Haunui Farm studmaster Mark Chitty never had any thoughts of selling Showcasing’s daughter Xpression.
That determination to keep the filly, which he bred with childhood friend Iain Renton, was vindicated at Trentham on Saturday when she won the Gr.2 Randwick Meats Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m).
“We were 13-year-olds together at King’s College and Iain, whose father bred the Melbourne Cup winner Gold And Black, and I had three goes with Showcasing and this one was the best by a mile,” Chitty said.
“I said to Iain let’s race her and we got a few others involved. It’s very exciting.”
Out of the Don Eduardo mare Xpress, the Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained Xpression is a three-quarter sister to the Haunui-bred and sold Hardline, winner of the 2015 edition of the Karaka Million (1200m).
“They have done a great job with this filly,” Chitty said. “She hasn’t taken a backward step since day one.”
Third on debut at Otaki last week, Xpression was a stride slow from the gates and came from last to inflict a first defeat on the hot favourite Espumoso, whose run was commendable after being taken on in front.
“She’s always been an intelligent horse and really settled after her run the other day,” Lowry said. “She learned a lot from her first start.
“She’ll probably have a bit of a break now,” Lowry said. “We could look at the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes later on.”
Xpression was partnered by Sam Collett, who chased the ride after guiding the youngster’s fortunes first time out.
“I was really impressed with what she showed at Otaki,” she said. “I said to Guy that I was keen to stick with her, she’s got a great constitution.
“She didn’t jump that well, but she came up on the bridle at the right time and she finished off very well.”
Nala Park will offer a sister to Xpression during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2018.
