Another Aloisia?

Media Release - Tuesday September 24

OTI Racing had a lot of success in spring 2017 with a tried Kiwi purchase in high class filly Aloisia and may have found one to follow in her footsteps.

Phil Cataldo - image Trish Dunnell Well-related New Zealand private purchase, Selica, was a strong debut winner at Moe on Tuesday for Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent, landing the MBSS Security Maiden Plate (1217m) in effortless fashion.

The three-year-old daughter of Makfi is a half-sister to Group One performer Wyndspelle and comes from the same family as Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) winner Brutal.

Selica is entered for both the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) this spring.

"I left her in the Thousand Guineas," Kent said. "The fillies don't look great at the moment, I saw that race on Saturday (at Caulfield) and I didn't think they looked great.

"She had a really big base to her. It's a bit of a rush I guess, but you live the dream and see where she ends up.

"We'll give her a bit of a fly in something better now and see where she goes."

Selica had trialled twice in New Zealand for trainer Cody Cole, finishing second at her first trial at Cambridge behind Saone, who was also purchased privately and is nominated for Sunday's Gr.2 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) for trainer Lindsey Smith.

Selica then won her next trial at Te Aroha, defeating subsequent stakes-placed juvenile Ranger before being sold to Australia via bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.

Advertisement

"At her first trial she ran second to Saone at Cambridge and she found the line well and then she won really well at the Te Aroha trials a few weeks after that," Cataldo said.

"She pulled up a little bit shin sore so Cody decided to stop on her and that's when I sold her to Mick Kent and OTI.

"The fact she was a half-sister to Wyndspelle made it a little bit easier, because Mick had trained Wyndspelle when he ran third in the Kennedy Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).

"Mick has been really patient with her and Cody always had a big rap on her as well and obviously, he is a good judge.

"It's a family I knew and it all just fitted into place. I had an inkling how good Saone was and her trial at Te Aroha confirmed how good she was."

Out of the High Chaparral mare Western Star, Selica was bred and initially raced by Sue Hart before being sold across the Tasman. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
One to Watch - Te Rapa
A dashing grey filly from the family of brilliant Australian Group II winner Pure Elation was a One to Watch in Friday in New Zealand.
Makfi Gelding Wins Wanganui Guineas
Lightly raced three-year-old Cooga Doon made it two wins from two starts when he took out the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) in sensational fashion on Saturday.
Kiwi Bred Keeps Winners Coming for Payne Stable
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Bold Soul has been a consistent performer right through the winter months and notched another win at Flemington when prevailing in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (2530m) on Saturday.
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Dual Group Winner Too Darn Good At Flemington
A dual group winner during the Spring of her 3yo season, talented mare Too Darn Discreet showed an electric turn of foot, charging home over the top of them to win the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Wanganui Guineas Winner Sold to Hong Kong
Exciting three-year-old Cooga Doon will continue his racing career in Asia after his seven-figure sale to Hong Kong interests on Thursday.
Kosciuszko calling Rosehill winner Elson Boy
Dubbo-trained Elson Boy was back in the winner’s circle after a 412-day absence when leading throughout to land the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill in the hands of apprentice William Stanley.
Crossbow Takes Aim At Flemington To Score
With quality efforts behind handy horses in his first three starts, trainer Chris Waller crossed the border to Victoria with instant success for the Star Thoroughbreds raced Crossbow, with the well-marked son of Better Than Ready breaking through for an impressive win.
Sliding Doors Moment Delivers Feel Good Winner at Rosehill
Two fillies were born at Yulong in 2021 sired by Alabama Express from imported North American daughters of Street Cry, one of them is triple Group I winner Treasurethe Moment and the other is the feel good winner of the day at Rosehill on Saturday.