Bjorn Baker, Rachel King and Zoustar combined to win the 2YO fillies maiden at Canterbury on Monday with well bred Zoustar filly Pillow Fight, who has a half-sister to be offered at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale on Friday.
Pillow Fight had shown good potential at the trials and delivered on race day, producing a tenacious effort to run down the leader Rosa Incanta to take the 1250m contest by a head.
Bjorn Baker’s stable representative Luke Hilton revealed the daughter of Zoustar had always been held in high regard.
“She's always been a lovely filly. We've had a good opinion of her, but the more Bjorn's done with her, the better she's got,” he said.
“He's been patient with her. He's given her a number of gallops at home and she's had some good trials, and she's just got better and better. She's got a great attitude, very relaxed, but she's an exciting filly. I think she's got a big future.”
Rachel King has ridden the filly in her two most recent trials and knows her well.
“It probably wasn't ideal sort of facing the breeze down the back, but she's a very casual customer,” said King.
“She jumped well today, but went straight to sleep early and even though I was facing the wind she wasn't spending any unnecessary energy.
“I had to get her moving probably even sooner than I wanted to just because I know she's the type of filly that does take a little bit of winding up.
“She's always had that good level of ability, but her attitude helps her because she is super relaxed about life in general. She's only going to improve. I probably didn't quite expect her to do it today, but it’s a nice surprise.”
A $375,000 Magic Millions purchase from Newgate Farm for Bjorn Baker Racing/Cunningham Thoroughbreds/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA), Pillow Fight is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Group III placed Snitzel mare Slumber Party.
Bred by Go Bloodstock, Slumber Party comes from the Singles Bar branch of the famed Easy Date family that has produced Group I winners King’s Legacy, Oohood and champion sire Not a Single Doubt.
Slumber Party was on-sold through Inglis Digital in January 2024 and was purchased by Durham Park for $255,000 in foal to Justify (USA).
Slumber Party is now in foal to So You Think.
