The Snitzel filly Lady Shenandoah continued the great run enjoyed by Hermitage Thoroughbreds when breaking her maiden in Saturday's Group III Precise Air Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill.
Ridden by Jay Ford for Chris Waller, Lady Shenandoah emerged from a 16-week break when second in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben to defeat the Fastnet Rock colt Mayfair by a half-neck with the Frosted gelding Snack Bar a long neck back in third.
It was the third start for Lady Shenandoah after debuting with a third behind Clean Energy on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm on May 8.
Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said the daughter of Snitzel might not measure up to Hermitage's rising start, Autumn Glow, but is supremely talented.
"She probably marginally underperformed for what we expected in her two runs last preparation. We put that down to racing on a soft six and heavy eight tracks," Duckworth said.
"Back on top of the surface today, she is a real talent. We just said to Jay (Ford), forget about the first half of the race because 1400m first-up was going to be a bit of a question mark."
"But she began so well, Jay had to land in the position he landed in. I think he was trying to be as soft as he could within the rules of racing, but she had to dig deep in terms of her fitness levels late, and there is plenty more to come.
"Initially, Chris thought, do we try to split them (Lady Shenandoah and Autumn Glow) with Hermitage (Thoroughbreds) involved in both horses, send one for the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield."
"But now that's at the back-end of the season, and you've just won first-up, the Flight Stakes is only a matter of weeks away."
A $525,000 purchase for Hermitage Thoroughbreds from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Lady Shenandoah is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Sha Tin Centenary Sprint Cup winner, Stronger (Not A Single Doubt) out of the winning Starcraft mae Star Pupil.
The daughter of 3-time Listed stakes-winner Ain't Seen Nothin', Star Pupil is a sister to Listed SAJC HC Nitschke Stakes and Listed SAJC Laelia Stakes winner Ain'Tnofallenstar and a half to Group III ATC The Schweppervescence winner Bachman.
Star Pupil has a yearling colt by Maurice (JPN) and slipped last year.
Lady Shenandoah is the 147th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's flagship stallion, Snitzel.
