New stakes performer for Shalaa
Shalaa’s second stakes performer headed another batch of good news for Arrowfield’s shuttle stallions over the weekend.
Shalaa’s daughter No Speak Alexander built on her maiden win in July and Group 2 4th last month with a solid effort to finish second, 0.75 length from the winner Monday in Saturday’s 7-furlong Leopardstown Ingabelle S. LR.
The following day both Shalaa and Maurice added their 10th first-crop 2YO winners when Admire Halley (ex Admire Cima by Deep Impact) won a 2000-metre maiden at Nakayama in Japan, and Shalaa Asker (ex Miracle Seeker by Rainbow Quest) scored by almost two lengths over 5 furlongs at Chelmsford in England.
ADMIRE HALLEY is first-crop winner #10 for Maurice after scoring over 2000m at Nakayama. #Shadai @ArrowfieldStud @HorseRacing_JPN @netkeiba @JUN_HorseRaces @LongBallToNoOne pic.twitter.com/cXCeqzyhSZ
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) September 13, 2020
Geraldina, arguably one of the best-bred 2YOs in the world right now as the daughter of Maurice & Gentildonna (three Horse of the Year titles between them) made a promising debut at Chukyo on Saturday. Slow out of the gates, the imposing filly ran greenly in the straight, but made up ground late to finish third over 1600 metres.
Back in Australia, Real Impact posted his 4th & 5th 3YO winners from his first 14 runners this season.
Arrowfield graduate Count de Rupee (ex Timeless Choice by Redoute’s Choice) showed pace & grit to win his third start a 1200-metre Saturday maiden at Kembla Grange. He’s trained by Robert & Luke Price who bought him for $145,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Sista Elenore (ex Lune Rouge by Malibu Moon) followed suit on Sunday, winning her second start at the Sunshine Coast.
The global pandemic has kept Maurice, Mikki Isle, Real Impact & Real Steel (whose first Australian foals are arriving this Spring) in Japan for 2020, but Shalaa is now serving his fourth book of mares at Arrowfield.