Arrowfield champion Redoute’s Choice’s increased his tally of Group 1 winners to 20 when Absolutely sailed home in the AJC Australian Oaks at Randwick on Saturday.
Absolutely (3f Redoute’s Choice – Catshaan by Catrail) was a maiden going into the classic although she had been a last-start second to Lights of Heaven in the G1 SAJC Australasian Oaks on March 26.
In a finish dominated by Victorian visitors, the Cranbourne based filly skimmed the rails for a three length victory over AJC Derby G1 winner Shamrocker (O’Reilly) and Pinker Pinker (Reset).
Everything about Absolutely underscores the message of quality’s endurance. She was bred by Muzaffar Yaseen’s Teeley Assets, also responsible for Redoute’s Choice himself, and is raced by Rick Jamieson, the breeder of Australia’s current racing superstar Black Caviar.
She is a daughter of the Arrowleave Joint Venture-bred mare Catshaan, a half-sister to the recently retired champion Japanese sprinter-miler Kinshasa No Kiseki, from the family of European G1 winners Plumania and Groom Dancer.
Absolutely was purchased by Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for $150,000 from the Coolmore draft at the 2009 Inglis Easter yearling sale. Her dam Catshaan is carrying a three-quarter sibling to the AJC Oaks winner by Manhattan Rain.
Redoute’s Choice currently leads the Australian sires’ list by stakes winners with 12. Japanese stakes winner Clianthus and NZ Group 1 winner King’s Rose take his worldwide tally for the season to 14.
He has now sired five Oaks winner following Miss Finland & Samantha Miss (VRC Oaks) and Anamato & Gallica (SAJC Australasian Oaks).
Earlier this week, Arrowfield announced Redoute’s Choice will stand for a $137,500 (inc gst) fee this year which is significantly lower than 2010.