Armidale Stud quinella at Moonee Valley

Queenstown led home a Armidale Stud quinella with an on-pace victory in the City Jeep Hcp (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Queenstown (4m Stratum – Regal Heights by Zabeel) started a $2.70 favourite after a Group 2 second in the G3 Angst Stakes at Randwick.  She was given the run of the race by Michael Rodd to defeat Bia Diamond (Savoire Vivre) by over a length.

“She sits on the speed and then produces a strong turn of foot,” trainer Gai Waterhouse said.  “She can do it at both ends and, being out of a Zabeel mare, does have stamina bred into her.”

The Stratum mare was a $60,000 buy at the Magic Millions National yearling sale and races for a Star Thoroughbreds syndicate managed by Denise Martin.  She will now head to the G2 Matriach Stakes at Flemington on November 9.

Queenstown’s dam Regal Heights foaled a Ladoni filly on October 11.  Bia Diamond’s dam Vickers (Flying Spur) foaled a Tough Speed colt four days earlier at Armidale Stud.  Both mares are likely to be mated to Armidale’s new Encosta De Lago sire Needs Further.

The Moonee Valley result enhanced Armidale’s reputation with its fillies and mares following Lady Lynette (Ladoni) and Triple Asset (Nadeem).  They both crossed Bass Strait for multiple black-type victories on the mainland.

Rebel Bride (Telesto) is another Armidale mare in form.  She won first-up at Elwick last Sunday and is being set for a G3 Bow Mistress Stakes hat-trick in February.

 
Queenstown

QUEENSTOWN
Gai Waterhoue flanked by Michael Rodd and Denise Martin at Moonee Valley

Photo / Magic Millions