Coming off a maiden win at Geelong after finishing runner-up in three stakes to kick-start her career, the Sebring filly Nanagui came with a whirlwind finish to capture Saturday's Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
Ridden by Luke Nolen for Peter Moody, the Rosemont Stud colour-bearer defeated Written By's half-sister C'est Magique (Zoustar) by three-quarter of a length with a further half-neck back to Typhoon Titmus (Headwater) in third.
Nanagui debuted with a second in the Group III Chairman's Stakes at Caulfield in February before being edged out by Ruthless Dane in the Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington. She spelled after a luckless second to Crosswinds in the Listed St Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Peter Moody’s assistant trainer Katherine Coleman said the Sebring filly richly deserved her stakes breakthrough.
“She’s done nothing wrong her whole career this filly, she was unlucky not to pick one up as a two-year-old, but she’s done a massive job,” Coleman said.
“She’s only a lightly framed filly, so to get this win today is a great result for Rosemont and the team.
“She’s such a tough little filly, she had to push her way out there, but it doesn’t faze her, in fact, she really seems to relish a bit of a fight, so it definitely opens up for some nice races and a bit fun later in the spring.
“We’ll just see how she comes through it and pick out a nice race for her. She’s really done her job today by getting that win.”
Bred by Mike Howard, Nanagui was purchased by Rosemont Stud for $450,000 from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Nanagui holds nominations for the Golden Rose and Thousand Guineas. for the Golden
From the final crop of Sebring, Nanagui is the third winner from as many foals of the talented Shamardal (USA) mare Shamalia, whose five wins included the Group III ATC Birthday Card Stakes and Listed Fireball Stakes.
A half-sister to Listed ATC Randwick City Stakes winner Emperor's Way (Roman Emperor), Shamalia was bought by Beaufort Bloodstock for $300,000 at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.
Domeland purchased an Impending colt out of Shamalia at this year's Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $200,000.
After foaling a Lonhro colt last spring, Shamalia was given a season off.
Nanagui is the 78th stakes winner for Golden Slipper winner Sebring (More Than Ready), who died in February 2019.
