Redoute’s Choice eyes up third General Sires’ title
It’s showdown time on the Australian General Sires’ list and once again, champion sire Redoute’s Choice is in the thick of the premiership battle.
A treble at Canterbury yesterday has put Australia’s reigning champion sire back in third place with prizemoney of $6,325,718 – little more than $40,000 behind Lonhro, and almost $48,000 ahead of More Than Ready. The trio have made what may be a decisive break on the pack to chase down High Chapparal whose tally of just over $6.8 million is imposing but by no means unassailable.
Pictured: Queensland Oaks-bound Tropicana Girl wins easily at Canterbury yesterday. (PHOTO: Sportpix).
3YO gelding Crossbow (ex Rainbow Bubbles by El Moxie) opened proceedings yesterday for Redoute’s Choice with a stylish win over 1550 metres, his second in five starts.
Considerable improvement is likely, as his trainer Gai Waterhouse reported after the race. “Nash said if Crossbow had actually run straight when he got into the clear he would have won by five lengths. He’s still very green and has a lot to learn.” Crossbow is raced by his co-breeder, Peter Carrick’s Lakeview Resources with a number of partners.
Four races later, another member of the 2007 crop, the Chris Waller-trained Tropicana Girl (ex Get Around by Xaar) confirmed a tilt at the $400,000 BRC Queensland Oaks G1 on 4 June with a strong win over 1900 metres for Arcella Thoroughbreds. Forced to work early in the race from a wide barrier, the filly was four deep out of the straight the first time before jockey Tim Clark was able to slot her in behind the leader entering the back stretch. She then kicked strongly at the top of the straight to win by 1.75 lengths, with 3.75 lengths back to the third horse.
4YO mare Scent Of Joy (ex Patou by Covetous) finished off the day with a half-head victory over 1100 metres, her third win in 12 starts from the Kevin Moses stable for the Sky Channel Star Stable Syndicate.
Redoute’s Choice is the sire of 15 stakeswinners worldwide this season, including his 19th and 20th individual Group 1 winners, Absolutely (ATC Australian Oaks G1) and King’s Rose (CJC NZ One Thousand Guineas G1). His 2011 fee is $137,500 inc. GST.
