Ciaron Maher and David Eustace made it back-to-back wins in the $400,000 Inglis Classic (RL) (1000m) with the Street Boss (USA) colt El Padrino.
In a thrilling finish, El Padrino finished fast to defeat the Snitzel colt Calgary Stampede by a short-neck with a further three-quarters of a length back to the Exceed And Excel colt Athletica in third.
The winner’s better-fancied stablemate Boldinho (Brazen Beau) finished a troubled fourth after Jason Collett on El Padrino kept Hugh Bowman in a zip fastener pocket.
At his career debut on a heavy 10 at Cranbourne on November 13, El Padrino charged home for a luckless second to Taut You Could (O’Lonhro).
“It was a great performance. He made his owners work for it,” stable representative Jack Bruce said.
“They would have had to kick the whole way up the home straight, but he got there in the end.
“It’s really exciting for the stable, Coolmore was involved in the purchase, and he races in Bruce Wilson’s colours. It’s a great crew involved, and this is what it’s all about.
“It’s nice to win these races for the stable. It’s a big team effort right from the very beginning with these horses and everyone plays their part in both states to get them ready. It’s just really pleasing. We’re proud of the team and really proud of the work they put in to make it happen.”
Bruce said that El Padrino and Boldhino have the class to be serious Golden Slipper contenders.
"This particular horse El Padrino has come a long way. He’s still a very laid-back colt so he’s got the right attitude to see him improve into the autumn and Boldinho is exactly the same.”
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased El Padrino for $210,000 out of the Three Bridges Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Bred by Murray Thoroughbreds, El Padrino is the first foal of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Misty Rock whose dam Mist (Galileo) is a sister to Group II placed Iberia and to the dam of stakes-winner Nashirah (Dubawi). Mist is a three-quarter sister to dual Listed stakes-winner and Group 1 Racing Post Trophy second Aloft.
All three placegetters gave sibling catalogued for the Magic Millions.
Newhaven Park consign a half-sister to El Padrino from the first crop of Saxon Warrior.
Newgate Farm consign an I Am Invincible half-brother to Calgary Stampede.
KBL Thoroughbreds consign an Impending half-brother to Athletica.
Misty Rock foaled a filly by Donaster Mile winner Brutal on October 24.
