While she was no match for the odd-on favourite Skillet (I Am Invincible) in a 1350m maiden at Wyong on Tuesday, Godolphin’s Hallowed Crown filly Tisane did enough at her career debut to suggest she will write a fitting epitaph for her wonderful dam Camarena.
After jumping well for Brenton Avdulla, Tisane hit the lead in the straight but had no answer to the finishing burst of the experienced Skillet who came with a well-timed finish under Tommy Berry to win by half a length over Tisane with Queen Zoffany (Zoffany) two lengths back in third.
There is a touch of irony in the result as the winner is a homebred for Debbie Kepitis who led in Tisane’s half-sister Camarilla when that Elusive Quality (USA) filly won the Group 1 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes. (image Mark Smith).
Also, a half-sister to the Listed Geelong Classic winner Induna, Tisane is the 11th and final foal of Danehill’s Group 1 QTC Queensland Derby heroine Camarena who died in February 2017.
She lasted almost five years longer than her star daughter Camarilla who had just four live foals before her death in 2012.
The enormity of that loss was felt when her daughter Guelph won four Group 1’s, ATC Champagne Stakes, ATC Flight Stakes, ATC Sires' Produce Stakes and MRC One Thousand Guineas.
The Shamardal (USA) colt Ghibellines became Camarilla’s second stakes winner when he captured the Group II STC Todman Stakes.
Camarilla had two fillies, which besides Guelph included the More Than Ready (USA) filly Dazzler who has begun her broodmare career in fine fashion with her son Bivouac winning the year’s Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes and Listed Lonhro Plate, while another son Coruscate has won four in Sydney and placed in a further six in 14 starts.
But Guelph has been the real shining light.
Her first foal Encryption won the Group II VRC Danehill Stakes and Group III Black Opal Stakes and was runner-up in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.
The striking son of Lonhro looks like an exciting prospect for Eureka Stud where he will cover his first book of mares in 2019 at a fee of $13,200.