Blue blood filly My Xanadu boosts value with hard-fought win at Caulfield

My Xanadu, a daughter of champion stallion Fastnet Rock out of Group 1-winning mare Lights Of Heaven, scored a tough win at Caulfield, only enhancing her residual value.

My Xanadu (left) wins at Caulfield.

By Gilbert Gardiner and Brad Waters

Impeccably-bred filly My Xanadu improved her already substantial value when she prevailed in a tight finish to the Next Payments Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

My Xanadu is a daughter of champion stallion Fastnet Rock out of Group 1-winning mare Lights Of Heaven, who scored at the highest level in the 2011 Australasian Oaks.

My Xanadu ($3.30) won on debut before weakening in wet conditions at Caulfield at her second start but fought on gamely under jockey Linda Meech to get past long-time leader Stylish ($6).

My Xanadu gets there! 🤏

Could be the start of a big day for the @moodyracingpgm team. 👀 pic.twitter.com/YmDQjHzpP6

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 1, 2024

“I thought she was very good because the leader had a really good turn of foot at the top of the straight,” Meech said of the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained My Xanadu.

“For a couple of seconds, I thought she might not pick it up but, to her credit, she was really strong through the line.”

The $3.20 favourite Subrising finished third, three-quarters of a length from the winner.

JEWELLERY SPARKLES

JEWELLERY made light work of her opposition at Caulfield to win the 1100m Benchmark 78 by 1.75 lengths under a hold from jockey Daniel Stackhouse.

The Godolphin filly surged clear on balancing up in the straight and quickly put a margin on the field.

HERECOMESTHESTAR, travelled inside the winner to the turn and forced to switch off heels, launched late to grab second from I CHOOSE YOU.

Jewellery down the outside! 💍

What an impressive [e-mail]/dBVg4ldB0p

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 1, 2024

“The plan was to be three wide with cover, I was a little bit concerned because there wasn’t a lot of speed on paper and it seemed to end up like that as well,” Stackhouse said.

“She surprised me when I asked her to really quicken, she quickened really quickly and it thought hopefully I haven’t rushed her too much but it was like an exhibition gallop for her.

“I know she’s back in class and things like that, but that should give her nice confidence.”

THREE FOR FREE

SUBLIMINAL completed a hat-trick of wins on Saturday with an all-the-way effort at Caulfield under rising star apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy.

The Troy and Leon Corstens-trained mare, having her 10th start of the preparation, would not be denied as favourite EPISODIC and ARQANA rallied late in vain.

Subliminal is strong to the line!

It's Jaylah Kennedy again! 🔥@[e-mail]/SperfePsHb

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 1, 2024

Troy Corstens credited assistant trainer Fiona Watts for the hat-trick.

“I probably wanted to tip her out three runs ago and in fairness Fiona, who runs the farm in Benalla for us, said ‘she’s flying, I don’t think she needs to go out’,” Corstens said.

“We listened to Fiona and it’s three wins in a row.”

NO WORRIES

WHY WORRY made a successful Australian debut at Caulfield.

The ex-Hong Kong galloper, raced as Dragon’s Luck in the Asian jurisdiction, dictated the 1200m Benchmark 78 and could not be headed despite the best effort of runner-up PRANCING SPIRIT.

Trainer Liam Howley was pleased to get the first-up result with Why Worry, sent to Australian after a minor setback in Hong Kong.

“Today was stage one,” Howley said.

“Hopefully we can raise the bar a little bit off that.”

Why Worry leads all the way to win!

He salutes at his first run since coming back from Hong Kong.@[e-mail]/I4cIvfd49I

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 1, 2024

Why Worry could have one more start before tracks get too wet for the potential spring performer.

“The feedback from (HK trainer) Douglas (Whyte) early doors was he thought he was a spring horse, hopefully there’s something there for him,” Howley said.

“We’re not saying he’s a superstar but there’s certainly a level he can get to on his work, couldn’t be happier with the start.

“He looks a Listed class horse, but if he can keep turning up and doing this each week I think we’ll be happy.”

THE QUOTE

“It was like an exhibition gallop for her.”

Jockey Daniel Stackhouse taken by JEWELLERY’S easy win at Caulfield.

THE TWEET

That is the ride of a jockey at the top of her game Jamie Kah @EagleFarmRacing on Broadsiding. Smart and decisive and the ride of the day so far.

@SillyOracle

Originally published as Blue blood filly My Xanadu boosts value with hard-fought win at Caulfield