Sicilan Dream Queen
Date: 3 Mar 2022
The roll continued for Te Akau stables when Sicilian Dream (3 f Dream Ahead - Taormina, by Red Ransom) recorded an easy debut victory in the $12,000 Rydges Hotel Maiden 1215 metres on 3 March at Rotorua.
Champion trainer Jamie Richards has been unstoppable, with 15 winners in past 11 days, following three winners a day earlier at Hastings, which included now New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series leader Self Obsession (Shocking) taking out Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m).
Good through the trials' stage, most recently with a strong finish to win on 14 February at Te Rapa, Sicilian Dream was aided by barrier one and jockey Sam Weatherley played his part amicably.
Allowed to track along three back inner while chasing a solid tempo, Sicilian Dream was quickly across heels on straightening and required only a hand ride to put the race away.
“Jamie (Richards) has handled her very patiently, given her a lot of trials which she needed to learn her craft and it was really good to see the way that she won,†said Pencarrow racing manager Garry Cossey.
“It's a credit to Jamie and his staff because the patience has paid off. She got the job done nicely and it's a perfect start to her career. She's run a good time, comparable to Show Courage who won the next race and he's well above average.
“It was a very pleasing effort and Sam (Weatherley) said she's a lovely filly, which is always good to hear a positive opinion from the jockey afterwards.â€
Strongly supported to pay $3.90 & $1.50 on NZ TAB tote, Sicilian Dream ran 1215 metres in 1:12.8 on Dead4 footing.
“Sam (Weatherley) gave her a lovely ride, didn't panic when he got held up and had the last shot at Dyzee (Darci Brahma), who (trainer) Ken Kelso) has an opinion of,†Richards said.
“She's a filly that has needed a bit of time, but we are really happy with the way she won and it won't be her last on that performance.â€
A filly with everything in the right place, Sicilian Dream is by Dream Ahead (Diktat), sire of 52 stakes' winners, over 1000 wins, including seven Group Ones.
From a Pencarrow Stud family, dam Taormina (Red Ransom) is related to five-time Group 1 winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) and five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), both bought as yearlings by Ellis at Karaka.
Through her sire lines Sicilian Dream carries a bloodline cross of Epsom Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Roberto (Hail to Reason).
“It's always good to train another winner for Sir Peter Vela,†said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, who was at the time inspecting Pencarrow Stud yearlings, owned by Vela, at Karaka, ahead of the yearling sales beginning on Monday 7 March.
“He's a great person, loves racing his fillies and breeding from them and I thought Sicilian Dream was very impressive.
“They've (Pencarrow) got one of the best drafts of yearlings I've seen at Karaka for many years and hopefully we'll be able to buy some of them. Overall, there are some very nice yearlings in the sale this year and the standard is high.â€
Sicilian Dream was strapped by Myra Crawford-Smith.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
Back