3 minute read

Son of Shalaa impresses on the Gold Coast

The Chris Waller-trained Shaquero (2 c Shalaa - Fimatino by Not A Single Doubt) handed his trainer his first victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) when the colt posted an impressive victory in the $2 million contest at the Gold Coast on Saturday. 

After breaking well from barrier one, the son of Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) was settled in by Hugh Bowman just behind the leaders, before showing an explosive turn of foot to beat Alpine Eagle (Better Than Ready) by a length and a quarter. The winner’s stablemate She's All Class (I Am Invincible) was the same distance away in third. The Annabel Neasham-trained Queen Of Wizardry (Not A Single Doubt) finished fourth and was the first ladies-owned horse to cross the line to collect the Magic Millions Racing Women's Bonus. 

A winner of the Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) on debut, the colt then disappointed when finishing seventh in the BJ McLachlan Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) on his next start. He was last seen finishing second in the Gold Nugget Handicap (1100m) and Waller's Gold Coast stable manager Paul Shailer said the high pressure test in the Millions suited Shaquero.

"He appreciated the nice, hot tempo and he got into a really good rhythm and loomed at the right time of the race," Shailer said.

"He showed a really explosive turn of foot. He's a classy colt, very athletic and a really good type to go with it."

Bred by Bob Hannon and purchased by his trainer and Guy Mulcaster for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year from the Fernrigg Farm draft, the two-year-old is out of dual-winning mare Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt). 

Fimatino is herself a half-sister to Listed winner Catacaos (Catbird) and the dam of Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) winner and now Rosemont Stud sire Shamus Award (Snitzel), who was also bred by Hannon. 

In 2019 Fimatino produced a filly by Yarraman Park-based sire Hellbent (I Am Invincible), who was purchased by The Racing League for $360,000 at this week’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Tyreel Stud draft. 

Last year the mare produced a colt by Coolmore Stud-based sire Rubick (Encosta De Lago) and has most recently been covered by Newgate Farm-based sire Cosmic Force (Deep Field), who just finished covering his first book of mares at the New South Wales-based stud. 

Shalaa's 14 first crop winners in Europe also includes the stakes-placed Saeiqa who ran third in the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at Royal Ascot. 

Shaquero is one of two winners in Australia for Shalaa and Arrowfield’s John Messara told Racing & Sports Bloodstock he had high hopes that Shalaa would continue to leave his mark on the Australian thoroughbred industry. 

“Shaquero’s win was a great thrill for us, and all the breeders and buyers who have backed Shalaa. Winning the Breeders’ Plate and now the Magic Millions Classic marks Shaquero as a special kind of horse, and based on everything we’ve seen of Shalaa and his progeny, we think he’ll leave more of them!

“We’re delighted for everyone involved with Shaquero, especially Chris Waller, and Bob Hannon, who also bred Shamus Award, a milestone horse for Snitzel, and has now done the same for Shalaa.”

Shalaa had 23 yearlings sell at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for an aggregate of $5,345,000 at an average of $232,391, while James Harron purchased the stallion’s most expensive progeny at auction when he paid Arrowfield Stud $1,150,000 for a colt by the stallion.

The victory propelled Shalaa to the head of the leading first season sires table in Australia by earnings with his prize money over $1,000,000 clear of his nearest rival Capitalist (Written Tycoon).