One to Watch – New Year’s Day

Tara Madgwick - Thursday January 2

There was an overload of racing right around the country on New Year’s Day and rightly so given our national interest in horse racing as a sport to be enjoyed over the holiday break and there was a winner that did catch my eye, but until now have not had a chance to put my thoughts into a story.

Qatars Choice was a touch of class at Canterbury on New Year's Day - image Bradley Photography

There was no better bred winner than three year-old I Am Invincible filly Qatars Choice, a half-sister to Group III winner Williamsburg from Group I winner Fenway.

Trained by Ciaron Maher, Qatars Choice had two starts back in July and August finishing third on debut at Warwick Farm and then seventh at the same track behind Shohisha, who was second in the Listed Gosford Guineas on New Year’s Eve.

Advertisement

Both of those runs were on soft tracks, so when she went around at Canterbury in the 1100m maiden on a good track it was the first time we’ve seen her on a firm deck and what a difference it made!

Ridden by Jason Collett, she let down with a brilliant turn of foot to kick away and win by more than a length with Hellbent filly Scintilla working home well for second, another filly whose previous runs were in the winter on wet tracks.

A $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / David Redvers Bloodstock, Qatars Choice runs in the internationally renowned colours of Qatar Racing for a partnership that also includes Maher stable clients.

Qatars Choice was a $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase.

She is the third winner from High Chaparral (IRE) mare Fenway, who won the Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes at 2000m and is a grand-daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks winner Joie Denise with the family producing Group I winning fillies Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy, the dam of the great champion mare More Joyous. Sadly Fenway died last year and her final foal is an unnamed two year-old colt by Maurice (Jpn).

“Obviously she is very well bred and it’s good to get a win for Qatar and we have some very good clients in the horse,” said Johann Gerard-Dubbord.

“They’ve been patient with her and will be rewarded.

“I think she will be better over further, now that she relaxes so well and she has a beautiful action, Most of her family want a bit further, her brother Williamsburg got further and her mum quite a bit further, so I think in time we might see a very good horse.”

Advertisment

Race Result - Buy An Arrowfield Yearling Mdn Plate 1200m

Canterbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.80
1
Qatars Choice
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Fenway (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J R Collett 56
2
1.2
Scintilla
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Crystal Whip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: L J Bridge Rdr: Reece Jones 56
3
2.8
She Within
- 3f Divine Prophet (AUS) x Pegasus Queen (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: Billy Loughnane 56
4
3.2
Take Achance On Me
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Tell Your Mama (USA) (Blame (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Harry Davies 56
5
3.8
Jayashree
- 3f Magna Grecia (IRE) x High Specs (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
6
6.1
Darn Cute
- 3f Too Darn Hot (GB) x Sennyo (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: Craig Carmody Rdr: Ms W Costin 56
7
6.4
Rach
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x I Am Serious (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Parr 56
8
7.6
Mackinaw Peach
- 3f Russian Revolution (AUS) x It's Semi Sweet (NZ) (Ocean Park (NZ))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: Rachel King 56
More Reading...
Best On Breeding
With six last-start winners, Saturday’s Ranvet Hcp at Randwick has, remarkably for a mid-winter event, brought together an exciting field of 2-year-olds and a stiff initiation for the lone unraced horse in the race,  Qatars Choice.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeders Paradise - Inglis Digital August (early) Online
An abundance of high-quality broodmares – many in foal to some of the hottest young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – and broodmare prospects headline a “breeders’ paradise’’ in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
Above the Clouds Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.
One to Watch – Geelong
Team Hawkes were the guiding force behind the racing career of Group I ATC Doncaster Mile winner Brutal and have also prepared his first Group I winner as a sire in Nepotism and they unleashed a debut winner by him at Geelong on Friday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 8
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.