At yesterday’s South Island sale, I’d identified a couple of yearlings whose pedigrees really struck a chord.
One was Lot 28, the Echoes of Heaven – Sita (Bertolini) filly, a half-sister to the well-performed Sitarist, winner of this year’s renewal of the time-honoured Dunedin Cup (LR). The latter is a tough racemare who could well add to her record next season.
I’ve been a fan of Echoes of Heaven for quite a while now and did the mating for the brilliant Singaporean galloper, Siam Blue Vanda, the likely favourite for the Singapore Derby (S$1,000,000), due to be run in the next few months. Echoes of Heaven is a sire who has been starved of opportunity and, given the overall quality of his past mares, has done exceptionally well to produce the results he has accumulated to date.
What I like about the Sita filly’s pedigree page is that she descends from Eulogy, that foundation mare who is the ancestress of so many top thoroughbreds. This particular branch specializes in producing quality stayers. The filly boasts inbreeding to Northern Dancer, Special, Lalun, Bold Reason, Sir Ivor and Relic. She also has the Alydar x Mr Prospector cross, which has worked very well internationally for several decades.
The filly was passed in at $5000 and subsequently purchased by the Parsons stable. Prior to the sale I had talked to Karen about likely types which were in the catalogue. Last evening, I received a call from her asking if I was interested in buying a 10% share. I certainly was, I replied, and volunteered to write this article in order to find another four shareholders.
I don’t expect this filly to make a competitive 2YO but, if she does have the family ability, she should be able to mature into a competitive 3YO, especially in South Island company. On pedigree, I would anticipate that she will be able to stay at least 2000 metres.
Anyway, if you are interested, do give me a call. (0210455855)
