Royally-bred Fastnet Rock filly My Xanadu still has plenty to learn, which adds further merit to her winning debut in the Roderick Insurance Maiden Plate (1212m) at Geelong on Wednesday.
Ridden by Linda Meech for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, My Xanadu did little wrong in the run, travelling sweetly outside the leader Idhana. As soon as she headed the $1,500,000 I Am Invincible filly, My Xanadu pricked her ears as if it was job done, and Meech was forced to keep her mind on the job for a hard-fought half-length win.
“She nearly pulled up. I think she knew she had it won and was coasting,” Meech said.
“She has an outstanding pedigree, and it’s great for (owner/breeders) Ron and Judy Wanless. They should put her on the plane to Queensland where the Wanless’ can see her in their home state. She is a very nice filly.”
A half-sister to the Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate winner He's Heaven (Zoustar), My Xanadu is the fifth winner from as many to race for Lights Of Heaven, whose eight wins were highlighted by the Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks and four Group IIs and a Group III.
The daughter of Zabeel is also a Wanless family homebred. A descendant of the champion Chiquita, Lights Of Heaven has a 2-ear-old filly by The Autumn Sun and a yearling colt by So You Think.
Sadly, the So You Think foal from Lights Of Heaven died after birth last spring, and she missed to Wootton Bassett (GB).
