The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evergreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).
Rachel King had ridden Swordplay in three of her previous four starts and took the ride again tonight.
Drawn wide, Swordplay quickly took the negative out of that minor hurdle, blasting from the gates to take the lead and then giving a good kick off the turn to stick on and win by three-quarters of a length in a slick 56.56 seconds.
Her performance is sure to spark interest from slot holders for the upcoming $3million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 10, a race won last year by Private Harry.
“She is very, very fast. When you are coming out of the gates you need two hands on the neck strap and a bit of mane as she gets down and just launches out and when she does that, she just breaks their hearts in the first 50m,” said Rachell King.
“She’s learning how to contain herself more and more, but that first bit of speed is something, I’ve never ridden one that quick.”
King is optimistic Swordplay can extend her speed to 1100m.
“I think she can, she was stronger again to the line today and every time she goes to the races she is learning. She is untapped and I like the way she is heading,” she added.
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA)/Omen Bloodstock, Swordplay has the tidy record of three wins and a second from five starts with prizemoney topping $165,000.
Bred by Pacific King Pty Ltd, she is bred to go quick as a full sister to multiple Group III winning and $1million earning sprinter Recommendation.
Swordplay is one of four winners from five to race from Adviso (USA), an unraced half-sister by Street Cry to stakes-winner Sailing Solo from four time Group I winner Proviso.
Adviso has no yearling for the 2026 sales, but has foaled this spring producing a filly by Snitzel.
Shalaa is now at Woodside Park in Victoria and has three yearlings for Inglis Premier.
