Well-related colt to kick off in Donald Classic
Another member of the family that has been the cornerstone for Michael Christian's Longwood Thoroughbreds' recent success will make his debut on Saturday.
Starspangledbanner two-year-old Washington will contest the $30,000 Donald Classic (1200m) at Donald.
Washington is the 10th foal from Runaway Jesse, a daughter of Rory's Jester who was retired after two unflattering starts but has proven a star in the breeding barn.
Her first foal, Jesse's Girl, was a city winner and multiple Stakes placegetter, including being runner-up in Queensland's Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes, but Runaway Jesse's best-performed product to date is fourth foal Eloping.
The daughter of Choisir won seven of 24, including the Keith Mackay Stakes and Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley at Group 3 level and the Listed Silk Stocking Stakes and a Blue Diamond Preview and Blue Sapphire Stakes when they were Listed events.
As good as she was on the track, Eloping is even better as a broodmare, having produced this season's premier sprinting three-year-old filly In Secret, a Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap-winning daughter of I Am Invincible.
Of The Brave was Runaway Jesse's foal that followed Eloping and he looked set to out-perform his older sister, winning a Debutant Stakes and Blue Diamond Prelude at his first two starts, but was retired due to injury after just one more start.
Washington is in the care of Ben and Jd Hayes, who gave the colt two jumpouts in December before a spell.
The colt was next seen finishing fifth in a Flemington jumpout on May 5 before reappearing at the same venue on June 2, when a dashing four-length winner of an 800m jumpout.
Washington will be ridden by Jake Duffy in the Donald Classic, which is Race 4 on the card at 1.51pm.
