April 30, 2009 - A well bred colt makes his debut at Sale - Despite drawing an outside he is kept safe - He is, after all, a son of the outstanding Shamardal and the previous spring's VRC Derby had been won by his half-brother Rebel Raider.
Things do not initially go to plan for Shamoline Warrior's debut, the handsome bay missing the start by couple of lengths... he had the task ahead.
But in a glimpse of what was to come, Shamoline Warrior hooked out at the
300m and away he went - charging to the line to win in impressive fashion.
"He's got gears," reported jockey Michael Rodd, "he was really travelling from the half mile, he has got quite a big future."
Given a bit of time the exciting young horse was next seen in the Listed Vain Stakes at Caulfield. Again he was a little slow into stride but he caught the eye flashing home late behind high class sprinter/miler Starspangledbanner.
It did not take long for Shamoline Warrior to break through at stakes level; with the blinkers added in the Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington he was away better, settling midfield. He was in trouble early in the straight however, blocked in - held up for a run. But then a split came along the rails and he was off and away!
Starting to gain the racing public's attention, Shamoline Warrior was sent out favourite in the Gr.3 Norman Robinson Stakes at his next outing and his win was a classy one, again strong to the line from mid-field - dashing past Group One winners Onemorenomore and Gathering.
"That was awesome!" Michael Rodd enthused - "he was dominant and I can't wait to get to the Derby with him."
So easy was that 1 1/2 length victory that Shamoline Warrior was considered the horse to beat in the Flemington Classic, looking a big chance to repeat the deeds of his talented half-brother. Unfortunately for connections the horse was found to have a high temperature on the morning of the race, forcing his withdrawl.
Luck again deserted the horse in the spring, after just one run sustaining a ligament tear above the sesamoid bone during track work. A come-back was attempted but further injury, a hairline pelvic fracture, brought an immature end to a promising career.
Retired to stud in New Zealand, Shamoline Warrior was not afforded the opportunities by those serving large books but from just 43 named foals has been represented by 30 runners, 15 winners including stakes winner (My) Nikita.
A Listed winner at her most recent appearance at Canterbury in late April, the promising four-year-old is now in the hands of leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir having been purchased by Anthony Mithen's Rosemont Stud.
The winner of two of her first four starts in New Zealand, Interstellar is another Shamoline Warrior with talent and at her Australian debut for the Hawkes stable at Rosehill last July was a tough winner after working hard on pace.
"She is a mare who I think could reach stakes grade if she gets to her full potential," reported jockey Tommy Berry.
Lee & Anthony Freedman also have a city winning Shamoline Warrior in their stable, Stone Warrior game to the line when saluting at Morphettville in March having run a couple of strong placings at Saturday metropolitan level in Melbourne.
Meanwhile Super Line is a three times winner in Singapore whilst Classic Warrior and Princess Athena are also city level winners in New Zealand.
It only seems right that Shamoline Warrior return to Victoria where he was so well known to racegoers and Carin Park's Ron Daniels is delighted to stand him this spring at the great value fee of $3500.
"When you look at him you can see why he was going to make an outstanding racehorse," Daniels said.
"He stands at 16.2hh and has good, straight legs. He is big boned, something he passes on to his progeny."
"He had the temperament of an old gelding when he was racing and fortunately still possesses that quality."
Carin Park is the ideal home for Shamoline Warrior having kicked off the
stud career of his VRC and South Australian Derby winning half-brother Rebel
Raider who is doing such a good job with two stakes winners and two stakes
placegetters from his first 15 winners.
Shamoline Warrior is a son of high class Storm Cat line stallion Shamardal, four times Group One winning sire of 106 stakes winners; 18 Group One winners including the Hong Kong stars Able Friend and Dan Excel and the locals Faint Perfume, Maybe Discreet, Captain Sonador and Delectation.
Shamoline Warrior's dam is the wonderful mare Picholine, a Group One placed (second to Unworldly in the Flight Stakes) triple city winner whose six live foals are all winners with Rebel Raider and Shamoline Warrior joined as stakes winners by Cadillac Mountain.
Picholine, who is also grandam of stakes winner Haybah, can boast amongst her close relations the stakes winners Jungle Edge (three times Gr.1 placed in his most recent campaign), Brief Kiss, Blueberry Hill, Black Ahead and Tropic Thunder.
This prolific family has also produced the Queensland Oaks and Flight Stakes winner A Little Kiss, the ATC Oaks winner Rising Romance and the Hong Kong champ Able One - and further back this is also the family of Kentucky Derby hero Gallant Fox and his Gr.1 Wood Memorial Stakes winning brother Fighting Fox who appears close up in the pedigree of breed-shaping stallion Danzig.
Line-bred to the influential stallions Northern Dancer, Secretariat, Raise A Native and Never Bend, Shamoline Warrior boasts a pedigree of considerable depth and with bloodlines proven in this part of the world he is an exciting new addition to the Victorian stallion ranks.
For further information on Shamoline Warrior contact Ron Daniels at Carin Park on 0421 609 668.
