Following the breathtaking performance of Masked Crusader in the Group III Southern Cross Stakes at Randwick, the three-year-old filly Solaia completed a grand day for Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (IRE) when downing the favourite Kissonallforcheeks in Saturday’s Listed Morley Growers-Challenge Stakes (1500m) at Ascot.
The Darren Mcaulliffe-trained filly took control of the race shortly after turning for the run home.
Lucy Warwick gave the Toronado (IRE) filly one reminder at the 150m but there was no catching her.
Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) could get no closer than one and a half-lengths with Western Empire (Iffraaj) a further two lengths back in third.
Solaia advances her record to four wins, two seconds and a third from 12 starts with earnings of $253,450.
She is the second winner from as many to race out of the Blackfriars mare Isola Blu.
A $36,000 Perth Magic Millions Yearling, Isola Blu won just once, over 1200m at Ascot, in 14-starts career. She was given her chance in the WA classics finishing midfield in the Ascot 1000 Guineas and the WA Oaks.
A half-sister to the Group II Queen Of The South winner Goon Serpent (Reset), Isola Blu just missed black-type when fourth in the Listed Challenge Stakes with the outstanding Black Heart Bart in second place.
The first foal of Isola Blu, Rewrite The Star (Universal Ruler) ,has won three and placed in four of her 12 starts to date.
Her second foal is Solaia, the third is the unraced two-year-old Cable Bay (IRE) filly Isola Bay and the fourth a yearling colt by Impeding.
In foal to Vancouver, Isola Blu was consigned to the 2020 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by Gall Bloodstock for $75,000.
That can only be a positive as Isola Blu was covered by I Am Invincible, admittedly on a late cover in December.
Solaia becomes the tenth stakes-winner for Toronado (IRE) whose stocks continue to rise in the southern hemisphere.
