Just a pair of 3-year-old maidens on a Friday at Geelong, but it is doubtful the historic old city has seen more royalty since Prince Charles spent his days at Timbertop.
While Arrowfield Stud waited for the debut of their highly touted I Am Invincible x Shoals filly Isthmus against Winx’s half-sister Time Of My Life in the fillies division, the farm’s black and yellow diamonds silks were carried to victory by the royally-bred Snitzel colt Galano in the JT Dixon Packaging & Industrial Supplies Maiden Plate (1321m).
Ridden by Jye McNeil for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Galano showed he had taken plenty from his debut sixth at Rosehill in May when launching late to defeat the Artie Schiller debutant Walkinastraitline by one and a quarter length with the Written Tycoon filly Retenir a short-half-head back in third.
A handsome dark brown colt by champion sire Snitzel out of the Group III MRC Ladies Day Vase winner and Group 1 Schweppes Oaks runner-up Star Fashion (Street Cry), Galano returned to Arrowfield when bidding halted short of his $800,000 reserve at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
A daughter of the multiple Group II winner and groundbreaking Hong Kong Derby heroine Elegant Fashion (Danewin), Galano has a brother that was consigned to the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale where Ryan & Alexiou Racing made the final bid at $750,000.
After foaling a Snitzel filly last spring, Star Fashion visited Dundeel.