Laurelin
2 f Lonhro – Yavanna by Redoute’s Choice
O: Godolphin
B: Godolphin
T: James Cummings
W: 2YO Fillies’ Maiden Plate (1100m), Randwick-Kensington, Wednesday, July 21
Laurelin (Lonhro), a sister to Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Kementari, looks one to watch next season after impressively landing the 1100-metre two-year-old fillies’ maiden at Kensington on Wednesday.
The well-bred Godolphin filly disappointed on debut in January, finishing sixth to subsequent Sweet Embrace Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel), but bounced back in fine style on her second competitive start with a three-quarter-length defeat of Ringarosa (Sebring).
After beginning strongly from the widest barrier in the 12-runner field, James McDonald settled the filly outside of the leader Ruby Kisses (Flying Artie) before easing her to the front upon straightening.
From there the daughter of Lonhro (Octagonal) kicked on strongly to pull away from the chasing pack and score a smart success from the fast-finishing Ringarosa. Ruby Kisses finished three lengths behind the winner in third.
The James Cummings-trained Laurelin saluted as the $4.20 favourite after impressing punters with a trial win at Gosford on July 5 and McDonald believes she is a filly with a big future.
“She is a super filly. She is going to go on to bigger and better things,” McDonald said.
“The way she executed was nice. She got into a nice rhythm, albeit off a quick tempo. I couldn’t believe the kick she gave off that. It’s a sign of a very nice horse.
“She has had a good grounding to perform like that off a six-month break. She has a beautiful pedigree and will live up to it.”
The sixth winner from as many to race out of Yavanna (Redoute’s Choice), Laurelin is a half-sister to Listed winner and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) runner-up Telperion (Street Cry), the sire of Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Stormy, who will run in Hong Kong next season as Five Elements.
As well as being a full relation to Kementari, Laurelin is a half-sister to another two stakes performers in Valaquenta (Street Boss) and Palurien (Reset), and hails from the same family as Hong Kong winner Sterling City, who landed the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1, 1200m) at Meydan for trainer John Moore.
Yavanna has a yearling sister to Laurelin named Valier and was covered by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) last year.