The Listed MRC Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday only had six runners, but we might have seen an exceptional juvenile with I Am Invincible colt King’s Gambit winning by five lengths untouched to become the first stakes winner for a joint venture between Newgate Farm and Gooree Stud.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, King’s Gambit was sent out favourite after winning his only barrier trial in Sydney and gave Blake Shinn the easiest of rides.
He stalked the leaders and ambled past them like they were tied to the fence, accelerating quickly two win by five in a slick 57.93 seconds with Capitalist filly Perfect Paradise closing late for second.
Both King’s Gambit and Perfect Paradise were foaled and raised at Newgate Farm, the former running for a partnership involving Gooree Stud, Newgate, China Horse Club and associates, while the latter sold at Magic Millions for $260,000 in the Newgate draft to Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock.
“He was impressive today and it was his first start - they were all first starters. If he did pull up really well there'll be a discussion with the ownership group, no doubt,” said Peter Snowden.
"The Golden Gift is a million dollar race in about three or four weeks time so that is an option, but if the horse has had enough in a couple of weeks time, that'll be enough for us to tip him out. It'll depend how he's come through the run."
Having not gone through a yearling sale, King’s Gambit is not eligible for any sales incentive races so connections can chart a more relaxed path to the autumn carnival and he already has over $100,000 in prizemoney from this debut victory.
"Full credit to Henry (Field) and the team. They picked him out as a 'weaner' and bought into him and it's just great to team up with the Snowden's again,” said Blake Shinn.
"The clients in this horse, Gooree Stud, I've have a long association with them, and the Snowdens and Henry Field and that ownership group.
"He's pretty exciting horse and he won with authority today. He was bombproof and that's how you like to see the two-year-olds win."
King’s Gambit is the second winner from Group III winning Encosta de Lago mare Sultry Feeling, a half-sister to Group III winner Swift Alliance from a US Black Type family. Sultry Feeling has a yearling filly by Snitzel that is likely to be offered at Magic Millions next year.
“He is the result of a joint venture between Newgate Farm and Gooree Stud and it’s so exciting to get such a great outcome,” said Henry Field.
“Gooree sent about 10 mares to Newgate for us to manage and this colt was born and raised at our farm.
“As a weanling he was as good an I Am Invincible colt as we have ever seen and the opportunity came up to buy into him so we jumped at it.
“I’m grateful to the Cojuangco family for being given the opportunity to be involved with their success and hopefully King’s Gambit is the start of a long and fruitful association.”
King’s Gambit is the 83rd stakes-winner for Yarraman Park’s reigning champion sire I am Invincible and is his eighth stakes-winner from a daughter of Encosta de Lago, the nick running at 21% stakes-winner to runner.
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