Just nine days after breaking her maiden at Wyong, the million-dollar Snitzel filly Akari earned a debut stakes win in Saturday’s Listed Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Settled just off the speed by Christian Reith, Akari did best in a driving finish to defeat the Uncle Mo (USA) filly Betcha Flying by a long-neck with Exceed And Excel’s Mayaaseh a short-head back in third.
"She was good, we were able to get the right run," Reith said.
"The pace was good for her and she settled and produced when it counted."
Purchased by Jadeskye Racing / Brad Widdup Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $1,050,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2018 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Akari is a half-sister to the Group 1 Tokyo NHK Mile Cup winner Aerolithe (Kurofune) out of a half-sister to the dam of Arrowfield shuttler Mikki Isle (Deep Impact) the Champion Sprinter & Miler in Japan in 2016.
Granddam Stella Madrid (Aydar) was an elite performer in America with wins in the Gr 1 Matron Stakes, Gr 1 Frizette Stakes, Gr 1 Acorn Stakes and Gr 1 Spinaway Stakes.
Akari’s dam Asterix (JPN) (Neo Universe) was imported to Australia carrying the consistent Lord Kanaloa filly Achondrite who sports the colours of her breeder Katsumi Yoshida.
After being covered by Snitzel in 2017, Asterix was repatriated to Japan along with her Redoute’s Choice colt named Black Saladin.
Akari becomes the 92nd stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s 3-time champion Australian stallion Snitzel who had a very impressive 2yo winner earlier at Randwick in the Gerald Ryan-trained Time Is Precious.
