Welwal Surprises in G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes - Interstate Stakes Double for Shalaa

Mark Smith - Saturday November 30

Following the win of Eagle Nest in the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill, Welwal (GB) brought up an interstate stakes double for Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (FR) in the Group III Manhari Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Welwal down the outside (image Racing Photos)

Ridden by  Luke Currie, Welwal (GB) was making his first start for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. The 5-year-old gelding got a late split to overpower Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) by a short-head, with Warnie (Highland Reel) three-quarters of a length back in third.

Advertisement

The Group III Prix de Fontainebleau winner at Longchamp, when trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Welwal (GB), was purchased by AG Bloodstock for $330,000 on Inglis Digital in May.

“We do have very good form analysts, Hayden and ‘Junior’ who get their heads down and they’re all over lots of horses and the data this and the data that, but I leave them to it and they run their own race a little bit,” Mick Price said of the purchase.

“A very, very good old-time stable client Alf Gauci is in it. Tuesday morning, Currie and I stood there and he had a big blow, so we thought it would need the run.

“So, I’m sort of in trouble but, Alf, when you win the big one (The Supernova), you’ll thank me.

“We’ve had to reshape him a bit, feet and just, in general, kilometres done on a horse of his age and stage.

“He’s obviously got the ability, but we’ll just need to keep him young and fresh and that’s probably what he was. He probably needs to be a little underdone, a typical Shalaa.”

Luke Currie said he was presently surprised the Shalaa gelding finished so strongly.

A quick return for new owners (image Racing Photos)

“I jumped him out and worked him through the week and I thought he was probably coming in a little bit underdone, so it goes to show what a good judge I am,” Currie said.

“I thought when we were making our run through and then Arkansaw Kid gave a bit of a kick when he felt us there.

“It was a good effort to still be strong through the line when I still think he’s got a bit of improvement.

“He had a lovely run, he travelled great but I was aware that horse was going to be hard to run down.”

A half-brother to stakes-placed winners Epistrophy (Charm Spirit) and Chic Cherie (Muhaarar), Welwal (GB) is the best of seven winners from as many to race out of the Listed stakes-winner Cheriearch (Arch). 

Advertisment

Race Result - Manhari Kevin Heffernan Stakes Gr3 1400m

Caulfield Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:26.36
1
Welwal
- 6g Shalaa (IRE) x Cheriearch (USA) (Arch (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: L Currie 59
Shalaa
Inglis May (Late) Online Sale $330,000
Seller: Owners
Buyer: AG Bloodstock
2
0.2
Arkansaw Kid
- 4g Harry Angel (IRE) x Florabella (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Shinn 59
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $190,000
Seller: Sledmere Stud, Scone
Buyer: Lindsay Park Bloodstock
3
0.9
Warnie
- 4h Highland Reel (IRE) x Cumbfree (IRE) (Footstepsinthesand (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: John Allen 59
4
2.9
Buffalo River
- 9g Noble Mission (GB) x Fashion Insider (USA) (Indian Charlie (USA))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: Celine Gaudray 59
5
2.9
Tuvalu
- 7g Kermadec (NZ) x Hangin' Tough (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Ethan Brown 59
6
3.7
Coco Jamboo
- 5m Massaat (IRE) x Beta Tauri (USA) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Damian Lane 57
7
5.4
Roll On High
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x All Highs On Me (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: L Nolen 57
8
8.2
Tamerlane
- 7g Golden Horn (GB) x Wordcraft (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Melham 59
9
16.2
Run Harry Run
- 4g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Maybe Markle (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: D W Stackhouse 59
More Reading...
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.