Savabeel filly strikes early on

High-priced yearling Shield Wall capped the encouraging start she has made to his career with a victory at Kembla Grange this afternoon. The three-year-old had placed in four of her previous five appearances and a step up to a mile was all that was required for her to open her account.

A daughter of Savabeel in the Chris Waller stable, Shield Wall was purchased out of WS’s 2015 Premier Sale draft to Karaka in 2015 for $260,000. Out of Natural Rhythm, she is a sister to the stakes winner and Group performer Ray’s Girl.

It is a strong black type family that features the dual Group One heroine Domino, in turn the dam of the top-flight winner Hero. WS sold Shield Wall’s half-sister by Pins at Karaka last year to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $240,000.