When a Frankel half-brother to multiple Group 1 winners Dubawi Heights and Make Believe was born at Barronstown Stud in 2014 it’s doubtful that connections were eying off a benchmark 70 over 3800 metres at Ararat, yet here we are.
The former Ballydolyle inmate San Remo (IRE) arrived in Australia with just a win at Dundalk to his name in nine starts and it was up to Archie Alexander to improve his record. It took a further nine starts for San Remo to break his duck in Australia at Cranbourne and a further six starts for his second at Stawell in April by which time he was in the stables of Dane Smith.
It was not for a lack of racing that it took the son of Frankel to land his third win in Australia at Ararat on Sunday because he has had 12 starts since his last win.
Sunday’s win in the RSL Sir Brudenell White (Bm70) was a heat of the Jericho Cup, which San Remo (IRE) is ineligible for because he is an import. Luckily no jockey mistook the laps because 3800 metres is two laps of the Ararat course.
At his previous start, over 3100 metres at Warrnambool, San Remo trailed in last of the 10 runners after leading.
“He’s better chasing than a leader that was the plan today and it came off,” Smith said.
“We will probably take him jumping next year.”
San Remo is a half-brother to Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Group 1 Prix de la Foret winner Make Believe (Makfi) and the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes and Grade 1 Gamely Stakes heroine Dubawi Heights out of the Suave Dancer mare Rosie’s Posy who is a half-sister to the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Tante Rose (Barathea).
So, the Frankel colt with the classic pedigree goes jumping next year while the mare with the jumper’s pedigree, True Self (IRE) eyes off the features in Melbourne next year after winning the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.
Breeding – go figure!
