Cover image courtesy of Yulong Stud
Big, raw colt gives a glimpse of what he could be in the spring
It’s not often a debutant from the powerhouse Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable goes around at double-figure odds, but that was the case with Duke Of Arrakis (Written Tycoon), who scored impressively as he burst between runners late under Regan Bayliss at Randwick.
He jumped well but was quickly outpaced as others mustered speed around him, with the Waterhouse and Bott stablemate Albany Road (Exceed And Excel) showing dazzling early pace to take up the lead, closely tracked by Harry’s Evidence (Harry Angel {Ire}). The well-fancied Cold Brew (Pierro) ended up being caught a bit wide and he surged forward nearing the turn, but lugged in badly under pressure when he looked likely.
That left a perfect opportunity for Duke Of Arrakis, who powered through a narrow gap late and charged clear to win by a length and a half. Cold Brew held second, while Stardeel (Dundeel {NZ}) ran on well for third. A strong debut also came from Cross Tasman (NZ) (Super Seth), who made excellent ground late and, being out of dual Group 1 Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), he looks like a colt that will relish more distance and time.
“I’m excited about him going forward from today,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott. “He’s just been a little bit raw at home, and we saw that in the run today. No doubt there’s a lot of improvement to come.
"Physically, he’s still got a bit of maturing to do and he’ll continue to fill out. He’s going to be a much better 3-year-old.”
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing
Bott suggested they won’t push too far into the winter. “I just want to do enough to season him, because I think there are some big races for him in the spring.”
Regan Bayliss, who has partnered the colt in two trials, was full of praise for his composure and acceleration. “It was just a bonus for him to win today. He’s going to improve massively with the run, mentally and physically. Once he gets up over 1400 metres, he’ll go to another level,” Bayliss said.
“It’s good for a young horse like him to be able to take a tight gap and sprint away. He’s only going to keep improving.”
“It’s good for a young horse like him (Duke Of Arrakis) to be able to take a tight gap and sprint away. He’s only going to keep improving.” - Regan Bayliss
Duke Of Arrakis races for a large ownership group of stable clients including Cunningham Thoroughbreds, whose silks he carried to victory. That team has enjoyed a strong run of form, including the win of Pillow Flight (Zoustar) on Monday at Canterbury. Yulong Stud, who bred and sold the colt, have retained a share in the promising juvenile.
He was purchased for $360,000 by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Cunningham Thoroughbreds, and Jim Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Yulong.
Duke Of Arrakis as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A half-brother to the precocious dual-winning juvenile and Group-performed Shangri La Express (Alabama Express), winner of the $1 million Golden Gift at his second start, Duke Of Arrakis comes from a strong black-type family. Their dam Sent From Above (Lonhro) is a daughter of the multiple Group and Listed winner Gamble Me (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Sent From Above’s yearling filly by Alabama Express sold for $200,000 to The Oaks Stud at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she is due to foal again to Alabama Express this spring.
Kahlua Girl strikes for the in-form Shailer
Gold Coast-based trainer Paul Shailer has been enjoying a strong run with his juveniles this season, headlined by Isti Star (Better Than Ready), winner of the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, and Ha’Penny Hatch (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), a dual winner and Listed placegetter. That momentum continued at Doomben on Wednesday when promising filly Kahlua Girl (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) broke through for a well-deserved win in a competitive 2-year-old event.
The 1200-metre race was run at a genuine tempo, with Ready For Aimee (Better Than Ready) kicking through from her inside gate to lead. From a wide draw, jockey Michael Rodd allowed Kahlua Girl to roll forward and sit outside the leader, keeping her honest throughout. Meanwhile, Enforceable (Star Turn) enjoyed a cosy run in behind the speed.
When Rodd asked Kahlua Girl to go at the top of the straight, she responded gamely and took control, but soon looked vulnerable as favourite Crash The Party (Brave Smash {Jpn}) - trained by Toby Edmonds and Stephen McLean, stormed down the outside. The margin was narrow, but Kahlua Girl held on bravely, with Astern Effort (Astern) finishing third and Enforceable battling on for fourth.
“She was very good, she got a well-deserved win,” Shailer said.
“She’s had a bit of bad luck in previous runs and has been very consistent without quite getting there.”
Paul Shailer | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Reflecting on the race, Shailer acknowledged the filly’s tough run in transit.
“She had to do it the hard way a bit. She jumped well, did some work early to cross and sit outside the leader, but she gave a good kick and held on,” he said.
“She (Kahlua Girl) had to do it the hard way a bit. She jumped well, did some work early to cross and sit outside the leader, but she gave a good kick and held on.” - Paul Shailer
“At Doomben, with the rail out nine metres, it really helps to be on-speed. The favourite did a terrific job to nearly get us, and Kahlua Girl was entitled to feel it late after working and being five weeks between runs.
“I don’t think anyone would begrudge her that win, she deserves it.”
Kahlua Girl was purchased for just $40,000 from draft of Newhaven Park at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Shailer Racing, Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA), and High Calibre Racing.
Video: Kahlua Girl as a yearling, video courtesy of Magic Millions
“Our bloodstock man Julian Blaxland did a great job with the buy. Her pedigree is excellent,” Shailer said.
“She’s by Cool Aza Beel, who is really making his mark. It’s great to see a Kiwi bred stallion doing so well over here, he’s got the favourite for the JJ Atkins in Cool Archie, and Kahlua Girl is closely related to Super Seth, who now stands for $75,000 and is looking like a top sire.”
Looking ahead, Shailer plans to give the filly a break after notching her fifth start of the season.
“It was really important to get that metropolitan win today. I don’t think she’s a superstar, but she’s honest and tough. She’ll head to the paddock now, and I think she can come back as an early 3-year-old and be very competitive in Saturday city-grade races. Who knows what level she might reach with time.”
Down The Hatch | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Kahlua Girl is the fifth foal out of Down The Hatch (Flying Spur), a three-time winner who scored at metropolitan level at Moonee Valley. The mare is a half-sister to Salutations (Rdoute's Choice), the dam of Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth, now a highly promising young stallion at Waikato Stud with four Group 1 winners already from his first two crops.
Since producing Kahlua Girl, Down The Hatch has had a yearling filly by Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and is due to foal this spring to Kobayashi.
Sister Daae booms home from last to win stylishly
The promising Zoustar filly Sister Daae defied a drift in the market to produce a powerful late burst over 1400 metres, with the Chris Waller-trained filly storming home from last under Jason Collett to score an eye-catching first-up win.
She showed plenty of promise in her initial preparation without winning, and she clearly benefited from a nice spell, and a pair of solid trials leading into this campaign.
From the inside barrier, Vetwelve (Grunt {NZ}) pushed forward to hold the lead, with the well-supported Aloysius (So You Think {NZ}) pressing on to sit outside him. The well-backed pair matched motors throughout, ensuring a strong tempo that suited the closers and so that proved.
Invisible Magic (Per Incanto {USA}), trained by Ciaron Maher, enjoyed an ideal run just off the speed and was travelling smoothly into the straight. When a gap appeared, she surged through and looked the likely winner, but Sister Daae, having tracked wide and made a sustained run from the rear, let down powerfully in the final 200 metres to overhaul her rival and win going away in the hands of Jason Collett.
Invisible Magic ran a bold race for second, while Vetwelve and Aloysius boxed on gamely to finish third and fourth respectively after setting up the strong tempo.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
Purchased for $300,000 by Hermitage Thoroughbreds and Chris Waller Racing from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sister Daae is a filly with a deep pedigree and plenty of upside.
Sister Daae also boasts one of the most distinguished female families in the Australian Stud Book. She traces directly to the legendary Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}), a foundation mare whose descendants include Group 1 stars such as Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre {USA}), Thorn Park, Tuesday Joy (Carnegie {Ire}), More Joyous (More Than Ready {USA}) and Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}).
She is the final foal out of Next The Universe (Mossman), a talented mare who won three races and placed in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes. Sadly, she died in 2023, but she has left a strong legacy, producing five winners from five foals to race, including Daintree Diva (Vancouver), a four-time winner, including at metropolitan level in Queensland.
Next The Universe | Image courtesy of Sportpix
With this impressive return victory, Sister Daae looks well-placed to climb through the grades this winter and into the spring.
