ACE fillies Santa Carolina and Dashing Scarlet both ran many lengths below their best in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday, but two-year-old colt Banaadeer’s riveting debut in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m kept assistant trainer Mathew de Kock in a good frame of mind.

Banaadeer produced a flawless performance on his first visit to the track. He landed running, raced into the lead, kept a straight course and looked like he never came out of a strong canter, with jockey Antony Delpech looking over his shoulder fully 300m from the line. (Headline photo by JC Photos).

Delpech actually didn’t move a finger as Banaadeer strode further and further away from five totally outclassed young rivals who were in a contest of their own for second. Race caller Nico Kritsiotis estimated the winning distance to be about six lengths, but the official margin was 8.25-lengths and Delpech commented: “This is a smart colt and I hope I can stay on him!”

Mathew, transparent about Banaadeer’s ability, was naturally cautious about labeling Sheikh Hamdan’s two-year-old as a ‘good thing’. He agreed that this performance was quite spectacular to watch, but stressed that the strength of Banaadeer’s handful of co-runners was wholly unknown. Banaadeer would be tested against more competitive youngsters in due course to determine his depth of talent waiting to be tapped.

“Banaadeer is already a professional, he knows what to do and that is very promising. My mom (Diane) is doing a great job with our string of young horses. Thanks and well done to Sheikh Hamdan for giving us horses of this quality to train. It’s a privilege.”

Banaadeer is by internationally renowned stallion More Than Ready, who has sired near 250 international stakes winners, from Provence, a stakes-winning mare by the formidable Redoute’s Choice.

Banaadeer was among a large number of yearlings bought under Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell banner at the Inglis Australian Yearling Sale last year.

Offered in the Widden draft, he sold for $AUS700,000 to be the most expensive yearling by More Than Ready sold at the 2013 sale. He was also the most expensive yearling by his sire sold in 2013.

Foaled and raised at Widen Stud for client Robert Anderson, Banaadeer is a half brother to the Hong Kong stakes-winner Admiration and is the third winner produced by Provence, herself a three-quarter sister to Hong Kong International Sprint winner Inspiration and stakes-winner Lucky Unicorn.

Reflecting on the disappointing runs of the stable’s fancied three-year-olds Santa Carolina and Dashing Scarlet in the Fillies Guineas, Mathew said: “Santa Carolina didn’t act on the soft track, she takes to her sister Ilha Bela and this run can be forgiven.

“Dashing Scarlet just didn’t see out the 1600m at all. She’s a decent type and she has plenty of pace, but as noted before the race we were concerned about the mile and with her fading right out of contention she confirmed that she’s probably best raced up to 1400m for now.”

Banaadeer pedigree and sales information extracted from an article on racingandsports.com.au.