It was only a midweek Class 1 at Sandown on a Wednesday over 1200m, but the two fillies that ran the quinella are by champion Victorian sires Shamus Award and Toronado (IRE) and both hold the promise of stakes potential.
Four year-old Shamus Award mare Pop Award had the advantage of maturity and race experience over three year-old Toronado filly Perfect Picture, which was how punters saw it with the former sent out a short priced favourite with Blake Shinn on board and the latter seen as the only chance to beat her.
Coming off an impressive maiden win at Geelong at her third start, the Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor trained Pop Award was always in front of Perfect Picture and kicked away after turning for home with the three year-old chasing gamely to be beaten three-quarters of a length with three lengths back to the next horse.
“It’s a big team effort behind this girl and I’m the lucky recipient today,” said Blake Shinn, who is now two for two on Pop Award.
“I’ve only ridden her the two times and I felt she had come on in the yard and her attitude behind the barriers, She jumped more cleanly today and put herself into a more prominent position, so that as a great sign and I had control of the race a long way out.
“They ran home in slick sectionals and I loved when Grahame’s horse challenged she as up for the task.
“I think she’s the type of mare that will be better next preparation, so this preparation will be all about developing her and team are doing an incredible job.”
Pop Award was retained to race by her breeder Debbie Kroger and is the second winner and last foal from five time winning Jeune (GB) mare Miss Popkins, who comes from a European female family as a grand-daughter of Group II winner Popkins, the dam of Champion UK 2YO Filly Cherry Hinton.
The runner-up Perfect Picture has a win and a second from just two starts and is a homebred for the Begg family. She is a grand-daughter of their blue hen Yau Chin, who passed away only last last week and was making news at the weekend as the dam of Group III MRC Manfred Stakes winner Royal Insignia.
Perfect Picture is the second winner from Take a Selfie, a winning half-sister to Champion 2YO Colt Written By, Group II winner C’Est Magique and also Royal Insignia.
Her yearling full brother will be offered at Inglis Easter in the Twin Hills Stud draft as Lot 208.
Grahame Begg was a guest on our podcast this week so if you are interested in his thoughts on this highly progressive family do have a listen.
