4 Win NY Day - Sheanadh Superb Debut

Breaking through on debut, Sheanadh (3 f Night Of Thunder – Disbelieve, by Golden Horn) won the A$42,500 ModTech Group Electricians Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on 1 January at Mornington (Melbourne) - taking Te Akau stables' win tally to four on New Year's Day.

Having steadied off the pace and running home solidly for third in a jump out on 22 December at Cranbourne, Sheanadh was handily drawn in barrier four and had the services of multiple Group One winning Kiwi jockey, and former te Akau apprentice, Michael Dee. 

After beginning well, Sheanadh secured a lovely spot behind three horses on the pace, and came from fifth at the 600m with a sustained finish to record a really good win.

It was the type of performance that required good levels of fitness and ability to win the way she did, and augurs well for a nice racing future. 

“She jumped pretty well and made my job pretty easy,” Dee said. “She’d had a lot of trials leading into this, but surprisingly she was still quite green and didn’t know how to attack the line properly. So that makes for an even better win.

“She was fairly natural and flew the gates, but was just off and on the bridle in the run, and got on the wrong leg, so there is still plenty of improvement to come. 

“The Te Akau team has definitely given her plenty of time, and while there isn’t much of her, she’s quite small, but she’s got the will to win.”

On Good4 footing, Sheanadh ran 1200 metres in 1:11.6, last 600m in 34.8, and paid $9.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

On course assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said: “Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come for the filly and the team is in great order heading into the rest of the summer and into autumn, so there is plenty to look forward to. 

“She wasn’t fancied in the (betting) market, but we came here thinking that with the scratchings it was the right race for her and it certainly helps when you get a ride like that.

“I was thinking the last couple of hundred (metres) to give her one behind the saddle, but Mick still didn’t, just rode her hands and heels, and she was very impressive. 

“She’s a little filly, but has a big heart and tries hard. She’s very well bred, by Night Of Thunder, who is one of the best sires in Europe, and she’s our first winner for Seymour Bloodstock, so we’re very appreciative of its support - Mark Pilkington, Darren Thomas, and the team.

“The more colours that are winning for us, Mark (Walker) and the team, it certainly helps to grow awareness of the stable.”

Sheanadh is by Group 1 2000 Guineas' winner and Champion Sire in Britain and Ireland, Night Of Thunder (Dubawi), who also won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m), while his dam-sire Golden Horn (Cape Cross) won the Group 1 Epsom Derby (2400m), Group 1 Eclipse Stakes (2000m),Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m), and Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m). 

Sheanadh was strapped by Abbey Eaton.