An outstanding result for Woodside Park recruit Shalaa (IRE) when the Matthew Williams-trained filly Rose Of Shalaa broke her maiden in the $125,000 Callaghan Motors VOBIS Gold Strike (1000m) on the opening day of the Warrnambool Carnival.
Rose Of Shalaa one for the locals (image Alice Miles/Racing Photos)
Ridden by Dean Yendall, Rose Of Shalaa tracked the leader Romantic Choice and when that daughter of Toronado (IRE) rolled off the fence on the home turn, Rose Of Shalaa shot through on the rails.
The Extreme Choice filly Capulet made late ground to be beaten a head, with a further one and three-quarter lengths back to Romantic Choice in third.
It was the second start for Rose Of Shalaa, who was fancied to make a winning debut on a heavy 10 at Terang on April 16. After missing the start, she finished hard to be beaten a length by the Exceed And Excel filly Iphimedia.
"It was exciting. I was getting a little worried with the McEvoy horse (Capulet) coming at us strongly late," Williams said.
"She gave a big kick coming off the corner when she got the split. "She'd done really well since Terang. With the two-year-olds, you've either got them or you haven't, and we just knew we had her in the right spot.
Popular win (image Alice Miles/Racing photos)
"Terrific always to get a winner at The 'Bool and beautiful to get one on the Tuesday; it gets the pressure off the back a bit.
"A few of the owners are from Uxorius days. That goes back to when he won the Wangoom (2011).
"Darren Dance bred the filly with some clients. He put a few of his owners in, and we put a few of our owners in.
"She's always been a sharp filly, and we set for this race the day we bought her at the sales. So, we can tick this one off."
Dean Yendall said getting a win for a great friend was a thrill.
Rose Of Shalaa a $90,000 Inglis Premier yearling
"Matthew and his owners have been great supporters of mind and really loyal to me," Yendall said.
"I don't get there day-in and day-out doing trackwork, but I do make an effort when I can, and he always pays me the rewards with the owners.
"She went well last time. She was eyeballing the starter at the barrier, so she was slow away.
"Today, she began clean and Romantic Choice ripped up a little bit, so I was happy to sit off it.
"Linda (Meech) looked like she was trying to get to the outer part of the track where it is better anyway. I knew she would get a run to the inside to do what I wanted to in the straight.
Shalaa (IRE) a wonderful addition to the Victorian stallion ranks
"She is going places. I know it is only her second start in a two-year-old race, but I really like the way she went around and did her business today.
"I've been coming here about 20 years. I try to give them all the best of my ability, and everything unfolds after that."
A $90,000 purchase for her trainer from the Esker Lodge draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Rose Of Shalaa is the second winner from as many to race for the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Arizona Girl.
A winner at Sandown, Kilmore, Cranbourne, Terang and Geelong, Arizona Girl is a half-sister to Reliable Team, a Group II winner of over $2million in Hong Kong.
Arizona Girl sells with a positive test to Coolmore Stud's St Mark's Basilica (FR) on a nice early cover.
