Two high-priced yearlings, carrying the hopes of connections, fought out the finish of the 2024 Stud And Stable Staff Awards Maiden Plate (1300m) at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.
The honours went to Craig Williams on the 3-year-old Snitzel debutant La Casona, who bounced straight to the front and was never-headed to deny the $700,000 Fastnet Rock filly Inez by a long neck.
The No Nay Never filly Into You was two and a half lengths back in third.
A rich mahogany bay with a prominent blaze, the strapping La Casona stood out in the paddock and lived up to her looks.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustice, La Casona was a $400,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Ridgmont Farm draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
&
uo;She held off a filly with decent form, and it’s massive for her owners,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
“She wasn’t a cheap filly, so it’s good to get a city win for her maiden first time out, and hopefully, she can go on with it.
“We won’t go too mad. She will go through the grades and go to a 64 here or at the Valley; we will see what’s on the card.
“Thankfully, she has a win against her name, and we can look for bigger things.”
La Casona is the second winner from as many foals for the stakes-placed Medaglia d’Oro (USA) mare Chachapoyas.
A half-sister to the 2020 Champion Singapore Miler Aramayo, who was runner-up in the Group 1 Epsom Hcp and Spring Champion Stakes, and to Group 1 ATC Australian Derby runner-up Tupac Amaru, Chachapoyas was a $460,000 purchase for Cunningham Thoroughbreds/BRT Bloodstock at the 2020 National Broodmare Sale.
Her dam is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner and influential sire In The Wings out of the Group 1 winner High Hawk.
Guy Mulcaster / Chris Waller Racing shelled out $300,000 for a Zoustar half-sister to La Casona offered by Ridgmont Farm at Easter last year and has been named Lady Nikster.
After foaling a Stay Inside colt in September, Chachapoyas was covered by Too Darn Hot (GB), but she sadly died in November.
