When Neville Stewart and his son Alistair of Oaklands Stud in Queensland took a punt on young Redoute’s Choice stallion Prague, they did so in part hoping his smart 2YO filly Pembrey might have more to offer.
The Tony Gollan trained filly contested the Golden Slipper off the back of a stylish win in the Group III ATC Magic Night Stakes, but few would have predicted her brilliant return to win the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes last month at Randwick.
Pembrey produced an explosive display of raw speed to win by two and half lengths in fast time, a performance that will see her start favourite in the Group II ATC Furious Stakes this Saturday.
“When Prague was offered to us as a possible stallion by David Chester at Magic Millions, Pembrey was a factor in our thinking for sure,” said Neville Stewart.
“We have a lot of respect for Tony Gollan, so we knew she was in good hands, but the way she won the other week was very exciting.
“We saw a lot to like about Prague, Pembrey aside. Obviously he’s by Redoute’s Choice and he’s a good looking horse, but for me I think his female line is what I love as he goes back to a Bletchingly mare and a good one in Emancipation.”
Neville and Alistair also had another key piece of information regarding the potential of Prague and that was a promising filly in New Zealand.
She’s No Saint placed at her first two starts and was sixth in the Karaka Million, but has been a revelation in her current preparation winning three on the trot, most recently taking the Group III Northland Breeder’s Stakes by three and a half lengths.
“A New Zealand bloodstock agent friend of mine John Cameron told me a while ago that she was well above average and could develop into a Group class filly and he’s been proven right,” Neville Stewart revealed.
She’s No Saint also runs this Saturday in the Group III Sunline Vase (1200m) at Ellerslie and is joint favourite.
Prague now has two quality Group winning fillies from his second crop and does look value this spring at a fee of just $8,800.
Alistair holds the reins at Oaklands as Stud Manager and is excited for the start of spring.
“We started covering this week and Prague is an absolute gentleman,” he said.
“He’s a pleasure to have around as is Pariah, another son of Redoute’s Choice that gets his winners and is affordably priced.”
The third stallion on the roster is G1 placed I Am Invincible son I Am Unstoppable, who covered 112 mares in his first season last year so has foals arriving this spring…. But that will be a story for another day!
