A homebred for Shadwell, foaled and raised at Yarraman Park, Ertijaal made it four
wins in as many starts when led throughout and strode clear to win the 2000
metre feature by four and three-quarter lengths.A three year-old Hard Spun (USA) colt prepared by Mike de Kock, Ertijaal had been impressive in the lower grades and looked good winning a Listed race on January 11, but his dominance here suggests he's a colt that will win many more races.
A half-brother to Dubai Group III winner Mushreq, who was also Group I placed in South Africa and Macau stakes-winner Jazza Bell, Ertijaal is the sixth winner for stakes-placed Jeune (GB) mare Alharir, a half-sister to the dam of Group I winner Rewaaya from the family of Group I winners Snippets and Forensics.
It's a sensational family that has been producing at the top level for quite a while now, although as a Derby winner Ertijaal is bringing something new to the table for what is generally perceived as a speed family.
Alharir has a filly foal by Shadwell's Blue Diamond winner Nadeem, who is now at stud in New Zealand and was one of 114 mares covered last year by Darley's Group I winner Dawn Approach (IRE), the first son of Galileo's Epsom Derby hero New Approach to go to stud.
Ertijaal is the first Australian bred Group I winner for Darley based Hard Spun, who shuttled to Victoria for six seasons, but did not come last year and is his sixth Group I winner overall.
An $80,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Sledmere Stud draft for Hassan Adams, two year-old Lonhro colt Buckinghampshire made amends for his debut second when slowly away to win the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000 metres by a length and a quarter for the Justin Snaith stable.
He turned the tables on Seventh Plain, the colt that beat him on debut in
December and onbisouly has bright prospects for the future.Bred by Jennifer Mackay, Buckinghampshire is a full brother to Group III placed Cautious and is the second foal of stakes-placed Exceed and Excel mare Seeking Attention, a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Stryker from the Joy and Fun branch of the Denise's Joy family.
Sledmere Stud will offer the third foal of Seeking Attention, a filly by Street Cry (IRE) at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 164.
Seeking Attention is off to a flying start with her stud career and has a colt foal to follow by Street Cry and was covered by Medaglia D'Oro last year.
Buckinghampshire is the 49th stakes-winner for champion racehorse and sire Lonhro.
Making it a treble of Australian winners on the card was four year-old Choisir mare Ma Choix, who posted her third win when successful over 1800 metres for Yogas Govender.
A $125,000 Inglis Easter purchase for James Bester Bloodstock from the Kitchwin Hills draft, Ma Choix rusn for Mrs Sabine
Plattner and is from the Montjeu (IRE) mare Moniette.
