Shalaa's Italian Riviera Strikes at Doomben

Mark Smith - Wednesday April 17

The 2-year-old Shalaa (IRE) gelding Italian Riviera took his record to two from three when giving his opponents weight and a beating over 1350m at Doomben on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Ridden by Michael Rodd for Stuart Kendrick, Italian Riviera was among the first to begin but allowed Age Of Aquarius and Wayfarer's Way to take up the running. Settled one and one back, Rodd bided his time as Samantha Collett made a lightning move on Black Assassin.

Making light of his 59kgs, Italian Riviera hit the line strongly to defeat the Headwater gelding Age Of Aquarius by a length with the same distance back to the Better Than Ready gelding Wayfarer's Way in third.

Italian Riviera made a winning debut on the Sunshine Coast Poly on March 10 before finishing fourth to Gin A Tonic at Eagle Farm on April 6.

The son of Shalaa (IRE) was a $60,000 purchase for his trainer from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Italian Riviera a $60,000 Inglis Classic yearling

A half-brother to the stakes-placed Japanese winner Waugau, Italian Riviera is the fourth winner from as many to race for the winning Tiznow mare Testico (USA),  whose dam is a half-sister to 4-time Gr1 winner Chief's Crown.

Sold for just $7000 on Inglis Digital, Testico (USA) has a yearling filly by Castelvecchio and was covered by Delago Deluxe last spring.

Italian Riviera is one of six 2-year-old winners of the season for Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (IRE).

Advertisment

Race Result - Sky Racing Hcp 1350m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:20.96
1
Italian Riviera
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x Testico (USA) (Tiznow (USA))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: M Rodd 59
2
0.9
Age Of Aquarius
- 2g Headwater (AUS) x Miss Pocket Rocket (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: Tasha Chambers Rdr: Jake Bayliss 57.5
3
2
Wayfarer's Way
- 2g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Pilgrim (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: V Duric 56
4
2.4
Captain Good Vibes
- 2g Highland Reel (IRE) x Lady Concord (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: Natalie McCall Rdr: Bailey Wheeler 54.5
5
5.2
Bitten By A Prince
- 2f Casino Prince (AUS) x Love Bites (AUS) (Keltrice (AUS))
Tnr: S A Dwyer Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54.5
6
7.4
Black Assassin
- 2c Pariah (AUS) x Indibelle (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Ms P Campbell Rdr: S T Collett 55
7
9.1
Kendyacatchme
- 2g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Whitefields (AUS) (Deep Field (AUS))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: Cejay Graham 55
8
11.9
Zephyrz Zoom
- 2f Gold Standard (AUS) x Atomic Meteor (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: B A Gentle Rdr: Matthew Palmer 55
More Reading...
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.