Pogacar storms home to clinch debut win at Doomben

[Wandering Eyes]

High-priced colt Pogacar (Pierro x Lasqueti Spirit) showed plenty in his debut win at Doomben. (Photo: Coolmore)

The shock win of Lasqueti Spirit and Brenton Avdulla in the 2016 Group 1 VRC Oaks is one that will always be remembered in Australian racing history.

Although that was the only win in her 22-start career, the daughter of ill-fated sire Beneteau also ran second to Winx in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes, was third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks and placed third in the Listed Fernhill Handicap as a two-year-old, retiring with prizemoney totalling $954,745.

Lasqueti Spirit has now also made a successful start to her broodmare career, with her first foal winning impressively at his first start at Doomben on Wednesday.

Sent to champion racehorse and sire Pierro at her first season at stud, she produced a lovely colt who was later knocked down to Coolmore Principal Tom Magnier for $850,000 at last years Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The result making the colt the most expensive Pierro yearling sold in 2021.

Now named Pogacar and trained by Chris Waller, the two-year-old looks to have plenty of ability.

After trialling twice in Sydney, Waller opted to take the colt north for his 1350m debut. Settling at the rear of the field with James Orman on board, he powered to the line to claim race favourite Media Scandal by 0.2 lengths.

Coolmore Australia’s racing manager, Rob Archibald, said that although he had shown a little bit in his trials, it came as a little bit of a surprise.

“Being out of an Oaks winner, you expect him to come into his own at three, so it’s nice to see him do something at two,” he said.

“Chris has always liked him, but he thought he would take a little bit of time.

“It was very pleasing.”

Archibald said the talented colt would likely be turned out, in order for Waller to ready him for a spring campaign.

“Chris will see how he comes through the race then make that decision,” he said.

“They bought him knowing he was probably going to take a little bit of time, and he’s taken a little while to furnish. He’s still not the finished article.

“He’s clearly got ability, the way he won today was impressive and it certainly gives us something to look forward to in the spring.”

Francis and Chris Cook, who raced Lasqueti Spirit with partners, have retained her Dundeel yearling filly who has been named Laspirit Deeler. After sadly losing her Deep Field foal, she was again served by Pierro last spring.

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