Making her career debut, the James Cummings-trained filly Kiamichi earned Godolphin its first two-year-old winner of the season in a 1200 metre handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday to credit her sire Sidestep with his first winner.
Ridden by Jay Ford, Kiamichi raced on the outside of the leader Chia but she was the first to come under pressure and looked beaten at the 200m.
But in a driving finish, Kiamichi raised another effort to stave off the finish of Sebrakate (Sebring) by a head with Oh So Hot (Sizzling) a half-head back in third. (photos Steve Hart)
"She has really come on since her trial," Godolphin representative Darren Beadman said.
"She didn't jump with blistering speed, but she gained momentum nicely. I thought she was going to overdo it in the first 100 metres but once Jay was able to bring her back underneath him, she ran sweetly and went straight as a gun barrel. It was very professional."
The Godolphin homebred is the fifth winner from six to race out of the unraced Canny Lad mare Ouachita who is a sister to Group 1 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes winner, Preserve and the Listed winner Rio Osa and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Denman.
Preserve is the dam of dual Group III winner Safeguard who, like Sidestep is by Exceed And Excel.
Safeguard sired his first winner last week when Specialism saluted at Ascot.
After missing to Epaulette in 2016, Ouachita foaled an Animal Kingdom (USA) filly on August 21.
A half-brother to Group 1 winner Skilled and Group II winner and Group 1 placed Ambidexter, Sidestep won the Group II ATC Pago Pago Stakes and Group II Royal Sovereign Stakes and was runner-up in the Golden Slipper.
After beginning his stud career at Darley, Sidestep now stands at Telemon Thoroughbred in Queensland where his 2018 fee has been set at $7,700.
