Shalaa’s lively week at Caulfield

Third season sire Shalaa added 3 new stakes performers to his record at Caulfield last week, beginning with Shalailed’s second in the Blue Sapphire S. 1200m G3 on Thousand Guineas day. 

The John O’Shea-trained 3YO colt out of Unassailed (by Fastnet Rock) put up a solid effort to chase home the favourite Grand Impact, and finish a length in front of Group winner Lofty Strike (by Snitzel).

Three days later Shalaa’s 3YO daughter Quang Tri (ex Saigon Tea by Thorn Park) opened Caulfield Cup day with a polished performance over 1400m to record her third win from 7 starts for her Prime Thoroughbreds owners. She will now focus on Flemington where she scored her maiden stakes win in July. 

Arrowfield Magic Millions graduate 3YO colt Custodian (ex Honesty Prevails by Redoute’s Choice) earned black type at his fourth start when third in Sandpaper’s Gothic S. 1400m LR for James Harron & partners. 

One race later progressive 4YO mare Shalstar (ex Dual Star by Starcraft) very nearly gave trainer Paul Messara his third Caulfield stakes success when she was the closest of seconds to A Very Fine Red in a high-rating Alinghi S. 1100m LR.

Bred and raced by Arrowfield in partnership with long-time client Paul Favretto, Shalstar headed south after four straight wins, most recently a TAB Highway at Randwick. Like Quang Tri, Shalailed and Custodian, she is likely to contest upcoming features in Melbourne.    

Shalaa’s southern hemisphere record now shows 10% Stakes Performers/Runners and he is 4th by earnings ($1.1 million) and 2nd by winners (19) on the highly competitive 3rd Season Sires’ table.