Snitzel Firster Christens New Course at the Vaal

Bet down to 11-10 favoritism to open his account at first asking, Heavenly Blue (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), trained and co-owned by Mike de Kock, strode out late to score by a little under 2 1/2 lengths in the very first race contested over the new Vaal Classic course. An A$200,000 Inglis Easter yearling purchase from the Arrowfield Stud consignment by Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock, Heavenly Blue is the first foal for her dam, a winning daughter of Allen Paulson's four-time Grade I-winning turf mare Astra (Theatrical {Ire}), who was purchased by Freyer Bloodstock for US$290,000 out of the 2010 Keeneland November sale. Simply Carina's second produce, a filly by Smart Missile (Aus), fetched A$270,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast sale and she foaled a full-sister to Heavenly Blue in 2015. Simply Carina was covered by Smart Missile last November. @EquinealTDN

+Heavenly Blue (Aus), c, 2, Snitzel (Aus)–Simply Carina, by El Prado (Ire). Vaal, 5-19, Maiden, 1600mT, 1:39.68. B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd & Cloros Bloodstock (NSW).