Coolmore Sires Trifecta Oaks

30th April 2008

Outstanding fillies Heavenly Glow (3f Spinning World x Starsphere, by Celestial Bounty) and Boundless (3f Van Nistelrooy x Nothing Less, by Star way) fought a titanic battle to the post in the AJC Australian Oaks at Randwick on Wednesday with Galileo’s Daughter (3f Galileo x Donna Dior, by Marscay) a gallant third providing Coolmore sires with a Group One trifecta.

The Alan Denham trained filly Heavenly Glow has been on an upward spiral this preparation and after blitzing her rivals last start in the Group One STC Arrowfield Stud Stakes she arrived at Randwick in peak form.

Ridden a treat by Robert Thompson she settled worse than midfield and when asked for an effort in the straight produced her customary turn of foot to go out after the New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless.

Unable to get in from a wide barrier, Boundless ended up being ridden forward to take up second spot behind a tearaway leader and was forced to take the field up coming to the turn.

The daughter of Van Nistelrooy fought on gamely, going down by a half neck in a driving finish with Galileo’s Daughter toiling away in third place some three lengths back,

Winning jockey Robert Thompson has been aboard Heavenly Glow at each of her eight wins to date including a maiden victory at Taree in January last year and was full of praise for the attractive chestnut.

"She's come a long way since then," said Thompson.

"I always knew she was a bloody good filly. I really love her!”

Previously trained on the north coast of New South Wales by part-owner Ross Stitt, Heavenly Glow was sent to Allan Denham for this preparation and has blossomed, her overall record standing at eight wins from 15 starts with prizemoney of $639,260.

A bargain purchase for her owners, Heavenly Glow was secured by Ross Stitt for a paltry $10,000 from the draft of Sarsfield Thoroughbreds at the 2006 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

She is the third foal of the stakes-winning Celestial Bounty mare Starsphere, a winner of nine races up to 2400 metres including the Listed TTC Tasmanian St Leger.

Heavenly Glow is one of 37 stakes-winners worldwide for evergreen shuttle sire Spinning World who is now a permanent resident at Coolmore Australia.