Melbourne, September 23 – Outstanding mare Rewaaya captured her first Group One prize when prevailing over Group One winners Miss Andretti and Undue to win the MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Gr 1 by a head at Caulfield on Saturday.
Elated trainer David Hayes immediately announced plans for Rewaaya to contest the Group One Toorak Handicap after which a decision will be made on a possible tilt at the Cox Plate.
“She’s a lovely mare who really puts herself into the race and when I pressed the button today she had a great kick,” said jockey Craig Williams.
“I waited for Undue to get up to me and then she really knuckled down. She’s one of the best workers in the stable and she showed her ability today.”
Foaled in New Zealand, but then raised at Yarraman Park Stud for her owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, Rewaaya has won five races and $619,030 carrying the famed blue and white colours of Shadwell Stud.
Rewaaya is the second foal of the Shadwell owned and bred mare Nasmah, a stakes-placed daughter of their Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq (USA) from the stakes-winning Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Asawir, which they purchased for $160,000 at the 1992 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Nasmah is due to foal to Redoute’s Choice this spring while Asawir has already produced a Redoute’s Choice colt and is booked back to visit the super sire again this season.
Photo – Courtesy Bruno Cannatelli
