By outstanding sire Extreme Choice from Shane Nichols former stable favourite and Group I VRC Myer Classic winner I Am a Star, exciting filly Esha has the ability to match her pedigree.
A brilliant debut winner in fast time at Morphettville back in May, Esha was given a break after that effort and was stepping out for the first time since then in the open 3YO handicap over 1000m at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
While her trainer Shane Nichols is keen to test Esha in stakes class this season, he was happy to come to The Valley for this assignment and the fleet footed chestnut did not disappoint.
She skipped to the front for Damian Lane and had her rivals all off the bit after turning for home when she found another gear.
Esha kept up a good gallop to the post to win by three and a half lengths over Petit Artiste, the lone stakes-winner in a promising field.
“We will go stakes racing now,” said Nichols, who is considering the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes in Sydney in two weeks time as one of a myriad of options.
“It’s a long spring. I’m mindful if we win one then we will get penalties. I’d like to have a look at the Flemington straight as well. There’s a lot to look at and get right.
“We’ve seen she has the ingredients of a really nice filly going forward.”
Damian Lane was having his first ride on Esha and had nothing but praise for the filly, who has now won two from two earning nearly $110,000.
Esha was a $900,000 Magic Millions purchase from Newgate Farm for Kia Ora Stud/Shane Nichols Racing and runs for Kia Ora in partnership with Matthew Sandblom, who also bred the filly and raced her dam.
Esha is the second winner for I Am a Star, whose yearling filly by Extreme Choice was sold at Magic Millions this year for $400,000 to Anthony Cummings and she produced another filly by the fertility troubled sire last spring.
Esha looms as a future stakes-winner for Extreme Choice, who has an exciting crop of new season 3YO’s that also includes his Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night.
