After chasing home the likes of D'argento, Alizee, Unforgotten and Shoals home in the autumn, Emirate Park's royally-bred Dream Ahead (USA) filly Shumookh fought like a tiger to edge Champagne Cuddles in Saturday's $400,000 Group II Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Shumookh and Champagne Cuddles faced off for the last 300 metres with neither refusing to yield but it was Shumookh that got the bob with Princess Posh finishing fast to claim third. (photo Steve Hart).
It was the first stakes win for Shumookh who advanced her record to 2 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $384,495
"Tim got her in a lovely rhythm and I loved the way she came again," Waterhouse said.
"I thought we had got knocked out on the post and when I watched the slow motion I thought 'no we've got it'.
"She was terrific. That what you look for. You look for those horses that can dig deep. She has been a very honest filly and she showed she had made the quantum leap.
"She'll have a great spring because this is really a Group 1 field."
A half-sister to the Group II-placed Shedad (Fastnet Rock), Shumookh is the sixth winner from as many to race out of the top-class mare Shamekha (Secret Savings) whose 8 wins included the Group 1 AJC TJ Smith Stakes, Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Group 1 STC Coolmore Classic while accumulating prizemoney of $1.8 million.
Shamekha has had just one live foal since Shumookh, the 2yo Snitzel filly Shuwaamekh.
She was covered by Pride Of Dubai last spring but missed.
Shumookh becomes the 20th stakes-winner for Aquis Farm's 5-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead (USA) who is serving the current season at a fee of $16,500
