Arrowfield Stud’s shuttler Shalaa (IRE) became the third first crop stallion to open their winning account on Saturday and the second to have a stakes-winner after the Chris Waller-trained colt Shaquero did the right thing by the sponsor with a dominant win in the Group III Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick.
Shaquero had prepped for his debut at Waller’s base on the Gold Coast, winning a trial there on September 21.
With a red-hot James McDonald in the saddle, Shaquero was ridden along early to find the front. He had plenty left in the tank in the straight to hold the challenge of the I Am Invincible colt Construct by one and a quarter lengths with the Star Turn colt Astrologer making up many lengths to be the same distance back in third.
"He's just got class written all over him," Waller said.
"If you asked me which Group One race he's going to win I'd say it would be a Doncaster rather than a Golden Slipper but who knows, he might win that on the way through."
Carrying the colours of Neville Morgan, Shaquero was a $160,000 purchase by Mulcaster Bloodstock out of the Fernrigg Farm draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A fourth generation bred by Bob Hannon, the son of Shalaa (IRE) is the second winner from three to race out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Fimatino.
Not A Single Doubt is also the sire of the dam of runaway Gimcrack Stakes winner Enthaar.
Fimatino is a half-sister to the Listed Singapore TC Stewards' Cup winner Ghozi (Catbird) and to the dam of the WS Cox Plate winner Shamus Award (Snitzel).
She has a yearling filly by Hellbent and recently foaled a Rubick colt.
Shaquero becomes the first stakes-winner for Group 1 Prix Morny and Group 1 Middle Park stakes winner Shalaa (IRE) (Invincible Spirit) stands at Arrowfield Stud in 2020 at a fee of $33,000.
