The Julius Sandhu debutant Sharp Response kick-started what could be an important week for his sire Maurice (JPN) with an impressive performance over 1100m at Sale on Wednesday.
Ridden by Beau Mertens, the 2yo gelding had a wall of horses in front of him at the 300m. When eased out to clear running, Sharp Response charged home to defeat Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Cable Bay (IRE) filly Tranquil Bay by a short neck. Three-quarters of a length back in third was the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Flying Artie gelding The Art Of Flying, who made it a first season sire trifecta.
Sandhu said he was expecting a big run after the son of Maurice impressed in a recent jumpout.
“Beau rode him in a jumpout, he cuddled him and gave him a chance to finish off, so he taught him a bit there,” Sandhu said.
“That paid off today because he held him together, got some cover and brought him to the right part of the track. He will benefit a lot from the run, and more importantly, he will only get better over a trip.
“It’s very exciting, and I’m happy the way he performed at his first start. I’m not sure whether we give him another run or tip him out to give him a chance to recoup then bring him back.”
Purchased by Sandhu Racing for $70,000 out of the Flinders Park Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Sharp Response is the second foal and first winner for hard-knocking Host (CHI) mare Marli Magic.
Also a Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Marli Magic won five and placed in seven of her 30 starts while banking $228,155.
McDonald Racing purchased Marli Magic’s Impending filly for $80,000 when offered by Flinders Park at this year’s Inglis Premier.
Sharp Response becomes the sixth first-crop winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Maurice (JPN).
The Japanese champion has five stakes horses, and two of those, Port Louis and Invinsible Tears, line up in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
