The short-priced favourite Sea What I See (IRE) made it six on the bounce when opening her stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Thomas Farms Centaurea Stakes (2190m) at Morphettville.
Given an inspired ride by Blake Shinn, the Danny O’Brien-trained daughter of Sea The Stars found a willing adversary in the Fiorente mare Silent Surrente before drawing a half-length clear.
The 6-year-old Le Havre (IRE) mare Rivaport was two lengths back in third.
“It was a race we were hoping she’d get to all preparation. She’s done everything right on the way through, but it was good to get the job done,” O’Brien said.
“I was watching from the stands, and I thought we’re going to be four or five deep, and then all of a sudden we’re one out, one back. I’ll have to look at the steward’s footage, but yeah, a piece of magic from Blake.
“She’s a classy mare, we knew today that her and Seonee were well performed class mares and we were going to have to step up to take them on and it was a really good battle between two good mares down the running and very pleased we got the better of them.”
“She’s a four-year-old mare on northern hemisphere time but only just into her four-year-old season.”
“There’s a really good group of then (owners); they’re having a ball as you can imagine. A few of them came over here yesterday, and they’re having a great weekend in Adelaide. We’re thrilled to be here, we love the carnival over here in Adelaide, if we’ve got one good enough, it usually gives you a really good platform to go back to Melbourne over the Spring.”
Blake Shinn said it all fell nicely into place.
“I had to be quick on my reaction to get there but it just panned out nicely” he said.
“They went a bit quicker than I anticipated early but she’s just really developed into a full proof horse this time in. I take my hat off to Danny because he’s really taken his time and helped bring her on nicely.
“She’s a highly strung mare (but) today’s probably the best she’s paraded all prep. She took the step to stakes level today, and she’s probably come to the end of her prep. But it was one of the better performances, and I really admire Danny for the trainer that he is. He really helped her keep progressing and made her a stakes class horse.”
Sea What I See was a 140,000 guineas purchase for Robert Roulston Bloodstock from the Watership Down Stud draft at the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2.
She is the lone winner from three to race for the stakes-winning Smart Strike mare Real Smart.
Sea What I See is the 120th stakes-winner for Aga Kha Stud’s champion Sea The Stars.
