A step up to 1400-metres and a patient ride proved the winning formula for the two-year-old Shalaa (IRE) filly Chill The Krug to open her account at start four at Sandown-Lakeside on Easter Monday.
Ridden by Craig Newitt for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Chill The Krug was strung up with nowhere to go at the 200m; once eased out to clean air, it was game over.
Under hands and heels riding Chill The Krug defeated the Sizzling gelding Another Nephew by three-quarters of a length with The Autumn Star debutant Alectronaa length and a quarter back in third.
The win was impressive enough for Natalie Young to consider a step-up to stakes company next start.
“At Pakenham last start, the jock got off and said she might need a bit further,” Young said.
“Ridden behind the speed today helped, although halfway up the straight, I thought she would not get out.
“When she got to the outside, she showed the turn of foot she usually does at the start of her races, but she did it at the right end today.
“We will see how she pulls up. There is the Listed Anzac Stakes, a 2yo race on Anzac Day, so we will see whether we head down that path or head to the paddock.
“It’s great for (Merricks Station’s) Ben Cooper and Justin Docherty.
A $130,000 purchase for Merricks Station / Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Kulani Park draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Chill The Krug is the first foal of the Group II-placed Animal Kingdom (USA) mare Earth Angel.
Placed in the Group III SAJC Auraria Stakes, Group III SA Fillies Classic, and Listed Laelia Stakes, Earth Angel is a half-sister to Group 1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me (Street Cry), and Group 1 placed Bucharest (Deep Impact) and Listed placed Woodbine (Hussonet).
A daughter of the 5-time Group 1 winning champion Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice), Earth Angel had a Written Tycoon colt sell to Domeland for $200,000 at the recent Ingis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Street Boss (USA) colt last spring, Earth Angel was covered by Maurice (JPN).
Chill The Krug is the fifth 2yo winner of the season for Arrowfield Stud’s Shalaa (IRE).
