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Fastnet Rock filly hands family update ahead of Gold Coast auction
The Dan O'Sullivan-trained Eclair Sunrise (2 f Fastnet Rock - Tetsuko by I Am Invincible) got off the mark at the second time of asking when she landed a race over 1200 metres at Ballarat on Wednesday and handed her Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) half-brother an update ahead of him selling at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, while her dam will also be offered during the National Broodmare Sale next week.
Last seen finishing last of eight runners over the same course and distance on February 21, the filly surged a length and three-quarter lengths clear of Vancity (Vancouver), while Crazy Ladies (Snitzel) was a further three-quarters of a length away in third.
"At her first start here, she just didn't switch on, even in the mounting yard," O'Sullivan said.
"She went around like she had no idea and raced accordingly so we gave her a short ten-day break and then brought her back into work.
"Both her jump-outs this time have been terrific. She trialled at Camperdown on the heavy and then here on the synthetic last Thursday and she trialled like she raced did today, led and controlled it.
"So, it was no surprise to us."
With the maiden win under the belt, O'Sullivan said with the filly's breeding and price tag, ideally he would like to try and find a city race for Eclair Sunrise.
"She handles the synthetic, she hands a wet track," O'Sullivan said.
"It's the right time of year to keep going and find something different.
"With a pedigree like hers, it would be nice to find something in town, but we won't get too carried away yet, we'll take baby steps."
Purchased by Philip Stokes Racing and Thomas Li for $480,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year, the filly is the second winner of the winning I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) mare Tetsuko and she will be offered by Yarraman Park as Lot 1084 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale in foal to the now Yulong Stud-based sire Written Tycoon (Iglesia) on May 26.
Meanwhile, her yearling colt by Snitzel will also be offered by the Hunter Valley-based farm as Lot 1598 on June 1.
Tetsuko herself is out of Listed-winning mare Magdalena (Snaadee) and she is also the dam of Purrpurrlena (Catbird), who in turn produced Grade 1-winning South African champion Entisaar (More Than Ready) and she too will be offered as part of the Shadwell dispersal at the sale on the Gold Coast. Purrpurrlena is catalogued as Lot 835 and will be offered in foal to Darley's multiple Group 1-winning shuttler Too Darn Hot (Dubawi).
Last spring Tetsuko foaled a filly by Widden Stud-based sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor).
Fastnet Rock has enjoyed a brilliant season in the southern hemisphere and Eclair Sunrise becomes the Coolmore Stud-based stallion's eighth juvenile winner and these include three stakes winners; O'President, Sneaky Five and Acrobat as well as four stakes placegetters. The son of Danehill (Danzig) will stand the 2021 season for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST).
