Thursday’s Pinjarra meeting produced promising 3yo winners by Astern, War Chant (USA), Rommel and Universal Ruler (2) but, of the five, it was easy to like the way Shaka Zulu emerged from traffic to claim the Vale Classy Dresser Maiden (1000m).
Sitting back in the field on the outside rail, Shaka Zulu (pictured in green cap) peeled off the heels of Exporose (Universal Ruler) and speared through a gap to defeat the Gingerbread Man placegetters Ima Single Gal and Kipitaki.
The Rommel newcomer is trained by Rob Gulberti and is raced by a syndicate managed by his wife Renee. His dam Elusive Zulu is an unraced half-sister to Grand Zulu (G1 BMW Stakes) and Perth sprinter-miler Field Commander who won 12 city races for clients of trainer Colin Webster.
Elusive Zulu has changed hands twice since a wretched start to her stud career in NSW when foals by Stratum, Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) and Magic Albert all died after birth.
She was sold by Yarraman Park (as agent) for $12,000 to Belmont Bloodstock acting on behalf of Mogumber Park at the 2015 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale. Better luck followed at the Bullsbrook nursery with three winners from four foals by resident stallions Safeguard and Rommel.
Shaka Zulu was the last of that quartet before Elusive Zulu was on-sold to Brad and Nikki McGinty for $2,250 at an Inglis Digital Sale in September 2020. She foaled a filly by Safeguard two months later and her latest is a Stinchar filly born last September.
Stinchar (Exceed And Excel – Pinwherry by Selkirk) won a Yarra Valley maiden by five lengths and followed up with another front-running victory at Geelong before his career was curtailed as an autumn 3yo. Bred and raced by Sheikh Mohammed, Stinchar is from an unraced daughter of G1 Longchamp Prix Ganay winner Kartajana. He stands with the McGintys for a $1,500 fee (inc GST).
