South African connection at Yarradale

Soldier’s Lass sustained the winning run for Yarradale Stud this week with a commanding victory in the TAB Touch Hcp (1100m) at Ascot.

She led them up and then lengthened in the straight to score by next to three lengths on Wednesday.  “I’ve had a lot of time for this mare from Day 1,” trainer Dan Morton revealed.  “She has leg issues but we’ve persevered and finally got her going late last year.”

Soldier’s Lass (4m Soldier’s Tale – Arabian Lass by Al Mufti) will be a welcome addition to the broodmare ranks at Yarradale, however, there’s a few more wins in store for owner Ron Sayers.  “She’s probably the fastest horse in the stable from A to B but is fragile,” Morton added.  “I’m sure she can pick up a nice race if we can hold her together.”

Soldier’s Lass is by a Group 1 winner from a Group 1 winner.  Her sire Soldier’s Tale defeated Takeover Target in the 2007 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and her South African bred dam Arabian Lass was an elite winner at Kenilworth, Gosforth and Greyville.

Sayers bought Arabian Lass for $60,000 at the 2008 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  Her War Chant colt made $60K at last month’s Perth Magic Millions and, not surprisingly, he was sold to South African agent Andy Williams.

Arabian Lass foaled a Scandal Keeper filly in September and was bred back to Frost Giant.

Yarradale stallion Musket was represented first-crop winners Zone (Albury) on Saturday and Danehill Native (Sunshine Coast) on Sunday.  Fellow Yarradale resident Scandal Keeper also sired Hot Rumor to win on Mt Barker’s Cup day undercard.

Hoofnote:  Halve The Deficit is the latest Group 1 winner in the pipeline for Arabian Lass and her immediate family.  The Sean Tarry trained galloper was a Listed winner over Captain Lars in the Wolf Power Hcp (1600m) at Turffontein on February 8.

Captain Lars turned the tables in the LR Drum Star Hcp (1800m) last Saturday but Tarry is going ahead with a campaign targeting the G1 President’s Champion Challenge (2000m) back at Turffontein on April 26.

Halve The Deficit (Right Approach – National Banker by Fort Wood) is from a Group 3 winner of the Gold Bracelet at Greyville.  Her dam is a sister to Arabian Lass.

– Karl Patterson

Halve The Deficit

HALVE THE DEFICIT
Listed winner of the Wolf Power Hcp at Turffontein