Darley Victoria’s first-season sire Helmet didn’t have to wait long for his first European winner and two of them arrived in quick succession in England on Saturday.

The Mark Johnston trained stablemates Boater and Chupalla claimed both divisions of Kempton’s Fillies Maiden over 1000 metres.

First to strike was Darley homebred Boater.  Despite missing the kick, she was soon on the lead and travelling strongly before quickening right away in the straight to win by 7 lengths.  Her dam Cercle d’Amour (Storm Cat) is a half-sister to Norfolk Stakes winner Warm Heart.

Half-an-hour later and in a carbon copy of the first division, Chupalla never saw another rival when clearing out to win by 6 lengths in a time faster than the first division.  Again bred by Darley, she is out of Dubai Sunrise (Seeking The Gold) who is a full-sister to Champion Dubai Millennium.

Helmet (Exceed And Excel) was a Group 1 winning juvenile and he trained on to win the G1 Caulfield Guineas in record time.  He stands at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for 8,000 pounds (AUD 15,030) and his Darley Victoria fee last year was $33,000 (inc gst).

There have been 9 starters among his first southern crop to date headed by Perth placegetter Chin Strap.

BOATER
Helmet filly parades at Kempton before her winning debut on Saturday