New Zealand can claim the bragging rights after the seven-year-old mare Etah James and the four-year-old Savabeel entire The Chosen One turned back the European challenge in Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.
Previously trained by Matt Cumani, Etah James was transferred to part-owner Mark Lupton when she returned too NZ earlier this year. Following a fourth in the Group 1 Auckland Cup when she returned to Australia the daughter of Raise The Flag was sent to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
In a slogging finish, Glen Boss extracted everything Etah James had to offer to hold the challenge of The Chosen One by a long-head with the Sea The Stars gelding Raheen House running a troubled third a further half-length back.
Winner of the Group III SAJC Lord Reims Stakes and Listed Packenham Cup, Etah James advances her record to 8 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 30 starts with earnings of $1,226,494.
“It’s not like a wet track where they go in and out. The ground is grabbing them a bit and it’s very testing for them. It’s very very slow. It’s nice to be here with a good book of rides and get the job done.”
Etah James is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the Danasinga mare Etah who is a sister to the dual Group III winner Tickle.
Etah has a 2yo colt by Alamosa and a filly foal by Raise The Flag (GB). She was covered by US Navy Flag last spring.
The sire of Etah James, Raise The Flag (GB), is proving an exceptional source of stamina
The White Robe Lodge resident is a half-brother to Dansili by Sadler’s Wells out of the Broodmare of the Year Hasili, the dam of five Group 1 winners including Group 1 Breeder’s Cup winning sisters Banks Hill (Danehill) and Intercontinental (Danehill).
