News

Qatar Bloodstock on the board

15th Aug 2013

Racing Victoria - Brad Bishop - Thursday, 15 August 2013

Qatar Bloodstock is on the board in Australia thanks to promising staying filly Driving Louise, winner of the $17,500 Porter Plant Maiden Plate (1600m) today at Ballarat.

She is the first winner of the team of Australian-bred gallopers assembled by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who experienced a dream introduction to Australian racing when Dunaden won the 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Driving Louise is trained by Robert Smerdon, who felt privileged to provide Qatar Bloodstock with its first Australian-trained winner.

“They’ve got a few horses here, a couple with me, a couple with Peter Moody, they’ve got them all around the place, and she broke their duck, so it’s good,” Smerdon said.

Driving Louise, a who is by Bernardini out of Western Australian Derby winner Grand Journey, stamped herself a possible Crown Oaks filly with her tenacious display.

Top jockey Dwayne Dunn positioned her prominently outside the leader before taking over early in the straight.

The $4.60 equal favourite was quickly under siege, however, and looked certain to have to settle for a minor placing but fought courageously to get home by a head from her co-favourite.

“She’s just taken a while to get it together,” Smerdon said. “With that pedigree she’s got stamina both sides, so we’re just expecting her to improve with a bit more age and a bit more ground.”

Driving Louise (3f Bernardini x Grand Journey) was a $210,000 purchase by David Redvers for Qatar Bloodstock at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale