If you are still stewing over Princess Talaria's luckless, fast-finishing third behind her stablemate Show Ego in the VRC Oaks (2500m) 41 years ago, I sincerely hope you stuck solid with her great, great granddaughter Aristia who claimed the $1 million Group 1 classic at Flemington on Thursday.
Racing on the speed set by Greysful Glamour, Aristia was only asked for a serious effort by an ice-cool Damian Lane in the finals 250 metres but the daughter of Lonhro was made to fight every step of the way as Tim Clark raised another effort from Greysful Glamour.
Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Aristia toughed out a three-quarter length win over Greysful Glamour (Stratum) with Paddy Payne's $151 shot Miner's Miss (Rebel Raider), ridden by his Melbourne Cup-winning daughter Michelle, the same distance back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
A maiden before she won the Group II Wakeful Stakes at Flemington five days back, Aristia advances her record to 2 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from11 starts with earnings of $876,550
"This is easily my biggest thrill in racing," Lane said.
"The elation I felt going over the line, I love Matty and Simon who have been a big part, not only in my career but in life.
"When I went to Melbourne, I lived in Matty's home for the first six
"It was a very easy watch and all credit to Damian but a special thanks to Damian Thornton who did a bit of work with her early on," Ellerton said.
"He (Damian Lane) came over from Perth. He took a while to find his feet but he has gone to another level and helped us along the way," Zahra added.
"We are not known as long-distance trainers but we have proved we can do it."
Bred by Greg Perry, Aristia was an $80,000 Inglis Easter purchase for First Light Racing / Ellerton Zahra / Paul Willetts Bloodstock from the Vinery Stud draft, Aristia
She is the best of three winners from the Tiger Hill (IRE) mare Nakaaya who was a $60,000 2008 Inglis Classic Yearling purchase that went on to win five of her 12 starts including the Group II MVRC Sunline Stakes at her penultimate start.
Nakaaya is out of the duel Sydney winner Duchess Talaria (Marwina) whose dam Sagala (Imperial Prince) produced Listed winner Sir Madi and the 4-time Sydney winner Purling who is the dam of Group I AJC Flight Stakes winner Royal Purler.
Sagalia is a daughter of Princess Talaria, a mighty little daughter of Dignitas who won six and placed in 14 of her 23 starts. All six of her wins came at stakes level including the Group I VATC Thousand Guineas, Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes and AJC Gimcrack Stakes and the STC Marlboro Classic Stakes (now the Group 1 Coolmore Classic). She was also fourth in Luskin Star's Golden Slipper.
Princess Talaria was no great shakes as a broodmare, however, he had six fillies and five of them produced stakes winners
Nakaaya has a yearling colt by Written Tycoon and has foaled this spring producing a filly by Newgate Farm young gun Flying Artie, winner of the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2016.
