Expensive Snitzel colt Soldier Of Rome climbed off the canvas to make a winning debut in the Yes Yes Yes 1st Yearlings Maiden (1000m) at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Soldier Of Rome took up the running but came under extreme pressure from Capital Heart and Storm The Ramparts.
Clearly headed at the 200mm, the son of Snitzel began to rally and turned what seemed inevitable defeat into a comfortable three-quarter length win. Capitalist colt Capital Heart finished second, a short-head in front of the Headwater colt Storm The Ramparts.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds / Go Bloodstock bought Soldier Of Rome for $850,000 from the Corumbene Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Raced by Go Bloodstock Australia, Kia Ora Stud, and TFI, Soldier Of Rome is a brother to stakes-placed Bottega, whose long list of near misses includes the Group II Stand Fox Stakes, Group III Newcastle Newmarket Hcp, Group III Frank Packer Plate, Group III Carbine Club Stakes, and Group III Doncaster Prelude.
He is the fourth winner from as many to race from the top-class General Nediym mare Bennetta, winner of the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes.
After foaling a Snitzel filly last spring, Bennetta was covered by Russian Revolution.
Soldier Of Rome is the sixth 2yo winner for Snitzel in Australia this season.
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