Astute trainer Charlotte Littlefield unleashed a handsome son of St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) at Sale on Sunday and he duly made an eye-catching impression with his debut win.
A big powerhouse chestnut that has already been gelded, Mister Whiskers was easy in the market at 10-1, but proved a class above his rivals.
He jumped well for Jett Stanley from gate one and had zero trouble holding the fence and surging to the lead under a hold. He bowled along on the bit all the way and skipped clear with a good turn of foot after turning for home to cruise home and win by two lengths.
If you wanted a horse to have a good experience on debut, Mister Whiskers had that and more, so will be looking forward to his next assignment.
A $170,000 Magic Millions purchase from Coolmore for Hayfields Racing/Intel Bloodstock, Mister Whiskers is a half-brother to Group I placed Arcora and Group III placed Foxy Cleopatra being the third winner from three foals to race from unraced Fastnet Rock mare Casuarina Forest.
A full sister to Group I winning sire Foxwedge and stakes-winner She’s a Fox, Casuarina Forest is also a sibling to the dams of Group winners Lilac and Bank Maur as well as stakes-winners Namesake and Untamed.
Given the prolific Black Type nature of this family, you can see why connections of Mister Whiskers would be pretty excited about their horse tonight!
Casuarina Forest produced a colt last spring by Justify and is due to foal to his champion son City of Troy (USA).
Mister Whiskers is the second Australian winner of the new season for St Mark’s Basilica, who has already sired two G1 winners this year – Diamond Necklace and Thesecretadversary - from his first Northern Hemisphere crop of 3YOs.
St Mark’s Basilica is back at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $38,500.
