The Written Tycoon colt Operative continues to whittle away at his $900,000 purchase price when backing up from his Newcastle maiden win to capture the Microphone Yearlings (Bm68) (1200m) at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Given a picture-perfect ride by James McDonald, the Chris Waller-trained colt defeated the Sebring filly Tashi by a length, with Felix Majestic (Smart Missile) three-quarters of a length back in third.
Operative disappointed when favoured to make a winning debut on a heavy track at Canterbury in June. He reappeared 18 weeks later with an impressive win at Newcastle.
“He’s a decent horse. The wet weather has held him up, so we are hoping he can make up for a bit of lost time,” Waller said.
“His win at Newcastle was good, and he beat a handy field today.
“We often see the off-season horses match it in the autumn, and that’s what we will be hoping with colts like this.”
Sporting the all-navy colours of Coolmore Stud, Operative is a $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier from the Arrowfield draft.
Operative is the second foal of Secret Doubt, a metro-winning three-quarter sister to stakes-winner Detective.
A daughter of Group I winner Covertly, Secret Doubt has been a windfall for several owners since Neville Parnham purchased her for $85,000 at the Magic Millions in 2014.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt sold to Woodside Park Stud/Iskander Racing for $400,000 at the 2018 National Broodmare Sale and $6660,000 to Woodside Park in the same ring three years later.
Secret Doubt has been a loyal partner to Written Tycoon for her first five seasons. She has a yearling filly and filly foal by the champion Yulong stallion.
