Queensland Thoroughbred Breeding may have unearthed Australian Horse Racing’s new Staying Sire
Kelana Park studmaster, Trevor Johnson, believes that Queensland may have found a new staying sire. Local stallion, Shadow Creek’s oldest progeny have just turned three, but are already looking like they are going to be outstanding over some distance.
Yesterday at Ipswich, Heritage Shadow, by Shadow Creek out of a Noble Yeats mare, finished strongly for a close up fourth in a 3yo QTIS Maiden over 1666m. This followed a good second over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast at his previous start. Heritage Shadow is the first of Shadow Creek’s progeny to step up to the mile, and is earmarked as a horse that will get even better over more ground.
“Heritage Shadow still looks a bit immature, but the way he finished off his race at Ipswich looks promising. He only got going in the last hundred metres or so, but certainly made up plenty of ground,” said Mr Johnson. “I can’t wait to see him over 2000m or more, and that goes for others of the breed.”
Mr Johnson said “Shadow Creek has had a little bit of a slow start to his career given that so many people are looking for early 2yo’s. It looks very much though that Shadow Creek has taken after his sire, Zabeel, and is going to produce the goods when the races get over a bit of ground. While some of Shadow Creek’s runners have shown pace, they seem to need to be ridden to keep a position. If they are allowed to settle, Heritage Shadow shows just how hard they can come home at the business end.”
Zabeel has dominated the staying races of Australasia for the last decade or more. His progeny include Octagonal, Might And Power, Efficient and Maldivian. The average winning distance for Zabeel’s progeny is 1800m, while the average winning distance for stakes races is a little over 2000m. Mr Johnson said “With the major Australian staying races having the lion’s share of prize money, prospective racehorse owners would be well advised to look at horses that can perform over some ground. Zabeel’s career is coming to a close, and Shadow Creek might be his heir to the staying crown.”
“When the progeny of Shadow Creek get the opportunity, I think they will be something special. I am really looking forward to a few of the Oaks and Derbies later in the season, as the Shadow’s will excel over 2000m and beyond,” said Mr Johnson.
