Family Ties

At the Magic Millions January Sale this year, David Ellis purchased a stunning Pierro colt out of the classy mare Irish Lights.  Now named Seirios (the ancient name for Sirius, the brightest star in the sky) our 2YO colt is looking very promising in everything he has done thus far.

Seirios is part of the Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate which comprises five colts - the other four being beautifully bred sons of Tavistock (Status Symbol), Fastnet Rock (Heart of Courage), Snitzel (Pacific Coast) and Savabeel (Embellish).

Seirios' three year old sister by High Chaparral was a A$675,000 yearling and is making huge headlines in Australia.  Named Omei Sword, keep an eye on her - she is a girl going places - this weekend she steps out in the Group 2 Golden Rose and star international jockey Joao Moreira is flying in from Hong Kong to ride her.

We thought you'd find the latest news on our colt's sister of interest - The Informant and Sydney Morning Herald reports:

Hong Kong champion Joao Moreira will ride Golden Rose favourite Omei Sword as she attempts to become the first filly to win the race since it was elevated to Group One status seven years ago.

After drawing barrier three, the Chris Waller-trained filly assumed $3.20 favouritism for Saturday's A$1 million feature over 1400 metres at Rosehill. Godolphin colt Astern drifted to $3.80 second pick after drawing gate 12.

Premier trainer Chris Waller weighed up all the options for star filly Omei Sword before deciding to run her in Saturday's Golden Rose at Rosehill, her home track.  Waller admitted he had looked for a lead from the betting before deciding she was up to taking on the boys, despite the poor record of fillies in the race. Once he had made the decision, he needed to book a jockey and Hong Kong superstar Joao Moreira got the call on Monday.

"The thing is, according to the punters she is a chance, which I always pay a lot of respect to, especially when a market comes out, a fair dinkum market, a week before the race," Waller said.

"We think she has a good chance in the race. I'm fully aware that fillies don't have a good record in the race but if they were my fillies, I would be very selective which ones would run.  It's tough. That is why it was a hard decision. The fact is the Flight Stakes is her goal and it is another four weeks away so we wanted to find the best option.

"When there is a $1 million group 1 race 100 metres from the stables on her home track, and the weather forecast is good and she is in good order, so things started to add up. We might not get this in four weeks."

Waller has previously had success with Moreira, the pair teaming to win three group 1s, two with Brazen Beau and the other with He's Your Man in the Epsom two years ago.  Omei Sword showed an explosive turn of foot from back in the field for her first-up win in the Silver Shadow Stakes, but Waller said he would wait until Moreira arrived in Australia before discussing tactics.

"We're still learning about her and the biggest thing is for her to be comfortable in the run," Waller said.

"I'm sure Joao will do that."