An Ole Kirk filly built like a colt, the Michael Freedman trained Shraddha was a dominant debut winner at Randwick on Saturday in the $250,000 Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).
A winner at the official 2YO trials, Shraddah was backed into favouritism and enjoyed a good run in transit for Tommy Berry parking on the fence behind the leaders.
When she saw a split approaching the 200m, Shraddha was quick to surge through for Berry and swept clear to win by two and half lengths over rank outsider I’m Admired (Admire Mars (Jpn) with Exceedance filly She’s Supreme in third.
“She’s a filly that has come a long way this prep. She wasn’t straightforward when we got her. She dumped one of our riders early in the prep and she’s been off the scene for three months, so best wishes to Kim,” said Michael Freedman.
“She’s a filly with a lot of talent. Good turn of foot. Her trial here Monday week back was great, because I don’t think it really suited her being out in front stargazing like she was.
“I said to Tommy (Berry) this morning, ‘if we can find a backside to follow, I reckon she’ll really let down quick’. I love the way she had to take that run too. For a first starter, it was pretty good.”
Tommy Berry was full of praise for Shraddha, despite her quirky nature.
“There wasn’t much of a gap there at the top of the straight but she put herself into it and won with authority. I know what she is like at home, she can do a left or right turn on you, so I think I grabbed hold of her late before she did it,” he said.
“When the opposition gets better she will get better. I know Michael has a lot of time for her so we might not see her for awhile.’’
A $250,000 Magic Millions purchase from Vinery Stud for Michael Freedman Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock , Shraddah was bred by Ben Kwok and partners and is the second foal and second winner for well related Fastnet Rock mare Spicy.
Grand-dam Paprika was a slick stakes-winning 2YO that was second in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, so Shraddah is running to pedigree.
Spicy has a yearling filly to follow by Hawaii Five Oh and was covered by him again last spring.
Shraddah is the eighth stakes-winner for Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery at a fee of $110,000.
