Ones to Watch – Sandown

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday January 29

It was only a midweek Class 1 at Sandown on a Wednesday over 1200m, but the two fillies that ran the quinella are by champion Victorian sires Shamus Award and Toronado (IRE) and both hold the promise of stakes potential.

Pop Award and Perfect Picture run the quinella at Sandown - image Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

Four year-old Shamus Award mare Pop Award had the advantage of maturity and race experience over three year-old Toronado filly Perfect Picture, which was how punters saw it with the former sent out a short priced favourite with Blake Shinn on board and the latter seen as the only chance to beat her.

Advertisement

Coming off an impressive maiden win at Geelong at her third start, the Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor trained Pop Award was always in front of Perfect Picture and kicked away after turning for home with the three year-old chasing gamely to be beaten three-quarters of a length with three lengths back to the next horse.

“It’s a big team effort behind this girl and I’m the lucky recipient today,” said Blake Shinn, who is now two for two on Pop Award.

“I’ve only ridden her the two times and I felt she had come on in the yard and her attitude behind the barriers, She jumped more cleanly today and put herself into a more prominent position, so that as a great sign and I had control of the race a long way out.

“They ran home in slick sectionals and I loved when Grahame’s horse challenged she as up for the task.

“I think she’s the type of mare that will be better next preparation, so this preparation will be all about developing her and team are doing an incredible job.”

Pop Award and her breeder Debbie Kroger - image Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

Pop Award was retained to race by her breeder Debbie Kroger and is the second winner and last foal from five time winning Jeune (GB) mare Miss Popkins, who comes from a European female family as a grand-daughter of Group II winner Popkins, the dam of Champion UK 2YO Filly Cherry Hinton.

The runner-up Perfect Picture has a win and a second from just two starts and is a homebred for the Begg family. She is a grand-daughter of their blue hen Yau Chin, who passed away only last last week and was making news at the weekend as the dam of Group III MRC Manfred Stakes winner Royal Insignia.

Perfect Picture is the second winner from Take a Selfie, a winning half-sister to Champion 2YO Colt Written By, Group II winner C’Est Magique and also Royal Insignia.

Her yearling full brother will be offered at Inglis Easter in the Twin Hills Stud draft as Lot 208.

Grahame Begg was a guest on our podcast this week so if you are interested in his thoughts on this highly progressive family do have a listen.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Get On Extra Hcp (C1) 1200m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(3) Time: 1:12.39
1
Pop Award
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x Miss Popkins (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Tolson & Ms L Proctor Rdr: B Shinn 57.5
2
0.8
Perfect Picture
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Take A Selfie (AUS) (Time Thief (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: J Mott 57
3
3
Warmosa
- 5g Squamosa (AUS) x Warble (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Adele Garraway Rdr: J Bowditch 56.5
Inglis August (Late) Online Sale $1,500
Seller: Eden Park Stud
Buyer: N Moore Racing
4
3.5
Quiseen
- 4m Pariah (AUS) x Change Of Class (AUS) (Masterclass (USA))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Declan Bates 57.5
5
4
Elena Montero
- 4m Toronado (IRE) x Alluring Miss (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Jody Thompson Rdr: C Newitt 58
6
4.7
Primo
- 5g Sizzling (AUS) x Anakalinka (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
7
5.1
Fabrice
- 4g Ocean Park (NZ) x Hokey Pokey (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: John Allen 59.5
8
8.1
Deep Joy
- 3f Deep Field (AUS) x Find Joy (USA) (Drosselmeyer (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ms J Kennedy 53
More Reading...
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a five winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.