One of the most expensive fillies ever sold at an Australian yearling auction will make her debut at Randwick this Saturday, but with a stable different to the one advertised when she was first purchased.
Emirates Park forked out $1.7 million for a Snitzel filly out of Group I winner Response at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Hussein Lootah, son of Emirates Park owner Nasser, told Racenet at the sale that the filly would be joining the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
"We think she is a real two-year-old and the best filly in the sale so we are very happy to have her," Lootah said.
"She was the one we wanted, and we always have success with Mrs Waterhouse."
Waterhouse herself also commented on the filly at the time of purchase.
"She's big, she's strong, she's got a superb pedigree and all the buffs here on the sale grounds wanted her," Waterhouse said.
"She is the jewel in the crown and Emirates only have quality fillies. I've trained for Hussein and his father for 20 years and pedigrees are essential to them.
"I'm delighted she is joining the stable at Tulloch Lodge."
But nine months on, the filly, now named Estijaab, is due to have her first race start for the Hawkes Racing team instead.
Estijaab has been readied for Saturday's Australian Fire Hose Plate (1000m) with two barrier trials, the latest of which she won by two lengths for jockeyBrenton Avdulla.
"She's a nice filly, obviously an expensive yearling, but she's trialled well both times," Avdulla said.
"Those are the only two times I've sat on her and she did everything right.
"It's only early days but I expect here to run well on Saturday. She should jump and put herself in the race – she's got natural speed."
Estijaab is a $4.60 second favourite withSportsbetto make a winning start to her career.
