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The
first race at Swan Hill on Monday was the focus of huge interest thanks to a
blue-blooded filly called Commanding Jewel.
A three-quarter sister by Commands to unbeaten superstar Atlantic Jewel, the
dogs have been barking Commanding Jewel for the last few months, so it was no
wonder she went to the post at Black Caviar odds of $1.14
The Leon Corstens trained filly jumped smartly and sat outside the leader in second
place before moving clear down the running and despite racing a touch greenly,
surged away to win the 975 metre maiden by a length and a half.
"She's got the makings of a really nice horse," said winning rider Jamie Mott.
"She settled well and travelled nice, then showed a really good turn of foot."
Foaled and raised at Vinery for her breeder Greg Perry, Commanding Jewel (pictured as a yearling) was
purchased for $205,000 from the Vinery draft at Magic Millions and runs for a
syndicate put together by Brad Spicer of Spicer Thoroughbreds.
A daughter of leading Darley sire Commands, she is the second and final living foal from Zabeel mare Regard, who died
prematurely in 2011.
Regard was purchased by bloodstock agent Steve Brem for $340,000 on behalf of
Greg Perry at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and did her early
racing for the Lloyd Williams team in Melbourne.
Regard had just three starts for two impressive wins at Sandown and Bendigo and
by all accounts would have been a Black Type mare if not for injury, so we
should not be surprised to see her daughters making their mark.
Already a dual Group I winner of the MRC Thousand Guineas and ATC All Aged Stakes,
Atlantic Jewel is on a spring path aimed at the Cox Plate, while Commanding
Jewel holds entries for the Thousand Guineas, Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate.
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