The dominant performance of Australian Bloodstock’s European import Raheen House (IRE) in Saturday’s Group II Chairman's Quality (2600m) will see him be given his chance in next Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup, which was won last year by his brother Shraaoh (IRE).
Previously trained by William Haggas, Raheen House arrived in Australia with a big reputation, which had been built to some extent on a conditions race for three-year-olds at Newbury where he finished second but just ahead of a promising filly named Enable.
A winner of two stakes races in England and second to the future Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution in the Group III St Simon Stakes at Newbury, Raheen House arrived in Australia off the back of a disappointing run in the Ebor Handicap, which was won by another Australian Bloodstock purchase Mustajeer (GB).
Now stablemate of Raheen House under trainer Kris Lees, Mustajeer (GB) finished a solid second behind the runaway winner Verry Elleegant in last weeks Tancred Stakes and is likely to take his place in the Sydney Cup.
Raheen House (IRE) was very impressive on Saturday in what was his first win since taking a Listed race at Ascot back in October 2017.
Settling back midfield under Hugh Bowman the son of Sea The Stars powered past the favourite Carif (So You Think) to win by one and a quarter lengths with a long-neck further back to Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel).
"He probably wasn't himself in the spring on a couple of firm tracks, which didn't suit him," Lees said.
"I'm really happy with how he's settled in. His two lead up runs were improving with each outing and he got conditions to suit and a lovely ride by Hugh.
"He was very strong. It's a nice set up for next week's Sydney Cup."
Raheen House is one of three stakes-winners out of the Monsun mare Jumooh.
Besides Raheen House’s Sydney Cup winning brother Shraaoh (IRE), Jumooh is also the dam of the Listed Newmarket Montrose Fillies' Stakes winner Born With Pride who is by Seas The Stars half-brother Born To Sea.
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