Not for first time, Joe Azzopardi and his younger sister Chloe were in winning form for Yarradale Stud at Northam on Wednesday.

Chloe won the first-leg on Champagne Dame in the Byron Bay Premium Lager Hcp (1400m) and ‘Smokin Joe’ punched home Excelestial in the All Flags Signs & Banners Hcp (1100m).

Champagne Dame might be worth following on the strength of a quick rise from Maiden company to a Class 3 against older horses.  Chloe sat her outside the leader and they maintained a high-cruising speed in the straight to defeat the favourite Expressionist (Willie Pike) and Main Engine (Joe Azzopardi).

Trained by Impressive Racing’s Darren McAuliffe, the 3yo filly is by Yarradale champion War Chant (USA) and was a $20,000 buy at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions.  Apart from returns of $63,400 to date, there's also $2,610 in credits with EPONA.  She’s a full or half-sister to six winner and is the final foal of G3 Queensland Winter Stakes winner Heptonstall (Octagonal).

Excelestial caused a $41 boilover and quaddie punters who coupled the field in the last had Joe Azzopardi to thank for a $32,140 pay-out.  He settled the 5yo mare in the box-set and then got first run on hot favourite Mrs America (Willie Pike) at the top of the straight.

The Yarradale-bred graduate was looking for line in the final stages and was helped by a scrimmage that cruelled the chances of late closers God Has Chosen (Playing God) and Ghost Who Walks (God Has Spoken).

Excelestial (Excelebration) was a $20,000 buy at the 2018 Yarradale Stud Yearling Sale and has now earned over $84,000 for clients of astute trainer Hec McLaren.  There’s also $5,580 in EPONA credits for when she is retired to stud.

Yarradale bought her dam Yardi Yardi (Snippetson) for $25,000 at the 2016 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  There was already a WA link her family through Listed winners Bippo No Bungus (Starstruck Classic) and Sandy’s Pleasure (Pinjarra Oaks Trial).

Chloe Azzopardi pilots another $41 Yarradale longshot at Ascot this Saturday when Interstate contests the TABtouch Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1500m).  The War Chant 5yo gelding won twice at Ascot for Neville Parnham and is now with Ben Owen at Serpentine.

A winning treble on Yarradale-sired winners was a career highlight for Chloe on Easter Saturday in 2019.  Dance Music (War Chant) kicked it off and she filled out a memorable day on stablemate Valour Road (Frost Giant) and Settlers Creek (Discorsi).

Valour Road and Chloe were reunited in the G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes last year and they stole a winning break in a result that impressed her then master Simon Miller.  “I’m so proud of Chloe,” he said.  “She works hard and deserves everything that comes her way.  She had the horse travelling on the steel and he looked like the Valour Road of old.”

Yarradale Stud stands War Chant for an $11,000 service fee alongside Gingerbread Man ($5,500) and Bradbury’s Luck ($3,300).  All fees (inc GST).