Entered for the Group I ATC Golden Rose, Astern colt Brigantine gave notice of better things to come when resuming from a spell to win at Randwick on Wednesday.
A Godolphin homebred trained by James Cummings, Brigantine had two unplaced runs in town back in March that were inconclusive, but a good showing in two recent trials saw him sent to the post as favourite for the 1100m maiden.
A little fresh in the yard, Brigantine did enough to win by a long neck breaking the class record and will take a lot of benefit from the run.
“He’s always had ability, but was an immature, leggy horse that needed to grow into himself which he has done,” said stable representative Darren Beadman.
“He’s nominated for the Golden Rose and looks to be in for a nice prep.”
Brigantine is a half-brother to stakes-winners Handfast and Rusambo as well as stakes-placed Chipanda and Engagement being the eighth winner from terrific producer Lobola, a daughter of dual Group I winner Love Dance.
Lobola was covered last year by Encryption and has a weanling colt by Sidestep.
Brigantine is the tenth Australian winner for Astern, who also has a winner in New Zealand and two Northern Hemisphere bred winners in the US.
His winners include two stakes-winners in Seradess (Australia )and Danger Strykes (New Zealand).
Astern stands at Darley NSW at a fee of $16,500.
