Yarradale Stud homebred Soldier’s Lass made an overdue debut at Pinjarra on Sunday but the wait was worth it when she sprinted to an impressive victory in the Alcoa Maiden (1000m).

A four year-old mare by Soldier’s Tale, she vied with the leaders down the grandstand rail and held off One Ring (Hurricane Sky) to win by a length.

Soldier’s Lass (4m Soldier’s Tale – Arabian Lass by Al Mufti) won a Lark Hill barrier trial for trainer Dan Morton in February 2012 but was sidelined for 18 months with some lameness issues that took time to resolve.

“We were going to send her to stud unraced but she was travelling so well around the paddock we asked Danny to give her one more try,” Yarradale manager Bernie Hamill recalled.  “It’s worked out well.”

The mare owns a Group 1 international pedigree and any prizemoney will be a bonus before she is finally retired.

Soldier’s Lass is by Group 1 Royal Ascot winner Soldier’s Tale (Stravinsky) and her South African bred dam Arabian Lass claimed Group 1 victories at Kenilworth, Gosforth and Greyville.

Yarradale owner Ron Sayers bought Arabian Lass for $60,000 at the 2008 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  Her Australian progeny includes LR Toowoomba Cup winner Musashi Of Mieko (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Perth sprinter Dash for Home (Dash for Cash).

Two of her (Aus) bred yearlings – Arabian Empire (Anabaa) and Arabian Jazz (Danehill Dancer) – were bought by South African interests and they have both won over there.  Arabian Jazz was also Group 3 placed at Turffontein.

Arabian Lass has a yearling colt by War Chant who will be catalogued for the 2014 Perth Magic Millions.  The mare foaled a Scandal Keeper filly in September and was bred back to Frost Giant.

– Karl Patterson