Fastnet Rock's Chequerboard Impresses at Sandown

Promising filly Chequerboard (2f Fastnet Rock x Chi, by Zabeel) kept her record perfect when scoring a stylish victory at Sandown on Wednesday over tenacious Pride of Dubai filly Insaaf.

A debut winner on a synthetic surface last month, the Lindsay Park trained filly handled grass just as smoothly, racing on the pace and proving a shade too good for her persistent rival Insaaf (2f Pride of Dubai x Aneeda, by Fastnet Rock) to take the 1400 metre contest by a long neck.

Chequerboard runs in the Coolmore navy blue having been passed in as a yearling at Karaka shy of her $300,000 reserve.

She is the second winner from unraced blue-blooded Zabeel mare Chi, a half-sister to Group II winner What Can I Say, stakes-winner Wry Hero and to the grand-dam of Group I winner Invader.

The family has already worked with Fastnet Rock to produce Group II winner Holy Snow and Chequerboard looms as a promising type for next season.

Her dam Chi has a yearling colt by Pride of Dubai and is in foal to So You Think.

Champion sire Fastnet Rock stands this spring at a fee of $165,000.