Reisling Stakes triumph boosts Chayan's Golden Slipper prospects
Annabel Archibald, the trainer, fielded an encouraging call from a prominent jockey shortly following Chayan's unlucky unplaced finish in the Blue Diamond. "Where is Chayan going next,'' the jockey said. "She will go where you can ride her,'' Archibald replied.
Champion rider James McDonald was the one on the line, and come Saturday at Royal Randwick, he was aboard as Chayan stormed into Golden Slipper calculations courtesy of a stylish success in the Group 2 $300,000 Reisling Stakes (1200m).
Sent out at $3.10, Chayan drew right away to triumph by a lengthening three lengths margin from favourite Agrarian Girl ($2.70), while Miss Chanel ($10) was a half length behind in third spot.
"She's a really good filly and I'm grateful that Annabel and Rob (Archibald) put her in the race for me,'' McDonald said. "They were tossing up whether to run her next week but I was adamant, I'm available for this race please run her here and she justified that. "She's beautiful to deal with. She's got a lovely, good mind to her, just a strongly built two-year-old that's ready to rock and roll. "I'd love her to go to the Percy Sykes instead of the Golden Slipper but we'll see how much pull I've got.''
Breaking her maiden at start three, Chayan has earned a berth in the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) scheduled for Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
According to Archibald, Chayan had exhibited strong natural promise yet suffered bad luck early on. "She had no luck from the draw in the Blue Diamond, she was five-wide all the way,'' Archibald said. "So, to come here today and win a Group 2 is very satisfying. "We thought there would be a bit of speed and James said he just wanted to blend in and find some cover. "I was happy when he got in and she was very strong late. It was a big win.''
In 2023, Archibald's Learning To Fly captured the Reisling Stakes but unfortunately fell in the Golden Slipper claimed by Shinzo. "Learning To Fly ended up a disaster (fell in the Golden Slipper,'' she said. "Hopefully we can do better with Chayan. She is a very tough filly.
Bred from elite sire I Am Invincible, this $250,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase from last year is a filly. "These 'Vinnie' fillies can get a bit 'hot' and she was a bit 'hot' in her first couple of preparations,'' Archibald said. "If you said to me before Christmas that she would be going to the Golden Slipper I would have said 'no way'. "But she has really mentally matured and seems to be getting better with every race. "The Golden Slipper is very wide open this year so a lot will come down to barriers.The main thing is to see Chayan pull up well as she has the prizemoney to get into the race now.''
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Agrarian Girl along with Miss Chanel occupied the placings, the former surpassing $180,000 in earnings to position for Golden Slipper qualification.
Bott highlighted the merit in Agrarian Girl's run after she slipped at the start necessitating a vet exam, and required calming measures pre-race. "Under the circumstances, Agrarian Girl did very well to hold on for second,'' Bott said. "Hopefully she has enough prizemoney to get int the Golden Slipper because she will improve off this run.''
Discover the best online bookmakers for racing betting markets ahead of the Golden Slipper.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...