Winner: Al Dhafra (Fusaichi Pegasus-Dubai Dream)
Race: AJC Carbine Club Stakes LR (1600m)
Passed for: $85,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Washpool Lodge as agent
Reserve: $100,000
Earnings: $229,300
Owner(s): MW Day & PF Day
Trainer: Guy Walter (Warwick Farm)
Progressive three-year-old Al Dhafra continued his march to bigger and better things with an impressive win in the listed $126,500 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick this afternoon.
A graduate of both the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and the National Horses in Training Sale later that year, Al Dhafra is one of the most exciting three-year-olds in Sydney.
He’s made a rapid progression through the grades since winning a Maiden at Goulburn by a short half head in late December.
And connections are confident he will continue to improve into the future. But before any spell he will be given one more run.
“I think he’s a promising horse,” trainer Guy Walter said. “His record speaks for itself.”
“Provided he pulls up okay we will run in the Frank Packer Plate in a couple of weeks,” he added.
“But he could be a horse for next spring.”
Walter said the gelding was a versatile galloper.
“He’s got back. He’s sat on the pace. He’s done a mighty job.”
“I think he’s a horse with well above average ability and as he gets seasoned – particularly if he can get a mile and a quarter he could be very smart.”
By top Coolmore Stud sire Fusaichi Pegasus, a Kentucky Derby winning son of Mr. Prospector, Al Dhafra is one of three winners from three runners for his dam Dubai Dream.
An unraced daughter of champion broodmare sire Marscay, Dubai Dream is a three quarter sister to Martelomeo and half sister to Regal Crown and Cat in a Hat.
He is also from the family of Magic Jet – the horse first past the post and sensationally stripped of the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes by stewards after an “intimidating” run in the straight.
Al Dhafra’s sire Fusaichi Pegasus now has 48 stakes winners worldwide headed by Group One winners Haradasun, Roman Ruler, Floral Pegasus and Bandini.
His other Australian stars include Cats Whisker, Tipungwuti, Just Dancing, Yuro and last Saturday’s Perth stakes winning juvenile Riosand.
Al Dhafra, like Melbourne Cup hero Shocking and Macau’s top sprinter Viva Pronto, is a graduate of Washpool Thoroughbreds.
The 2010 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale is set to be held at the Gold Coast on October 27-29. Entries close on July 30.
