Fastnet Filly Dominant at Flemington

Blue-blooded three year-old filly Azeema (3f Fastnet Rock  x Azumi, by Encosta de Lago) looked well above average when racing to a commanding win at Flemington on Saturday. Prepared by Mick Price, Azeema settled at the rear for Craig Newitt and gave her rivals a cold in the straight when she powered away to win the 1400 metre contest by two lengths. "She’s always been a nice filly,” Newitt said. "I rode her last winter and she got back and then hit the line so I knew she had a booming finish on her.” A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Azeema has two wins and a third from just four starts and will be winning better races. Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Azeema is the first winner for unraced Encosta de Lago mare Azumi, a full sister to champion filly Alinghi. Azumi was bought by Tim Stakemire on behalf of Sheikh Bin Khalifa for $1.4 million at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Yarraman Park draft, but retired to stud unraced. She has a yearling colt and weanling filly by Fastnet Rock and is due to foal again to the champion sire this spring.