Almanzor mare repays trainer’s faith

Kelly Schweida’s frustration came to an end at Doomben where the well-related Signita struck the first winning blow of her career. The victory was overdue for our homebred daughter of Almanzor, who impressed her Eagle Farm-based trainer from the outset.“She has showed me as much as any horse in trackwork, but she’s had a few issues so this has been very good and she’ll gain confidence from it,” Schweida said.“It’s a great result for a gorgeous filly with a great pedigree.

”The four-year-old settled three back on the fence before rider Kyle Wilson-Taylor angled the chestnut into the clear across the top and she let down strongly to win with a good degree of authority over 1660 metres.Signita was sold on our behalf by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where Schweida had the final say at A$380,000 for owner Judy Wanless.She is a half-sister to our multiple winner and Group placegetter Manchu and a sister to Carrazana, who recently broke his maiden at his second run from Chris Waller’s stable.

Their dam is the unraced Shamardal mare Empress Cixi, who is in foal to Sword Of State, and she is a half-sister to G2 Saint-Cloud Prix Greffuhle winner and Group 1 performer Ocovango while the second dam Crystal Music won the G1 Ascot Fillies’ Mile.