Grahame Begg has enjoyed a deal of success with the progeny of Written Tycoon in recent years, led by the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes hero Written By, and he looks to have another likely type in Libiamo, who made a winning career debut over 1100m at Caulfield on Saturday.
Given a quiet ride by Billy Egan, Libiamo had just one runner behind her early. Eased out to make her run down the centre of the track, Libiamo still had plenty to do at the 200m to chase down the heavily backed favourite Zapateo (Brazen Beau). She knuckled down to her task in a manner that belied her inexperience to defeat Zapateo by a half-length.
The Peter Moody trained Cherrypick, one of 40 live foals from the first and last crop of the royally bred Fastnet Rock stallion Lionhearted, was further half-head back in third.
Begg said the daughter of Written Tycoon had caused the stable its share of worries before putting it all together on race day.
“We purchased her for my mother and father at the Premier Sale last year. She has given us a lot of grief to get here, and I have got to say a big thank you to Julien Welsh,” Begg said.
“She had a lot of issues going to the barrier. That is why she made a belated start. Even up to three weeks ago, she had to go back to get her ticket.
“She has an attitude, but that is very much Written Tycoon. You just have to go their way a bit.
“Written By had the same attitude loading in the gates. This girl has shown us a little bit of talent. I was a bit unsure today at her first start, but I thought just give her a nice introduction and not rush her in the early stages, just let it all unfold, and it worked out perfectly.
“I think we will keep her going through her grades, get a bit of seasoning under her belt, and she will come round.”
Libiamo was a $170,000 purchase by her trainer out of the Sun Stud draft at the 2020 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to the Group III Breeders’ Plate runner-up Covert Ops (I Am Invincible), Libiamo is a daughter of the Group III NJC Tibbie Stakes winner Fine Bubbles, who was bought by Sun Stud for $400,000 out of the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2016 National Broodmare Sale.
Fine Bubbles is a daughter of the Listed Gosford Belle Of The Turf winner Pekalan (Sri Pekan) from a family that has risen to new heights in recent years. Led by the deeds dual Group 1 winner In Her Time, a recent $2.2million purchase by Yu Long Investments at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, and The Everest hero Yes Yes Yes.
Fine Bubbles has a yearling Fighting Sun filly named Talento. She foaled an I Am Invincible colt last spring before missing to National Defense (GB).
The Champion Australian stallion elect, Written Tycoon, stands at Yulong Stud this spring at a fee of $165,000.
