A decade after the St Covet mare God Love It produced the Magic Millions 2yo Classic heroine and multiple stakes-winner Mimi Lebrock, God Love It foaled the Group III BRC Grand Prix Stakes winner and Group 1 QLD Derby runner-up Heavenly Thought whose year younger half-sister Shoko joined the fray with an all the way win in Saturday's Group III Tesio Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
It was the first stakes win for the 5yo daughter of Sebring whose career only began on August 4. She won that day at Wangaratta that day before doubling up at Sandown. Following second at Sandown and Caulfield she missed the board for the first time in the Group II Blazer Stakes at Flemington at her most recent start.
With Linda Meech in the saddle, Shoko dominated the race from the front. Keeping up a strong gallop in the straight she defeated Mamzelle Tess (O'Lonhro) by a half-neck with the ever-consistent Princess Posh (Canford Cliffs) one and three-quarter lengths back in third. (photos Grant Courtney )
Meech said her association with Shoko goes back to when she was a yearling.
"She's done me so proud. I've loved her since she was a yearling and I can't tell you what fun she is to ride she's got plenty of attitude but she has got plenty of guts too, Meech said.
Previously trained by Peter Morgan, Shoko, like last weeks Group III winner Sircconi, was recently switched to the stables of John Sadler.
"I'm just happy for all concerned," Sadler said.
"They paid good money for this horse and she's now won a Group III race. It just enhances her value like you wouldn't believe."
Purchased by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock/ Gary Mudgway for $300,000 out of the Fig Tree Thoroughbreds draft at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Shoko advances her record to 3 wins and 2 seconds from 6 starts with earnings of $155,450.
She is the seventh foal and seventh winner out of God Love It who has a 2yo colt by Dawn Approach named Arise My Son,
After missing to Bel Esprit in 2016, God Love It foaled a filly by Spirit Of Boom on September 1.
Shoko chalks up a half-century of stakes-winner for Sebring who is standing the current season at Widden Stud at a fee of $66,000.
The Golden Slipper-winning son of More Than Ready (USA) has made a grand start to the season with Group 1 Thousand Guineas heroine Amphitrite, Group II Roman Consul Stakes winner Sesar, Group III winners Master Ash and Miss Admiration and Listed winner Violate leading the way.
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