After something of a hiatus this week, competitive racing in Sydney kicked off again on Thursday with a Randwick meeting on the Kensington track. Races one and two were for the juveniles, and they occurred on a Heavy 8 after the week’s widespread inclement weather.
The colts and geldings were first away, with the Earthlight New To Darley Plate over 1100 metres the first race on the card. It proved an exciting contest, with the camera separating a four-horse blanket finish.
Star Thoroughbreds' colt Kalino (Pierro) was the winner by 0.1l, a short-nose win over placegetters Warrior Hero (Snitzel) and Port Louis (Maurice {Jpn}).
Kalino jumped fairly from barrier two, with jockey Tommy Berry piloting him into a good position close to the front. In the straight, seasoned Otelo (Shalaa {Ire}) made a race of it with Kalino, Best Side (Not A Single Doubt) and Warrior Hero. Port Louis was the black-booker of the race, surging from the back of the pack with Hugh Bowman to land a place.
Trained by Chris Waller, Kalino was making his debut on Thursday in a pleasing effort.
“He did a good job to win today,” Waller said post-race. “He did everything right. Every 2-year-old Sydney race is fairly strong, so to win a mid-week 2-year-old race is suggesting he’s at least a Saturday-class horse.”
Waller was non-committal about Queensland options for the colt this preparation, saying he would discuss that with owner Denise Martin later in the week.
“He’s always had ability, that’s for sure,” Waller said. “We’ve always had to keep on top of his manners, but the staff have done a great job with that and he paraded great today.”
Kalino as a yearling
Kalino was a $210,000 yearling purchase for Star Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale. Sold by Tyreel Stud, the colt is the second foal from I Am Invincible mare Lanikai. She was a three-race winner in a 17-start career, from a family that features stakes winners Headwater, Kulgrinda (Exceed And Excel) and Oneworld (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Lanikai had a Rubick filly in 2019 that sold at the recent Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $170,000 to Prime Thoroughbreds. The mare was served by Yes Yes Yes last season.
Market on the money
The Bowermans Commercial Furniture Plate for fillies was the second race of the meeting, and favourite Ashema (I Am Invincible) justified the market money with a 0.2l victory. She was strong in the straight, surging away for a 2l lead before getting ground down by placegetters Yearning (Snitzel) and Riduna (Fastnet Rock).
Ashema provided Tommy Berry with his second win of the day, after taking out the first juvenile event aboard Kalino. It was the filly’s fourth race-start for her maiden win.
Trained by Annabel Neasham, she had previously been placed at Randwick in two starts before a lacklustre result in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium behind Profiteer (Capitalist), and Thursday’s win was a deserved maiden result chasing the likes of Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) and Acrobat (Fastnet Rock) in previous outings.
Ashema was initially withdrawn from the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Aquis Farm, and then passed in for $800,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale later that year. From Omniscient (Exceed And Excel), who was Listed-placed, it’s a family that boasts stakes winner Omens (Octagonal {NZ}), Manana (Crown Jester) and Group 3 winner Skytrain (Lonhro).
Ashema as a yearling
Spendthrift juvenile fires on debut
Exciting Spendthrift Stud juvenile Patton (American Pharoah {USA}) has prevailed in fine fashion on debut, taking out the opening race at Pakenham by 1.2l.
The Team Hawkes-trained galloper was given a lovely ride by leading hoop Craig Williams, who managed to steer his mount clear of interference with a well-timed inside shift on straightening.
The dominant victory gifting first season Coolmore sire American Pharoah (USA) his third individual winner on Australian soil.
Patton was a $675,000 yearling purchase by Spendthrift Australia from the draft of Attunga Stud at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the first foal out of G2 Queensland Guineas winner Tsaritsa (Dane Shadow).
