The 4-year-old Astern mare Va Via upheld a family tradition when opening her stakes account in Saturday’s SEN Geelong Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong.
Ridden by Damian Lane for James Cummings, the Godolphin homebred pulled clear in the closing stages to defeat the All Too Hard mare Danny's St Darci by two lengths, with the veteran Master Of Design mare Megamea a length back in third.
A half-sister to Group 1 ATC Spring Champion Stakes hero Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) and Listed Canberra Guineas winner Promotions (Exceed And Excel), Va Via advances her record to five wins, two seconds, and five thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $478,275.
“She began well enough to hold her position and travelled so sweetly,” Lane said.
“She’s shown previously that her turn of foot is her best strength, and she sprinted strongly.
“She came a long way last prep. She’s very versatile and got in so well at the weights.”
Va Via is one of four winners from as many starters for the talented Street Cry (IRE) mare Transfers and is her lone filly.
A descendant of the breed-shaping import Dancing Show (USA), Transfers has a 2yo colt by Brazen Beau. She foaled a colt by Kingman’s 5-time Group 1 winning son Palace Pier (GB) on August 26, and was covered by Too Darn Hot (GB) in December after missing to an earlier cover by Harry Angel (IRE).
This branch of the Dancing Show family has had a lot of success in the past 12 months and there are 10 yearlings from it catalgoued for upcoming sales, click here to see them.
Va Via is the 11th stakes-winner for Darley Stud’s Golden Rose winner Astern.
