Fresh from siring the winner of the Group II Italian Derby on Tuesday in the Northern Hemisphere, Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) produced an exciting winner at Doomben on Wednesday with La Barrita stamping herself as a stakes contender for the future.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, La Barrita was a close third at Warwick Farm on debut over 1000m at the start of May before being pitched into the deep end when lining up in the Listed BRC Bill Carter Stakes in Brisbane.
She got a long way back on that occasion and raced greenly before finding the line well late for sixth, so always looked hard to beat today in a 1200m maiden with her blinkers removed.
The lone juvenile in the field, La Barrita let down well for Ben Thompson and surged to the line to win by more than a length as favourite.
La Barrita will take confidence from the win and connections will no doubt look to head back to Black Type racing with this promising filly.
A $260,000 Magic Millions purchase from Segenhoe Stud for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency , La Barrita was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and is the first foal to race from well bred Redoute’s Choice mare Cabarita.
A daughter of Group III winner Avenue, who is a full sister to dual Group I winner Virage de Fortune, Cabarita comes from a branch of the Emancipation family that has been in hot form this season producing Group I ATC Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic and her Group III winning brother Hidrix.
La Barrita is the fifth Australian first crop winner for St Mark’s Basilica, who returns to Coolmore Australia at a fee of $38,500.
