Shaquero Toughs it Out in Pago Pago

Mark Smith - Saturday March 13

While he may not be the punters pin-up boy, the Chris Waller-trained Shaquero has been an excellent advertisement for Arrowfield Stud's first season stallion Shalaa (IRE).

On the go since capturing the Breeders' Plate in October, Shaquero added Saturday's Group III Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill to his Magic Millions 2yo Classic triumph.

Brave performance by Shaquero (image Steve Hart)

Brave performance by Shaquero (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy, Shaquero threaded the needle between Tristrate and Converge in the straight before holding the perennially unlucky Extreme Choice colt Tiger Of Malay by a short-head with a neck back to the highly promising Maurice (JPN) colt Mazu, a fast-closing third.   

It advances the record of Shaquero to three wins and a second from six starts with earnings of $1,372,075.

Chris Waller said the son of Shalaa (IRE) was a different horse on top of the ground and would back up in seven days in the Golden Slipper.

"He’s a decent horse, obviously, and on a better track he’s a different type of horse.

“He was given a perfect ride. It was good to see him settle, and it was good to see him push out and sustain a good gallop. He held off the challengers late.

“He ran a week before the Magic Millions and he does pretty well in between runs. He needs to be kept up to the mark, and he’ll be fitter again in seven days.”

Shaquero Kerrin McEvoy (image Steve Hart)

Shaquero Kerrin McEvoy (image Steve Hart)

Carrying the familiar white with royal blue hooped sleeves of Neville Morgan, Shaquero was a $160,000 purchase by Mulcaster Bloodstock out of the Fernrigg Farm draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is a fourth-generation bred by Bob Hannon, being the second winner from three to race out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Fimatino. 

Shaquero a $160,000 Magic Millions Yearling

Shaquero a $160,000 Magic Millions Yearling

The winner of two of her nine starts at Newcastle and Port Macquarie, Fimatino had a filly from the first crop of Hellbent in the Tyreel Stud draft at the Magic Millions. The Racing League purchased her for $360,000.

Fimatino is a half-sister to the Listed Singapore TC Stewards' Cup winner Ghozi (Catbird) and to the dam of the WS Cox Plate winner Shamus Award (Snitzel), out of the Luskin Star mare Finto Fling.

Fimatino has a colt foal by Rubick and was covered by Cosmic Force last spring.

Race Result - Bowermans Furniture Pago Pago Gr3 1200m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.97
1
Shaquero
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Fimatino (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55.5
2
0.1
Tiger Of Malay
- 2c Extreme Choice (AUS) x Sambar (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: J Parr 55.5
3
0.4
Mazu
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: A Adkins 55.5
4
0.8
With Your Blessing
- 2c Vadamos (FR) x Super Trouper (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: G Boss 55.5
5
1.2
Ingratiating
- 2c Frosted (USA) x Obsequious (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 55.5
6
1.3
Converge
- 2g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
7
1.8
Hilal
- 2c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Salma (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
8
3.0
Tristate
- 2c Headwater (AUS) x Jahre (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55.5
9
4.0
Awe
- 2c Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Crystal Whip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: B Avdulla 55.5
10
5.1
Mandalong Cash
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Niagara Falls (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: G R Nickson Rdr: R Dolan 55.5
11
7.8
The Bullring
- 2g Rubick (AUS) x Johanski (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: S Clipperton 55.5
12
9.0
Baranof
- 2c Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Schiaparelli (AUS) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: N Rawiller 55.5
13
10.0
Head Of State
- 2c American Pharoah (USA) x Derelique (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
14
11.2
Bruckner
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Jestajingle (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J R Collett 55.5
15
22.2
Maven Spirit
- 2g Wandjina (AUS) x Diambra (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: M J Dee 55.5
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