Rich Hill Stud shuttler Satono Aladdin (JPN) sired his first stakes winner when Grand Impact stretched his unbeaten sequence to three in Wednesday’s $200,000 Group III Catanach's Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Ben Melham for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Grand Impact revelled in the heavy conditions to defeat Shalailed (Shalaa) by one and three-quarter lengths, with Lofty Strike (Snitzel) a length back in third.
There was a sensation at the start when the favourite Economics was scratched after playing up in the barriers.
A winner on debut at Geelong on July 15, Grand Impact progressed to a two and three-quarter length romp over 1200m at Sandown on August 7.
Price said Grand Impact livens up with the addition of blinkers.
“I brought these two colts (Grand Impact and Bews) here last Saturday, and Bews worked better than Grand Impact,” Price said.
“But no blinkers on Grand Impact means no effort. He is a funny colt. With blinkers on, he is a real race-day colt. Take nothing away from him he was strong to the line.
“It’s two and a half weeks to the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) for both of them. “
A homebred for Ross and Corrine Kearney’s Okaharau Station, Grand Impact is the second and final foal of the unraced Swiss Ace mare Serena Slam, who had been purchased for $2,000 at a Mixed Sale in 2016.
Her dam Black Cat (Black Minnaloushe) is a half-sister to Listed ATC Toy Show Stakes winner Catreign (Tale Of The Cat).
A brother to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Lachesis, by Deep Impact out of the top-class Storm Cat mare Magic Storm, Satono Aladdin (JPN) shuttled from Shadai Stallion Stations to Rich Hill Stud, where he stands for a fee of $12,500 (+GST).
