News

2YO Estijaab flies as Inglis graduates dominate on both sides of the Tasman

20th Jan 2018

John Messara hit the nail on the head when asked for his opinion in April last year of the Snitzel x Response filly that had just sold to Emirates Park for $1.7million at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

“She’s a queen and she had it all – pedigree, type, sire, she was worth every penny,’’ the Arrowfield Stud principal said moments after the hammer came down to Bryan Carlson on behalf of Emirates Park.

Today at Randwick, that initial opinion was well on the way to being vindicated after the regally-bred filly, now known as Estijaab, trounced her rivals on debut.

Such was the dominance of the win, corporate betting agencies around Australia made Estijaab equal favourite for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 24 at $11 and on the third line of betting in the Group 1 Golden Slipper a month later at $13.

Messara was anything but surprised by the ease of the debut performance and expected the filly to progress to prove herself up with the best of her generation.

“She ran like she looked,’’ Messara said.

“She’s been a class filly from day one.

“We were delighted to achieve a great sale result with her last year and she looks capable of adding to the success of Snitzel.’’

The Snitzel story continues to grow, and there are 75 progeny of the leading Arrowfield stallion on offer at this year’s major Inglis Yearling Sales.

The first of those is the Classic Yearling Sale, the historic first sale at Riverside Stables on February 10-13, where three Snitzels will be offered.

To view the Classic catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Then it’s down to Melbourne for the Premier Yearling Sale (March 4-7) which will see eight of his progeny offered.

To view the Premier catalogue, CLICK HERE.

The Australian Easter Yearling Sale – the biggest sale in the southern hemisphere – will see 64 Snitzels offered at Riverside Stables from April 9-11.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile Enzo’s Lad gave Vinery stallion Testa Rossa his fourth Group 1 winner when claiming The Telegraph Hcp at Trentham.

Enzo’s Lad, a graduate of the 2014 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale when offered by Eliza Park International, defied his $101 price tag to claim his maiden Group 1 success.

Bred by Reavill Farm, Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa x Sheerama) win was also the first at the top level for his trainer Matt Pittman – who trains in partnership with his father Michael – and his jockey Sam Weatherley.

It’s the second consecutive weekend an Inglis graduate has won a Group 1 in New Zealand following Age Of Fire’s victory in the Levin Classic.

And Magic Chai (Magic Albert x Chai) made it three wins from his past four starts when claiming the Group 3 Wellington Cup at Trentham.

Magic Chai was a $90,000 buy for Lyndhurst Farm from the draft of Millburn Creek at the 2014 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.