The team at Woodside Park Stud were surely over the moon as Welwal (GB) dominated his rivals to win the G3 ATC Doncaster Prelude (1500m), only to have Roselyn’s Star deliver victory in the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) in the very next race on the Rosehill card, giving stallion Shalaa (IRE) a race to race, G3 double.
With G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Sepals all the rage in the Doncaster Prelude, he was one of only two runners in the 13-horse field to start shorter than 10/1.
Ridden by last week’s G1 Golden Slipper-winning jockey Zac Lloyd, the 7yo gelding settled with just three behind him in the run after jumping from gate two as the Bjorn Baker trained Sandpaper went forward to lead.
With plenty of pace upfront, Lloyd was content to settle back in the field, and when the field headed towards the home turn, Welwal’s stablemate and G1 winner Globe started to drop back through the field sharply, allowing Sandpaper to skip away.
Three lengths clear with 300m to run, G1 Australian Guineas winner Feroce (NZ) was coming out after the leader, while Welwal sprinted ever so quickly, hitting the lead at the 200m to pull away and score by one and a half lengths to give Lloyd three group victories at the meeting headed by the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes.
With six wins and nine placed effort with over $800,000 in earnings, Welwal is a half-brother to stakes-placed winners Epistrophy (Charm Spirit) and Chic Cherie (Muhaarar), the best of seven winners from as many to race out of the Listed stakes-winner Cheriearch (Arch).
Earning a position in the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) field if connections decide to pay up, co-trained Mick Pirce was not 100% sure if he'd head that way just yet.
“Soft track, toes in. He’s been unlucky, I know trainers say that, but he has been unlucky. Let’s just say the races haven’t worked out for him,” said Price.
Having ridden the Slipper winner for the same stable, Price was complimentary of the young jockey.
“He’s pretty good that kid isn’t he Zac (Lloyd)? I just said to him ‘go out there and ride it a treat.’ Off the speed, off the fence. The horse is a nice horse.”
Asked if he would back up into the Doncaster, Price said he would need to discuss it with the Welwal’s owner.
“I’ll speak to Alfie, if he wants to pay up he can. The horse could back up, he’s right in the middle of his fitness. If he wanted to, he could.”
The very next race on the card saw the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Roselyn’s Star have her first start in a black type race, returning triumphant for her connections.
Roselyn's Star went forward from the middle of the line to settle in third place on the rail behind Yulong’s Media World who took up the running with last start G3 Wenona Girl Quality winner Gansta Granny on his outside.
With Media World putting up the white flag with 300m to run, jockey Regan Bayliss darted Roselyn’s Star along the rail, while Gangsta Granny and Signor Tortoni were coming down the outside.
Recording his third win, Roselyn’s Star scored by neck margin from Gangsta Granny with a further short neck back to Ron Quinton’s Signor Tortoni in third.
Race favourite King’s Secret raced wide for most of the trip and after a short-lived sprint in the straight, weakened to finish eighth in what was one of the worst runs of his career.
Speaking on behalf of the stable co-trainer Tom Chalrton was pleased for the owners.
“He’s had a good preparation, consistent,” said Charlton. “We’ve probably learned with him that he’s a better Rosehill horse. He mapped beautifully today, he got in the right spot and that was the difference at the end of the day.”
“He’s a talented horse, very happy for his loyal owners. Good supporters of the stable, so a really rewarding win.”
With three wins and six placed efforts from 11 starts with earnings of $448,671, the Arrowfield Stud and Redbank Pty Ltd bred Roselyn's Star was a $220,000 purchase for John O'Shea Ladies Syndicate from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Roselyn's Star is the best of four winners from six to the races out of the stakes placed Starcraft mare Dual Star from the family of G1 Blue Diamond winner True Jewels.
The sire of 51 international stakes performers led by G1 winners Mornington Glory and No Speak Alexander, Shalaa is one of Victoria’s most prominent stallions, standing at Woodside Park Stud.
