A Maschino – Sheza Chalmer filly topped the Magic Millions WA Winter Yearling Sale on Sunday when purchased by Roostand Racing principal David Gatti for $55,000.
She’s the first foal from Sheza Chalmer (Vital Equine) who won the LR Belmont Guineas (1600m) in 2021 and was sold by Gervase Park Stud (as agent) to dissolve a partnership comprising her breeders David & Dee Gatti, Mark & Lyn Jones, Brandon & Lisa Publow and Bernie Miller (Belles Park).
“She’s a lovely filly and will be trained by Summer Dickson,” Stoneville-based Gatti said. “I have a few with Summer down at Port Kennedy and the best of them so far is the Safeguard 3yo Hurricane Harley who has won at Ascot and Belmont this season.”
The Maschino connection has already been a seven-figure money-spinner for the filly’s breeders. They race the Alwyn Park stallion’s flagbearer Jokers Grin who returns to pre-training at Thenford Farm this week after being sidelined from the Brisbane winter carnival with a foot abscess.
Thenford Farm is located in the NSW Southern Highlands at Sutton Forest and is the go-to facility for champion trainer Chris Waller whether it be spelling, educating or rehabilitating his huge team. “He did extra well during that time off and they tell me his feet are looking good,” managing part-owner Mark Jones relayed on Monday. “There are any number of good races for him and we will be guided by Chris going into the new season.”
Jokers Grin won the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m), G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) last year when trained by Bernie Miller before transferring to Waller in January. His dam Walk In Beauty (Barely A Moment) has a leggy colt on the ground by Maschino and she’s due to foal to him again in September. The same scenario applies to Sheza Chalmer who has a weanling colt by Maschino with another PPT to him off an early cover last year.
Alwyn Park has raised the service fee for Maschino (Encosta de Lago) to $13,750 (inc GST) this year. Standing alongside him at Serpentine will be Minsk Moment (I Am Invincible) who will be covering his first commercial book at a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee.