Three-year-old filly Basilinna has marked herself as a promising stayer following an impressive maiden win over 1600m at Cranbourne on Thursday.
Trained by Emma-Lee and David Browne from Pakenham, this daughter of Staphanos turned heads on her debut when she finished strongly over 1400m at Sale, narrowly losing to the talented Wolfy.
Ridden by champion jockey Blake Shinn as the -111.11 favourite, Basilinna lived up to her billing and was ridden with the confidence of being the best horse in the race.
She made her move three-deep throughout the race, ultimately outclassing her more experienced rivals to secure victory by a little over two lengths.
Interestingly, Emma-Lee and David Browne also bred Basilinna. She is the offspring of the Group Three placed staying mare, So Royal, a broodmare that David purchased for a mere $500.
“There is a bit of a story behind this one, David bought the mare for me after I’d lost Monarch Chimes (top-class jumper by Shinko King),” said co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne.
“I was very upset after the loss of Monarch Chimes… I initially said ‘that’s amazing’ but when we woke up the next day I said ‘What are we going to do with a broodmare?’”
The decision to breed Basilinna involved Novara Park stallion Staphanos, a son of Deep Impact who achieved success as both a two-year-old and a three-year-old, winning three races up to Group Three level.
Basilinna’s mix of a Shinko King mare and a Japanese stallion was seen as a promising combination.
“I really like the Deep Impact blood of Staphanos and he is a lovely type, and I also thought the mix of a Shinko King mare and a Japanese stallion was a nice combination.”
With Australian owners, including one of the main owners of Le Zebra, showing interest in Basilinna, her success is becoming even more special.
Emma-Lee Browne noted, “She was pretty green at her first start and she has taken great improvement. She loves being a racehorse and that is what we need. She hasn’t left a grain of food in her life.
“Blake seems positive that we can step up in distance, and now we have got a win we have got a few options. We are hoping to sneak into one of those three-year-old staying 2000m races and if she puts her hand up we will have a crack at the VRC Oaks (Group 1, 2500m).”
Blake Shinn, who had previously ridden Wolfy in the race where Basilinna caught his eye, expressed his confidence in the filly.
“Emma-Lee and David are great supporters of mine, and it is just nice. She is obviously a filly that possesses good staying ability and she did it the tough way today and just proved too strong,” said Shinn.
Basilinna’s sire, Staphanos, has been making waves as an emerging stallion, with notable offspring such as Pignan, last season’s Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce (1400m) winner over 1400m. Staphanos has a promising group of three-year-old progeny, including Medatsu, Don Stefano, and Lady Sass.
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