With two of his three stakes-winners, Annabel Neasham has a good handle on the stock of Oakland Stud’s recruit Pariah, the latest coming with Ostraka, who put a competitive field of three-year-olds to the sword in Saturday’s Listed Ascot Green Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Ostraka entered the race with a lone win in a 1400m maiden at Rosehill and four places in seven starts.
Among the best to begin, Ostraka enjoyed a cosy run behind the speed set by Tiger Shark. Set down to an all-out drive at the 300m, Ostraka came clear to defeat Godolphin’s Zoustar filly Inhibitions by two and three-quarter lengths with the Capitalist gelding Hedged a short-neck back in third.
Stabe foreman Todd Pollard said it was a just reward for a horse that rarely runs a bad race.
“He’s been a really consistent horse, and he’s got a fair bit of ability, which he’s shown with some good runs in decent races,” Pollard said.
“It was a deep race today, so it was good to see him win against some good opposition. Blake gave him the perfect ride from the soft gate, and it was remarkable how easily he put them away.
“We didn’t want him to hit the front too soon because it’s such a long straight here, and you’re just waiting for the swoopers to come. But to his credit, he was really game and he just kept on finding.”
Blake Shinn said the son of Pariak treated the opposition with contempt.
“He could be a Group horse in the making, he’s progressive and has got a big frame on him,” Shinn said.
“He’s only a sprinter, so I probably wouldn’t be stepping him up in trip. He’s got good gate speed, and he travels well; if he can harness his energy, he might even improve a few more lengths.
“He treated a talented bunch of rivals with contempt, which was quite surprising, especially under the big weight.”
A $150,000 buy for Annabel Neasham Racing / B McGuire / Stallion Match / Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Arrowfield stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Ostraka is one of four stakes performers for the unraced War Emblem mare Madame Andree (USA) led by Widden Stud’s Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes winner Anders (Not A Single Doubt), and the stakes-placegetters Satin Love (Snitzel) and Battleground (Snitzel).
Ottavio Galletta’s Galletta Constructions purchased a Snitzel filly out of Madame Andree (USA) from the Arrowfield Stud draft for $400,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Snitzel covered Madame Andree again last spring after she had missed in 2022.
After five seasons at Arrowfield Stud, Pariah relocated to Neville Stewart’s Oaklands Stud last season, standing for $8,800.
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