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Kalashnikov lands Black Opal Stakes
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Kalashnikov (2 c ex Rough Ride by Flying Spur) will attempt to emulate his father in the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Rosehill on March 20 after he landed the Black Opal Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Canberra on Sunday and in the process became the third stakes winner for Newgate Farm's star first season sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon).
Settled in the box seat behind early leader Rocket Tiger (Cluster), Kalashnikov saved ground along the rail before moving off heels into the clear at the 300 metre mark. The colt claimed the lead at the 100 metre mark and had to hold off the fast-finishing Solar Winds (Zoustar), eventually beating him by a neck. Rocket Tiger was another length and a quarter away in third.
"He was always going to get the run of the race today and obviously James (McDonald) adds another dimension to it," co-trainer Paul Snowden said.
"As long as he comes through it well, there is no reason not to line up (in the Golden Slipper),"
"He deserves a spot now."
Unplaced in his first three starts, Kalashnikov was last seen breaking his maiden at Gosford on February 13 and Snowden said he had always shown he could be a high-class colt.
"He has always promised a lot," Snowden said.
"He is probably his own worst enemy in a way. He was very erratic and always a little bit strong in his races early on. This preparation we have really concentrated on getting him settling. The fruits are starting to show.
"His last effort at Gosford, albeit a maiden, he did it three deep no cover."
Purchased by James Harron for $600,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Segenhoe Stud draft, the colt is the second winner out of dual-winning Flying Spur (Danehill) mare Rough Ride.
Rough Ride herself is a daughter of Wedgetail Eagle (Lure), who has proved herself a top producer with her 12 winners headed by 2016 Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready).
Meanwhile, Wedgetail Eagle is also the dam of Group 2 winner Assertive Eagle (Danewin) and Listed scorers Impressive Eagle (Rubiton) and Soaressa (Twining), who in turn produced Group 3 winner Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) and Listed winner Forever Free (Exceed And Excel).
Segenhoe Stud will offer a Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) half-sister to Kalashnikov at next month's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and she is catalogued as Lot 54, while Capitalist has ten lots catalogued for the sale. Lot 54.
In 2020 Rough Ride produced a filly by Hellbent (I Am Invincible) and was covered by Arrowfield Stud-based sire Dundeel (High Chaparral) in December.
Capitalist, who won the Golden Slipper in 2016, is sitting at the top of Australia's leading first-season table by winnings and earnings - with prize money of almost $550,000 clear of his nearest rival Shalaa - and Kalashnikov joins Profiteer and Tycoon Humma as the stallion's other stakes winners.
