Dream Start For Karaka Sale Topper

The regally bred Shower of Roses (Zabeel x Marquise) lived up to her impressive bloodlines today, winning the A$20,000 Sponsor At The Races Handicap for 3YO fillies (1200m) on debut at Canterbury Park, Sydney.

Sent out a short priced favourite, Shower of Roses won stylishly, defeating Huit (Octagonal x Seika) by quarter of a length, with a further 4 lengths back to the third place-getter Coniston Rose (Lake Coniston x Next to Me).

The Gai Waterhouse trained filly topped the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series in 2001 when she was purchased, after an intense bidding war, by Tik Tik Trinidad, on behalf of Gooree Stud owner, Mr Eduardo Cojuangco, for $1,450,000. The impeccably bred youngster was sold through the Premier Sale draft of Cambridge Stud.

Shower of Roses' full brother fetched $1,050,000 to top the 2002 Premier Sale, with Emirates Park the successful buyer.

Waterhouse holds the daughter of Champion New Zealand sire Zabeel in high regard, with the AJC Oaks touted to be the talented filly's goal this autumn.