02 May 2018 | Alan Parker
Some 20 years ago frozen semen of some of the world’s leading pacing sires was imported into Australia and a small number of breeders began to take advantage of the technology.
Western Australian breeder Jim Pantelos used frozen semen from the super sire Abercrombie with his handy New Zealand mare Top Shelf and in 1998 she dropped a filly later named Acropolis.
Acropolis was one of just four foals born in Australia in 1998 and all four were fillies and only one managed to win and that was Royal Abby which won just one race.
Acropolis had four just starts as a 2yo in Albany in the 2000/2001 season and never managed to finish closer that fifth.
She was sent to stud in Victoria and in 2003 produced a colt by Christian Cullen which was later named Parthenon Strike which won two races and just $10,420 in stakes. Parthenon Strike finished fourth to Sheza Clout in the 2006 Group Three Champagne Classic with Colin Brown at the reins.
After producing another colt by Christian Cullen in 2005 which failed to win a race Acropolis was transferred to the owner of Christian Cullen, Ian Dobson, who in 2006 bred a filly later named Yankee Dream.
A daughter of Dream Away, Yankee Dream was a star on the racetrack winning 15 races and some $277,214 in stakes including a win in the Group One 2yo NZ Sires Stakes final.
Acropolis was then sold to Clemence Drilling Contractors in 2010 and in 2014 she dropped a filly by Betterthancheddar which was named Detroit Lily.
Detroit Lily had just two starts in New Zealand earlier this season prior to being sold to Greg Bond and Robbie Gartrell.
She was a winner at Wyndham over a mile in 1:55.4 before finishing second at her only other start on the other side of the Tasman.
Last Friday night Detroit Lily was a brilliant winner of a prelude of the WA Oaks to bring up her third win in seven WA starts.
This Friday night Detroit Lily will be attempting to become the second Group One winner produced by her dam Acropolis when she lines up from barrier five in the $150,000 Gannon’s WA Oaks for trainer Skye Bond and driver Ryan Warwick.
It is a long way from a $2,000 2yo race at Albany in 2001.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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