A winner of the Group 3 Epona Stakes a fortnight ago, Semari (Sebring-Kumari-by Zabeel) has added to her resume in fine style with an outstanding run for third in a strong rendition of the Group 2 (2600m) Chairman’s Handicap on the first day of the Championships at Randwick on Saturday.
The LA, Jim Barlow and JML Bloodstock bred mare was a $150,000 purchase by Tru Blu Bloodstock from LA’s 2016 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale draft.
LA’s offering at this year’s Sydney Easter Sale, that is jointly owned by Pip McCarroll and presented by Sledmere, sells as LOT 310 (pictured) on Wednesday. The first foal of the stakes winning mare Tie Me Down, from the wonderful Sanderae family, is by Exceed and Excel, sire of Microphone, runner-up in the Golden Slipper and victorious in the Group 1 Sires Produce on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Saturday racing across Australasia has seen a continuation of the show of form by Per Incanto’s three-year-old crop. Impressive midweek domestic winners Desert Magic (Per Incanto-Sahara by Keeper) and Ace Royale (Per Incanto-Criss Cross by Cape Cross) have been followed by Devious (Per Incanto-Angel Del Dinero by My Halo), a five length winner at Riccarton, and the smart Queensland three-year-old Exactamente (Per Incanto-Exabelle by Exceed and Excell) a winner at the Gold Coast, his second win in consecutive starts.
But perhaps the most exciting performance over the last week came from the debutant Wind Spirit (Per Incanto-Timpin by Pins) at Te Aroha on Saturday. A conspicuous last turning for home, the Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley trained three-year-old has run home considerably faster than the winner’s sub 34 sectional.
