Argentia shines in the Kevin Hayes Stakes

Well-bred Frankel filly Argentia lived up to her pedigree with a fast-finishing victory in the Gr.3 Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Taken from www.breednet.com.au, 12th February 2022 by Mark Smith:

Argentia emerged from a lay off to stage a thrilling last to first performance in Saturday’s Gr.3 Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield.

A hugely impressive debut winner at Flemington last June when defeating Black Caviar’s talented daughter Invincible Caviar, Argentia finished unplaced, as favourite, behind stablemate Zouzarella in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley on 4th September. There was little money for the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained three-year-old in her first start in 23 weeks.

Given a patient ride by Mark Zahra, Argentia powered down the centre of the track to edge out favourite Scorched Earth by a nose with Asfoora three-quarters of a length further back in third.

“She’s a very, very good filly. She was not screwed down for this, we wanted to give her a nice return," said Sam Freedman.

He continued: “We’ve got some decisions to make now where we head and she’s got a very bright future. We’ll have a chat with her owner (John Camilleri)."

Jockey Mark Zahra said: “She’s got a will to win and when she got a sniff of victory she took it and won well.”

Argentia carried the colours of John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds after her purchase by James Harron for $670,000 out of the Evergreen Stud Farm draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. The daughter of Frankel is the eighth foal of the champion Encosta De Lago mare Princess Coup.