Shalya (AUS)
O: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (MGR: J M Messara)
T: Grahame Begg
B: Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd
W: Bobby McKerral Tribute Maiden, 1300m, Sandown Hillside, 10 January
The Arrowfield Stud-bred and raced filly Shalya (Animal Kingdom), who showed promise with placings at her first two starts, broke her maiden in impressive fashion at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.
She showed good early pace from her outside draw in barrier 13 under jockey Jordan Childs and soon worked across to race outside the leader Tuskar Brook (Hinchinbrook) at a good tempo.
She challenged strongly at the 300 metres, got the upper hand over her rivals at the 100 metres and went on to score in quite taking fashion by a length and a quarter from Zebreez (Sebring) in a time of 1:16.93.
The promising three-year-old is one of two named foals out of the winning Anabaa (Danzig) mare Sananda, who is herself a half-sister to French champion filly Sarafina (Refuse To Bend), Group Three winner Sandagiyr (Dr Fong) and dual Listed winner Sanaya (Barathea).
Her second dam Sanariya (Darshaan) produced eight winners from ten foals to race, while her third dam is the Irish stakes placegetter Sanamia (Top Ville).
Further back, this is the same family as Listed winner Santalina (Relko), who is herself a half-sister to dual Group One winner Sumayr (Ela-Mana-Mou) and Listed winner Samata (Rheffic).
Shuttle stallion Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) returned to Arrowfield Stud this year and covered 42 mares at a fee of $27,500 (inc GST).