Kiwi Bred Fillies Stampede for Oaks -Pedigree Appeal

Tara Madgwick - Friday June 2

Kiwi bred three year-old fillies have been hot to trot in Australia this season and they are out in force for the last Group I Oaks race of the season with six of the fillies engaged for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) all foaled in New Zealand including a filly that is closely related to last week’s Queensland Derby winner Kovalica.

Click to see the full Sale Mail for Eagle Farm.

Kiwi bred runners in the Oaks are: Affaire A Suivre (Astern), Renaissance Woman (Reliable Man (GB), So Dazzling (So You Think), Sakura Girl (Iffraaj (GB), Proscenium Arch (So You Think) and Cheval D’Or (Almanzor (Fr).

Affaire A Suivre has already got an Oaks on her resume having won the SAJC Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide last month and with the scratching of race favourite Fireburn, she and Renaissance Woman find themselves at the top of the market.

Renaissance Woman is from a high class speed female family, but her sire Reliable Man has already produced two Oaks winner in Miami Bound and Miss Sentimental and this Oaks is only 2200m which will be in her favour.

Advertisement

So You Think has two runners - So Dazzling was second in the Australian Oaks, but seems to prefer softer ground, while Proscenium Arch has been just behind place-getters at past two starts, but could easily get in the frame here and is closely related to Group II Perth Cup winner Midnight Blue, so additional trip should suit.

The two Kiwi trained fillies Sakura Girl  and Cheval D’Or have certainly been given the visitor’s draw jumping from gates 21 and 20 and have the form and pedigree to be competitive. Cheval D’Or is by Almanzor, who already has an Aussie classic winner on the resume with Manzoice winning the Victoria Derby and Virtuous Circle a good second in the Australian Derby. Cheval D’Or is a half-sister to triple Group I winning sprinter The Bostonian and to Vitesse, the dam of last week’s Queensland Derby winner Kovalica.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 8
Here is the full list of 18 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
El Vencedor Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Cracks $1million in Prizemoney
Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Aussie Connection with Impressive St Mark’s Basilica Debut Winner
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is at Coolmore Australia this spring and had an impressive debut winner at Ascot overnight with El Vamos powering clear of her rivals to win as she pleased.
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
Tara Talks Racing – This Week We Talk to Bennett Racing
In the wash up of last Saturday’s great day of spring racing there was no winner that meant more to his connections than Group I MVRC Moir Stakes victory Baraqiel, so our obvious guest this week had to be Nathan Bennett.