Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday June 2

A place in the field for Saturday weeks JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) awaits four runners in Saturday's Listed Ascot Green The Phoenix (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Two of the Chris Waller trio, Mojave Desert (I Am Invincible) and Influential (The Autumn Sun), are 17th and 24th, respectively, in the JJ Atkins. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly Azula (Maurice) is 19th, and the Robert & Luke Price-trained Brave Agenda (Brave Smash) is 21st.

Azula should take some running down.

The near-black daughter of Maurice (JPN) had little luck when fifth in a quality maiden at Warwick Farm on debut. She gave nothing else a chance when leading at every call over 1400m at Randwick-Kensington on May 10.

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.

The winner of one of her six starts and placed twice in New Zealand, Shutout is a three-quarter sister to Group II-placed Joy's Choice (Redoute's Choice) and a half-sister to Listed Queen Adelaide stakes winner La Moulin Rouge (Street Cry).

Shutout's dam La Sizeranne won the Group City Tatt's QLD Winter Stakes in 2006, the year before it became a Group 1.

The daughter of Stravinsky was a multiple Group III winner in New Zealand, was narrowly beaten in the Group1 NZ in the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas and was third in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeder's Stakes  

Azula a $100,000 Inglis Classic yearling

La Sizeanne is a granddaughter of the blue-hen, My Tricia, a daughter of the Bart Cummings-trained Gay Poss (Le Filou), whose eleven wins included the AJC Oaks, Caulfield Stakes, Craiglee Stakes and Kewney Stakes.

Advertisement

My Tricia (Hermes) left eight foals by Sir Tristram and two by Sir Tristram's champion son Zabeel, as well as Concia (First Consul) and My Marseillaise (Marceau).

Concia left two stakes-winners, AJC Oaks heroine Mahaya and STC Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Shadea, the dam of Lonhro, Niello, and Shannara, and the great granddam of this season's smart 2yo Circular.

My Marseillaise produced the stakes-winners, Bon Cher and De Lisle.

The last two foals of My Tricia, the Zabeel mares Tricia Ann and Ana Zeal, left lasting legacies.

Tricia Ann is the dam of La Sizeranne and the granddam of ATC Australian Derby hero Tavigo (Tavistock).

Ana Zeel is the dam of Group II MVRC Champagne Stakes winner Estelle Collection, a blood-sister to La Sizeranne, who is the dam of the 5-time Group 1 winner and Australian Horse Of The Year, Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice).

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 colt by the recently deceased Fiorente (IRE) last spring, Shutout was covered by Hallowed Crown.

Maurice (JPN)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Maurice Filly Azula Breaks the Ice at Randwick
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.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Maurice Filly Azula Toughs it Out in Phoenix Stakes
Connections will ponder a start in next week's Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes for Azula after the talented daughter of Maurice (JPN) scored a fighting win in Saturday's Listed Ascot Green The Phoenix Stakes (1500m) at Eagle Farm.