The Group 1 ATC Australian Derby has been earmarked for the highly promising three-year-old gelding Silent Impact who gave his supporters a scare before kick-starting his campaign with a hard-fought win over 1100m at Randwick on Saturday.
In a race that changed dramatically in the final 100 metres, the Gai Waterhouse and Arian Bott-trained son of Maurice (JPN) ran down the leader Capital Gain, but there was plenty going on behind.
The undefeated Quick Tempo was challenging Capital Gain at the 200m before running off the track.
Reece Jones on Spellcatcher decided to mount his challenge on the outside of a horse hanging out badly and had to rein up and come back inside. It may have cost him the race.
Silent Impact defeated Capital Reign (Capitalist) by a half-length with Spellcatcher (Extreme Choice) a head back in third.
“It’s great to see him back in such good order,” Bott said.
“He showed so much ability in his first preparation. He dd that on raw talent.
“He has strengthened up this preparation but mentally I think we saw a different horse, particularly the way he paraded today. I was a lot more confident once I saw that.
“When we see him over his preferred distance I think we will see him hold a more prominent role.
“We would like to target the Derby this campaign. He has the ability to stay and has some great stamina behind him.
“With the speed on early today meant he had to settle a little further back than we anticipated. There were a few worrying moments but his class shone through late.”
Purchased by Peter and June Dunn’s Dodmark Thoroughbreds for $150,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Silent Impact advances his record to three wins from four starts with earnings of $188,905.
The handsome son of Maurice (JPN) is the half-brother to Group III winner Reloaded and is the sixth winner from seven to race out of the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 STC Arrowfield Stud Stakes heroine Hollow Bullet.
A daughter of Tayasu Tsuyoshi (JPN), Hollow Bullet is a half-sister to Group III winner Last Bullet (High Chaparral) and the Listed VRC Ottawa Stakes-winner Red Hot Mama (General Nediym), dam of Listed winner Mama’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice).
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased a sister to Silent Impact for $200,000 from the Kulani Park draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and has been named Aiming.
Kulani Park will consign a half-sister to Silent Impact by Pariah at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale (lot 570).
Given a year off in 2020, Hollow Bullet visited Maurice (JPN) again last year.
