A winner two starts back, the James Healey trained Alabama Express mare Arabian Rose was then beaten just over two lengths in the Listed Hinkler Stakes before continuing her outstanding record at her home track to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Securing her place in the field on race morning as the third of three emergencies, jockey Tiffani Brooker settled the 4yo mare in the second half of the field, but appeared to be racing slightly wide in the run.
The Matthew Dunn trained Band Of Brothers had charged across the field from one of the outside gates to take up the running with the Melbounre visitor Regal Zeus keeping the leader in close company, while the Tony Gollan trained Rockribbed tracked along in third.
One of the widest as the field edged towards the home turn, Brooker started to urged Arabian Rose along and at the 200m mark she swooped upon the leading division before holding off the fighting effort of runner up Cifrado to record her first black type win.
With a length and a quarter separating the first five across the line, Shaun Dwyer’s Anemacore (NZ) took third while last week’s G1 Tattersall’s Tiara third placed Gerrigong back up to finish fourth.
“It has been the plan for a long time and when the 'noms' came out, I thought we were absolutely 'none',” Healy said.
“But the stars aligned.
“The Glasshouse is staying home, and we'll go again next year.”
Finally back on the mare after a poor showing on Boxing Day last year, Brooker was super excited by the win.
“I had to sit on the sidelines for a little bit after a bum steer last preparation,” Brooker said.
“I had a bit of success on her early days, but I did my time, and I kept showing up.
“I thought at the end of the carnival, if she gets a light weight, I might be back on her, just keep showing up.
“James was a bit nervous before the race and I said, 'don't worry, I'll give her her chance and if she's good enough, she'll win.”
With six wins, including five at the track, coupled with three placed efforts from 15 starts with earnings of $324,360, Arabian Rose was a $100,000 purchase for Bahen Bloodstock Ltd from the Shadowbrook Bloodstock draft at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Arabian Rose started her career in Victoria but was later sold for just $7,000 via the 2025 Inglis January Online Sale where her trainer secured the mare.
Bred by Mrs C Hassell, Arabian Rose is the first stakes winner out of the Cape Cross mare Dubai Me Roses, a half-sister to Listed winner Navy Shaker and to the dam of G3 winner Outlandish Lad and Listed winner He’s Fantastic.
Dubai Me Roses has now retired from stud duties but has a yearling filly by Widden Stud’s multiple G1 winner Jacquinot as her final foal.
Arabian Rose became the seventh stakes winner for her sire with the G1 CF Orr Stakes winner Alabama Express standing at Yulong for a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST).
