Written by Paul Vettise
The far-reaching influence of an American breeding immortal may have a say in a feature event at Randwick.
Inglis Nursery contender Stellar Blaze (Star Witness) was a touch disappointing on debut in the G3 Gimcrack S., but trainer Scott Singleton is expecting improvement from the well-related filly on Saturday.
The old racing maxim that blood will out could again ring true in her case as she is directly descended from the Blue Hen mare Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {USA}), who takes her place in history as the mother of the Triple Crown hero Secretariat (USA) (Bold Ruler {USA}).
Stellar Blaze hails from the family of Triple Crown winner, Secretariat
Piggott’s favourite
If that wasn’t enough, Somethingroyal also produced Sir Gaylord (USA) (Turn-To {IRE}) who sired the G1 English Derby winner and successful stallion Sir Ivor (USA), regarded by legendary jockey Lester Piggott as one of the best, if not the best, horses he ever sat upon.
Somethingroyal also features in the female line of the outstanding sprinter Lord Kanaloa (JPN) (King Kamehameha {JPN}), a two-time G1 Hong Kong Sprint winner and sire of the stunning G1 Japan Cup winner Almond Eye (JPN).
But back to more immediate and pertinent matters, Singleton is more than satisfied with the condition of Stellar Blaze ahead of her Randwick engagement.
“I’m really happy with her and everything has gone smoothly,” he said.
“She got into a bit of bother in the Gimcrack and was tardily away and got further back than you would like in a 2-year-old race.” - Scott Singleton.
“She got into a bit of bother in the Gimcrack and was tardily away and got further back than you would like in a 2-year-old race.
“She got crammed in on the fence and was a bit wary. Although I thought she may have finished a length or two closer, I walked away happy enough.”
Stellar Blaze has been kept up to the mark for the Inglis feature with an outing earlier this month at the Hawkesbury trials where she finished runner-up.
“She trialled well after a freshen-up and she’s a good doer,” Singleton said.
“She’s got a bit of an attitude, but she eats well – she’s perfect like that and you can work her hard.” - Scott Singleton
“She’s got a bit of an attitude, but she eats well – she’s perfect like that and you can work her hard.
“This race has always been the aim after the Gimcrack and we’ve had enough time to have her ready.”
Stellar Blaze as a yearling
Stellar Blaze was purchased by Singleton for $25,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is out of Explosive Charge (Break The Vault), a half-sister to the G1 Galaxy H. and G1 Manikato S. winner Typhoon Zed.
“I couldn’t help myself and bought her and then some clients rang me and asked if I was going to the Scone Sale as they wanted a filly,” he said.
“I said I am going, but have got one here and they took her so I didn’t get stuck with anything.”
