Exciting two-year-old filly Gongs became the first southern-hemisphere winner for her sire Dawn Approach with a dominant display on her racing debut at Canterbury on Wednesday, 22 November.
Gongs broke smartly from the gate and was sent straight to the front. She disctated throughout the five-and-a-half-furlong contest to win by a very impressive five and a half lengths.
Bred and raced by Godolphin, trainer James Cummings was very impressed with her first-up win. "It's lovely to see a two year-old with that sort of speed from the gate, she was in a different post code,” said Cummings.
"It's good for her sire Dawn Approach and we can now look for a nice race for her next year."
Gongs is a half-sister to Stakes-placed Mesa and is the fifth winner from five foals to race out of the Stakes-winning Bel Esprit mare Belcentra.
Dawn Approach has sired 13 winners from his first northern hemisphere crop, including four Stakes performers, a number which can be beaten only by Dabirsim. They include G2 filly Mary Tudor and G3 Silver Flash third Dawn Delivers.
Dawn Approach stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €20,000 Oct 1, Special Live Foal.
