The Real Thing looked just that when he came from last to make a winning career debut over 1000m at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.
Ridden by Damien Thornton for Greg Eurell, the 2yo son of Real Impact (JPN) looked to be in trouble when searching for a run inside the 300m.
Dragged back to secure a run, The Real Thing gathered in his eight rivals with consummate ease. He defeated the Nicconi gelding Valenconi a length and a half with the Puissance de Lune (IRL) filly She Daresthe Devil a further three-quarter length back in third.
“He did so much wrong, from where he was early in the run to where he ended up,” Eurell told Racing.com.
“It looked ugly early, but you could see him building momentum once he straightened up. You could see Damien looking for a bit of clear going, and once he got there, it all happened.
“I’ll see how he pulls up. I thought he might only have one run in him, then put him out. We will have a little look to see what’s available.
“He’ll stretch out a bit more once he learns a bit more about it.”
Bred by Ascot Heath, The Real Thing was a $40,000 purchase for his trainer for $40,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Highway Session of the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He is the first foal of the Your Song mare Peristrophe, who retired a maiden after three starts at two but was clearly talented.
Following a debut fifth at Moonee Valley, Peristrophe finished second in the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes at Launceston before closing the curtain on her career with a fifth behind Shoals in the Group III Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Peristrophe’s dam Glogirl (General Nediym) is a half-sister to the magnificent Ortensia, a Group 1 winner on three continents.
Earlier this year, Nick Olive Racing shelled out $25,000 for a Maurice (JPN) half-sister to The Real Thing at the Gold Coast.
