Wandjina’s quality sprinting daughter Infancy produced a career best on day two of The Championships at Randwick when resuming off a break to win the Group II Sapphire Stakes (1200m).
Infancy wins the Group II Sapphire Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
Showing her customary lack of early speed, Jason Collett settled Infancy back near the rear but found himself tracking short-price favourite Commemorative (I Am Invincible).
That pair came widest in the straight with plenty to offer but Infancy produced a powerful drive in the final 100 metres to outgun the favourite and win by half a length with with Lady Laguna (Overshare) third.
“She got a lovely ride from Jason and she's done the rest,” said trainer Kris Lees.
“She's got a really good Randwick record. She's a back marker, so if you go through her form, there's a few hard-luck stories amongst it, but she had the luck today.”
Bred by Australian Bloodstock, Infancy is one of two winners from two to race for Childhood (USA), an American-bred daughter of Lonhro, who won two of five starts in Ireland before failing at her only start in America.
A half-sister to three stakes winners, including the Grade III winner Baby J and the Grade 1-placed Laureate Conductor, Childhood (USA) was a 60,000 gns buy for Ronald Rauscher from the Godolphin consignment at the 2017 Tattersalls July Sale.
McEvoy Mitchell Racing / Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) shelled out $60,000 for a now to year-old filly by Graff consigned by HP Thoroughbreds to the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Her 2025 yearling, also by Graff made $90,000 to Tasman Thoroughbreds, again at Classic.
She didn’t produce a foal last year and has been served by Tassort.
Infancy is one of six stakes winners for Larneuk Stud’s Group 1 Australian Guineas hero Wandjina (Snitzel).
He’s enjoying a strong year with three stakes winners including this season’s Group II winner and Group I placed Hong Kong galloper Galaxy Patch.
