One of the best two year-old colts last season, the Gary Portelli trained Sebring colt Sejardan produced his A game at Moonee Valley on Saturday to run down courageous Sweet Ride and win the Group III MVRC Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) by a long head.
Having his first run in Melbourne, Sejardan looked a picture in the yard and ran up to his good looks when powering home off the bend for Jamie Kah to overhaul Sweet Ride taking his overall record to four wins from nine starts with earnings topping $1.2million.
“Coming to the corner I thought he had a big job to catch the leader as Annabel (Sweet Ride’s trainer) has them very fit, but he just put in and he is a very good colt. Don’t worry, he’ll be there in the Coolmore next Saturday if he pulls up well,” said Gary Portelli.
“He’s a lovely colt, you saw the way he parades, he’s just a beautiful animal to deal with and a beautiful type, if he wins the Coolmore it’s job done.”
Sejardan was a $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase for his trainer from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft and runs for a syndicate of stable clients as well as John and Anne McDonnell, who were in the original ownership of Sebring.
Bred by Dale Miller, who also has a share in his ownership, Sejardan is the second foal and first winner for Miss Amajardan, a former smart spring two year-old Sydney winner by Hinchinbrook and a half-sister to speedy stakes horses Blazing Miss and Tristate.
Miss Amajardan has a two year-old colt by Trapeze Artist that was sold for $250,000 at Inglis Easter and was bought by Golden River / All Winners and has a yearling colt to follow by Capitalist.
Miss Amajardan has foaled this spring producing another colt by Capitalist.
Sejardan is the seventh stakes-winner this season for Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring.
