Arguably one of the most picturesque stud farms in the world, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud in South Africa can now lay claim to winning the $1.5m G1 ATC Epsom (1600m) as Chris Waller and Siena Grima teamed up to cause an upset with Dubawi’s God’s Window (GB).
G1 placed at 2 in Europe before finishing down the track in the G1 Epsom Derby at 3 behind Coolmore shuttle stallion City Of Troy (USA), Dubawi gelding God’s Window has always shown ability, and while he has been Listed placed in Australia, he was yet to reach the heights that were probably expected of him when sent to Australia – until now.
One of five in the race for the Waller camp, apprentice Siena Grima was given the opportunity to have first ride in a G1 and with just 50kg’s on his back, God's Window was sent out at 26/1 odds.
From barrier 12 in the 16-horse field, Grima dropped God’s Window back to last when the gates opened as the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fully Lit went forward, looking to go one better than his second 12 months prior to Autumn Glow.
With Chris Waller’s Autumn Boy settling in a mid-field position as the race favourite, the dual G1 winner was always going to need luck in running to get off the rail after jumping from barrier 1.
As Attica started to make a race of it and take on Fully Lit, the runs were starting to come before the field turned for home with God’s Window needing to pass all bar one runner.
Pulling the widest of all runners entering the straight, God’s Window had many lengths to make up as Fully Lit passed the 200m mark still in front.
Taking the lead with 100m to run, Grima went for home with God’s Window sprinting with ease to win by a length and three-quarters from top weight Ceolwulf (NZ) with Godolphin’s Tom Kitten showing a return to form to finish a length back in third.
“He found form through the winter. Sydney racing again, 52 weeks of the year, it gives you a bit of confidence if you can race consistently. His first-up run was terrific and we picked this race out after he went for his winter spell.
“We felt we would give him the one run into the Epsom and it worked.’’
When speaking about jockey Siena Grima and her work ethic, Waller was sim,ply effusive in his praise.
“I’m getting emotional for her. When she came to us, she wanted to learn. Tough is not the right word but she’s an amazing horse person. She is there every morning and is the same person every day. She is one of those real professional athletes we read about and dream about being.”
“She is the same person as when she started, she doesn’t think she is anything special and is the same girl every day. We are very proud of her and so happy for her.”
“We have a big team in Melbourne today and Darren Beadman is down there. He was the first person on the phone, he was in tears as he has put so much work into Siena. It is a fairytale win.’’
Having ridden him last time out when fifth in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes, Grima felt confident going into Saturday’s race after his work during the week.
“I galloped him Thursday, and he just gave me the most incredible feel,” said Grima. “I had a lovely cart out wide to the better part of the track, and he just filled me with confidence the entire way and when I went past them all I thought, I’m going to win my first Group One! And I did.”
Going back in the field, Grima was able to ensure the gelding settled.
“I was a little bit. He can get on the chewy and when he didn’t begin the best, I didn’t want to upset him and rev him up, so I just jumped, let him slide across. I was back with Mollie (Fitzgerald on Encap) and I thought, us girls are going to get this done.
“Darren (Beadman) said, ‘get on your train early’. I followed Plymouth out. He gave me a beautiful cart out, and when I got into him he just kept finding.
“I honestly was filled with confidence just with the horse and the confidence Darren and Chris had coming into it. They just told me to have a great time and have fun, and I can’t thank everyone that has been involved at getting me here, but just to have my first Group One win in a first ride is unreal.
“I probably won’t be turning up to work on Monday. Just joking. I’ll be there for track work, Chris, don’t worry.”
With four wins and seven placed efforts from 22 starts, the relatively lightly raced 6yo took his earnings to $1,286,344.
God’s Window is the best of two winners out of the Listed winning Nathaniel mare Perfect Clarity, a half-sister to Listed winner Law Power.
One of 330 stakes winners for Dubawi, the win of God’s Window gave his Champion sire his 65th individual G1 winner.
The Dubawi sire line has never been more popular in Australia, where he is currently represented by sons Akeed Mofeed (GB), Benbatl (GB), Delacroix (IRE), Ghaiyyath (IRE), Henry Longfellow (IRE), Lead Artist (GB) and Too Darn Hot (GB) while Widden Stud and Haras D'Etreham have joined force to purchase triple G1 winner Hotazhell (GB).
