Doomben Group double for Redoute's Choice
Big race doubles are a feature of the Redoute’s Choice story, but Arrowfield’s champion sire has outdone himself this month with two same-track, same-day Group doubles in a fortnight.
Abbey Marie (Australasian Oaks G1) & Into The Mist (Queen of the South S. G2) obliged at Morphettville on 7 May, and on Saturday 3YOs Kebede & Counterattack added the first Doomben Group race double to Redoute’s Choice’s record.
Kebede completed the first part of a long-term plan for trainer Matthew Dunn and his fellow owners when she strode to victory in the $175,000 BRC The Roses 2000m G2, defeating Sebring Sally and the favourite Imposing Lass.
Dunn said, “She’s done an amazing job and we’ve earmarked this race and the Oaks from the time we bought her. I thought any races she won on the way through to the Oaks would be a bonus.”
Kebede came into the race with solid form, including two Gold Coast wins and a Listed third over increasing distances, but was neglected by punters who let her start at $19. She is now listed as a $12 chance for the $500,000 Queensland Oaks G1 on 4 June.
The 3YO filly is the 133rd stakeswinner by Redoute’s Choice and the 15th stakeswinner to represent him worldwide this season.
Bred by Brent & Judy Hudson and bought by Neil Jenkinson for $80,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Sale, Kebede is out of Champion Chilean 2YO Filly Desert Fight (by Hussonet), making her a full sister of Arrowfield’s freshman sire Panzer Division. Now part of the Arrowfield broodmare band, Desert Fight has a weanling filly by Redoute’s Choice and is in foal to Snitzel.
The Redoute’s Choice/Hussonet cross is proving sensational, throwing four Group winners (dual Group 1 winner Majmu, Kebede, Panzer Division & Honesty Prevails) and Group-placed Regatta Rebel from only eight named foals.
Like Kebede, Counterattack has an accomplished sibling and a Group 1 target at Eagle Farm in June. The half-brother of dual Goup 1 winner Red Tracer booked a berth in the $1.5 million Stradbroke H. G1 on 11 June when he overcame a wide trip to win the $125,000 BRC Fred Best Classic 1350m G3.
Jockey James MacDonald likes his chances. “He was strong through the line at the end of 1350 metres today and he’s right on track for the Stradbroke.
“You need a horse with plenty of strength to win that race and he’s exactly the right type especially with the big weight drop in his favour.”
Counterattack’s super-consistent record this season for owner-breeders Geoff & Mary Grimish and trainer Chris Waller also includes two Listed wins in Sydney and a third in the Coolmore Stud S. G1 last Spring.
