Arrowfield’s Class of 2018 strikes again
Snitzel’s daughter Akari joins the fast-growing list of stakeswinners from Arrowfield's yearling sale Class of 2018. (PHOTO: Darren Tindale)
On a major day of racing at Randwick & Caulfield, Arrowfield’s Class of 2018 added two new stakeswinners to its record when the colt Alabama Express and the filly Akari won Listed events within an hour of each other.
Alabama Express continued his excellent progress this Spring, following his debut 2YO win at Sale last March, and justified his trainer Michael Moroney’s good opinion of him with a sterling effort to overcome the favourite Hilo in the $175,000 MRC Gothic S. 1400m LR.
.@BallymoreStabls was confident that Alabama Express would be up to today’s task – the next task will be the Carbine Club Stakes. pic.twitter.com/1ymCenJVQm
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2019
He is the 167th stakeswinner for the late, great Redoute’s Choice whose final crops are producing the kind of abundant talent that will ensure his superlative stud record closes with a bang, rather than a whimper.
A $280,000 Paul Moroney buy from Arrowfield’s 2018 Inglis Easter draft, Alabama Express was bred by GSA Bloodstock and is the fourth and final foal out of Lago Ovation (Encosta de Lago), from the family of dual Group 2 winner and Cox Plate G1 third Rekindled Interest.
Alabama Express carries the silks of Rupert & Cheryl Legh, who race him with Ballymore Stables, leading New Zealand owner Lou Petagna, B & C Thoroughbreds, David Morison & Arrowfield which retained a share in him. A start in the $500,000 Carbine Club S. G3 on Derby Day at Flemington now looks likely.
Like Alabama Express, Akari progressed from an encouraging juvenile season to win at Wyong on 10 October. Nine days later the daughter of Snitzel has stepped out confidently in stakes company to win the $140,000 ATC Reginald Allen Quality 1400m LR.
A perfectly timed run sees Akari flash home to claim honours in the listed Reginald Allen Quality @royalrandwick. @LizzieJelfs finds her 2nd winner of the day in the Yard 👌👏 pic.twitter.com/N1qIixXtN2
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2019
Jockey Christian Reith said, “She was good. We were able to get the right run, pace was good for her and she settled and produced when it counted.”
Akari was bred by Arrowfield and Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm from the Neo Universe mare Asterix whose first, Japanese-born foal Aerolithe is a Group 1-wining miler in Japan. This is also the family of Champion Sprinter-Miler Mikki Isle, currently serving his second book of mares at Arrowfield.
Akari was purchased for $1.05 million from Arrowfield’s Inglis Easter consignment by Jadeskye Racing, her trainer Brad Widdup & Andrew Williams Bloodstock, with Neil Werrett subsequently taking up ownership. Asterix produced a second Snitzel filly at Arrowfield last year before returning to Japan.
Akari is Snitzel’s 92nd lifetime stakeswinner, and his 4th this season after Group winners Exhilarates & Redzel and Flemington Listed winner Wayupinthesky.
Alabama Express, Akari and Wayupinthesky, along with Group 1 winners Castelvecchio & Super Seth (both by Dundeel), Group 3 winner Stronger (by Not A Single Doubt and now in Hong Kong) and Group 1-placed Listed winner Missile Mantra (by Smart Missile) were all sold by Arrowfield at the 2018 yearling sales.
