The 5-year-old Flying Artie mare Asfoora continues on her march to the ranks of top sprinters in Australia following a blistering performance of sustained speed in Saturday’s Group II Metcap Finance Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Coming off a one-and-a-quarter length defeat by the current benchmark Imperatriz in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley, Asfoora hooked up in a speed battle with Uncommon James, but when Mitch Aitken let the reins out a notch, it was all over.
With Uncommon James (Cable Bay) running out of gas, Asfoora speared away to a three-length triumph.
Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) was a half-neck back in third.
With her fourth stakes success, Aasfoora advances her record to eight wins, one second and two thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $1,231,305.
Winning trainer Henry Dwyer said the fleet-footed daughter of Flying Artie was long overdue for a change of luck.
“I said that last time, and she ran the second quickest time ever last start at The Valley and still got beaten,” Dwyer said.
“I haven’t seen the times yet, but Damian Lane (Uncommon James) made a conscious effort to serve it up to her, and he was probably on the stronger horse, but as it turns out, she was really brave and kicked away.
“Whether he (Uncommon James) overdid it with the blinkers on, I don’t know. She’s just so good around here and we didn’t win an Oakleigh Plate here because it was at Sandown, but I think we can find an Oakleigh Plate here next year that will be ok.
“I went to the Adelaide Magic Millions Sale with a $30,000 reserve and didn’t get a bid.
“I was offered to train her - also offered to buy another one - and I chose to train this one.”
“One more run for the prep at Flemington and then away towards the autumn in the Lightning and/or Oakleigh Plate and then maybe Royal Ascot. We’ll see what happens.”
Bred by Noor Elaine Farm and retained to race after she was passed in at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Asfoora is the first foal of the I Am Invincible mare Golden Child, who comes from the family of Group III winner Big Chill and stakes-winners Hard Stride and Utah Saints.
Golden Child has a 2-year-old colt by Ilovethiscity, a $180,000 purchase for Henry Dwyer Racing from the Noor Elaine Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Golden Child has a yearling colt by Dirty Work and has been booked back to visit Flying Artie this spring.
With the likes of Democracy Manifest, Dalchini and Ruby Flyer, Flying Artie is enjoying a fantastic start to the new season and represents outstanding value at $16,500 in his first season at Blue Gum Farm.
