Unquestionably one of the most valuable fillies in the nation, the Frankel filly Argentia emerged from an injury enforced lay off to stage a thrilling last to first performance in Saturday’s Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
A hugely impressive debut winner at Flemington last June when defeating Black Caviar’s talented daughter Invincible Caviar, Argentia pulled up lame after finishing unplaced, as favourite, behind stablemate Zouzarella in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 4.
There was little money for the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 3yo in her first start in 23 weeks.
Given a patient ride by Mark Zahra, Argentia powered down the centre of the track to edge out favourite Scorched Earth (Nicconi) by a nose with Asfoora (Flying Artie) three-quarter of a length further back in third.
“She’s a very, very good filly,” Sam Freedman said.
“She was not screwed down for this, we wanted to give her a nice return.
“She was very fresh in the yard and was having a good sweat. We just wanted her to drag up behind them and finish off.
“We’ve got some decisions to make now where we head and she’s got a very bright future.
We’ll have a chat with her owner (John Camilleri).
“She pulled up with an issue at The Valley and we were bitterly disappointed. It is just good to see her return.
She’s probably going to improve again next preparation but we’ll get her home and see.”
Zahra said the chestnut filly is top drawer.
“It was well known before the race that she’s had two jump outs and a long layoff,” Zahra said.
“We’d discussed before that race that we just wanted to be cold and flying home at the end.
“When I went through the race I thought she’s better than these and if something works out in the race, it will. I was just going to ride her to be finishing hard and it set up like it did.
“She’s got a will to win and when she got a sniff of victory she took it and won well.”
Argentia carried the colours of John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds after her purchase by James Harron for $670,000 out of the Evergreen Stud Farm draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Frankel is the eighth foal of the champion Encosta De Lago mare Princess Coup.
Purchased by E Thoroughbreds for $3million at the 2009 National Broodmare Sale, Princess Coup has been a reliable producer but is another that has failed to leave one close to her class.
The 4-time Group 1 winner of over $3.8 million has had five winners from six to race. Her lone stakes-winner is the very talented sprinter Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), a Group III winner in Hong Kong.
Princess Coup’s Sebring colt was passed in short of his $500,000 reserve at Easter last year. Named Golden Passport he finished fourth on debut at Canberra on January 21.
Princess Coup has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible who has been catalogued for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (lot 364)
After foaling a Dundeel colt last spring, Princess Coup was bred back to Snitzel.
