Salaasel to step out at Flemington

Salaasel hasn’t been seen at the races yet, but Emirates Park have reason to be optimistic that, at some point, she will have an impact at Stakes level.

After all, her dam, Salma, has a 100 percent record with progeny who get to the racetrack.

Salaasel, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, will become Salma’s fourth to race when she contests the $130,000 Trevor Clarke Handicap (1000m) that kicks off Saturday’s Flemington card.

Salma’s first foal Trojan Harbour (Harbour Watch) was a Listed winner in South Africa, Salateen (I Am Invincible) won the Listed Nudgee Stakes and is Group 2-placed in Brisbane, while Hilal (Fastnet Rock) won the G2 Stan Fox Stakes and $1 million The Bondi last spring before a G1 Randwick Guineas placing in March.

“The mare’s had three to race for three Stakes winners, so hopefully this filly can go on with it,” Emirates Park general manager Bryan Carlson said.

“We’ve bred her last three dams. It goes back to Al Maher, so it’s a family that’s close to our heart.”

Salma is by Encosta de Lago out of Salameh, a daughter of Secret Savings and Don’t Say Halo mare Show Dancing who produced $2.7 million yearling L’Heretier (Redoute’s Choice).

The best-performed member of the family was 2005 Australian Guineas winner and successful stallion Al Maher, who was the result of a meeting between Danehill out of Show Dancing.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Salaasel has done her preparatory work in Sydney, including solid trials at Rosehill and Randwick, but has been sent south in search of firmer tracks and Carlson said stable reports suggested a strong debut showing was likely.

“She’s been a lovely filly from the day she was born,” Carlson said.

“She’s a filly we’ve just taken our time with, being by Fastnet Rock, but in her two trials to date she’s shown above average ability.

“It’ll be interesting to see her have her first start down the straight because she hasn’t had that down-the-straight track experience, but I think we should see a good showing on Saturday.”

Salaasel will have the services of Jamie Kah in Saturday’s race, in which she will jump from the outside barrier in the field of 12. The untapped Giga Kick, Tapin’ Three – who is from the family of Black Caviar – and past Flemington winner Stupendo are among her rivals.

Salaasel will not have a two-year-old next season with the Not A Sigle Doubt filly she produced last spring having died recently, but she has a filly by Tassort who is about to turn one and is in-foal to Snitzel.

About RS NewsWire

Racing and Sports is a global publisher of online horse racing form and information, and a leader in interactive racing technology. Racing and Sports is at the cutting-edge of information technology, allowing businesses and website users first access to emerging technologies.

Bookmaker Why Bet Sign Up Full Review
Bet Now at ladbrokes Back Yourself with Ladbrokes! Join Review
Bet Now at neds Back a Winner with Neds! Join Review
Bet Now at palmerbet Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! Join Review
Bet Now at tab Sign up to TAB and start betting in minutes! Join Review
Bet Now at playup Sign up to PlayUp and start betting in minutes! Join Review