A decision to transfer talented Capitalist filly Alpha Sofie from the Queensland stable of Jason Edwards to Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in Victoria paid immediate dividends at Moonee Valley on Saturday when she charged home to win the $175,000 Listed MRC Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m).
Alpha Sofie was fourth on debut in June at the Sunshine Coast and then won her next two starts at Eagle Farm in July and August before heading south.
With residual race fitness and a gate four, Alpha Sofie was given a great run by Zac Spain and when she got clear passage along the fence turning for home it was game over.
She raced clear to win by two lengths taking her overall record to three wins from four starts with prizemoney topping $200,000.
"She's a filly that's done really well in her first couple of starts in Queensland, the Edwards stable up there did a fantastic job with her, and they sent her down to us in brilliant order,” said Katherine Coleman.
"Really all credit goes to them. We've only had her for a short space of time and she's had a few nice pieces of work leading into this, including a jumpout at Pakenham.
"We've been really pleased with the work that she's done, but to see her come here and do it today, it takes it to another level."
Alpha Sofie will be given the opportunity to progress this spring.
"We'll see how she comes through this. I'd say first impressions, hopefully there's enough horse there still that we can go on with it and maybe look to head towards a guinea Prelude if she does well after today,” said Coleman.
A $150,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Davali Thoroughbreds for Munetos Pty Ltd, Alpha Sofie runs for an ownership group that includes her breeders Dan and Linda Alford and Mary Anne Holland, who also raced her mother Sofie’s Gold Class.
Interestingly they also were in the ownership of her sire Capitalist, so the success of Alpha Sofie really is a family affair.
“This is the first foal we’ve bred out of a mare by Capitalist and to watch a mare that we own and a stallion that we raced, it’s a super day,’’ Dan Alford said.
“And we own the mare still, it’s fantastic. Thanks to Tosh Murphy, he bought the horse and allowed us to stay in and it’s been a big buzz.’’
Alpha Sofie is the first foal of stakes-placed Hard Spun (USA) mare Sofie’s Gold Class, a grand-daughter of Champion 2YO Filly Victory Vein.
Sofie’s Gold Class had a filly last spring by Satono Aladdin (Jpn), then unfortunately missed to Capitalist.
Alpha Sofie is the 26th stakes-winner for Newgate Farm’s Capitalist, who stands at a fee of $44,000 this spring.
