Maurice Filly Azula Breaks the Ice at Randwick

Mark Smith - Wednesday May 10

A luckless fifth on debut at Warwick Farm on April 19, the elegant 2yo Maurice (JPN) filly Azula made no mistake at start two when leading at every call over 1400m at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.

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Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, the near-black filly was never in danger in defeating the Grunt gedling Rhythm Of Love by one and a quarter lengths, with the Justify (USA) colt Californian making ground late, the same distance back in third.

Adrian Bott said Azula might press on to Queensland.

“That was a nice, strong effort under a confident ride by Jean,” Adrian Bott said.

“He took control of the race and rolled forward. We thought she would be strong over this trip, which she showed first up.

“She showed good improvement and is a lovely filly. We wanted to see her get out to this distance. We will have to decide whether we press on to the Queensland Carnival.

“She will be a nice filly over a bit of a trip in the spring, so we have a few options to weigh up.”

A $100,000 purchase for G Waterhouse / A Bott / Kestrel from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Azula is the fifth winner from six to race from the Redoute’s Choice mare Shutout.

Azula a $100,000 Inglis Classic yearling

From Cambridge Stud’s fames family of Lonhro, Grosvenor, Lankan Rupee and Tavago, Shutout is the daughter of Group II winner and Group 1 NZ Thousand Guineas runner-up  La Sizeranne (Stravinsky).

Kelette Lodge bought a Denman colt from Shutout for $70,000 from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

After foaling a Fiorente colt last spring, Shutout was covered by Hallowed Crown.

Azula is the fifth 2yo winner of the season for Arrowfield Stud’s Maurice (JPN). 

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Race Result - Tab Hcp 1400m

Randwick-Kensington Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:23.90
1
Azula
- 2f Maurice (JPN) x Shutout (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 54.5
2
1.5
Rhythm Of Love
- 2g Grunt (NZ) x Not A Cherry (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Tyler Schiller 57
3
3.0
Californian
- 2c Justify (USA) x La Pomme De Pin (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: N Rawiller 59
4
3.2
Runwiththetide
- 2c Headwater (AUS) x Hakwa (AUS) (Harbour Watch (IRE))
Tnr: Ross McConville Rdr: Rachel King 56.5
5
3.9
Unowho
- 2g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Wickedness (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 56.5
6
4.0
Monsenora
- 2f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Vitruvian Lady (GB) (Manduro (GER))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Jett Stanley 51.5
7
4.2
Ravello
- 2c Savabeel (AUS) x Cover Charge (USA) (Take Charge Indy (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: C Schofield 58.5
8
5.8
Godzilla
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Jemison (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J Parr 58.5
9
6.4
Icebreaker
- 2g Pariah (AUS) x Registered Nurse (USA) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: B Lerena 56.5
10
7.1
Gunslinger
- 2g Impending (AUS) x Nightingales (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: K S Latham 56.5
11
8.3
Alsonfire
- 2c Almanzor (FR) x I See Fire (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: S Clipperton 56.5
12
8.4
Vividness
- 2f Exosphere (AUS) x Glows (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
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