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Three-year-old becomes Sepoy’s 17th stakes winner
The Jessica Harrington-trained Punita Arora (3 f ex Wojha by Pivotal) ran out a ready winner of the Kuroshio At Compas Stallions Committed Stakes (Listed, 5.5f) at Naas on Monday and in the process became stakes winner number 17 for Darley-based Sepoy (Elusive Quality).
Shane Foley produced 22-1 shot Punita Arora down the outside late to win, getting the better of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Alligator Alley (Kingman).
Kate Harrington, assistant trainer, said: "We have to thank Will Hayes for his work over the last couple of weeks because she's been very difficult in the stalls. She was still slow out of them but didn't rear today, which was the main thing.
"Shane always said he thought it'd really play into her hands the fact that they'd go hard because she loves following.
"We'll see what the owners want to do, but the Commonwealth Cup could be an option next week. We've always held her in high regard. She'll get confidence from the stalls from today and if she could iron that out there could be a little more improvement hopefully."
Purchased by BBA Ireland for 41,000gns at the 2018 Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, the filly is out of winning Pivotal (Polar Falcon) mare Wojha, who is herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Muthabara (Red Ransom).
The filly’s third dam is Istiqlal (Diesis) who produced Group 3 winner Muqbil (Swain), who is herself a grandam of Group / Grade 3 winner Matera Sky (Speightstown) and Listed winners Nawwaar (Distorted Humor) and Raagheb (Street Cry).
Sepoy shuttled to Europe for five seasons and he now resides exclusively at Northwood Park in Victoria where his 2020 fee is $7,700 (inc GST).