Second Win for Desert War Brother

Not sighted since finishing midfield in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby last year won by Fiveandahalfstar, promising four year-old Our Desert Warrior kicked off his spring campaign with a stylish win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

A full brother to multiple Group I winner Desert War and half-brother to Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk, the Gai Waterhouse trained son of Desert King (IRE) was tuned up with a couple of recent trials and stripped fit and ready to go for this 1550 metre assignment.

He travelled smoothly just off the pace for Tommy Berry and forged clear to win by the best part of a length, his overall record now two wins from just five starts.

“They are only three year-olds once, so you have to have a go at the big races, but in hindsight he just wasn’t quite ready mentally for a race like the Derby,” said stable representative Mark Newnham.

“He’s a full brother to Desert War, so you’d expect him to just keep improving with age.”

A $260,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Widden Stud, Our Desert Warrior runs for a syndicate of Waterhouse stable clients, who could well be in for a lot of fun with this talented gelding.

Bred by Gooree Stud, Our Desert Warrior is the seventh winner from seven foals to race from remarkable producer High Heels, a half-sister by Canny Lady to stakes-winner Actress.

High Heels has not only left two Group I winners in $3million earner Desert War and Laser Hawk, but she is also the grand-dam of Northern Meteor three year-old Romantic Touch, who won the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes in Brisbane during the winter.