Randwick Maiden Winners Impress

30th September 2008

Leading sires Encosta de Lago and Danehill Dancer were represented by a couple of highly impressive maiden winners at Randwick on Tuesday in Palacio de Cristal and Altered Boy, both destined for stakes company in the future.

Leviathan breeder Gerry Harvey’s blue-blooded filly Palacio de Cristal (3f Encosta de Lago x Crystal Palace, by Palace Music) overcame a slow pace in her 1300 metre maiden to bolt away for a very easy two and a half length win at her third race start.

A big bold chestnut with a prominent white blaze, Palacio de Cristal can be a bit headstrong at times, so jockey Glyn Schofield allowed her to stride towards the lead when the pace dropped away with pleasing results.

“We’ve always thought she was well above average, but I was concerned when they pulled up and walked, in the end though she’s left them in her wake,” said Grahame Begg.

“We did have aspirations to take her to Melbourne but we’ve had a few issues and it’s just not meant to be, so we’ll concentrate on the autumn with her.”

Palacio de Cristal is sixth foal of Group One QTC Queensland Oaks winner Crystal Palace, a full sister to former champion racehorse Naturalism. A disappointing producer up to this point as the dam of winners but no Black Type horses, Palacio de Cristal is probably the hope of the side, so to speak.

Successful in the previous race was the Chris Waller trained colt Altered Boy (3c Danehill Dancer x Floridays, by Kenmare) who improved off a last start fifth to Bhutane Dane in the Listed STC Heritage Stakes at Rosehill to post his first win over 1300 metres.

“He needed to get a win on the board so we dropped him back to a maiden, but now he’s done that he’ll be going back to the better grades and probably a Listed race in a couple of weeks time I have picked out for him.”

Retained to race by his breeders, Altered Boy broke through at his fifth race start having placed second twice previously and looks another progressive sort for his in-form sire.

Altered Boy is from stakes-placed Kenmare mare Floridays, a grand-daughter of former star mare and outstanding producer Princess Talaria.