A brilliant winner over 1000 metres in Listed company on Australia Day, Shamal
Wind was kept fresh for this 1100 metre assignment and produced a career best
performance to win by the best part of a length over stablemate Under the
Louvre.Smerdon credited bloodstock agent James Harron for the win, as he brokered the sale of Shamal Wind to her current owners Rob and Donna Love and convinced Smerdon to give her another shot at Group I success.
"Obviously it's a really good outcome, I've got to see the replay to appreciate it," Smerdon said.
"The owners wanted to give her another try, keep her fresh and have a crack at a Group One so all credit to them."
A daughter of world-renowned sire Dubawi, Shamal Wind was originally a $55,000
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Aquanita Racing from the draft of
Widden Stud and has the overall record of eight wins and eight placings from 24
starts with $832,975 in prizemoney.Bred by Widden Stud in partnership, Shamal Wind is the first foal from Firemaid (USA), a winning half-sister by Machiavellian to stakes-winner Bezrin and to the dam of Group II winner Al Thankhira.
A grand-daughter of Group I winner My Darling One, Firemaid had a Sebring colt last spring and is now in foal to Fastnet Rock.
Shamal Wind is the 16th Group I winner worldwide for Dubawi, who shuttled to Australia for Darley for just three seasons.
