Exciting Extreme Choice filly Espiona kept her record at a perfect two for two with a contemptuous six and a half-length romp in the Listed VRC Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on VRC Oaks Day.
The Chris Waller-trained three year-old filly was backed to the exclusion of all others following her impressive debut win at Warwick Farm last month.
James McDonald had the Star Thoroughbreds colour-bearer in the second half of the field and when angled to the centre of the track in the straight, Espiona was never out of second gear to win by a widening six and a half lengths.
McDonald did his best to keep his emotions in check.
“She’s very special, the way she does everything so easily,” he said.
“I feel embarrassed taking my riding fee for that one. She is a very, very smart filly, and it will take a crowbar to get me off her.
“Once I got into that right spot, I was very comfortable for three furlongs. Her acceleration is something to behold. She gives you the feel of a proper horse.
“It probably looked as good as it felt. She’s a lovely filly. They have taken their time with her. She could have run as a two-year-old but they’ve taken their time with her and will reap the rewards.
“She’s been very push-button, very well educated, and the world is her oyster.
“It’ll take something for a horse to beat a performance like that in Cup Week.”
Bred by Torryburn Stud in partnership with Frank Cook, Espiona was a $190,000 purchase by Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
From Waikato Stud’s phenomenal Escada family, Espiona is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Dahooil, a sister to stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly and half-sister to stakes-winner Pretty to Sea, the family also producing Group I winners Glamour Puss, Vision and Power and Steps in Time.
This season’s Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Vase winner Forgot You is another star family member.
Dahooil has not had a foal since Espiona and was covered by Capitalist last spring.
Espiona is the sixth stakes-winner for Extreme Choice from his first crop of 48 foals with his stakes-winner to runner strike rate running at 25%!
A horse with well documented fertility issues, Extreme Choice is standing at a private fee this year.
