Russeting became the second daughter of Commands to excel at the highest level this season when recording an impressive victory in the G1 Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Settled in a handy position, Russeting travelled superbly throughout the 1400m contest and unleashed a devastating burst of speed inside the final two furlongs to move clear of her rivals and despite a late charge from Prima Nova, went on to win by three-quarters of a length.
Making her first start for Bart Cummings, Russeting was purchased on behalf of Bell View Park Stud for $300,000 at the Magic Millions broodmare sale earlier this month and provided her new trainer with his fourth G1 winner of the season. The four-year-old mare has now won nine races, including the Listed Juanmo Quality Handicap at the same course back in April and will now be aimed at the G1 Myer Classic at Flemington next spring.
Commands is also sire of Sheikh Mohammed’s Purple, winner of the Storm Queen Stakes and the Queensland Oaks this year – both G1 contests. He has now sired four G1 winners and a further six horses that have been placed at this level. He stands at Darley’s Kelvinside Stud at a fee of $55,000 including GST.
Also on Saturday, Shamardal cemented his position at the head of the first season sire's table, notching his ninth individual winner when Kalinga Flash took the 1100m maiden at Sunshine Coast.
