With the number of stakes races for three-year-olds of late, it is remarkable how these races are holding up with Saturday's Group III Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield shaping as a mini Thousand Guineas.
Following the success with Deep Impact's Profondo in the Spring Champion Stakes last week, it would be easy to back up on the Deep Impact (JPN) filly Glint Of Hope (JPN). She chased home the Group 1 Thousand Guineas quinella of Yearning and Elusive Express in the Group II Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.
Instead, we will put our faith in Biscayne Bay carrying her stakes penalty and provide Australian Bloodstock, Yarraman Park and partners with its first dividend since purchasing the Sebring filly off Sun Stud.
When trained at Lindsay Park last season, Biscayne Bay was a two-length winner at Sandown on March 21, before being edged out by Three Kings after a torrid run in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes at Flemington.
Taken to Morphettville, Biscayne Bay only saw daylight in the final 50m when claiming the Group III South Australia Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).
Australian Bloodstock and partners took over the ownership after that, and since being transferred to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, her two starts have looked a little underwhelming.
Biscayne Bay beat just one of the nine starters home in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, won by Queen Of Dubai, after opening up with a seventh of 11 behind Zouzarella in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
The Sebring filly did not get the rub of the green in either run, and Saturday's race is no stronger.
The stretch out to 2000m should also suit.
A $410,000 purchase by Sun Bloodstock out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Biscayne Bay is a half-sister to the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes winner Tenley (Medaglia d'Oro).
She is out of the Lonhro mare Fratianne who Widden purchased out of the Godolphin draft at the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale for $185,000.
Fratianne is a half-sister to the stakes-placegetters Avalanches (Street Cry) and Palm Trilogy (Dubai Destination) out of the stakes-placed Danehill mare Dubai Ice, a sister to Skates, the dam of Vancouver, Just Momente and Captain Coltish.
Dubai Ice (Danehill) is also a three-quarter sister to Group III ATC Skyline Stakes and Breeders' Plate winner Murtajill who was runner-up in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, and to Bradbury's Luck, winner of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic and AJC Canonbury Stakes.
They are all out of the Group 1 AJC Doncaster Hcp and Group 1 STC Winfield Classic heroine Skating.
Dubai Ice was sold to Japan in 2013 but did not have a foal in three seasons.
Her sister Skates left just three fillies, the best of which was the Group 1 winner Juste Momente (Giant's Causeway).
Tragically, Juste Momente died before having a foal. At the same time, Skates enjoyed a new lease on life under the ownership of Fairway Thoroughbreds, for whom she left the Golden Slipper winner Vancouver and the High Chaparral (IRE) filly Pattini.
Not as gifted as her half-brother on the track with just a career debut win at Seymour in a 5-start career, Pattini is being given every chance to succeed at stud.
After a forgettable two-start career, her first foal Whitehaven (Pierro) is in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB).
Pattini's second live foal is the talented Sebring gelding Tea Leaves, a Newcastle maiden winner for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in March. Tea Leaves came off a 23-week break to finish second over 1900m at Gosford recently.
After missing to Snitzel in 2018, Pattini was sent to Europe. She returned in December last year and foaled a Kingsman colt at Segenhoe Stud on August 17.
Fratianne missed to Zoustar last spring after foaling a Trapeze Artist filly
