From the 19th and final Australian crop of Vinery Stud’s More Than Ready (USA), Petrouchka went two better than her half-sister I’m Feeling Lucky when opening her stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m).
Ridden by Willie Pike for Grant and Alana Williams, Petrouchka turned the tables on her Belmont Guineas conqueror Luvnwar (War Decree) by three-quarts of a length, with Lyrical Angel (God Has Spoken) back in third.
A homebred for the Van Heemst family’s Lynward Park Stud, Petrouchka is the fourth stakes-winner for magnificent broodmare Twinkle Toes (Danehill).
Ted Van Heemst bought the unraced Twinkle Toes (IRE) from Coolmore Stud for $72,500 at the 2008 Sydney Easter Broodmare Sale.
The daughter of Danehill is a granddaughter of Rose Of Jericho, the dam of 1992 English Derby winner Dr Devious and the successful stallions Archway and Shinko King.
Twinkle Toes (IRE) is the dam of the Group III La Trice Classic winner I’m Feeling Lucky and the Listed stakes-winners Baronova and Utgard Loki.
Her half-sister Dance On The Moon (IRE) is the dam of the Group III Doomben Roses winner and Group 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas third Awesome Planet, the dam of Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner Awesome Rock.
The dam of seven winners from eight to race, Twinkle Toes (IRE) has not had a live foal since Petrouchka.
She was covered by Wootton Bassett (GB) last spring.
Petrouchka is the 228th stakes-winner for More Than Ready (USA).
