There was a good deal to dissect from the colts and geldings maiden for three-year-olds over 1250m at Kensington-Randwick on Wednesday.
The race went to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Savabeel colt Aeecee Express who improved on his debut third at Hawkesbury.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Aeecee Express sat just off the speed set by Fires before tacking control at the 300m and was strong to the line.
However, the story of the race is the runner-up Money Of The Sky.
The giant son of Frankel was making his career debut.
At the tale of the field around the home turn, the Mark Newnham-trained chestnut flew home down the outside fence to fall short by a half-neck.
The Fastnet Rock gelding Fire held on well to be a further three-quarters of a length back was back in third.
Adrian Bott said the winner would continue to progress as he gets over further.
“I know he was not fancied in the market today, but it is worth noting that at his first start, he went around as the $2 favourite. So, we’ve always had a high opinion of the horse,” Bott said.
“It may have come around a bit too quick for him last campaign.
“You can see this time around he has really furnished and filled out. He looks to have matured physically and mentally. He has always been a professional type of horse. He has a lot of scope, and there is plenty to go on with. He will continue to progress as he gets over further.”
Purchased by Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott / Mitchell Bloodstock for $150,000 from the Windsor Park Stud draft in book 1 of the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Aeecee Express descends from Windsor Parks fabulous mare Field Nymph.
A three-quarter brother to Group 1 South Australian Derby runner-up Savvy Oak (Savabeel), Aeecee Express is the first foal of the Thorn Park mare Nymph.
An Ellerslie maiden winner, Nymph is a daughter of Group III SAJC Auraria Stakes winner Fairy Oak (High Chaparral), a granddaughter of Field Nymph (Northfield, dam of Group 1 ARC Easter Hcp, Group 1 New Zealand Stakes winner Field Dancer (Star Way), Group 1 AJC Sydney Cup and Group 1 QTC Brisbane Cup winner Just a Dancer (Star Way), and Group III WRC Trentham Stakes winner Blanchard (Kaapstad).
Runner-up Money From The Sky (Frankel) is a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for Viribright Racing.
He is the final foal of the Group 1 WRC Captain Cook Stakes and Group 1 Levin Classic winner We Can Say It Now (Starcraft), who left the Group III Maisons-Laffitte Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Sky Kingdom (Montjeu) from her time in Europe.
