Far from disgraced when sixth in the $500,000 Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley in October last year, the two-year-old Headwater colt Predetermined emerges from an 18-week hiatus to open his winning account over 1200m at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.
Ridden by Jamie Kah for Leon and Troy Corstens, Predetermined led at every call to defeat Godolphin's first-starter Amegdul (Medaglia d'Oro) three-quarters of a length with the favourite Montana Flash (Star Turn) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Amegdul chased hard for the length of the straight in an impressive career debut. A brother to Group 1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes winner Astern and a half-brother to triple Group 1 winner Alizee, Amegdul won't let the family down.
Stable representative Don Sutton said they came to the race with some confidence.
"It was a good effort from him. It wasn't the plan to lead, but he looked to be slightly over-doing it down the back, so Jamie elected to roll forward and let him flow," Sutton said.
"That's why you put these top jockeys on. They are very good at rating races, and she judged it to a tee.
"He is a horse that we always thought had a nice amount of ability.
"He was coming to the end of his prep at Moonee Valley. He has developed and furnished into a really nice colt.
"I'm not sure what Leon and Troy have planned for him. He knocked his maiden of here today. so I will leave it up to them to find a nice path for him."
Predetermined is a 3-time veteran of the sales ring.
Another successful pinkook for Kulani Park, Predetermined, was purchased for $30,000 as a weanling. He doubled that when purchased as a yearling by Baystone Farm, who then hit it out of the park at the 2020 Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale when Mark Pilkington Management purchased the son of Headwater for $200,000.
Bred by Vinery Stud, Predetermined is the second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Red Ransom (USA) mare Future Gains.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Reign Of Terror (More Than Ready) Future Gains has a yearling colt by Press Statement and was covered by Casino Prince last spring.
