Shine Tiara

Courtesy Carrot Club

Shine Tiara is a bay filly, bought on the last day of sales before the 2014 crop went up on the Carrot Club website. Her sire was Casino Drive, who won four races from eight starts, and comes from the loins of the hugely successful Mineshaft, who brought together the DNA of Seattle Slew (via A.P. Indy), Secretariat and Mr Prospector, while his dam, Better Than Honour, was sired by Deputy Minister and can boast Blushing Groom (by Red God) as her damsire.

This pretty newcomer's dam was Sunday TC horse, Princess Dolce (with a 2-4-3 record from four seasons) by Admire Vega. This brings in my treasured Hail To Reason blood via Sunday Silence, as well as that of Tony Bin and Northern Dancer. Kris is the damsire, with Katies (the grandmother of Princess Dolce) being of special interest to me, as this four-time winner gave birth to Ukon, who Louis used to ride occasionally, along with the legendary Hishi Amazon.

It's very doubtful she will run in Hokkaido at this late stage, so let's hope she comes straight to the Nankan scene, preferably at Funabashi. Wouldn't it be nice if she could be placed with Harita-san's new stable! Anyway, as the first live foal from Princess Dolce, it will be interesting to watch her progress.