Placed three times and fifth in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes from four starts, The Autumn Sun filly Alectrona had paid her dues and broke through for a deserved maiden success over 1400m on Bendigo Cup Day.
Alectrona lays the ears back and leaves them in her wake (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
Ridden by Harry Coffey for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Alectrona was first out, and despite being taken on for the lead, never relinquished it. She was strongest on the line, defeating the Pierro gelding Victory Command by three and a quarter lengths with the Zoustar colt Lambay a long-head back in third.
Tony McEvoy said the Thousand Guineas is under consideration, but there is no shortage of options this time of year.
“There is the Springtime Stakes, Listed over 1400m, the (Listed) Twilight Glow (1400m), and the big one (Thousand Guineas) at the elite level, so lovely options,” he said.
Harry Coffey has won the last two Bendigo Cups but does not have a ride this year.
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uo;I don’t have too many bullets to fire with only two rides, so it was nice to get this one early,” Coffey said
“She looked really well placed, and she presented beautifully in the yard.
“We wanted to lead and take luck out of it, but it got a bit tricky with one breathing down our neck most of the way. We absorbed it, and I was pleased with the way she handled herself. She could have fired up but stayed relaxed and in a rhythm.
Group 1 goals for the strapping daughter of The Autumn Sun (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
“She will step up in distance and grade, I will leave that to the team, but she has been running terrific in very strong maidens.
“She will get confidence from this, go home a happy filly and hopefully butter up in grade.
A $240,000 McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Rothwell Park draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Alectrona is the first winner from three to race for the stakes-winning Real Saga mare Sagaronne.
Alectrona $240,000 Magic Millions yearling
The winner of the Listed Phoenix Stakes and runner-up to Press Statement in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Doomben, Sagaronne is a daughter of the Group III BTC Doomben Roses (2020m) winner Lasoron.
Sagaronne has a yearling filly by Fierce Impact (JPN) and foaled a filly from the first crop of Finance Tycoon on September 29.
Alectrona keeps the ball rolling for Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun. She is the 14th winner from the first crop which also includes the ATC Silver Shadow Stakes winner Autumn Ballet, the Group III MRC Ethereal Stakes winner Autumn Angel, Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate winner Coco Sun, and the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes third Tutta la Vita.
