record to score a thrilling win in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
The Team Hawkes trained filly won easily on debut back in January before going
down by a neck to Sunlight in the Group II ATC Silver Slipper Stakes last
month.Sent out favourite for this 1200 metre assignment, Estijaab (image Steve Hart) was ridden a confident race by Brenton Avdulla, who sent her straight to the front.
She cruised along under her own steam with first starter Sister Sledge in close attendance and when challenged down the running pulled out plenty under pressure to win by a long neck in a slick 1:09.10.
"Brenton took control of the race and she's run really good time," said Michael Hawkes.
"Today wasn't about how far, it was about winning and she's done that.
"She has a great attitude and attacks the line. She's going the right way."
A $1.7 million Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Arrowfield Stud for Emirates
Park Pty Ltd / B Carlson, Estijaab was the most expensive filly by Snitzel sold
in 2017.Bred by Arrowfield in partnership, Estijaab is a half-sister to stakes-placed Alter Call and is the second winner for dual Group I winner Response, who was bought from the 2015 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $1.5 million by Katsumi Yoshida.
Arrowfield Stud sold the full sister to Estijaab at Magic Millions this year for $350,000 to Moody Racing and she has another Snitzel filly to follow. Response was covered again by Snitzel last year.
Estijaab is the 81st stakes-winner for Snitzel and brought up a race to race stakes double for Arrowfield's champion sire who won the previous Listed ATC Fireball Stakes with progressive filly I Am Excited.
