Progressive mare Arabian Songbird took a step up in grade all in her stride at Ellerslie on Saturday, powering to victory in the Barfoot and Thompson 1600.
The daughter of Pierro commenced her racing career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams, and following their retirement, entered the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood, of whom she made a winning debut for at the venue last month.
Remaining in the hands of jockey Masa Hashizume, Arabian Songbird jumped positively from her wide barrier and found a comfortable position off the fence midfield, with Val Di Zoldo dictating terms off the front.
Drawing wider on the home turn, Arabian Songbird began to wind up and set off to hunt down Val Di Zoldo and Bourbon Empress, scorching home in the final 200m to score by a length to the latter, with Jolted running home well to fill the first three.
James indicated the Cambridge partnership had been on a fact-finding mission the contest, with the performance putting her in good stead for future assignments.
“It was a big jump up in class from her last start and was going to be a test as to where her future lies, it was a good field with well-backed and well-fancied runners,” he said.
“If we could be competitive, that would auger well for her future, and she was able to make that jump and do so impressively.
“Peter said that he rated her early on but then her form deteriorated later in the season, so he put her out to spell.
“We were the lucky ones to get her in lovely order after a long spell.”
Arabian Songbird will remain in Rating 75 company at her next appearance, and beyond that, James is happy to allow until next autumn before entering the pressures of potential stakes racing.
“She’s a filly with a pedigree and obviously when she gets to the right stage in her career, we would be looking for some black-type to make her as a broodmare,” he said.
“I do think she will be up to that but it’s one step at a time at this stage, she’s only had the two runs and is a little while away from that, so it is definitely an autumn assignment.
“While she’s racing well at a mile, I see no point leaving that distance. But, I have no doubt that 2000m will be well within her grasp.”
The four-year-old was bred by Jamieson Park and purchased by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer of Barneswood Farm for $260,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The owners also race her half-sister Saint Alice, a Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) winner and multiple Group Two-placegetter.
Arabian Songbird’s victory completed a double for James and Wellwood on the card, after winning the Head To Trackside.co.nz 1100 with Sweynesday.
Having just his third race day appearance, Sweynesday was fresh-up since winning his maiden in mid-April and was rated a $4.70 second-favourite behind Tossuforit.
Also ridden by Hashizume, the son of Sweynesse settled into a good rhythm in midfield and was cruising into the straight where Wind Of Change held him off until just prior to the line, where Sweynesday found a closing surge to get over the top by a long head.
“He was ultra-professional and was beautifully ridden yesterday by Masa,” James said.
“We were very happy with him going into this race and his form suggested he would be more than competitive, as he proved.
“Maturity as forced us to do that (be patient), but I think we will reap the benefits. He’s not a big fellow and has a good level of sprinting ability.
“He’ll quite possibly get 1400m, whether he could get a mile is questionable at this stage, but who knows.”
Sweynesday raced in the colours of his owners Falcon Racing, who purchased him for $80,000 out of Pertab Racing’s draft at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale.