The Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) was expected to be a cakewalk for the undefeated Dundeel colt Super Seth but after setting the pace under top-weight he was outsprinted by the Archie Alexander-trained Testa Rossa filly Chaillot.
Merchant Navy won this race two years ago and after two bloodless wins at Ballarat and Caulfield, Super Seth was expected to take the next step here. He looked anchored under his 59kgs when the sprint went on and seemed likely to miss a place at the 200 metres but he raised another effort to finish third, two and a half-lengths behind Chaillot and a length and a quarter behind the Dundeel filly Deserved.
After racing on the pace, Chaillot displayed an impressive turn of foot under Craig Williams to keep her record at a perfect two for two.
The 2yo daughter of Testa Rossa (images Mark Smith) was an impressive winner on debut at Ballarat on April 9 and Alexander said the stable has a high opinion of her.
"It was a nice race for her, the small field was always going to be a good thing, she was a little bit strong mid-race but then everything worked out well," Alexander said.
"I was happy
to see them put a bit of pressure on early because I thought she would get the
1400 metres easily.
"When she arrived here today I looked at her and thought this is a proper filly, she has trained really well, she was relaxed, happy and looked really well. I said to her owners that I was a little bit worried that she was heavy coming here as she has done so well. Two-year-old fillies can lighten off a bit and I worry they might get a bit lite, but she was actually getting a bit chubby.
"I think she is a proper filly and she showed that today. Second and third are two good horses and we beat them fair and square. She was always going to the paddock after today so things like the (1000) Guineas are definitely a target for her.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Chaillot was a $25,000 purchase by Alexander Racing/McKeever Bloodstock out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
She is the fourth winner from as many to race out of the Encosta de Lago mare Mary Of Modena who is a half-sister to the dam of the Champion 2YO in Singapore in 2016, Lim's Racer (Red Giant), from the family of Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes winner Isolda (Sir Tristram).
Mary Of Modena had a yearling Press Statement colt sell to Minervini Racing for $20,000 out of the Ambergate Farm draft at Adelaide earlier this year.
She has a Press Statement filly last spring and was bred back to Star Turn.
Chaillot becomes the 65th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's much-loved Testa Rossa who has earned an honourable pension.
The 6-time Group 1 winning son of Perugino covered four mares last spring at his 18thseason at stud.
