Helmet Filly Opens Winning Account

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

Twelve months on from Helmet filly Limestone winning the first race of the year in Melbourne, the New Year Plate (1000m) at Flemington, it was the turn of another daughter of Helmet to open her winning account in the same race and she achieved it by holding the challenge of a filly by Helmet's half-brother Epaulette.

A close-up fourth when leading them up in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington on her career debut back in October, Crossing the Abbey was always travelling sweetly for Craig Williams but was all out at the finish to hold off the Lindsay Park debutant Khulaasa.

A daughter of Darley Stud's emerging young stallion Epaulette, Khulaasa was rapidly overhauling Crossing the Abbey but fell a short-half-head short.

Advertisement

Khulaasa's stablemate Graceful Star was three and a quarter lengths back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer ). 


"I was a little bit nervous today, my old stomach was churning a bit," Hughes said.

"The other day I did her blood and her while white blood cell count was a little elevated.

"She's put on about 35kgs from her first run, which is a lot for a little two-year-old.

"We'll try and get her over 1200m and then see what happens after that.

"She's always shown us plenty of speed so we'll see how she recovers from this before we make any plans."

Williams said the daughter of Helmet was a little professional.

"I rode her early in the Spring and when I saw her here today I could see she was stronger," Williams said.

"She was very professional today, landed straight on the speed and then found for me when the other filly came at me.

"She's got the makings of a smart little lady."

A half-sister to the smart Liberty Song and the lightly raced Elusive Melody, Crossing the Abbey is the third and final foal of the Melbourne winning Bel Esprit mare Music In The Park.

A sister to the listed MRC Blue Sapphire Stakes winner City Of Song, Music Park died 12 months ago after being covered by Your Song.

Helmet has two lots on offer at the Magic Millions, three at the Inglis Classic and 13 at the Inglis Premier.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Listed Debutant Stakes – Sale Mail
The Listed MRC Debutant Stakes (1000m) for 2YO colts and fillies at Caulfield on Wednesday has drawn a field of 10 and while Magic Millions have sponsored the race the highest priced runner is actually an Inglis Easter graduate.
Shamexpress and the Ka Ying Rising Effect
At Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, pride runs deep in the paddocks where so many champions have been nurtured.
900,000 Guineas Starspangledbanner Filly Tops Second Day of Book 2
Australian bred Starspangledbanner is riding high this year siring 12 stakes-winners in 2025 headed by his dual Group I winning filly Precise and he produced the top lot during the second session of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale with Islanmore Stud’s stunning chestnut filly fetching 900,000 guineas to become the second highest priced filly in the sale’s history.
Inglis Ready2Race Links
Inspections are underway at the Inglis Riverside sales complex for the Ready2Race Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report.
Entries open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale
Magic Millions is proud to announce the launch of Magic Millions Digital, a new online auction platform, with entries now open for the first scheduled sale.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 14
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Legarto Primed for G1 Livamol Classic
Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso believe their Group One-winning mare Legarto is ready to fire in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie following a pleasing piece of work at Matamata on Tuesday.
G3 Coongy Target for Almanzor Mare
Andrew Forsman’s mare Positivity will look to make her presence felt on the middle day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival on Wednesday, taking on the feature Gr.3 Coongy Cup Handicap (2000m).
Stunning Frankel Stallion Diego Velasquez Retired to National Stud
A memorable winner of the 2025 Group I Prix Jacques le Marois, flashy Frankel stallion Diego Velasquez has been retired and will take up stud duties at the National Stud in 2026.
2025 G1 The Everest Field and Barrier Draw
Hong Kong champion and odds-on favourite Ka Ying Rising has drawn barrier seven for the Group One The Everest to be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday.