Written by Georgie Dennis
Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}) capped a big day for this year’s crop of first-season sires as the son of Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Ire) went all the way to take out the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained colt jumped quickly and went straight to the front, settling outside Retiro (Snitzel) under James McDonald.
The 2-year-old showcased an electric turn of foot in the straight as he raced away from the 300 metre mark, going on to win by 1.3l.
The minor placings were filled by the Peter and Paul Snowden stable as Construct (I Am Invincible) ran on well to score second with Astrology (Star Turn) a further 1.3l back in third.
Shaquero began his campaign at Waller’s Queensland base and the trainer credited his team up north for encouraging him to bring the colt to Sydney for this race.
Shaquero
“We didn’t sneak him down, the team at the Gold Coast sent him down,” Waller said. “They said this horse must come to Sydney for the Breeders'.
“I’m lucky to have good staff working for me not just in Sydney but at the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Warwick Farm. That’s the beauty of having a big team of good staff.”
Waller said he thinks Shaquero will be a better horse over more ground in time and isn’t a typical G1 Golden Slipper S. type
“He’s got class written all over him,” the champion trainer said. “If you asked me which Group 1 race he was going to win I would say a Doncaster more than a Golden Slipper but who knows he might win one on the way through.
“Finding horses with ability, whether that be at the sales or on the racetrack is one thing, and looking after them is the other.”
“Finding horses with ability, whether that be at the sales or on the racetrack is one thing, and looking after them is the other.” - Chris Waller
McDonald rode the winner of both juvenile features, having partnered Enthaar (Written Tycoon) to score the G3 Gimcrack S. and he said he was impressed by both performances.
“He’s very precocious strong, he’s a ready-made racehorse that does everything so well,” McDonald said. “He’s a good advertisement for the sire Shalaa.
“Hopefully he can come on from here and being a Breeders' Plate winner they usually kick on.
“I enjoyed riding both of them, they are both precocious sort of horses, both have beautiful actions, and will go a long way.”
Shaquero was purchased by Chris Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Fernrigg Farm.
He is the fourth named foal out of dual-winning mare Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt), who is herself a half-sister to Listed winner Catacaos (Catbird) and the dam of G1 Cox Plate winner and now Rosemont Stud sire Shamus Award.
Fimatino has a yearling filly by Hellbent and a foal colt by Rubick.
Shaquero is the first Australian winner and first worldwide stakes winner for Shalaa, who is already responsible for 13 individual winners in the Northern Hemisphere.
This year Shalaa stands his third season at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).
Shaquero as a yearling
