Stallions

Vadashan dashes into classic contention

Vadashan made the step from provincial maiden company to competitive city class with conviction at Warwick Farm today, when winning over 1600 metres in class record time of 1.35.56.

The dark brown 3YO son of Redoute’s Choice settled well on the fence for jockey Christian Reith, slightly worse than midfield, while That’s A Good Idea set the pace.

As the field opened up around the turn, Vadashan quickened up sweetly, but was still only fourth at the 200-metre mark as Fuming briefly claimed the lead. Vadashan’s momentum took him to the head of the field soon after and he saw the race out strongly to win by a half-length from the fast-finishing filly Unimpeachable, with General Groove a further 2 lengths away in third place.

Vadashan is a result of Arrowfield’s joint venture with HH The Aga Khan, whose French stud is home this northern spring to Redoute’s Choice. Mares confirmed for his 2013 northern hemisphere book include the Aga Khan’s champion filly Zarkava, Group 1 winners Alpine Rose, Shareta, Sagawara, Rosanara & Daryakana, as well as Born Gold, the dam of international champion Goldikova.

Vadashan’s dam Vadsalina was a 2YO stakeswinner in France and half-sister to Vadawina (Longchamp Prix Saint-Alary G1) and dual Group 3 winner Vadapolina, from the family of Group 1 winners Valixir and Val Royal.

Trained by Paul Messara for Arrowfield, Saeed Naser Al Romaithi and Renata Coleman, Vadashan is now firmly on the path to the $1.5 million ATC David Jones Australian Derby G1, over 2400 metres at Randwick on 13 April.

Sadly, Vadsalina died last spring, but she has a 2YO colt named Vandenberg, also in the Paul Messara stable, and a yearling colt by Starcraft in the Arrowfield draft for the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.