Oaks' Sibling Looks the Goods

The Informant reports on Te Akau NZ's latest winner, the well related Interstellar ...

Interstellar took the first big step to emulating her Oaks-winning sibling Savaria with an easy maiden win at Taupo today.

On debut at Ruakaka three weeks ago at Ruakaka the Shamoline Warrior filly had finished a brave second and in today's 1300-mertre assignment she never looked like being beaten. Matt Cameron jumped her from the inside gate and rated her through the middle stages before kicking her clear after straightening and letting her stride to a four and a half-length win over Never In Doubt and Ultimata.

Interstellar, a leggy filly with any amount of scope, looks every bit a staying prospect with the potential to repeat Savaria's New Zealand Oaks win at Trentham in March, but more immediate plans may include a trip south for the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas.

“She can go to the Soliloquy Stakes and hopefully if all goes well we'll end up down at Riccarton,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains Interstellar in partnership with Jamie Richards. “It's all in front of her. She's a beautiful filly already but when we get to the autumn she'll be gorgeous.”

Interstellar was bought by Te Akau Racing's David Ellis for $125,000 at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale last November, having been sold to Shailer Thoroughbreds for just $32,000 at the Festival section if the National Yearling Sale earlier in the year.

She is the third winner from the first crop of Bluegables Farm stallion Shamoline Warrior, a Group Three winner in Melbourne and a half-brother to VRC Derby winner Rebel Raider. A brother to Interstellar is catalogued in November's Ready to Run Sale.