It has been an excellent start to the night for two Arrowfield Stud first season stallions.
Shortly after Maurice (JPN) went 1-2 in an 1100m maiden at Canterbury, exciting first season sire Shalaa (IRE) put his third winner on the board with Cheerful Legend at Moonee Valley.
Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho has been having a grand run of success of late, and he has another likely type in Cheerful Legend.
The John Sadler-trained colt was making his third trip to the races. He was fourth at his first two starts at Geelong and Sandown-Hillside.
With Michael Dee in the saddle, Cheerful Legend sat just off the early speed before putting paid to them in the straight.
He defeated the Medaglia D'Oro (USA) colt Micro by two lengths with a further two and a half lengths back to the heavily backed I Am Invincible colt Treporti in third.
“I wanted him to wear blinkers tonight, but there was a malfunction with the computer and it didn’t go through,” Sadler said.
“He was chasing a long way from home. He really wants the blinkers, but because there was so much pace on he could reel them in.
“he is a strong horse, a lovely horse and another nice win for Mr Ho.
“He will definitely go to seven (Furlongs). That is his distance.”
Purchased by John Sadler Racing for $600,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Cheerful Legend is a half-brother to Group 1 HKJC Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and Group 1 Champions Mile winner Contentment (Hussonet).
He is the fourth winner from as many to race out of the Commands mare Jemison whose dam Vista Vincere is a half-sister to the Group 1 AJC Sires’ Produce stakes winner Align.
Shalaa (IRE) has made an excellent start to his career south of the equator. His star son Shaquero will be out to enhance his Golden Slipper credentials in tomorrows Group II Skyline Stakes at Randwick.
