Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Ertijaaj makes a statement on Australian debut
The royally-bred Ertijaaj (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) made a striking impression when breaking her maiden over 1500 metres at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday, with in-form jockey Ben Melham producing a confident ride for the Chris Waller stable.
The 4-year-old mare boasts a pedigree of the highest order, being by outstanding European sire Night Of Thunder (Ire) and out of G1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab (Snitzel). Having placed on debut at Haydock over 1401 metres last July, she was subsequently exported to Australia and delivered first-up locally for her breeders and owners Emirates Park.
A genuine tempo was established early, with Pari Moi (So You Think {NZ}) rolling forward to lead and favourite Dame Florence (Zoustar) applying pressure outside. Despite the pace, Melham allowed Ertijaaj to settle second last on the outer in the compact six-horse field.
“It’s only her first prep here with us, and she’s really put things together in her work, and been really good in the last month,” stable representative Lizzie Collett said.
“She was super zippy that last 200m, so that’s very positive, and she’s going to be a very promising filly going forward.”
“She (Ertijaaj) was super zippy that last 200m, so that’s very positive, and she’s going to be a very promising filly going forward.” - Lizzie Collett
Melham echoed that sentiment, noting there is still improvement to come as she gains experience.
“Obviously a well-bred filly, I sat on her for the first time at the trials the other day,” he said.
“Little bit aggressive, still a little raw – good natural talent, but just a work in progress a little bit. She made good improvement from that trial.
“I felt she had the race at her mercy at any stage, rounded them up very quickly, and just got lost when she got to the front. We’re just trying to go quietly with her and teach her to race the right way around. She was able to tick the box here today with a metropolitan win.
“I’m sure the more she progresses into her career, the better she’ll be.”
“I’m sure the more she (Ertijaaj) progresses into her career, the better she’ll be.” - Ben Melham
Pedigree info: Ertijaaj is the second foal out of G1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, who also claimed the G2 Reisling Stakes. She is a full sister to talented Group 3 winner Remarque (Snitzel) and out of dual Group 1-winning sprinter Response (Charge Forward).
Estijaab began her broodmare career in Great Britain, producing dual winner and Listed-placed Ejaabiyah (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Ertijaaj. She was later sent to America where she was served by Gun Runner (USA), with that colt subsequently born in Australia and named Arms Trader. More recently, Estijaab has a Tassort weanling filly and was served by Too Darn Hot (GB) last spring.
Katoto delivers with a touch of class at Kembla
Katoto (Wootton Bassett {GB}) justified strong market support in the juvenile event at Kembla Grange, producing a composed performance to score narrowly but impressively for Chris Waller and Jason Collett.
The race resulted in a Waller-trained trifecta, with Katoto proving superior to stablemates Unhinged (Snitzel) and Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}), both of who ran very well on debut.
Unhinged is a well-related colt, a half-brother by Snitzel to $2.2 million earner and Group I winner Hinged (Worthy Cause). Tron Bolt, who topped the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale at $900,000, is the first foal of Group 3 and Listed winner Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince), a family that includes triple Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award) and Group 2 and Listed winner Philia (All Too Hard).
“The filly having the benefit of that one run under her belt was the turning of the tables today given that she had that little bit race experience and fitness,” said stable representative Darren Beadman.
“It was a gallant effort by her and she is a lovely filly by Wootton Basset that is going places.”
“It was a gallant effort by her and she (Katoto) is a lovely filly by Wootton Basset that is going places.” - Darren Beadman
Collett was equally pleased with the effort.
“She was clean from the gates today and was I was able to get her into a good spot,” he said.
“It was a soft win, albeit not by a big margin, but I had a lot of horse under me from a long way out.”
“It was a soft win, albeit not by a big margin, but I had a lot of horse under me from a long way out.” - Jason Collett
Sales info: Katoto was purchased for $450,000 by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Katoto is the third foal out of dual Fastnet Rock-winning mare Rose Of Savannah, making her a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed filly Savvy Hallie (Hellbent).
Katoto as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her grandam Savannah River (Encosta De Lago) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and Champion Stallion Savabeel, while great-grandam Savannah Success (Success Express {USA}) was a dual Group 1 winner.
Rose Of Savannah has recently produced a yearling colt by Home Affairs, who sold for NZ$200,000 at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale to Pike Racing, along with a weanling filly by Reliable Man (GB), and she was served by I Am Invincible last spring.
Rubare proves too sharp on the Heath
The juvenile contest on the Caulfield Heath appeared open on paper, but it was the Nick Ryan-trained Rubare (Rubick) who capitalised, using her race experience to full effect with a decisive front-running display.
The promising filly, ridden by apprentice Dakotah Keane, controlled proceedings from the front in what developed into a muddling tempo over 1000 metres. Forbidden Desire (Tassort) applied some pressure outside, but Rubare had the race under control a long way out.
Kicking strongly in the straight, she proved too slick, scoring by a clean length from Shooting Brake (Home Affairs), who caught the eye on debut for Dominic Sutton when surging between runners. Oxford Street (Exceed And Excel) was solid in third, while race favourite Morning Whisper (Written Tycoon) finished well into fourth despite the unsuited race shape.
“She was a cheap yearling, we got her at Melbourne Premier for about $30,000 and she’s always shown good speed, she is a fast filly. She obviously ran in the Maribyrnong Trial behind Streisand, Clinton’s (McDonald) good filly that won the Diamond and then at Cranbourne the other day she was beat by a pretty smart one.” Ryan said.
“I’ve kept her really fresh,. I had earmarked this race as on the Caulfield Heath, I knew she is quick and she would corner in front and we would utilise the claim with Dakotah who is riding really well and she showed them a clean pair of heel which was really good.”
Rubare as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sales info: Rubare was purchased for $35,000 by Nick Ryan Racing from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Book 2.
Pedigree info: Rubare is the third and final foal out of Miss Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a four-time winner.
Miss Belisa is a three-quarter-sister to 10-time winner and dual Listed winner Snitch (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The extended family also includes Champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore and now stallion Gingerbread Man.
Call Me Zeus toughs it out on debut
It may not have been straightforward, but Call Me Zeus (Zoustar) showed grit and ability to land a determined debut victory for trainer David Pfieffer at Kembla Grange.
Coming into the race off strong trial performances, the 3-year-old colt was slow into stride under Tommy Berry before quickly mustering speed to sit outside leader Silverwater Kid (D’Argento), with Don’t What Me Sat (Peltzer) positioned just behind.
As the leader kicked, Call Me Zeus initially appeared under pressure when Our Lady Peace (Exceed And Excel) loomed, but the challenge seemed to spark him. He responded strongly, pulling clear late to defeat Our Lady Peace by just over a length, with Don’t What Me finishing third.
While not the most polished display, it was a performance full of determination and suggests there is more to come.
Sales info: Call Me Zeus was purchased for $650,000 by O Koolman from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Call Me Zeus is the seventh live foal out of Listed-winning mare Swiss Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park), who has produced five winners from five runners, including Group 3 winner Bella Rosa (Snitzel).
Call Me Zeus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The family also features G2 Maribyrnong Plate and Listed Magic Millions 2YO winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester), along with smart New Zealand sprinter Prom Queen (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}), a multiple Group 3 and Listed winner.
Swiss Rose has recently produced a weanling filly by So You Think (NZ) and was served by Bivouac last spring.
