Reliable Man two-year-old Star Shadow made the perfect start to her career at Otaki on Saturday.
The Gerry Harvey-bred filly had been a multiple trial placegetter for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson and produced a professional display to win at the first time of asking over 1300 metres.
Star Shadow settled at the back of the small field before rider Wiremu Pinn urged her forward 500 metres from home and, after cornering widest, held a strong gallop to debut in style.
“That was a good ride by Wiremu, who just let her find her feet, and he’s a young guy who rides a lot of work for us, so he deserved the opportunity,” Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper said.
“She’s a filly that has taken a bit of time, as you would expect being by Reliable Man and we really liked the way she finished off in her last trial at Tauranga.”
Trumper said the stable would monitor Star Shadow’s progress in the coming days before making a decision on the grey’s immediate future.
“There are some stakes races coming up in the North and South Islands so we will wait and see how she does and whether we carry on or put her out for a break.”
Star Shadow is the fifth winner and last live foal of the late Redoute’s Choice mare Scene Queen.
She was purchased out of Westbury Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Te Akau’s David Ellis and John Galvin’s Fortuna Racing for $35,000.
Scene Queen boasts an international pedigree and is out of a blood sister to the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Fitnah and also the family of successful New Zealand-based sire No Excuse Needed.