In a field of bluebloods for Saturday's Neds Australian Whisky Hcp at Rosehill Gardens, it would be a dereliction to ignore a first starter from one of the outstanding broodmares of modern times.
The tenth foal of Essaouira (Exceed And Excel), Caravanserai, steps out for James Cummings on Saturday.
The son of Blue Point (IRE) has shaped nicely in two trials but has had few favours in drawing barrier 14.
Retired from racing due to injury after just two starts, Essaouira broke a long line of stakes winners, but there is no doubt she had serious ability.
After a six-length romp under Kerrin McEvoy when on debut at Moonee Valley in February 2009, she copped the ire of stewards when putting on a display of bucking when unplaced as an odds-on favourite in the Listed Chairman's Stakes (1100m) won by Headway at Caulfield.
What might have been on the track was quickly forgotten when Essaouira left winner after winner at stud.
Leading the way have been Alizee (Sepoy), winner of the Gr 1 ATC Queen of the Turf stakes Group 1 Flight Stakes, Group 1 MRC Futurity Stakes, Astern (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes, Tassort (Brazen Beau) winner of the ATC Golden Gift and runner-up in the Group II ATC Silver Slipper, and Mogador (Lonhro) was a 3 -time winner and 3-times stakes-placed
Essaouira's first foal Marrakesh (Lonhro), a 3-time winner, hit the ground running with her first foal Mamounia a Listed stakes-winner.
Essaouira's daughter Leopard (Animal Kingdom) could have been the black sheep of the family. She finished last at Kembla Grange at her only start but redeemed herself with her first foal, Amur, winning the Group III ATC TL Baillieu Handicap.
The dam of Essaouira, Alizes (Rory's Jester), won the Group II STC Magic Night Stakes and Listed VRC Waltzing Lily Quality; granddam La Baraka (Euclase) won the Group 1 AJC The Galaxy; and great granddam Triscay (Marscay), was one of the best mares of the modern era, winning 15 races highlighted by the AJC Oaks, VRC Australian Guineas, AJC Flight Stakes, AJC Champagne Stakes and Queensland Oaks.
Following Caravanserai, Essaouira has a yearling colt named Chergui by Frosted (USA). After foaling a Pinatubo (IRE) filly in November, Essaouira was covered by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Blue Point (IRE) is still searching for his first winner after eight starters, but he is not alone there. Many have shown ability, including Blue Stratum, who was second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate, Efharisto was second in the Max Lees 2YO Classic, and Blue Illusion was third in the Kirkham Plate at Randwick.
