Dundeel had a couple of blueblood filly winners on Wednesday out of G1 winning mares that have more to offer on both the racetrack and for the future at stud.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, as was her triple Group I winning dam Jameka, three year-old filly Miss Alexis was having her third start in the 1600m maiden after finishing fourth at her first two starts at Pakenham and Moonee Valley in January and February.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, she let down with a determined finish to reel in the leader and win by a head giving the impression longer races will suit even better.
A homebred for Halo Racing Services, Miss Alexis is the third metro winner from three foals to race from Jameka, who they bought back to dissolve the original racing partnership of the mare at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $2.6million.
Jameka has a two year-old filly by Ghaiyyath (IRE) called Adria River that is also in work with Ciaron Maher and she was covered last spring by Anamoe after sadly losing a foal by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Another regally bred three year-old Dundeel filly to salute was the Richard Litt trained Ella Hazel, who was sent out an odds on favoruite and took the 1600m maiden by three-quarters of a length for Josh Parr at her fourth start and second run back from a spell.
A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Galletta Constructions Co. Pty Ltd, Ella Hazel is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning sire Castelvecchio, who raced in the same colours and was also trained by Richard Litt.
“There is so much more improvement to come from this filly, you wouldn’t believe, so I am looking forward to her,” said Richard Litt.
Ella Hazel is the first winner from Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes winner Maid of Heaven, a half-sister by Smart Missile to Castelvecchio (by Dundeel) and also Group III winner Mirrasalo, the dam of Group III winner Mirra Vision and stakes-winner Mirra View.
Arrowfield Stud passed in a yearling filly by Palace Pier (GB) from Maid of Heaven at Inglis Classic this year and she has a filly to follow by I Am Invincible and then went to Snitzel last year.