Trial watchers have bided their time waiting for the Chris Waller-trained Espiona to make her debut, which she did in style at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Carrying the colours of Star Thoroughbreds, the 3yo daughter of Extreme Choice made a one-act affair of the Merchant Navy @ Coolmore Maiden (1200m).
It was left to her fellow Star Thoroughbreds stablemate Arranmore (Astern) to do the chasing. She could get no closer than three and a half lengths at the finish with a further one and a half lengths back to Lady Of Piaf (I Am Invincible) rounding out a Chris Waller trifecta.
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uo;She’s an excitement machine. She’s had a beautiful grounding and very well educated with three trials,” McDonald said.
“They could have taken her to the races, but put her out, then brought her back and obviously, she is going to be a goodie to play around with.
“She oozes so much class, and when I asked her to accelerate, it felt like I was on good ground, and the track is probably closer to a heavy.
“I can’t wait to see what she can do on good ground."
Espiona was a $190,000 purchase by Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
From Waikato Stud’s phenomenal Escada family, Espiona is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Dahooil, purchased by Waller for $340,000 from the Waikato draft at the 2015 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.
A sister to stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly, Dahooil has not had a foal since Espiona and was covered by Capitalist last spring.
