Despite being a Group I winner, three-year-old filly Lady Shenandoah has thus far been cast in the shadow of one of her stablemates, however after a stunning autumn return in the Group II Light Fingers Stakes, it is looking like this one is the star attraction.
The stablemate is Autumn Glow, a sales ring star and unbeaten in three starts including the Group II Tea Rose Stakes which saw her the raging hot favourite in the Group I Flight Stakes.
Sadly she was found to have chipped a knee on race eve so was a Flight Stakes scratching and the victory went to Lady Shenandoah.
However so impressive was the win it was hard to image Autumn Glow being able to best her. and after this return effort that sentiment remains.
THE RACE
Lady Shenandoah jumped well and Zac Lloyd was keen to stay forward finding a perfect spot one out, one back in fourth. Lady Of Camelot led with Lilac sitting second so the first three at the finish came from the first four on settling.
Lady Shenandoah loomed large at the 300m and it was race over from that point with the final 50 metres as impressive as it gets, ears pricked, more to offer.
Lazzura (Snitzel / Laguna Azzurra) 4th, Amelita (Zousain / Miss Amelia) 6th and Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel / Red Velvet Swing) 7th were all good finding the line.
Manaal also found the line solidly without threat after getting into an awkward position.
Lady Shenandoah defeated Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) by 1.2 lengths with Lilac (Justify) third.
THE QUOTES
Zac Lloyd:
“You don’t get that feeling often”
“She just glides over the ground, she’s got the most efficient action. She came around that bend and you just feel like it’s game over”
Jason Collett (Manaal)
“Bit disappointed in her performance. Didn’t travel like she should have and just didn’t have the horse there when I needed it. Wasn’t strong late.”
SALES
Lady Shenandoah was a $525,000 purchase for Hermitage Thoroughbreds from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The yearling half-brother by Maurice is set to sell at Inglis Easter as Lot 187.
BREEDING
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbreds.
A three-quarter sister to Group 1 Sha Tin Centenary Sprint Cup and Group III Ken Russell Classic winner, Stronger (Not A Single Doubt) out of the winning Starcraft mare Star Pupil.
The daughter of 3-time Listed stakes-winner Ain't Seen Nothin', Star Pupil is a sister to Listed SAJC HC Nitschke Stakes and Listed SAJC Laelia Stakes winner Ain'Tnofallenstar and a half to Group III ATC The Schweppervescence winner Bachman.
Star Pupil slipped to her 2023 covering to Snitzel and was served by him again in 2024.
THE FUTURE
The future rests with Lady Shenandoah. A genuine high-class star.
