Becomes the second winner for former Arrowfield shuttler Mikki Isle

Having finished a close third on debut at Canterbury three weeks ago, the Mark Newnham-trained Dragonstone (2 g ex Quick’s The Word by Shamardal) broke his maiden on Wednesday in the Harry Angel @ Darley Maiden Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm. The victory provided former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Mikki Isle (Deep Impact) with his second Australian-bred winner. 

Caught wide, Dragonstone rounded the home turn on the outside and then ran on well, down the centre of the track, in the straight and scored an easy victory, beating War Eternal (Pierro) by a length. There was another two and a quarter lengths back to well-backed favourite Clemenceau (Capitalist) in third. 

Bred by Forest Lodge Super Fund, Dragonstone was passed in for $65,000 when offered in the draft of Holbrook Thoroughbreds at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He becomes the second winner, from as many foals to race, out of three-time winning Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare Quick’s The Word. 

She was covered by Cosmic Force (Deep Field) last November having foaled a colt by Headwater (Exceed And Excel). She also has a yearling filly by Pariah (Redoute’s Choice). 

Mikki Isle shuttled to Arrowfield Stud for three seasons between 2017 and 2019 during which time he covered 249 mares, producing 160 live foals. In Japan he has sired 21 winners headed by the Grade Two winning filly Meikei Yell and Listed winning colt Dualist.