Shantaine Tipped For The Top (May 13 2010)

A mishap as a youngster has proved a blessing in disguise for the exciting filly Shantaine who overcame the odds for an impressive home-track success yesterday. The WS-bred and sold three-year-old is held in the highest regard by Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett who rates her a top-class staying prospect.

Shantaine was a juvenile trial winner a year ago, but was sidelined after an accident. "She went over and broke a vertebrae in her tail and in some ways that was probably of benefit to her - she's a big filly and has taken time to develop," Collett said.

Shantaine finished third on debut last month and yesterday strode to victory over 1400 metres on dead footing. "That was a big effort from her to win over the distance and on a track that definitely didn't suit her," Collett said. "She'll probably go to the paddock now and look ahead to the spring. She's very smart and I see her becoming a very good quality stayer."

The daughter of Pins was purchased by Collett from WS's 2008 Premier Sale draft for $280,000 on behalf of Gerald and Bruce Shand. "She was a big filly when I bought her and a lovely type and we've got six or seven by Pins in the stable and we've never rushed any of them - I see much the same scenario with them as this one (Shantaine)."

Out of the winning Centaine mare Centelise, Shantaine is a half-sister to the Singapore winner Dragon World (O'Reilly). It is the rich Gr 1 family of the VRC Derby and Caulfield Guineas winner and successful sire Grosvenor.

WS enjoyed a winning double at Pukekohe yesterday with the lightly-raced Savabeel filly Princessabeel also opening her account at her fourth start. Out of the Danasinga mare Top Spinner, she became the 31st individual winner for her sire. Princessabeel is owned by the Matamata farm and raced on lease by clients of trainer Graham Richardson's stable.