Impressive 2YO Stakes-Winner for Pride of Dubai

The Group III ATC Schweppervescence (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday was won by lightly raced gelding Saif (2g Pride of Dubai x Little Miss Smiley, by Husson), whose full brother will be offered by Coolmore at Inglis Easter next Wednesday.

Trained by Team Hawkes, Saif had his first two starts in Victoria winning on debut at Ballarat before finishing second to exciting colt Lightsaber in the Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes.

Brought to Sydney for this race and partnered by champion Melbourne jockey Craig Williams, Saif enjoyed a good run on the fence in transit after jumping from gate one.

When angled into clear ground down the straight, the powerhouse chestnut was able to overhaul Frankel gelding Converge to win running away by a length and three-quarters.

“We gelded him early as he’s a big horse. He’s still a baby and still learning what it’s all about and doing this on raw talent,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.

“He’s going to develop into a magnificent three year-old.”

A $290,000 Inglis Easter purchase last year for Hawkes Racing from the Coolmore draft, Saif has already won nearly $140,000 for owners Tora Racing.

Another stakes-winner foaled and raised at Coolmore, he is a half-brother to Group II placed Serious Liaison and is the best of four winners from four foals to race from stakes-placed Little Miss Smiley.

Little Miss Smiley is a half-sister by Husson (Arg) to Group II winner Leonardo Da Hinchi and her current yearling is another colt by Pride of Dubai that will be offered as Lot 393.

Saif becomes the eighth stakes-winner worldwide for Pride of Dubai, who covered his biggest book of 202 mares last spring in Australia at a fee of $38,500.