Group One Double for Andover Hall
Two-year-olds by Andover Hall swept the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic 2YO Trotting Finals (1720m) at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday evening, with Jaxnme victorious in the Fillies Final and Is That A Bid in the Colts and Geldings installment.
Despite a second row draw, the Russell Jack trained Jaxnme was able to roll to the lead with just under 1200m to go. Once in front, last week’s heat winner was always travelling comfortably and was able to kick clear in the straight to take a comfortable 5.4m win over Ceejay Success. (Watch replay)
It was the filly’s second win from three starts to date, after a third placing behind Andover Hall colt Andover Sun on debut, taking her earnings to just over $31,000.
A homebred, Jaxnme is out of the unraced Muscle Hill mare, I Am Who I Am, making her a grand-daughter of the 2010 NZ Derby and Hambletonian winner Shezoneoftheboyz.
This Andover Hall – Valley Victory (Muscles Yankee, Muscle Mass, Muscle Hill, Lindy Lane, Self Possessed etc…) cross has been a golden one for the stallion, with seven of his 12 millionaires to date bred along these lines.
In the $50,000 Colts and Geldings Final, the regally bred Is That A Bid benefited from the favourite Andover Sun going off stride behind the gate, with the Michael Hughes trained runner spearing to the lead from barrier six. The gelding was then flawless in front throughout and held out the late challenge of Sky Eagle to score an impressive maiden win by just under a length. (Watch replay)
Although it was Is That A Bid’s first race-day win, the gelding had placed in all three of his previous starts.
A $20,500 2018 Australasian Premier Trotting Sale purchase, Is That A Bid is out of the former Group 1 Redwood Classic winner Elusive Charm (CR Commando).
Across the Tasman at Alexandra Park, the lightly raced Kyle Marshall trained Andover Hall filly Lady Be Good (x Allegro Agitato) was a good second in the Group 3 Haras des Trotteurs Northern Trotting Oaks behind the recent Sires Stakes Championship winner Tickle Me Pink, whose damsire happens to be Andover Hall.