Jadah Rose posts one of her many wins at Moonee Valley. Her son, Jadahson, will be in action at Tabcorp Park tonight
Former top-class racemare Jadah Rose retired from the racetrack less than two years ago, but one of her offspring will be in action at Melton’s Tabcorp Park tonight.
Jadahson, the first foal from the 2007 Australian Mare of the Year, will make his metropolitan debut in the $20,000 Blue Ribbon Foundation Shakamaker Classic.
The son of Falcon Seelster was the result of an embryonic transfer to a surrogate mare in November 2006, which is why he’s appearing on the racetrack so soon after Jadah Rose retired.
She won a pair of Group 1 Vicbred Super Series titles in a brilliant Australian career that ended abruptly with a bleeding attack in a Geelong heat of the 2008 Watpac Inter Dominion.
She was whisked off to America where she won her first two starts to take her career record to 31 wins from 53 starts for more than $465,000 in stakes.
A syndicate including members of the team who race Few Good Men paid $60,000 for Jadahson at last year’s Melbourne APG Sale and while trainer Emma Stewart likes him, she’s convinced he won’t hit his straps for at least 12 months.
“I think he’ll make a lovely three-year-old because it just seems that he’ll be suited over more distance,” she said.
“I’m not saying he’s going to end up a Derby winner or anything, but he’s very relaxed and just lacks that bit of high speed, which is why I think the longer trips will suit.”
Jadahson’s staying ability was evident when he came with a sustained 700m run to out-tough his rivals in a 2:01.1 mile rate over 1710m at Ballarat.
His only other racetrack appearance was a debut second placing at Kilmore when he did a good job to beat home most of his rivals after breaking early.
While Stewart is adamant Jadahson will be a better three-year-old, the rise to 2240m tonight and a beautiful barrier (two) present him with his chance in a race that has brought together some highly-rated types.
Stewart also has Nozomi in the race and while she considers that son of Christian Cullen a more natural two-year-old, he does have the outside of the back row (12) to contend with.
Nozomi hasn’t been seen since failing as a $1.30 favourite in the colts and geldings’ division of the Sapling Stakes at Tabcorp Park on February 19.
“He likes to free-roll but Chris (Alford, driver) held him up and the horse wanted to fight him, so we’ve taken as lot of gear off and changed the driver,” Stewart said.
“He hasn’t drawn well but hopefully the distance will suit him too.”
Michael Stanley takes over Alford behind Nozomi in the Shakamaker Classic, but Alford assumes the spot behind Jadahson.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation Shakamaker Classic is one of four features on a cracking nine-race card and will be run at 10.12pm.
