In a tick over 84 seconds, Australian fans learned what all the fuss was about across the Tasman when the Sacred Falls colt Aegon kept his record at a perfect five for five in the Group II City Tattersalls Club Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Aegon found a gap inside the 200 metres to defeat the Brazen Beau colt North Pacific by one and a quarter lengths with Starspangledbanner gelding Prime Star a half-neck back in third.
The Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner has banked $1,040,216 to date with plenty more to come.
Representing his father, Bjorn Baker said the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas are on the radar.
“He had a lot of presence here today at the races, great ride by Hugh, Bjorn Baker said.
“Andrew bought him, he went out and I think they paid $150K for him from Waikato Stud.”
“Just a super result and great to be able to have them.
“I tell you what, I have a great relationship with my father when he’s on the opposite side of the Tasman.
I talked to Andrew before the race, he said just put him in his comfort zone and that’s what Hugh did.
“He rode him brilliantly, he’s exciting, it’s hard to think he’s not going to get better going into the Randwick/Rosehill Guineas.
“From there they’ll have a big decision to make. They’ve got plenty of options with him, he is a very exciting horse, they’ll just be thrilled.”
Purchased by Andrew Forsman for $150,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Aegon is the best of four winners from five to race out of the winning Zabeel mate Toss Up.
From the family of Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks and Group 1 CJC New Zealand 1000 Guineas heroine Daffodil (No Excuse Needed), Toss Up has a 2yo Tivaci filly named Single Tail who was purchased by Redgum racing for $110,000 at Karaka last year.
Toss Up was covered by Almanzor (FR) last spring.
Dual Group 1 Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls is looking a real loss for the industry.
The son of O’Reilly was part way through his fifth season at Waikato Stud when he died of a liver ailment.
