Alabama Express, a colt with a remarkable likeness to his ill-fated champion sire Redoute’s Choice, kickstarted stakes racing at Caulfield on Saturday with a tenacious win over race favourite Hilo in the Listed MRC Gothic Stakes over 1400m.
A maiden winner at Sale back in March, the Mike Moroney trained colt was having his fourth start and second run back from a spell and engaged in a stirring duel with talented Lonhro colt Hilo over the final furlongs.
Under strong riding from Michael Dee, Alabama Express gradually edged clear over the determined Hilo to score a head win.
“Credit to my bloke he put it to the Godolphin horse all the way, although he wasn’t quite sure how to put him away,” said Dee.
“In time he’ll be a much better horse.”
A $280,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Arrowfield draft for Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Alabama Express was bred by GSA Bloodstock and is the best of three winners from Lago Ovation, who died in 2017 with Alabama Express her final foal.
By champion sire Encosta de Lago, Lago Ovation is from the family of Group II winner Rekindled Interest and Group placed Rekindled Power and Shuffle Up, who are all sired by Redoute’s Choice.
Alabama Express is the 167th stakes-winner for Arrowfield’s legendary sire Redoute’s choice, who died earlier this year.
Redoute’s Choice Lookalike Colt Wins Stakes
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Race Result - Polytrack Gothic Stakes LR 1400m
Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:23.66
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: M J Dee 55
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Damian Lane 55
Tnr: Anthony Freedman Rdr: B Melham 56
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: John Allen 55
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Craig Williams 55
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Dunn 55
Tnr: Ms W Kelly Rdr: B Prebble 55
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: D Oliver 55
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M J Walker 55
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 55
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