The three-year-old Sebring filly Old Song won her first race at Doomben on Wednesday in such a commanding fashion it is unlikely to be her last.
Appearing for the first time since finishing fourth in a QTIS 2-Y-O Fillies Maiden Plate at Doomben last June, Old Song settled worse than midfield for Michael Cahill in the 1350m 2yo maiden.
Punters looked to be on the ball when the two top choices, Dark Chill and Whisky Dream, set down to fight the race out.
Once Old Song found clear air, she stormed down the centre of the track to defeat Dark Chilli (Dawn Approach) by widening two-and-a-quarter lengths, with Whisky Dream (Dream Ahead) a long head back in third.
Trainer Allan Chau primed the daughter of Sebring for a big first-up effort with four barrier trials.
‘We had a bit of an opinion of her as an early 2yo,” Chau said.
“She had a minor injury after her first-up fourth.
“That is why it has taken nine months to get back here. She has been showing me enough to come here first-up over 1350m and was very impressive.
“She is a very athletic little filly; is well bred and looks capable of getting further.
“We will target some of those 3yo fillies races on a Saturday, and hopefully, she can keep stepping up in grade.
A $100,000 purchase for A List Stud from the Highgrove Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, Old Song is the first foal of the Street Cry (IRE) mare Folk Song.
The winner of a 1400m Cranbourne maiden from three stats, Folk Song, is a half-sister to stakes-winner Excireable Boy from the family of influential broodmare Subderfuge.
Kelly Schweida Racing went to $230,000 for Folk Song’s The Autumn Sun colt at the 2022 Magic Millions. He has been named Autumn Song.
Highgrove consigned Folk Song’s Pierata colt to the recent Inglis Classic, with Blake Ryan Racing having the final say at $100,000.
Folk Song foaled a Bivouac colt last spring and returned to Darley Stud’s son of Exceed And Excel.