Stockwell Thoroughbreds’ Brodie Becker recently said he believed the best was still to come for their ageless stallion Artie Schiller (USA) whose son Reykjavik gave a timely reminder when he captured the $200,000 Group III Network 10 Chatham Stakes (1400m).
Dean Yendall made full use of his inside barrier on Reykjavik who followed the speed set by Streets Of Avalon before easing out to take the lead inside the 300 metres to hold the challenge of Admiral's Joker (Bel Esprit) by a long head with Noble Boy (Bon Hoffa) another short-head back in third.
Trainer Lindsay Smith said he was keen to take Reykjavik to Perth for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) later this month and also the Group 1 Kingstown Town Stakes (1800m) next month.
"It was a good effort," Smith told AAP.
"He looked good in the yard. I thought he might have been a gallop or two short but (Warrnambool stable representative) Maddie Raymond assured me that he galloped quite well on Tuesday morning at Warrnambool."
The 5yo homebred son of Artie Schiller (USA) advances his overall record to 7 wins, 7 seconds and 7 thirds from 34 starts with earnings of $603,085.
He is one of two winners from three to race out of the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Gibraltar Storm who is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-placed Storm Burst (Danehill Dancer).
Gibraltar Storm has a yearling full-brother to Reykjavik and was covered by Artie Schiller (USA) again but missed.
Reykjavik is one of 49 stakes-winners for Artie Schiller (USA) who stands at the historic Stockwell Stud in Victoria.
