persona Grata (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), Kesara is a descendant of the influential matriarch Marchetta (GB) (Marco {GB}) who features several times in the pedigree of Leroidesanimaux's dam Dissemble (GB) (Ahonoora {GB}).
G3 Sandown S., $200,000, 1500m
Big in name and big in talent, Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) made it six wins from just seven starts, and there looks to be Group 1 success in his future.
The 14th stakes winner of Rich Hill Stud's Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner, the imposing 5-year-old bred by C.J Cochrane & W.A Fowler is the second Group 3 winner for the dual-Listed winning Maroof (USA) mare Ticklish (NZ), also dam of the G1 Eclipse S. winner Melt (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Served last year by Vadamos (Fr), Ticklish hails from the family of the G1 VRC Derby hero Omnicorp (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) and the Group winners Pharostan (NZ) (Imposing), Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute's Choice), Wildly (Hurricane Sky), Suavity (Akaaber {USA)) and Eight Till Late (Lonhro).
By a stallion bred on a Petingo (GB)/Danzig (USA) cross out of a mare bred on the opposite, Elephant is also line-bred to the outstanding mares Natalma (USA), Almahmoud (USA), and Chandelier (Ire).
Listed Jim Moloney S., $160,000, 1400m
A thoroughly Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum product is Queen Of Dubai (Pride Of Dubai), he bred not only her but also her sire Pride Of Dubai and her dam Jezzabba (Fastnet Rock).
The 12th stakes winner for her dual Group 1-winning sire who resides at Coolmore, Queen Of Dubai is the second foal and second black-type performer for her dam, a dual-city winner whose first foal is the stakes-placed Dubai Star, also by Pride Of Dubai.
Recently producing another colt by that stallion, Jezzabba is out of the Group 1 mare Piavonic (Scenic {Ire}) who is best remembered for conquering the mighty Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) in the Manikato S. at Moonee Valley.
Also dam of the Group 2-winning and G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Von Costa De Hero, Piavonic is out of the stakes-placed Piave Girl (Brave Salute) from the family of stakes winners Emlozza (Encosta De Lago), Doppio (Umatilla), Mio Dio (God's Own), Bellonic (Redding) and Bel Thor (God's Own).
Queen Of Dubai is one of the six Pride Of Dubai stakes winners line-bred to Danehill (USA), featuring a 3 X 3 cross which is supported by strains of Danehill's high achieving relatives Northern Dancer (Can), Machiavellian (USA) and Halo (USA).
Listed Testa Rossa S., $160,000, 1300m
The day's most apt winner, Chaillot (Testa Rossa) was great recording a barnstorming victory in the race named in honour of her now-retired six-time winning sire.
Bred by Gerry Harvey and sold at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $25,000, Chaillot is one of her sire's 66 stakes winners. Her dam, Mary Of Modena (Encosta De Lago), now resides in New Zealand, served last spring by Tarzino (NZ).
Mary Of Modena is a full sister to the dam of Singapore stakes winner Lim's Racer (Red Giant) from the family of the Group 1 winners Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Grand Arch (USA) (Arch {USA}).
Chaillot boasts a fascinating pedigree with the presence of three siblings; her grandsire Perugino (USA) being a three-quarter brother to the full brothers Fairy King (USA) and Sadler's Wells (USA).
