Stakes Success for Yulong Import Sikandarabad

Mark Smith - Saturday February 23

Yu Long Investments Irish import Sikandarabad (IRL) opened his stakes account in a slogging finish to Saturday's Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield.

Coming off a second to Avilius (GB) in the Group III TS Carlyon Cup over 1600m at Caulfield, Sikandarabad (IRL) raced up on the speed under Jordon Childs and proved a half-neck too good for Call Me Handsome (IRE) (Kodiac) with Midterm (GB) (Galileo) a long-neck back in third. (images Grant Courtney).

Advertisement


Second in a 6-furlong 2yo maiden at the Curragh when making his career debut for owner-breeder The Aga Khan and trainer Dermot Weld in June 2015, Sikandarabad (IRL) was off the scene for 404 days before making a successful resumption in a maiden at Galway in July 2016. He placed in two of his next five starts before being sold to continue his career in Australia for the Lindsay Park team.

The son of former Widden Stud shuttler Dr Fong won consecutive races at Sandown and Flemington and at his first taste of stakes class was beaten narrowly into third place in the Group 1 The Metropolitan at Randwick on September 9 last year.

"I think he is an Australia Cup horse," co-trainer David Hayes said.

"Jordy improvised when he flew the start. The tactic was to ride him with cover and come late. He won the race but I think he was ridden totally out of character without cover. He will improve a lot out of this. Despite the tactics, he still won.

"He is a good honest horse. He's been a terrific horse for the stable and so has Yulong, they are great supporters of racing worldwide and good to see them getting success."

A half-brother to the Group III Curragh Anglesey Stakes winner Marie's Diamond (Footstepsinthesand), Sikandarabad (IRL) is out of the winning Kalanisi mare Sindiyma who is a sister to Lingfield Oaks winner Sindirana.

Sikandarabad (IRL) becomes the 36th stakes-winner for Dr Fong (Kris S) who shuttled to Widden for three seasons (2000-2002)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).