The first two home in the 1550m three year-old maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday are both entered for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and while that race might come up a bit quickly for these colts they may both make their presence felt in other longer Black Type races.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Sebring colt Ain’t He Grand was fourth on debut at Kembla last month, but took good improvement from that experience coming into a tougher race in town.
Ridden by James McDonald, he travelled well in the run and powered clear to win by a length over well bred Redoute’s Choice colt Ignacio, who was also having his second start and is trained by Chris Waller.
“He did everything really well and is obviously going to get a lot further,” said James McDonald.
“He’s a talented horse and when he mentally puts it altogether he will be a lot better again.”
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds draft for Flying Start Syndications/Pinhook B'Stock International (FBAA)/Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Ain’t He Grand is the second winner for Encosta de Lago mare Senta Helga, a full sister to 2400m stakes-winner Liberator.
Senta Helga is from Irish stakes-winner Miss Helga and is also a sister to stakes-placed Pink Siris, the dam of Group II winner Etana.
Senta Helga died in 2020 and her last foal, a two year-old filly by Trapeze Artist was sold by Ashleigh Thoroughbreds at Magic Millions this year for $210,000 to Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency.
Ain’t He Grand is from the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winner Sebring, who died in 2019.
