TDN RISING STARS

May 28, 2011 - HAYDOCK PARK, Race , Mdn, GBP £5,000, 5f, 16.4500

Shumoos, F, 2011, by Distorted Humor

1st Dam: Wile Cat, by Storm Cat
2nd Dam: Strategic Maneuver, by Cryptoclearance
3rd Dam: Prayer Wheel, by Conquistador Cielo

Owner: Fawzi Abdulla Nass
Breeder: Brushwood Stable
Trainer: Brian Meehan

Shumoos carried a smart home reputation into this competitive maiden, but her trainer's newcomers almost always benefit from their first outing and the market focus was firmly on the Tabor-Hannon newcomer and 10-11 pick Pink Sapphire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Attracting some support into 17-2, the chestnut was keen in the early stages but was always traveling with serious purpose held up three lengths off the generous pace. Running up behind rivals inside the final quarter, the $375,000 KEESEP yearling turned on the afterburners when switched right and swept aside Frederick Engels (GB) (Iceman {GB}) passing the furlong marker. Drawing clear in impressive style under a hand ride, she had 4 1/2 lengths to spare over that experienced rival at the line, with the much-touted Pink Sapphire only fourth. Winning jockey Shane Kelly told PA Sport, "I know she's a filly Brian has liked and it's a job well done. She jumped the gate, I wanted cover because of the strong head wind and I was taken by the way she quickened up." Meehan's assistant Patrick McEwan added, "That was very impressive and Shane thinks she is an Ascot filly. The boss thinks an awful lot of her and a performance like that sends a shiver down your spine. Obviously, there will be talks with the owners but Ascot is likely to come into it. It takes a smart filly to beat the colts." Shumoos was produced by Wile Cat, who made $1.3 million as a Keeneland September yearling in 2004. Though she never made the races, Wile Cat was always going to be a hot broodmare prospect as a daughter of MGISW Strategic Maneuver (Cryptoclearance), also the dam of GSW and sire Ishiguru (Danzig) and GSW Cat Fighter (Storm Cat). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £3,238.