We recently highlighted the deeds of Olympic Aim (Zamazaan), whose descendants include Circles Of Gold, Haradasun, Elvstroem, Highland Reel, Idaho, Starspangledbanner and Amicus.
This week we will be focussing on Olympic Aim’s half-sister Polar Maid (Khairpour).
While this side of the family has been put in the shade by Olympic Aim, by any other standard Polar Maid has been a monumental success as the ancestress of Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, Group II winner Bring Me The Maid, Group III winner Bachman, multiple stakes-winner Ain’t Seen Nothin’ and Singapore Horse Of The Year Stepitup.
The latest stakes-winner for the family came when the 3yo Fastnet Rock gelding Sambro saluted in the $200,000 Group III Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on April 28. (photo Steve Hart)
We will be banking that the Chris Waller-trainee parlays that success into Saturday’s Group III Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben.
Though his strike record may not be great, Sambro has mixed it with the best for the greater part of his career and his gelding before this preparation may have him more focused.
Sambro was a $420,000 purchase by his trainer from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the third winner from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Eau de Joie, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Polar Success out of the stakes-placed Covetous mare Patou who is a daughter of Polar Maid.
Sadly, Eau de Joie died in 2016 and has just one representative, the unraced two-year-old filly Les Amoureux, a daughter of Redoute's Choice.
Sambro races for a syndicate that includes Frank and Christine Cook who have another runner in the race, the Paul Perry-trained Perast (Snitzel) who is coming off a win in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes over the same course and distance a fortnight back.
In fact, it could be a good day for the Cooks whose colours will also be carried by Another Dollar (Ocean Park) a leading chance in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
