It’s been a quiet year to date but recent victories by La Diosa at Caulfield, Siam Blue Vanda at Kranji and Emily Margaret at Riccarton have all been top class performances.
The deeds of La Diosa are well documented and after a quiet 4YO season she resumed with a barnstorming victory over 1100 last month. She appears to have regained that brilliant finishing burst which characterised her classic year.
Siam Blue Vanda is a gelded 3YO son of Echoes of Heaven and the Lahib mare I’m A Wag. He made the headlines last month with an effortless maiden victory at his first start and looks to have a bright future.
Yesterday, long-time client Kevin Hughes was extremely bullish about the chances of his grey Pins filly Emily Margaret in the 3YO event at Riccarton. His confidence proved to be entirely justified as she came from the back of a useful field to win by a widening two lengths. A $55,000 Select Sale purchase, she had strongly appealed to me when I analysed that catalogue. She was an obvious choice, being by a highly successful stallion out of a Group 3 winning O’Reilly mare from a speedy and consistent family. Her grey colouring comes from one of my favourite horses, the under-rated Three Legs stallion, Shannon.
Don’t be surprised if Emily Margaret is a factor in the forthcoming Canterbury Belle Stakes – won by La Diosa a couple of years ago.
Hold the phone. Siam Blue Vanda has just won a Novice 1200 at Kranji. Starting at New Zealand odds of $2.00 in a strong field he was handy all the way, hit the front with 300 to go and just lasted. It will be interesting to read Glen Boss’ comments but it does look as if 1200 is already too short a distance for him. From a pedigree point of view he’s an interesting individual as he comes from the female family of the super-tough Istidaad and is inbred to Best In Show.
