| Espiona lived up her early wraps when she produced a powerful sprint in the straight to win a thrilling edition of the Group One Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill today. |
| Touted as a potential new star of the track with two brilliant wins at her first two starts, Espiona appreciated a growth in confidence with a recent group success in Melbourne to have her primed for today’s Sydney feature. In a midfield position for much of the race, Espiona was able to angle between runners before gaining an inside split in the straight and accelerated beautifully under Michael Dee. At the post Espiona and Dee held a small, but decisive margin over Pride of Jenni, while Perth Yearling Sale buy Sheeza Belter was finishing solidly another narrow margin back in third place. The win was the first in the Coolmore Classic for champion trainer Chris Waller and the 143rd of his career to date. “It’s a special win for Denise Martin who is a huge supporter of our stable,” Waller said. “She’s just a pleasure to train for.” “It was good to see her get back to winning form last start. Obviously she could be a bit better in Melbourne, but we had to have an opportunity on her home track. Thrown in at the weights and a lovely draw and a lovely ride from Michael Dee.” “She might be a bit better left-handed. As we continue to say you can’t sense confidence, you can only give it to a horse. Whether it’s winning or looking after them. It might be a baby having its first gallop, just give them confidence and they’ll look after you.” “We had the pin-up girl at the time and she lost her way a little bit, but she’s done a great job today,” Waller added. The win continued the dream run of success for Melbourne based rider Michael Dee, who last Saturday won the Australian Guineas following the Blue Diamond Stakes seven days earlier. “I knew I was coming up here to ride three weeks or so ago and it was a matter of chasing the right ride,” Dee noted. “When she won so well in Melbourne I was certainly very happy to be on her today, especially at this light weight. A credit to Chris Waller and his team and to herself.” “I did have instructions to try and stay off (the rail) and come down the outside, but as soon as the gates opened I did go to the fence.” “The tempo was on and she seemed happy and relaxed in the run and we had a lot of room there in front of horses. Then coming into the straight she absolutely grabbed the bridle and was very strong up in behind them.” “It was just a matter of switching to the inside and she exploded,” Dee summed up. Espiona is yet another Group One winner for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds syndication company – she follows in the hoofsteps of the likes of Sebring, Theseo, Danglissa, Foxplay, Invincibella and Driefontein, who were also purchased from Magic Millions Yearling Sales. Today’s star was a $190,000 purchase for Star in partnership with Brett Howard’s Randwick Bloodstock from the draft of Torryburn Stud at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bred by Torryburn in partnership with Frank Cook. A daughter of Newgate Farm’s sire sensation Extreme Choice, Espiona is the first named foal for the Sydney winning O’Reilly mare Dahooil. Successful at 1400 metres, Dahooil is a full sister to stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly (dam of group performer Basquiat) and half sister to New Zealand stakes winner and Sydney group placegetter Pretty to Sea. It is also the family of local Group One winners Vision and Power, Glamour Puss and Steps in Time. Winner: Espiona Breeding: Extreme Choice-Dahooil (O’Reilly) Breeder: Torryburn Stud, Frank Cook Race: ATC Coolmore Classic G1 (1500m) Sold for: $190,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Torryburn Stud Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Earnings: $811,990 Owners: Star Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, L J Mugavin, McLeish Family Racing, Felgate Holdings, Mrs AM Hickey, Boeara Holdings, Paramount Racing, MI Ive, Mrs RA Ive, Macedon Park Pty Ltd, Mrs DM Handley & CGO Racing Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington) |
