Valachi Downs homebred Needle And Thread dominates Royal Stakes.
Former Westbury Stud shuttler Makfi (Dubawi) was awarded his 35th stakes winner on Friday as his daughter, the Stephen Autridge and Kris Shailer-trained, Needle And Thread (3 f ex Fleece by Daylami) produced a dominant display to win the Royal Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) at Ellerslie.
Last finishing fourth in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) only a week ago, the three-year-old filly clearly relished the step up in trip, pulling away to beat stablemate Lily's Lady (Contributer) by an emphatic four and a half lengths, while Il Affare (Dundeel) was another nose away in third.
Bred and raced by Kevin Hickman's Valachi Downs, who also sponsored the Group 2, the filly and the runner-up - who is also bred and owned by Hickman - could now be aimed at the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m).
"We thought that she would back up well and the 2000 metres would suit her, but she was more impressive than we thought she might be," Shailer said.
"Craig (Grylls, jockey) rode her a treat, rated her nicely and she had them off the bridle a long way from home.
"It's great for Kevin and his wife Joanna as they put so much into racing.
"It's a big team effort, so I'm delighted for everyone.
"We'll see how they both pull up from this, give them a quiet week and then look to how we might be able to get them to the New Zealand Oaks."
The filly is out of dual winning Daylami (Doyoun) mare Fleece, making her a sister to Listed winner Savile Row, who was placed three times at elite level.
Fleece herself is a daughter of Listed scorer Gold Dodger (Slew O' Gold) and she also produced Group 3 winner Chintz (Danehill Dancer) - the dam of dual Group 1 winner The Gurkha (Galileo), who stands at Coolmore's base in Ireland.
Fleece is also a half-sister to the dam of multiple Group 3 winner Buckhurst (Australia) and Listed scorer Duplicity (Cadeaux Genereux).
Further back the filly this is the family of Group 3 winner Brooklyn's Dance (Shirley Heights) - the dam of Group 1 winner Solemia (Poliglote), Group 2 scorer Prospect Wells (Sadler's Wells) and Prospect Park (Sadler's Wells), who won twice at Group 3 level, as well as Listed-winning pair Brooklyn's Gold (Seeking The Gold) and Never Green (Halling).
After missing to Reliable Man (Dalakhani), Fleece produced a filly by Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) this season.
Makfi's five Group 1 winners include three New Zealand elite scorers; Bonneval, Sofia Rosa and Marky Mark. The son of Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) - who shuttled to Westbury Stud for six seasons - stood at Tweenhills Stud in the northern hemisphere, before being sold by Qatar Racing in 2016 and he now resides at Japan Bloodstock Breeders' Association.
