Athiri 3 f Lonhro – Retsina by Redoute’s Choice
Godolphin-raced filly Athiri staged a really promising effort in winning on her debut. She was eased from a wide barrier by Glyn Schofield and settled in second-last place, on the rails, in the eight-horse field before improving between runners at the home turn. She forced a split at the 200 metres, dashed to the front at the 100 metres and went on to score easily by two lengths. She looks a filly with a good future.
Athiri is a daughter of the winning mare Retsina (Redoute’s Choice) and a half-sister to her stablemate Savatiano (Street Cry), who has enjoyed a fruitful, if somewhat frustrating, spring campaign. Savatiano scored first-up in the Mona Lisa Stakes (Listed, 1350m) at Wyong before placing in three of her four subsequent starts, all in Group company and most recently in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (registered as Maybe Mahal Stakes) (Gr 3, 1400m) on Cup Day at Flemington.
Prior to Athiri, Retsina produced the unraced filly Athens (Medaglia d’Oro) and while her colt by Exosphere (Lonhro) died last year, she has this year produced another colt, this time by Hallowed Crown (Street Sense).
Last weekend’s winner boasts as her second dam Star Shiraz (Sequalo), who won the 2004 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and place in a further two Group 1 contests.