Sheeza Star – Western Wonder Wins JJ Atkins

Sheeza Star – Western Wonder Wins JJ Atkins

Sheeza Belter had punters cheering on both sides of the Nullarbor when she scored a brilliant win in the Group One JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm today.
Sent out the second favourite after a brilliant last start win in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm, Sheeza Belter burst to the front in the straight and held out all challengers for a long neck victory. 

It capped a remarkable calendar year for the filly who kicked away her career in Perth under the tutelage of young trainer Luke Fernie and led to a win in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic at Pinjarra in February.

Her yearling sale buyer, former trainer Justin Warwick spoke to his co-owners after the brilliant Pinjarra win and thought it was worth her heading east to chase more riches. 

“Justin Warwick called up out of the blue,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said. “We took another horse he had in Perth and had some good success. It stemmed from there really.”

“He said ‘this filly has just won the Magic Millions over here, we think she’s pretty good, we want you to take her”

“(Justin) is here today, which is great, so full credit to him. We’re just the benefactors of that.”

Snowden said all credit went to the tough filly, who has now won three features as a juvenile after in February winning the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (RL) at Pinjarra and the $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (G2) at Eagle Farm.

“She’s always been tough and resilient at home, she cops the work,” Snowden noted. “Everything about her suggested she is going to get to that really good level and here we are today.”

“We’ll get her out and give her a break on Monday but she’s got a really good spring ahead of her now.”

Bred and sold by Craig Thompson’s Mt Hallowell Stud near Denmark in Western Australia, Sheeza Belter was purchased by Warwick for $50,000 at last year’s Perth Yearling Sale in the Swan Valley.

As it stands, from just seven starts, Sheeza Belter has earned her connections over $1.44 million.

Sheeza Belter is a daughter of the now Widden Stud based freshman sire Gold Standard, a group winning son of Sebring. 

Gold Standard has been represented by just five runners – two are winners and another is black type placed. 

Saxabelle, the dam of Sheeza Belter, was a winning in Perth at two and three and is a half sister to Special Kiseki, the dam of stakes winners Special Reward, Showy Chloe and El Rijes. 

As well as Sheeza Belter, Saxabelle has produced the five time winners Grand Design (three time Perth winner) and Kazkazi. She’s three for three at stud. 

Winner: Sheeza Belter 
Race: BRC JJ Atkins Stakes G1 (1600m)
Breeding: Gold Standard-Saxabelle (Saxon)
Breeder: Mt Hallowell Stud
Sold for: $50,000
Sale: 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mt Hallowell Stud
Buyer: Justin Warwick 
Earnings: $1,443,900
Owners: JT Warwick, VE Galati, Mrs P Galati, C Watson, GE Watson, LM Watson, LW Watson, C Galati, Mrs T Galati & GT Pearson
Trainer(s): Peter & Paul Snowden (Randwick)