The American Pharoah (USA) debutant American Zombie led home a 1-2 for Eddie Hirsch in the Tile Importer Hcp (1000m) for 2yo fillies at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.
Ridden by Luke Nolen for John Sadler, American Zombie blew the start and had just two behind her on the home turn. One of those was the Street Boss (USA) debutant Magic Madonna who finished fast to get within a length and a quarter of American Zombie on the line.
Lindsay Park’s Pierro filly Optume was a half-length back in third.
American Zombie was very green in the straight, wanting to lug in with Nolen on one rein.
“It looked uncomfortable at the start, and I thought Luke was heading to the turf,” Sadler said.
“It was a good win and a big thrill because of the Hirsch family, who have been terribly loyal to me for over thirty years. They are great owners, and loyalty is what they are all about. They quinelled the race with two nice fillies.
“That filly of the Salanitri’s (Magic Madonna) was a great run, but there is a lot to come for this filly. She will go to the paddock. We were going to turn her out after the trial because she is still immature. She came through the trial so well with no issues, so we decided to run.
“ I would be hopeful after that she will be a spring filly. She has come a long way, and if you told me four weeks ago she would be winning a race first-up at Sandown, you would be optimistic, to say the least.
A $55,000 purchase for Eddie Hirsch from the Gooree Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, American Zombie is a half-sister to Gooree Stud’s Group 1 BRC BTC Cup winner Your Song.
She is the eighth winner from nine to race for the royally-bred Fuji Kiseki (JPN) mare Zembu, who died in January.
American Zombie is the tenth foal of Zembu, who died in January after foaling a filly by Yes Yes Yes last spring.
