Just minutes after the Shamus Award mare It’s Me kept her record at a perfect two for two with a hugely impressive performance in the Highway (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday, the Rosemont Farm stallion had a runaway winner on a bleak, windswept day at Wangaratta and this one is sure to resonate with fans.
Coming off a third at his career debut at Pakenham Park, the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Mr Raikkonen spaced a field of maidens by upwards of four and three-quarter lengths over 1400m giving hope that the champion racemare Miss Andretti may have finally found a good one.
Carrying the same colours that were carried to victory by his sire in the MVRC WS Cox Plate and VRC Australian Guineas and his dam to triumphs in the MVRC Manikato Stakes, MVRC Australia Stakes, VRC Lightning Stakes, VRC Newmarket Handicap, VRC The Age Classic and the famous victory in the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mr Raikkonen becomes the second winner for his dam whose broodmare career has been one of heartbreak.
Crowned the 2006/07 Horse Of The Year, Miss Andretti’s first foal by Exceed and Excel named Mr Villeneuve, a $460,000 2011 Magic Millions purchase for Lee Freedman,, did not reach the racetrack.
She then proceeded to either miss or slip for the next four seasons before producing the Nicconi colt Mr Hamilton who has shown glimpses of form for three trainers, winning three and placing in five of his 14 starts but most recently beat just one of his seven rivals home in a benchmark 68 at Murray Bridge a fortnight back.
Following Mr Hamilton came the unraced Mr Coulthard (Shamus Award).
Not served in 2015, Miss Andretti then produced Mr Raikkonen but it was back to heartbreak as she slipped in 2017 and 2018 before being covered by Addictive nature on a 5th of December cover last year.
So, all hope seems to be on the shoulders of the Wangaratta maiden winner Mr Raikkonen at present.
