A small field of six, but plenty of quality in the juvenile fillies maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday with victory going to Kakadu Sunset, a first starter by Extreme Choice.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the blaze faced Kakadu Sunset had two recent trials under her belt, but was easy in the market facing 1250m first up with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.
He allowed her to settle early and find her feet and she was wide and back turning for home, but let down all the way to the line to reel in the leaders and win by a neck over her stablemate Avenue Montaigne (Pierro) with race favourite Ernaux, a $3million I Am Invincible filly in third place.
“Adam gave her a patient ride which is probably what she needs at this stage of her career as she continues to strengthen up,” said Adrian Bott.
“She has always shown us nice signs initially and she is open to a lot of improvement going forward.”
Adam Hyeronimus rode Kakadu Sunset in her most recent trial and believes she is a work in progress.
“I've been in a little bit of a love-hate relationship with her as I fell off her once when she was a baby, but she has progressed a lot since then,” he said.
“When she was a baby, I wouldn't say she was erratic, but she was just very green and did things wrong because of her immaturity., but she walked around the enclosure today quietly and her whole mannerisms have been fantastic.
“She still needs to strengthen up, but there is a lot of upside.”
A $420,000 Magic Millions purchase from Newgate Farm for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Kakadu Sunset runs for a big group of stable clients and looks to have a bright future.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Mixed Spice, she is the fourth winner from stakes-winning Sebring mare Typing, a grand-daughter of Group II winner On Type.
Typing was bought by Kingstar Farm for $25,000 through Inglis Digital in 2023 and they sold her current yearling colt by Profiteer at Magic Millions this year to Darby Racing for $110,000.
Typing had a filly last year by Tiger of Malay and is now in foal to Stay Inside.
