Testa Rossa's Chaillot Impresses in Anzac Day Stakes

Mark Smith - Thursday April 25

The Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) was expected to be a cakewalk for the undefeated Dundeel colt Super Seth but after setting the pace under top-weight he was outsprinted by the Archie Alexander-trained Testa Rossa filly Chaillot.

Merchant Navy won this race two years ago and after two bloodless wins at Ballarat and Caulfield, Super Seth was expected to take the next step here. He looked anchored under his 59kgs when the sprint went on and seemed likely to miss a place at the 200 metres but he raised another effort to finish third, two and a half-lengths behind Chaillot and a length and a quarter behind the Dundeel filly Deserved.

Advertisement

After racing on the pace, Chaillot displayed an impressive turn of foot under Craig Williams to keep her record at a perfect two for two.


The 2yo daughter of Testa Rossa (images Mark Smith) was an impressive winner on debut at Ballarat on April 9 and Alexander said the stable has a high opinion of her.

"It was a nice race for her, the small field was always going to be a good thing, she was a little bit strong mid-race but then everything worked out well," Alexander said.

"I was happy to see them put a bit of pressure on early because I thought she would get the 1400 metres easily.

"When she arrived here today I looked at her and thought this is a proper filly, she has trained really well, she was relaxed, happy and looked really well. I said to her owners that I was a little bit worried that she was heavy coming here as she has done so well. Two-year-old fillies can lighten off a bit and I worry they might get a bit lite, but she was actually getting a bit chubby.

"I think she is a proper filly and she showed that today. Second and third are two good horses and we beat them fair and square. She was always going to the paddock after today so things like the (1000) Guineas are definitely a target for her.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Chaillot was a $25,000 purchase by Alexander Racing/McKeever Bloodstock out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

She is the fourth winner from as many to race out of the Encosta de Lago mare Mary Of Modena who is a half-sister to the dam of the Champion 2YO in Singapore in 2016, Lim's Racer (Red Giant), from the family of Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes winner Isolda (Sir Tristram).

Mary Of Modena had a yearling Press Statement colt sell to Minervini Racing for $20,000 out of the Ambergate Farm draft at Adelaide earlier this year.

She has a Press Statement filly last spring and was bred back to Star Turn.

Chaillot becomes the 65th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's much-loved Testa Rossa who has earned an honourable pension.

The 6-time Group 1 winning son of Perugino covered four mares last spring at his 18thseason at stud.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
Mare in Foal to Home Affairs Tops MM Digital at $350,000
Impeccably related mare Taste of Heaven topped the first Magic Millions Digital Sale conducted today.
Back to Back G1 Telegraph Wins for Testa Rossa Sprinter
A desperate finish to the feature sprint at Trentham was decided by the photo-finish camera as South Island sprinter Enzo's Lad pipped Ferrando by the barest of margins to take out his second Group I JR&N Berkett Telegraph (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 28
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Sprinter to Run in G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint This Weekend
Australian spring racing might appear to be the centre of the universe in our neck of the woods, but in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend it is all about the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California and an Aussie bred sprinter could be poised to spring an upset.
Long Legs Strides Clear At Rosehill
Coming out on top in Wednesday’s $100,000 ATC Tab Plate (1400m) at Rosehill, the Gary Portelli trained 3yo Russian Revolution filly Long Legs broke her maiden in the style of a filly destined for bigger and better races.
Kiwi Trained Testa Rossa Sprinter Ready for HK G1
Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman is enjoying the build-up to racing at Sha Tin on Sunday as his class sprinter Enzo’s Lad gets set to contest the HK$16 million Group1 the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).
Testa Rossa Sprinter Seeking Royal AScot G1 Glory
Michael Pitman’s prayers for a good track at Royal Ascot were answered ahead of the King’s Stand Stakes Group I  tonight.
Kiwi Bred Evaporate on Track for Golden Eagle
New Zealand-bred gelding Evaporate will be seeking to pick up the biggest cheque of his career when he heads to Randwick on Saturday to contest the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m).