There are just four two year-olds in Australia by Darley’s much missed champion sire Shamardal, all fillies bred and owned by Godolphin, and one of them is Larkspur Run, who returned from a spell to win with ease at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The James Cummings trained filly was second at her first two starts in town back in January behind Hi Hi Hi and subsequent Group II winner O’President before breaking her maiden at Newcastle.
Tuned up with two recent trials, Larkspur Run made light work of her 1250m assignment today, cruising home for Rachel King to win by nearly three lengths as favourite.
“She has a lovely demeanour and gives herself every chance. There will be a lot of upside in this win and she can move on to some bigger things down the track.”
A homebred for Godolphin, Larkspur Run is the second named foal for Aspen, a winning half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group II winner Ghisoni from Group II winner Portillo.
Aspen started her stud career in Europe for Darley and her first foal by Dark Angel, a filly called Stormy Mountain is a two time winner in France and the UK.
Aspen was returned to Australia in foal to Shamardal with Larkspur Run the result of that mating.
She has since produced two fillies by Ghisoni’s sire Lonhro and was covered last spring by Shamardal’s champion sprinter Blue Point (IRE).
Blue Point ($44,000 fee ) is one of three Group I winning sons of Shamardal to stand for Darley in Australia this spring joining Pinatubo (IRE) ($44,000 and Earthlight (IRE ) (422,000).
