Vinery graduate Saasmit is destined for Melbourne’s centre-stage following a successful hit-and-run raid across the border to South Australia.
Prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, she waved good-bye to some smart youngsters when cruising home by three lengths in the Irongate Plate (1000m) at Murray Bridge on Saturday. Jockey Jessica Eaton said the debutante dominated before crediting Maher and Eustace for the victory.
“They do such a great job with their two year-olds,” Eaton claimed. “This filly is very professional and travelled extra well behind the speed. When we balanced up in the straight, I asked her quicken and she let down with a really sharp sprint.”
Vinery sold Saasmit as a foal for $21,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale to Wagga-based owners Garry & Mary-Anne Towzell. She’s a first-crop daughter of Shalaa (Ire) from Touchy Greeley (Mr. Greeley) who is related to northern-hemisphere Group 1 winners Brave Anna and Hit It A Bomb.
Touchy Greeley was purchased by Vinery for $26,000 at 2018 Australian Broodmare Sale. She was carrying Saasmit and has since foaled a colt and a filly by Press Statement.
Saasmit’s stablemate Fake Love won the Debutant Stakes LR at Caulfield in October and she’s in the mix at $12 for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic RL this Saturday.
Eustace indicated Saasmit would be set for a Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes campaign starting with the Blue Diamond Preview Gr.3 on January 23.
Vinery’s academy of Group 1 graduates already includes 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Samaready. The More Than Ready filly carried its green and white silks to a clear-cut victory at Caulfield and she was good enough to strike a second time at the elite level in the 2013 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) was a Group 1 winner of the 2015 Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny before shuttling to Australia. Vinery (as agent) has continued that connection with his second southern-crop colts from Pocket Power (Lot 649) and Sagamiyna (Lot 736) at the Gold Coast Magic Millions this Friday.
Pocket Power (USA) is a winning three-quarter sister to Delectation (VRC Darley Classic Gr.1) and Sagamiyna (Fr) is a half-sister to Sagawara (Prix Saint-Alary Gr.1).
