Nominated a race to watch with two intriguing runners in the $1,100,000 Deep Impact colt Elzamee and Orbis Bloodstock’s import Campeao (IRE), the 1500m maiden at Newcastle on Saturday did not disappoint.
Making his career debut, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustice-trained Elzamee looked a stayer with a bright future when defeating the Rubick gelding Russian Ruble by a half length with the Epaulette gelding Sandastan a length back in third.
Don’t give up on the Chris Waller-trained import Campeao (IRE). The son of Acclamation was an easing favourite. He led them up before weakening in the closing stages to finish fourth.
Bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Elzamee has a pedigree that would stand out in any catalogue.
The son of Deep Impact (JPN) is fourth foal of the top-class racemare Amanee.
A daughter of Pivotal, Amanee was a Group 1 winner in South Africa.
From one of the great Niarchos families, Amanee is a half-sister to the Listed Geelong Classic runner-up Jadeer (Fastnet Rock) and Sun Is Up (Woodman), the dam of Breeders’ Cup Mile, Poule d'Essai des Poulains, and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Karakontie (Bernstein).
Amanee’s dam Moon Is Up (Woodman) is a French stakes-winning three-quarter sister to Kingmambo and Miesque’s Son and to the dam of Rumpelstiltskin and I Am Beautiful, out of the great Miesque.
Elzamee is closely related to the recently retired champion Loves Only You. The daughter of Real Impact (JPN) made her presence felt worldwide with wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Yushun Himba, and Hong Kong Cup.
Loves Only You is a sister to former Arrowfield shuttler Real Steel.
They are out of the unraced Storm Cat mare Loves Only Me, a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Rumplestiltskin and a granddaughter of Miesque.
