An expensive filly by American Pharoah (USA) making a winning debut on Friday was always going to be an obvious choice for the ‘One to Watch’
Trained by Mike Moroney, Asteroidea showed her hand in a recent jumpout at Flemington, so was heavily backed and did not disappoint.
She was sent forward to lead by Patrick Moloney and always looked to have the 1100m maiden in her keeping, cruising clear for a dominant length victory.
A $575,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Anthony Panozzo/Matt Laurie Racing/Adam Brandwood, Asteroidea was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is a half-sister to Group II placed Wolf Cry and stakes-placed Glenbawn Dame.
The most expensive yearling filly by American Pharoah sold in Australia, she is the sixth winner from six foals to race from top producer Starfish, a Group III placed half-sister by Redoute’s Choice to stakes-winner Brilliant Bisc from Group I winner Stella Cadente.
Coolmore sold the Pierro yearling colt from Starfish at Magic Millions this year to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $400,000 and the mare is now in foal to Justify (USA).
Asteroidea is the fourth Australian winner for American Pharoah, who has 19 stakes-winners in the Northern Hemisphere and returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $49,500.
