Connections were relieved when the one-time Stradbroke Handicap favourite Ayrton opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Group III Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm and they now have the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle in their sights.
Given a sweet ride by James McDonald, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained son of Iffraaj (GB) came clear in the closing stages to defeat the Spill The Beans colt Ellsberg by two and three-quarter lengths with another son of Spill The Beans, Mobster, a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Ayrton arrived in Brisbane with a huge reputation and an undefeated record in three starts in Melbourne. He lost some lustre when beaten by Apache Chase in the Fred Best Classic, which he needed to win to earn a start in the Stradbroke.
‘The race that I would like to put a circle around that would give the best return to the owners is the Golden Eagle,” Mick Price said.
“That is to be discussed and we will have a think about it.
The Golden Eagle is run over 1500m at Rosehill on October 30, which Price believes is in his distance range.
“Anywhere from between a mile and 2000m. Further than that I am not sure. He has a good set of lungs and a turn of foot for a mile.
“In this mile race here, we saw him travel strongly because he doesn’t quite get it yet, but he is getting there and I think a mile is beautiful."
Bred by Greg McCarthy and sent to Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan, Ayrton caught the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in a barrier trial. Purchased by clients of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Ayrton carries the increasingly familiar colours of Roll The Dice Racing.
Passed in shy of his $40,000 reserve at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Ayrton is the second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Falkirk mare Odessa.
A half-sister to the Group III Eulogy Stakes winner Monterey Bay, Odessa died in 2019. Her final foal is a 2yo colt by Sweynesse.
