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Chicama the Kirkham Plate’s Shore thing

Chicama will become the latest to race from goldmine mare The Broken Shore when she steps out in the $160,000 Kirkham Plate at Randwick on Saturday.

Chicama as a yearling.
Chicama as a yearling. Picture: Inglis

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt will become the seventh to race from the daughter of Hussonet, who is out of Shantha's Choice, which makes her a half-sister to many stars including Redoute's Choice.

Chicama was a $1.35 million buy for the China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing out of the Arrowfield draft at this year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and Bott expects him to take great improvement from his third placing in a 740m trial at Randwick on October 8.

"He was a little bit new in the early part of his trial, the only time that we've seen him, but his closing sectionals were very impressive on the day," Bott told RSN927.

"I'm sure he's sharpened up for that experience and, if he puts it all together, there's no doubt he's got a good bit of talent there."

Chicama was beaten a length in the trial, which was won by Godolphin colt Comedy with Chicama's stablemate The Little General in second spot.

Comedy, a son of Snitzel, and All Too Hard youngster The Little General are among Chicama's rivals in the Kirkham Plate.

The Broken Shore's best to race to date is her first foal Shoals, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, who won seven of 15 starts including the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Surround Stakes (1400m) and Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Group 1 level.

Second foal Tides, also a filly by Fastnet Rock, won three of eight starts and is now at stud, while The Broken Shore's first colt Groundswell, another by Fastnet Rock, cost $2.3m as a yearling and was a Listed winner who placed in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Fourth and fifth foals Rapids (Medaglia d'Oro) and Fjord (Fastnet Rock) are also winners, while the Espinho, who, like Chicama is a son of Written Tycoon and cost $950,000 at Magic Millions, is yet to win but is only four starts into his career with Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Chicama is $4 joint second favourite with Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Star Turn filly Arabella Star in Kirkham Plate betting, which is headed by Comedy ($3.40), who is a half-brother to Stakes winners Bacchanalia and Aquitane.

Godolphin and James Cummings also have Exceed And Excel colt Gaeilge and Lapis Lazuli engaged, the latter being a daughter of Microphone who hails from the family of Golden Slipper winner Forensics.