After stumbling out of the barriers, Raikkonen picked himself up to make all the running in the $100,000 Kia Ora Prague Maiden Plate (1200m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Ridden by Chad Schofield for Bjorn Baker, the 3-year-old son of Shalaa (IRE) was faultless after his early indiscretion, defeating the fast-finishing Written Tycoon debutant editing with the 4-year-old So You Think mare Oh Diamond Lil back in third.
Carrying the colours of Derby Racing, Raikkonen was making his second start after finishing second on debut over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 5.
“He’s a big boy, still growing into his body,” Scofield said.
“He stumbled quite badly coming out of the gates and did well to pick himself up.
“Because he is so big, I let him stride, and he sustained a strong gallop.
“The second horse flashed late, but I felt he would have sustained the gallop a bit further. “
A half-brother to stakes-placed Crockett (All American), Raikkonen was a $180,000 purchase for Darby Racing when consigned by Blake Ryan Racing to the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale after being passed in when offered by Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral, Planette Thoroughbred, and Belford Productions, Raikkonen is the fourth winner from as many to race for the unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Tuusula, a sister to Group 1 MRC One Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me out of the 5-time Group 1 winner Miss Finland.
Tuusula has a yearling colt by St Mark's Basilica (FR) and missed last spring.
Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (IRE) has three yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions and four at the Inglis Classic.
