Expensive Redoute's Filly Salutes at Sale

Al Naifa | Racing Photos

Blue-blooded Al Naifa (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), runner-up in a Moonee Valley 1000-metre affair on Dec. 8, donned cap and gown in her second start by 1 3/4 lengths for trainer Tony McEvoy at Sale on Sunday. Owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum purchased Al Naifa for a session-topping A$1.8 million during the opening session of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Newhaven Park as lot 87. A half-sister to champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly English (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), who also scored in the G1 All Aged S. after a runner-up performance in the G1 Golden Slipper, the $1.30 favourite jumped well as the barriers flew and soon dashed up to sit in a stalking second from Godolphin's Nivalis (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Motoring up to the leader by the 400-metre marker, the blinkered bay powered clear, and, having established plenty of cushion, held off the closing duo of Gheedaa (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) and Dramadale (Aus) (Real Saga {Aus}) for the victory. Nivalis was fourth.

“She took a lot out of that run at Moonee Valley and she was a real professional here today,” pilot Andrew Mallyon told Racing.com. She jumped well, she travelled really nicely behind the leader who was a bit of a bunny and even though in her work she's waited for them a little bit, today she really put them away. I still had a kick in the locker, so she probably wouldn't have taken any harm from the run and looks set for bigger and better things. I think she'll derive even further benefit from today. Tony [McEvoy] has a huge opinion of her and I definitely think she's justified that today with a lot of improvement to come and it will be nice to see where she ends up after she furnishes.”

“She's a filly that's always shown us a high amount of talent and today was just about giving her a good experience and trying to accumulate some prizemoney to try and get her into some of the better races,” said assistant trainer Michael Sheperdson.

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.