Patience might be going to pay off for the connections of this beautiful three year-old Lonhro filly that sold for $1,050,000 at Magic Millions in 2022 and opened her account at Bendigo on Thursday.
Sledding is off the mark with a win - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos
Consigned by Widden and knocked down to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock, Sledding was sent to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, who produced her for one start last season at two when she finished midfield at Sandown in May.
Given a long spell due to some troubling foot issues, Sledding showed she had put that behind her in recent trials and was sent out favourite for the 1100m maiden with Damian Lane in the saddle.
She jumped fast from a wide gate and found the lead, coasting home to win by a length and a half.
“She showed good improvement this time in with two good trials and it’s great to see her bring that to race day,” said Damian Lane.
“She showed in her jumpouts that she will be better when ridden a little more conservatively, but when she begun well from the wide draw I decided to be positive and because she is better than this grade she won accordingly.”
Sledding was the most expensive yearling by Lonhro sold in 2022.
Bred by John and Anne McDonnell with advice from Pedigree Dynamics Jane Henning, Sledding was foaled and raised at Widden and is the first foal of multiple Group III winning Not a Single Doubt mare Cool Passion, who was also sourced as a racemare for the McDonnell’s by Pedigree Dynamics.
Cool Passion has had two subsequent foals that have both been sold as yearlings. A Zoustar filly made $510,000 at Inglis Easter last year when bought by Yulong and a colt by Ole Kirk made $400,000 at Inglis Easter this year bought by E Yeung, with both yearlings consigned by Widden.
Cool Passion was covered by Toronado (IRE) last spring after missing the previous year.
