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
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $950,000
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone
Buyer: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / David Redvers Bloodstock
2
1.2
Scintilla
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Crystal Whip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: L J Bridge Rdr: Reece Jones 56
Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale $16,000
Seller: Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone
Buyer: Kim Harding
3
2.8
She Within
- 3f Divine Prophet (AUS) x Pegasus Queen (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: Billy Loughnane 56
MM Adelaide Yearling Sale $20,000
Seller: Bhima Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Danny Williams Racing Pty Ltd
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...
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Familiar Faces Wins $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
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.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.