American Pharoah's Sisterhood Strolls Home at Pakenham

Mark Smith - Thursday March 9

There might be a good race in the not-too-distant future for the American Pharoah (USA) filly Sisterhood after she treated her rivals with contempt in a 3yo fillies maiden over 1200m at Pakenham on Thursday.

Sisterhood shows then a clean pair of heels (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Punters were on the money, sending out Sisterhood an odd-on favourite following her fast-finishing second on debut over a 1000m on the same track.

Ridden by Teo Nugent for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Sisterhood travelled sweetly outside the leader Frosted Romance.

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The Dorrington Farm homebred was strong to the line in defeating the Deep Field filly Alletante by two and a half lengths, with the Hellbent debutant Hell Follows a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Sisterhood's owner/breeder Rob Crabtree said the filly's breeding suggests she will only improve when the distances stretch out.

"She is an American Pharoah out of a Makfi mare who is out of a Monsun mare," Crabtree revealed.

Teo Nugent agreed the filly had a bright future.

"She got a long way back at her first start; she was a little new and raw. But the way she found the line, the sectionals suggested she could come here and be hard to beat, and so she was," Nugent said.

"She began well, and I played my cards early. A couple of non-fancied runners were going to slot in front, and I wanted to hold my spot outside the leader.

Sisterhood is a powerhouse (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

"I could have put her anywhere in the race, and it is a shame she had nothing to go with her,

"We hit the front a long way out. She was dominant, but I don't doubt she could have doubled or tripled the margin.

"She has a motor; when I pressed the button, she extended nicely.

"She will get over more ground and showed great progression from her first to the second start.

"We have a nice horse on our hands. When I galloped her, she felt like an open-class sprinter."

Sisterhood is the second foal of the Makfi (GB) mare Not Only Florina (IRE), who won three consecutive races at three in France, culminating in a Listed race over 10f at Toulouse.

She made two starts in Australia for David Hayes when carrying Rob Crabtree's red and white checks and trailed the field home both times.  

World Wide Bloodstock / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott shelled out $160,000 for a So You Think half-sister to Sisterhood consigned by Blue Gum Farm at the recent Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

From the family of the Hong King fan favourite Pakistan Star, Not Only Florina (IRE) foaled a King's Legacy last spring and visited St Mark's Basilica (FR).

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Race Result - John Duff & Co Mdn Plate 1200m

Pakenham Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:11.98
1
Sisterhood
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Not Only Florina (IRE) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 57
2
2.5
Alletante
- 3f Deep Field (AUS) x Invitante (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: Ben Allen 57
3
4.3
Hell Follows
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Come Follow Me (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: C Newitt 57
4
4.4
Piera Maria
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Our Gift To You (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: Shane Stockdale Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 57
5
4.8
Poiema
- 3f Territories (IRE) x Isabeau (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: B Mc Dougall 57
6
4.9
Frosted Romance
- 3f Frosted (USA) x Parisian Romance (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Trotter Rdr: Jack Hill 57
7
5.0
Blue Chip Girl
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x She's A Fox (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: D Moor 57
8
6.8
Showno
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Mercy May (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: L Nolen 57
9
12.8
Tottenham Hotspur
- 3f Holler (AUS) x White Hart Lane (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Shawn Mathrick Rdr: Zac Spain 57
10
16.8
Amerdonnas
- 3f Americain (USA) x Donna Bella (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: M Croston & G Gilmour Rdr: B Higgins 57
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