Yarradale Stud’s yearling sale this Sunday has received dozens of updates in the last month and there’s more on the way for the Strategic – La Melba filly catalogued as Lot 15.

La Melba (Grand Lodge) has had two foals to race – G3 winner Raspberries and promising debut winner Escoffier – and they can both strike again before Sunday’s Sale.  They will go into battle on the back of a brilliant barrier trial win by La Melba’s third foal earlier this week.

Raspberries is a Darley homebred by Lonhro and she has been entered for the LR Scone Cup (1600m) on Friday and G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Trainer Peter Snowden has battled hoof problems with the mare but she has still won Group 3 races at Newcastle and Flemington this season.  “The improvement she has made is phenomenal,” he said.  “She’s been very under-estimated but has been so honest all her life.”

The Snowden trained Escoffier is also by Lonhro and he will attempt to make it two-from-two in the Pirtek Hcp (1400m) at Hawkesbury on Thursday.  He stalked the pace and then extended for a narrow victory on debut at Newcastle on April 28.

La Melba’s third foal is an unraced filly named Melba Avenue.  The daughter of Street Sense was the top-priced yearling at the 2011 Yarradale Stud Sale when purchased by leading owner Keith Biggs for $180,000.  She is due to debut soon after winning a Belmont Park barrier trial on Monday!

Yarradale Stud’s fourth annual yearlings sale is scheduled for this Sunday on site at Gidgegannup.  There are 64 yearlings going under the hammer and for a copy of the catalogue call Yarradale on (08) 9574 6490 or click here to view online.

Strategic – La Melba filly catalogued as Lot 15 at Yarradale’s yearling sale