A third consecutive win for Chris Waller in the Group III MostynCopper James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) as the Dundeel filly Konasana relished the rapidly deteriorating conditions at Randwick on Saturday.
Ridden by Regan Bayliss, Konasana sloshed away to a three and three-quarter lengths win over her stablemate Scarlet Oak (Kermadec), with Hasty Honey (Epaulette) a half-neck back in third.
Konasana was competitive in some top fillies races in Melbourne last spring and had a win over Wings Of Song and Grinzinger Belle at Moonee Valley.
With her stakes breakthrough, Konasana advances her record to three wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $243,800
“She has good form in the spring. We aimed her at the (Victoria) Oaks, and she didn’t stay,” Waller said.
“Her form at shorter distances is good, and she backed that up today. She doesn’t mind a wet track, obviously.
“Not too sure if she will go to Brisbane. Obviously, winning these types of races is important. She’s not up the top level, but my job, or our job, is to try and keep her now at this level and try and get her a little bit better as well.”
A homebred for Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock, Konasana is a half-sister to the winning Frankel gelding Phosphene out of the import Posing (USA), who Debbie Kepitis bought at the 2018 Inglis Chairman’s Sale from the Coolmore draft for $500,000 when carrying Phosphene.
By Medicean, Posing (USA) is a granddaughter of Group III winning blue hen Magnificient Style, the dam of Group I winners Nathaniel, Great Heavens and Playful Act, and five more Group and Listed winners.
Posing (USA) has a yearling colt by Yes Yes Yes and was covered by St Mark's Basilica (FR) last spring.
Konasana is the 27th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Dundeel.