Daggers Drawn (Diesis-Sun And Shade, by Ajdal) had a great innings at the Ellerslie premier meeting last weekend with the stakewinning pair Boulevardofdreams (Gr II Championship Stakes) and Iflooxcouldkill (Gr I Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes).

Both Daggers Drawn representatives carried virtually identical bloodline patterns, which are not hard to identify.

The Daggers Drawn victories capped off a memorable New Year for the Curraghmore Stud, at Ohaupo, outside Hamilton, and the proprietors Gordon and Robyn Cunningham. Earlier their Danehill-Plush A Venture colt was sold for a million dollars at Karaka.

Daggers Drawn comes from British stock, though his immediate lineage was USA orientated. He raced in Britain winning three times from four appearances at two, major successes coming in the Goodwood Richmond Stakes and the Doncaster Laurent Perrier Stakes, both with Group II ranking.

He raced only twice at three years before shuttling to New Zealand for his first term at stud and returning to Britain.

His eldest New Zealand runners are aged three and the British relatives are two-year-olds.

Where bloodlines are concerned Daggers Drawn carries a highly influential triple descending from the No 14C family. This lineage is allied with the great Pretty Polly (1901 Gallinule—Admiration, by Saraband).

She has been ranked as the 20th century’s most prestigious female breeding proposition by English authority Tony Morris. She was a star galloper beforehand winning the 1000 Guineas, the Oaks and beating the colts in the St Leger.

The Daggers Drawn attraction revolves around three Pretty Polly factors in the first six removes. These are Donatello II (twice) and Lady Angela, who is Nearctic’s dam.

In the Ellerslie triumphs both Iflooxcouldtell and Boulevardofdreams carry further Pretty Polly presences in their respective dams.

The Iflooxcouldtell dam Hear’s Hoping has another five Pretty Polly lines up front. They comprise Lady Angela, her half sister Lady Sybil, Donatello II, Montagnana and Turkish Blood.

All told Ifloocoulkdkill carries a most impressive eight Pretty Polly factors up front.

Two among the eight linebreeding presences are in the bottom or female tail line, which many commentators claim is the most influential part in a pedigree.

By the way Iflooxcouldtell has a three-year-old full sister Identify, who has won twice already this year for the Katrina Alexander stable.

The other Ellerslie winner Boulevardofdreams has three more Pretty Polly strains in her dam Faustine, who descends from formidable southern taproot mare Francolin. The trio involves Donatello II and his sister Donatello and a mare called Gadabout.

Other Pretty Polly descendants worth considering for Daggers Drawn include Caerlissa, Count Rendered, Lord Bobs, Sybil’s Sister, Supreme Court and company.

The 14CC factor seems to be working nicely for Daggers Drawn at this early stage and owners should study their matrons to check on any Pretty Polly presences.