There's no denying the former top-class sprinter Equiano (FR) proved a disappointment in his five seasons shuttling to Swettenham Stud, but he looks to have a top-class filly in his fourth crop daughter Lady Horseowner, who could not attract a skerrick of interest from the sales companies as a yearling.
Backing up from her career debut win at Moonee Valley on December 8, the Greg Eurell-trained filly speared between runners under Nikita Berriman to claim Saturday's Group III Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) (1000m) at Caulfield.
This race changer dramatically over the final 100 metres.
Just as it looked as if the heavily backed favourite Pure Elation would cling to her lead at her debut, the daughter of I Am Invincible began to weaken as Lady Horseowner, Crossing The Abbey, Oohood and Downloads were all steaming home.
Lady Horseowner defeated Crossing The Abbey (Helmet) by a neck with the luckless Oohood (I Am Invincible) a long-neck back in third ahead of Downloads (Fastnet Rock) and Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) who was just three-quarters of a length from the winner in fifth and far from disgraced. (photo Grant Courtney );
"She’s not very big so we thought we’d have to try and capitalise on her size and try to get her into the right races,” Eurell said.
"Everything she has done, she has done very professionally all the way through.
"We’ll just let the dust settle a little bit but certainly at this stage, knowing the filly as well as we do, she could go straight into the Diamond and not have another run.
Bred by Lauriston Park with owner Paul King, the pint-sized daughter of Equiano (FR) was a
She is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Kid Gloves who was placed twice in Melbourne although retiring a maiden after eight starts.
Four of Kid Gloves' siblings reached the track and none could manage even a single win.
The dam of Kid Gloves, Take Care (Gulch) is another that could not win a race, however, she is a half-sister to the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes winner Best Of Luck out of the Grade II-winning Chief's Crown mare Crowned.
Kid Gloves has a yearling filly and a filly foal by the dual Group 1 winning son of High Chaparral (IRE), Toronado (IRE).
Lady Horseowner becomes the 13th stakes-winner and the first in Australia for dual Group 1 King's Stand Stakes winner Equiano (FR) who shuttled to Swettenham Stud for five seasons (2011-15).
