Third behind glamour fillies Funstar and Probabeel in the Group I ATC Surround Stakes at the start of the autumn, quality Deep Field filly Xilong proved the worth of that form when scoring a thrilling win in the $175,000 Group II SAJC Euclase Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, she was fitted with blinkers for this assignment and from gate one was quick to find the front and take control.
Well ridden by Barend Vorster, Xilong set a fierce pace and although tiring on the line had enough left to hold off the finish of race favourite Garner to score a tenacious half head win.
“Nothing has gone right for her this preparation,” said Calvin McEvoy.
“We knew she had the benefit of fitness on her side today and she had worked beautifully at home in the blinkers.
“She had to do all the work, so it was a tough effort.”
With five wins and three placings from nine starts, Xilong has already won nearly $380,000 and will be competitive in the upcoming Group I SAJC Goodwood Handicap (1200m)..
A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the Newgate Farm draft, Xilong runs for an ownership group that includes her breeders SF Bloodstock and Blake Sandblom.
She was foaled and raised at Newgate Farm and is the best of three winners from Group III winner Pane in the Glass, whose current yearling, a filly by Capitalist made $350,000 at Inglis Easter for Newgate Farm when snapped up by Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds / X Factor Pedigrees.
Pane in the Glass has a weanling filly by Russian Revolution and was covered last spring by Xilong’s sire Deep Field.
Xilong was not the only good winner for Deep Field on Saturday with the Prime Thoroughbreds owned filly Fituese resuming from a spell to score a dazzling win at Randwick.
The John Thompson trained filly was primed for her return with a recent trial win and was favourite for the 1000 metre benchmark 72 event, dashing away to win by nearly three lengths in a sizzling 56.99 seconds.
A $55,000 Magic Millions Perth purchase for Prime Thoroughbreds from the Western Breeders Alliance draft, Fituese has already won four of six starts earning over $160,000 in prizemoney.
She is the second winner from Cattalo, a Tiger Hill (IRE) grand-daughter of four-time Group I winner Mannerism.
Newgate Farm’s Deep Field is the leading sire of three year-old winners in the country this season.
– Newgate Farm
