Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Millburn Creek
A couple of talented 3-year-old fillies are maidens no longer, after both broke through on a wet and wintery day at Sandown-Lakeside.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Socks Nation was sent out at an odds-on quote in Race 1 (1500 metres), and the Sioux Nation (USA) filly didn’t let the punters down, making all under John Allen to score by 5.75l at her fourth start.
Bred by Ian Millard, Socks Nation was offered by Milburn Creek at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, with Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) paying $160,000 for her.
The filly is the first foal of the seven-time winner Tahnee Tiara (Commands) - a three-quarter sister to the two-time winner and Group 3 placegetter Servant (Commands) who raced in Singapore as Elemento. Tahnee Tiara is also a half-sister to the 2019 Listed Levin S. victress Evalina (I Am Invincible).
Socks Nation, who is raced by Hedge and good friend Sheriff Iskander, is also closely related to the brilliant Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}) - a triple Group 1 scorer, and the Group 3 winner and Group 1-producing sire Worthy Cause.
“Ian is a very astute breeder and she was a lovely filly that we offered in Melbourne,” Milburn Creek’s John Muir told The Thoroughbred Report.
“Ian (Millard) is a very astute breeder and she (Socks Nation) was a lovely filly that we offered in Melbourne.” - John Muir
“I’m glad she got her maiden out of the way and I hope she can go on with it.”
Socks Nation will be aimed towards a 1500-metre BM64 VOBIS fillies’ race at The Valley on December 15.
Allen was impressed by the filly’s performance and said he hopes Socks Nation can go on with the job.
Socks Nation as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“She was good and professional, she’s had a few starts under her belt now and she’s improved every start,” Allen told Racing.com.
“She’s always been a filly that has shown a bit at home and they’ve had a bit of a high opinion of. It’s taken a few runs for her to get it together.
“The step up in trip definitely suited.
“She’s (Socks Nation) always been a filly that has shown a bit at home and they’ve had a bit of a high opinion of. It’s taken a few runs for her to get it together.” - John Allen
“Hopefully, she’s a filly going in the right direction.”
Another 3-year-old filly to shed her maiden tag was the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Ginger ‘N’ Pink (Zoustar). She broke her duck at the fifth time of asking, taking out Race 2 (1200 metres) by 1.5l in the hands of Thomas Stockdale.
The filly was bred by Neil Werrett and was consigned by Kitchwin Hills at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She was knocked down for $250,000 to Moody Racing. Werrett has retained a share, while Max Whitby and Colin and Jannene Madden are also among the ownership group.
Ginger 'N' Pink taking out Race 2 at Sandown-Lakeside | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Ginger ‘N’ Pink is out of the winning Husson (Arg) mare Dancers and she herself is a half-sister to the stakes performer Viennese Star (I Am Invincible).
The filly is closely related to the great Snitzel, this year’s G1 Epsom H. hero Redeiner (Redoute’s Choice), as well as the Group 3 winner and Group 1-producing sire Hinchinbrook.
